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.
Israel’s Strategic Depth: History & The 2023 Gaza War
Sarmad Ishfaq examines the concept of strategic depth, primarily in the context of Israel. He outlines the historical evolution of Israel’s strategic depth, discussing both the political and maritime dimensions of the phenomenon. Considering both traditional and political strategic depth, the article explains how these two aspects have manifested themselves in the 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict.
BJP and its Politics of Cricket
Cricket–and the World Cup–in India have become more than just an event for the people to enjoy. For Modi and the BJP, hosting the ICC World Cup is just one more feather of international recognition in their caps, following the G20 summit just weeks ago.
It could be due to the fact that sports and entertainment have a way of going where historically politics and state media have had a hard time penetrating.
Judiciary vs Executive
Huzaifah Sehgal explores the challenges of justice, highlighting the judiciary’s struggle to hold the executives accountable in Pakistan.
He gives the example of Abid Boxer, a dismissed police officer, accused of multiple extrajudicial killings; none of which were accounted for.
In essence, this opinion argues for a unilateral threshold of accountability for all, and the judiciary’s assertive role to this end.
AI in Modern Warfare: A Glimpse into the Future of Conflict
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly utilized in warfare, influencing strategic decisions, military systems, and even propaganda.
In Sudan’s civil war, AI-powered voice cloning impersonated the former president, altering public perception. The Russia-Ukraine conflict witnessed AI advancements in target recognition, data analysis, and drone usage.
Israel’s “Fire Factory,” an AI system, aids in targeting and conducting bombings. In light of this, Bisma Ali, contemplated the future of warfare and how AI would completely change war as we know it.
Paradigm Shift’s Magazine: October 2023 Edition
The October 2023 edition of the Paradigm Shift magazine contains 12 handpicked pieces.
These cover important issues like the Israel-Palestine war, the political destinies of party leaders in Pakistan, and the rise and fall of PIA, among others.
[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.
A Comprehensive History of the Ongoing Palestine-Israel Conflict
Lt Gen. (R) Tariq Khan attempts to analyse the reality of the Arab-Israel conflict. It is a complicated conflict in the sense that it has a historical angle, a military dimension and a political influence. However, it is, at the same time, a simple conflict also, as it is easily explained as a phenomenon triggered by the illegal occupation of land by a usurper and the legitimate response by the legal occupants of the land in resisting this unlawful occupation.
Gaza Hospital Bombing: A Positivist Legal Analysis of Israel’s Breach of International Law
The attack on the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza on 17th October is the gravest violation of international law by Israel in recent history. Ibrahim Tariq takes a positivist legal perspective rather than a moral or natural law one to assess whether Israel’s actions constitute a violation of international law.
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.
Benito Mussolini: The Father of Fascism
Benito Mussolini, full name Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini and designation ‘Il Duce’ (meaning ‘The Leader), was the pioneer of 20th-century Europe’s dictators under the dictates of fascism.
From humble beginnings to absolute peaks of power, to his own people passing the harshest of verdicts of execution, Benito Mussolini was a famed character in the WWII period. He introduced the concept of fascism which originated from the right-winged party he was leading in Italy.
Nawaz Sharif’s Return: What’s in Store for Pakistan?
Pakistan’s former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, is set to return to the state from his self-imposed exile on October 21st, 2023. With the date of the next elections announced, this return will signify his return to the Pakistani political arena as well. Amna Asif speculates on the true agenda of the PML-N and what it means for the future of Pakistan.
Imran Khan’s Political Future
Imran Khan’s arrest in August, followed by PTI’s internal fragmentation, has sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s political landscape.
Muhammad Shahbaz Rajper unravels the complexities of Khan’s legal battles, the challenges facing PTI, and the broader political turmoil in the country.
As Pakistan grapples with uncertainty, the story of Imran Khan’s political journey takes center stage, reflecting the ever-shifting dynamics of its politics.
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.
[Video] Are Pakistan-US Relations Characterized by Betrayal?
In this video, we share the history of the bilateral relations between Pakistan and the US. Despite being close allies during the Cold War, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir believes that the relations between Pakistan and the United States are almost at a breaking point.
Independent Power Producers in Pakistan
Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are private companies that generate power/electricity before selling it to the national grid competitively. They are also called Non-utility generators (NUGs) which only further emphasize private ownership.
There can be a variety of sources that IPPs can use to generate electricity such as wind, solar, and nuclear energy. Although they contribute to Pakistan’s circular debt, they are still a necessary
evil.
Womansplaining by Sherry Rehman
Sherry Rehman’s ‘Womansplaining’ narrates the history of the women’s rights movement, tracing its origins in the 1980s, the establishment of the Women’s Action Forum (WAF), and its opposition to the misguided Islamization project until Zia’s demise in 1988.
It also discusses the introduction of the Lady Health Workers (LHW) Program in 1994 and the ongoing challenges faced by post-millennial activism.