Importance of Geographic Information System (GIS) in Securing Pakistan
Muhammad Osama Asghar discusses a feeble branch of geography that can prove to be a vital source of security in Pakistan.
If implemented in an effective manner, the Geographic Information System (GIS) can be the lifeline that sustains the Pakistani economy while allowing us to prepare ourselves for impending natural, external, or domestic calamities.
Will the Growing China-New Zealand Relations Sideline the US?
Some believe that PM Jacinda Ardern’s visit to the US indicates the inclination of New Zealand towards the US instead of China.
However financial interests between China and New Zealand indicate otherwise.
Since signing the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement in 2008, China has become New Zealand’s top financial collaborator, with goods and services exports reaching a whopping $21.5 billion in 2021.
NATO 2022 Strategic Concept: A New Cold War
At the NATO Summit this year in Madrid, the 2022 Strategic Concept was presented and adopted by the alliance’s representatives. The latest strategic doctrine underscores one of the most significant policy shifts in NATO’s deterrence policy since the end of the Cold War.
The document declared the People’s Republic of China as a security challenge.
The alliance has now also categorically recognized the Russian Federation as the most significant and direct threat to the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic region.
The Long Awaited 2022 Parliamentary Elections of Nepal
Nepal has had a bitter history of power transitions and political instability. In yet another attempt to maintain democratic structures and bring political stability, Nepal is poised to hold its parliamentary elections on 20th November.
This will be the 11th such election since 2008, after Nepal abolished its 240-year-old monarchy.
Germany’s Relations with Taiwan under the One China Policy
When it comes to Taiwan, Germany finds itself in a dilemma. Should it recognize Taiwan as an independent state or adhere to Beijing’s One China policy? Haniya Ali assesses Germany’s options and argues that since Berlin cannot go against China, it has adopted a moderate approach in its dealings with Taiwan. While condemning China’s Taiwan policy, it has supported Taiwan’s integration into international organizations without breaching the One China policy.
Are Digital Currencies & China’s Yuan Causing the US Dollar to Decline?
Since the Bretton Woods system was first introduced, the US dollar has established itself as the world’s largest reserve currency. However, with the increasing popularity of non-traditional currencies, questions have arisen about the possible decline of the dollar’s dominance. Liza Wasique attempts to answer these questions while acknowledging the declining trust in the US currency, and the competition between the dollar and China’s yuan.
2022 SCO Summit in Samarkand
The 22nd annual summit of the Council of Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held on September 15 and 16 against the backdrop of a geopolitical upheaval challenging the world order.
The leaders discussed regional and global challenges and resolved to achieve common goals of climate resilience, connectivity, digital sovereignty, peace, security, and economic development, notwithstanding the conflicts among member countries.
Prospects of multilateral cooperation were discussed at the Samarkand meeting, but of greater interest were the side-line meetings between heads of states, especially between Xi and Putin.
Malaysia’s Relations with China: A Multifaceted Approach
China has always maintained a strong position in Malaysia’s foreign policy for one reason or another. The China-Malaysia ties, which were once strained by Chinese containment, have now become more cordial.
Malaysia has opened itself up to China, adopting a multifaceted approach to the rising power. Areej Haider notes that Malaysia’s policy towards China now hinges on two factors: containing the latter’s influence, and engaging with it for the sake of economic benefits.
Will China’s Deadening Heatwaves Bring Its GDP Down?
China’s recent blistering experience with heatwaves has made it difficult for the country to resolve the energy crisis. The demand for power has escalated to unprecedented heights mainly due to the unrelenting heatwaves.
Alina Minhas and Amna Asif believe that this heatwave may negatively impact crop yields and hydroelectricity generation, thus damaging the country’s GDP.
Collaboration Between Pakistan Agricultural Research Council & China’s Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences
On 15th July 2022, the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and China’s Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (YAAS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote agricultural cooperation between Pakistan and China. Under the MoU, the two institutes will work together to establish a joint agricultural research lab, paving the way for Pakistan to modernize its agricultural sector and learn from China.
Weather Warfare: Weapons of the Future
Amid climate concerns, states are now devising ways to change and control the weather. However, this initiative could tempt global powers into using weather to gain military advantage.
Muhammad Sajjad and Saba Kiran review international frameworks and several studies to demonstrate how weather modification technology can be used in future wars.
China’s Military Modernization: A Threat to the US
China’s fast-paced military modernization has become a thorn in America’s side. The author, Rida Yamin, notes that the creation of Chinese hypersonic missiles has come as a shock to the United States, intensifying the arms race between the two. She argues that China’s focus on STEM education, the research and development sector, and industrial policy has given it an edge over the US.
The Prisoner’s Dilemma of Hostage Diplomacy: How States Exploit Foreigners
Khawaja Obaid ur Rehman explains the concept of ‘hostage diplomacy’ – linking it to the recent arrest of US basketball player Brittney Griner who got arrested in Russia.
He also applies the concept of ‘prisoner’s dilemma’ to show just how tricky the practice of imprisoning foreign nationals to achieve specific national interests can be.
Sea Guardians-2: Pak-China Maritime Cooperation
Sea Guardians-2, a code name for the maritime exercise between China and Pakistan was held from 10th till 13th July 2022. The navies of both countries gathered at the military port in Wusong, Shanghai to begin the bilateral exercise.
This cooperation was further enhanced by the recent induction of PNS Taimur, a new Chinese 054 A/P frigate, into the Pakistan Navy.
Turkey-China Relations: From Defense to Economic Partnerships
The relations between China and Turkey serve as the perfect example of common interests winning over ideology. Though the two states have diverging views on several issues like terrorism, or the Arab Spring, they still view each other as important trading partners – and have cooperated in the defense, cultural, and economic spheres. Samana Mehmood notes that the diplomatic relations which started in 1971, have now become much more significant. With the changing structure of the international environment, Beijing and Ankara are bound to play a more proactive role in global affairs.
China, Indonesia, & the South China Sea Dispute
China has always maintained sovereignty over the South China Sea, which is rich in both oil and natural gas reserves. More so, its sea routes are critical for China’s maritime transportation.
Interestingly, while China has never claimed Indonesia’s Natuna islands, it has also never clarified the meaning of the nine-dash line that overlaps with Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone near the Natuna Islands.
Blinken’s Africa Visit: The China-Russia Threat
Seeing as the African nations hold huge importance in terms of resources and strategic location, the US finds China and Russia’s visits to the region concerning. In view of that, on 8th August, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken paid a visit to South Africa to further its relations with the African nation.
