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.
BRICS’ New Members: Changing Tides & the Impact on the US
BRICS, a group comprising the world’s strongest economies, has been overlooked in the past. However, today, it has emerged on the global political stage as a formidable force.
Aqsa Shaukat assesses the changing dynamics of BRICS to determine whether it will pose a threat to the established Western political order.
From introducing its own currency to welcoming new members, the group is now on its way to achieving independence from Western influence.
Fukushima Water Discharge Controversy
A disastrous tsunami followed the 2011 earthquake in Japan, causing disruption to the reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant site. As a consequence, there was a release of radioactive material.
Japan has now decided to release treated radioactive water into the Pacific, but China, South Korea, and the Pacific Island nations are opposing the discharge of the Fukushima water.
BRICS Currency: Reshaping Global Economics
Sibra Waseem asserts that the US interest rate rise, monetary policy, and geopolitical tensions on global trade prices have fed the move for a BRICS currency. Where approximately 88% of worldwide commerce is currently handled in US dollars and accounts for 58% of global foreign exchange reserves, the BRICS currency would certainly shift the tides of geoeconomics. She, however, notes that the possibility of a BRICS currrency is marred by tensions between states comprising the powerful bloc.
Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power
“Monsoon: The Indian Ocean and the Future of American Power” by Robert Kaplan is a captivating exploration of the geopolitics, history, and culture of the Indian Ocean. Published in 2010, the book seamlessly weaves together Kaplan’s personal travel experiences with strategic analysis and geopolitical insights. The title cleverly draws parallels between the region’s unpredictability and the monsoon, underscoring its significance in global power dynamics. Overall, it serves as a concise guide to understanding the past, present, and future of this crucial region
China’s Rise: From Sleeping Giant to Global Economic Powerhouse
Maidah Tariq explains that China’s journey to becoming a modern state began with the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911. After a civil war, the Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, emerged victorious and formed the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
Mao’s economic policies faced challenges, but Deng Xiaoping introduced reforms in the 1990s that led to massive economic growth. These reforms included incentives for workers, encouraging private farming, promoting township and village enterprises, and focusing on education.
She concludes that China’s integration with the global economy through exports and foreign investments has made it an economic giant and a major player on the world stage.
Reclaiming Glory: Türkiye’s Rise Under Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Türkiye has been on a mission to reclaim its previous glory under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan’s unwavering support for international Muslims, as well as his criticism of US policies, have thrust him into the center of international discourse.
Despite the polarized public opinion, Türkiye has improved its military capabilities and emerged as a significant player in the weapons market, contributing to its growing global dominance.
Much to the chagrin of the United States, it has formed strategic relationships with countries such as Russia and China, diversifying its alliances and impacting regional dynamics.
[Video] China’s Economic Rise
Explore the incredible narrative of China’s remarkable ascent to becoming a dominant global economic force in this engaging video. Join us as we dive into the historical, political, and socioeconomic factors that have propelled China from its humble origins to a position of unrivaled economic influence.
Paradigm Shift’s Magazine: July 2023 Edition
The July 2023 edition of the Paradigm Shift magazine contains 13 handpicked pieces.
These cover the French riots, the geopolitcial significance of China’s digital Silk Road, the micro hyrdopower projects as a solution to Pakistan’s energy crisis, and the comparison of the PMS and CSS exams.
The July edition features two infographics: one featuring the top 10 countries in military spending, and the independence dates of the former Soviet republics.
This edition also has a book review, an op-ed, two PU pieces, and an interview of Brigadier (R) Samson Simon Sharaf.
Unveiling the Legacy: How Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Shaped Pakistan’s Foreign Policy
Fatimah Naeem delves into the tumultuous era of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s leadership in Pakistan and the profound impact it had on the country’s foreign policy. With a vision of assertive diplomacy, Bhutto navigated a complex geopolitical landscape, facing both formidable challenges and remarkable triumphs. From his ambitious pursuit of nuclear capability to the redefinition of Pakistan’s role in the Muslim World, the author explores the changes in Pakistan’s relations with its neighbors and the US.
Khunjerab Pass of Pakistan: Adventure and History Unite
Khunjerab Pass, nestled in Pakistan’s Karakoram Range, is a stunning mountain pass linking Pakistan and China.
Located in the Gilgit-Baltistan area and standing at 4,693 meters (15,397 feet) above sea level, Khunjerab Pass is one of the world’s highest paved border crossings.
The Geopolitics of China’s Digital Silk Road
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the greatest infrastructure project in the world, has a component called the Digital Silk Road that intends to increase digital connectivity and collaboration among the participating countries.
Established in 2015, it spans a variety of industries including satellite navigation, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, e-commerce, and telecommunications, stretching Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. The Digital Silk Road is motivated by China’s desire to open new markets as well as to shift the global digital order away from the United States.
The Arctic Region: A New Frontier for Geostrategic Competition
The Arctic region is witnessing a surge in geostrategic competition. It has attracted the attention of several key players, each with their own interests and motivations. Russia, for example, sees the Arctic as a strategic area for resource extraction and military dominance. Meanwhile, the United States is concerned about maintaining its influence in the region in the midst of China’s increasing economic and strategic involvement. The competing interests of these nations are shaping the geostrategic competition in the Arctic and have the potential to impact global dynamics.
The New Global World Order: Aging Gracefully
The end of the Cold War marked the beginning of American exceptionalism, as we know it now. The three decades following the fall of the Berlin Wall witnessed the capricious acts of the US, from its unilateral wars to blatant violations of other international rules and norms.
However, since the 2007 economic meltdown, the doctrine of American exceptionalism has faced decadence as has the economic growth of the country. Meanwhile, other factors, such as the rise of China, the resurgence of Russia, and the nuclear proliferation of other countries kept on playing their fair share in bringing the world to a multipolar environment.
Armed Coexistence: The Dynamics of Intractable Sino-Indian Border Dispute
By applying neoclassical realism to the China-India border conflict, Stephen P. Westcott sets out on a path to provide a clear understanding of the issue. In his book “Armed Coexistence: The Dynamics of Intractable Sino-Indian Border Dispute,” he analyzes the two neighboring states’ approach to conflict resolution.
Rather than escalating tensions or seeking a compromise, both China and India tenaciously cling to the status quo. Their persistence to uphold the status quo has ensured that the Sino-Indian conflict remains unresolved, despite periodic border clashes and numerous rounds of negotiations.
The World’s Power Distribution from Pax Americana to Asianization: A New Geopolitical Landscape
A multipolar world could hardly be considered elusive, given the intensity of the geopolitical currents.
And while the US is still standing tall, for how long will it be able to do so with China taking the lead in global affairs?
The US would eventually be forced to take extreme action or risk losing its status as a global power and becoming irrelevant as the world moves to multipolarity.