Paradigm Shift’s Magazine: November 2023 Edition
The November 2023 edition of the Paradigm Shift magazine contains 12 handpicked pieces. These cover the genocides in Congo and Palestine, the geostrategic importance of the South China Sea, Hindu nationalism in India, and the role of AI in modern warfare.
Russia and Myanmar’s Maritime Exercises 2023
In the shifting tides that are the game of international relations and world politics, Russia and Myanmar have been conducting maritime exercises that represent not only a union of naval capabilities but also a shared commitment to managing the complexity of global geopolitics.
Their collaborative maritime endeavors reverberate far beyond naval manoeuvers, creating a vivid portrayal of diplomatic endurance, strategic vision, and the eternal hunt for synergy in an ever-changing geo-political environment.
Destined for War: Can America and China Escape the Thucydides’s Trap
Destined for War is a strategic compass for statesmen and is essential reading for students and researchers who are studying the complexities of great power politics. Allison, in this book, has given clues as to how the struggle between China and the US can end in war. The book has been a captivating exploration of the Thucydides Trap, offering profound insights into the challenges these two global powers face and the potential consequences of failing to navigate these challenges successfully. To support the claims, Alison has provided sixteen cases from the last 500 years in which a rising power challenged an existing power, of which 12 ended in war. The dynamics of the politics of the contemporary world are very different from the politics before the two World Wars because of nuclear weapons. If things are not managed diplomatically, the end of both powers could be catastrophic.
China’s Maritime Strategy: Unleashing Artificial Intelligence in the South China Sea
China strategically deploys artificial intelligence (AI) in the South China Sea, enhancing maritime control through deep-sea operations, maritime drones, and decision-making processes. This multifaceted approach, aimed at gaining a technological edge and expanding influence, raises significant geopolitical and security concerns, and poses challenges to international law. The strategic use of AI by China in this critical region has implications for global stability and demands careful monitoring and international cooperation.
Pakistan-North Korea Relations: An Unexpected Friendship
Over the years, North Korea and Pakistan have maintained an intricate and, at times, surreptitious relationship, one that is grounded in strategic alliances and shared interests in military technological advancements.
Such a relationship has challenged stability in the region, specifically due to global efforts towards deterring nuclear proliferation. Other than the occasional diplomatic precursor from both sides, the depth of this cryptic alliance is left to one’s imagination.
[Video] American Decline Affects its War with China
In this video, Sarmad Ishfaq, the author himself, explains that the steady decline of the US’s hegemony and the simultaneous rise of China will lead to an imminent conflict between the two, resulting in the demise of America and the birth of a new world order.
Forging Partnerships: Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad Visits China
Seeking funds and allies to rebuild war-torn Syria, President Bashar al-Assad made a historic visit to China on September 21, 2023, and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. During the visit, a strategic partnership was established, fostering cooperation in various areas. The Sino-Syrian partnership will serve to enhance China’s influence in the Middle East and challenge Western hegemony in the region.
The US Dollar vs BRICS: Is the American Financial Order Declining?
Muhammad Mustafa Ahmed Khan discusses the historical dominance of the American currency, the dollar. He examines the challenges to the supremacy of the US dollar and, additionally, to the American financial order, posed by the economic policies of the BRICS member states. Though they might not match the US individually, together these states contribute significantly to the global economy. Their decision to trade in their respective currencies itself poses a threat to the dollar.
Paradigm Shift’s Magazine: August-September 2023 Edition
The August-September 2023 edition of the Paradigm Shift magazine contains 15 handpicked pieces.
These cover the SWOT analysis of the energy predicament in Pakistan, a BRICS currency, the G20 Delhi Declaration, and the land reforms during Bhutto’s period among others.
The August-September 2023 edition features an infographic on the urbanization in Pakistan throughout the years.
This edition also has two book reviews and an op-ed.
Key Takeaways from the G20 Delhi Declaration
Held this year in Delhi, the G20 summit holds economic and political significance in reshaping the world order. The summit saw an expansion of the African Union.
However, both China and Russia did not participate in the summit. It also saw India and the US seizing an opportunity to lay down the conceptual underpinnings of what might be an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative: a new economic corridor.
China’s Influence in the Middle East Surges
China has seized the opportunity to assert its presence in the Middle East to reshape the regional dynamics amidst a shift in the United States’ policy focus from the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific region under the Biden administration.
Recent events like the Saudi-Iran agreement and the admission of some Middle Eastern nations in the BRICS bloc demonstrate China’s varied interests in the region, which range from conventional energy requirements to economic and geopolitical worries.
Introduction to the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC)
The China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) is a strategic infrastructure project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aimed at connecting China with Myanmar’s major economic centers.
CMEC was endorsed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Myanmar in January 2020, marking the culmination of China’s efforts to reconstitute Sino-Myanmar relations after Myanmar’s democratic transition.
From Debt Burden to Economic Growth: A Roadmap for Pakistan’s Recovery
Faryal Khan discusses pakistan’s external debt and liabilities, proposing measures for the country’s economic recovery and growth. Drawing inspiration from successful examples and policies implemented by other countries, this article suggests policies such as improving the investment climate, reducing the cost of doing business, promoting renewable energy, and implementing microfinance policies. By adopting these policies, Pakistan can create a favourable business environment, attract more investment, and ultimately boost its economy. This proposed roadmap aims to help Pakistan transition from a debt burden to a path of economic growth and prosperity.
Bank of China: Now Open in Islamabad, Pakistan
Known for its presence in over 50 countries, the Bank of China first established a branch in Pakistan in 1942. Now, after 80 years, on the 10th anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a branch of the bank was inaugurated in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, solidifying economic cooperation between the two nations. This branch’s inauguration signifies a commitment to enhancing infrastructure development, trade, and bilateral ties, further strengthening the historical bond between China and Pakistan.
Navigating the Sino-US Rivalry: Pakistan’s Strategic Dilemma
Yashfa Ahsan reflects on Pakistan’s intricate position amid the Sino-US rivalry. The South Asian state’s strategic location demands a multifaceted and balanced approach in its foreign policy and international relations. The author acknowledges the implications of India and the US’s engagement in the Indian Ocean Region for Pakistan’s security and economy. Bearing this in mind, she emphasizes that, with key players like India, Iran, and Afghanistan drawn into this rivalry, Pakistan must establish itself as a reliable economic and strategic partner for the states involved.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng Honored with the Hilal-i-Pakistan Award
In a remarkable testament to the strong and enduring ties between China and Pakistan, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng was recently honored with the prestigious Hilal-i-Pakistan Award. This distinguished recognition serves as a symbol of the deep-rooted friendship and diplomatic collaborations between the two nations.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: 10 Years and Beyond
It’s been a decade since the inauguration of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $50 billion project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
While many believe that the project has failed in many respects, Ayesha Shaikh shares what it is and what it isn’t.