Economy of Pakistan over the Years
With an external debt exceeding 130.1 billion dollars, Pakistan faces precarious debt levels, political instability, and deteriorating economic indicators.
The global economic downturn spurred by Covid-19 hit advanced economies hard and sent the growth rates of developing and underdeveloped states plummeting. The PTI government made modest gains, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing. However, deep-seated challenges such as energy crises and regulatory hurdles persisted.
Hamza Shariff concludes that Pakistan must prioritize structural reforms, invest in human capital, and diversify energy sources to unlock the nation’s economic potential.
NIMA’s Hybrid Seminar on the Indian & Pacific Oceans
Today, the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Navy – Sea Power Centre (RMN – SPC), Pakistan Embassy in France, Centre for International Studies (CeSI) in Italy, and the Institute of Regional Studies held an international hybrid seminar on the regional and international significance of the Indian and Pacific Oceans at the NIMA Head office in Islamabad.
Canada-Philippines Defence Agreement and the South China Sea Dispute
The recent defence agreement signed between Canada and the Philippines is focused on cooperation in military education, information sharing, training exchanges, peacekeeping operations, and disaster responses regulated between the military and defence establishment of both countries.
Although it doesn’t mention a direct aim of safeguarding the claims of the Philippines in the South China Sea, the defence agreement would surely play its role in the ongoing dispute.
Insight into the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is positioning itself as a competitor to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Minahil Khalid expands on how this initiative materialized after the September 2023 G20 summit. IMEC holds significant economic and strategic importance as it connects India, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe, thereby establishing a trade route with the potential to reshape global trading dynamics. The impact of IMEC on Pakistan needs to be assessed, considering that this corridor may pose challenges to the success and involvement of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the region.
Coloniality of the P5: Decoding the Power Dynamics in the UNSC on the Israel-Palestine Conflict
Fatima Arshad Warraich shares how the permanent membership status and the absolute and unaccountable power to veto wielded by the P5 nations in the UNSC undermines democratic principles of the majority. She also adds that it compromises the Council’s ability to impartially address and maintain global peace and security.
She illustrates this by citing how the US, one of the P5 members of the UNSC, vetoed the resolution that demanded immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza on grounds of inadequate condemnation of Hamas and the ceasefire’s inability to create durable peace in the region.
What to Expect from the 2024 Taiwan Elections?
China’s growing influence around the world and its emergence as the rising superpower of the globe has inflicted fear in the people of Taiwan who have presidential elections on 13th January.
The major presidential contenders, along with an increasing majority of Taiwan’s population, reject the idea of Chinese governance. However, distinct differences among these parties may result in significantly diverse political landscapes.
The World in 2023: A Turbulent Year
The turbulent year of 2023 has finally come to an end. The year was marked by numerous conflicts, tragedies, clashes, and chaos around the globe. Unfortunately, the year 2023 has passed instability and chaos to the coming year. Notably, the United States played the key role behind most of these conflicts due to its economic interests.
The Enigma of Henry Kissinger: Unraveling a Legacy Laced with Blood and Power
Unveiling a career marked by opportunism and pragmatism, Naveed Hussain Mangi scrutinizes Kissinger’s role in shaping world events, from the prolonged Vietnam War to the Middle East and Latin America.
Beyond diplomatic accolades, he examines the bloodstains on Kissinger’s legacy, exploring the enduring consequences of his decisions and the ethical questions raised by his post-1970s advisory role.
Ultimately, the analysis calls for a nuanced understanding of the intricate interplay between geopolitics, morality, and the human cost of realpolitik.
Australia-China Relations: Conceptualizing Frenemies?
Under Prime Minister Albanese’s administration, Australia recognized that trade with China is worth more than trade with Japan, the US, and South Korea combined. Normalizing Australia-China relations viz-a-viz complementary economies should be set as a priority.
For China, Australia stands as an important partner, not only in regard to natural and renewable resources but also as having an ally among the Western powers through which it can control a hold over economic as well as political maneuvers.
Consequently, for Australia, shaping a clear policy is necessary as it needs to act with great prudence and analyze its steps in any matter. Australian economic benefits lie with both the US and China so siding with one will only cause problems.
Will the Lost Glimmer in CPEC’s Progress Push China into Abandoning It?
CPEC – a project with unprecedented provisions to Pakistan, China, the Middle East, and other connected regions – has top position in evolving Pakistan’s future.
The completed projects have aided Pakistan, but there is no solid evidence to ease the concerns regarding the credibility of employment estimates, Pakistan’s outstanding debts, China’s dwindling interest, and a lack of certainty and security.
Fiza Bibi Ameen addresses the possibility of China abandoning CPEC entirely, in addition to assessing the factors behind project’s slow pace.
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.