Need for Political Wit in Pakistan
Owing to the statements of political leaders and the inefficiency of institutions, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir argues that the people of Pakistan have lost trust in the state. Political polarization within Pakistan has reached its apex since May 9th – one that’s reminiscent of the Arab Springs in the Middle East. This political instability has proven itself detrimental to the economy and society of Pakistan. The author emphasizes the dire need for all of the stakeholders to exercise political wisdom and rebuild confidence in institutions, instead of breaking it down, to overcome the political crisis.
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.
Paradigm Shift’s Magazine: June 2023 Edition
The June 2023 edition of the Paradigm Shift magazine contains 14 handpicked pieces. These explore the impact of hydropolitics in Pakistan, the cases of Reko Diq and the others, the importance of the 2023 general elections for Pakistan, and the causal relationship between food insecurity and political instability.
The June edition features two beautifully designed infographics: one illustrating the magnitude of California’s GDP, and the second offering a profile of the Pakistani passport.
This edition also has an interesting book review, three op-eds, and two pieces around the national animal and a famous mosque in Pakistan.
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.
The Moral Crisis in Pakistan
Hania Imran reflects on the collapse of the moral structures and the inability to uphold ethical standards in Pakistan. The most pressing issue, she notes, is not the economic and political crises but the crisis of morality.
A Rising China: Contender to US Supremacy
Ayesha Zahoor contemplates the rise of the East, particularly China, and its potential to supersede the United States. The shifting global balance of power coincides perfectly with the diminishing authority of the US and the burgeoning influence of China worldwide. While the American policies of interventionism have cultivated distrust and skepticism among its allies, China’s economic prowess, and reliability in every sector have drawn states towards it.
A History of Modern South Asia: Politics, States, Diasporas
Ian Talbot’s “A History of Modern South Asia: Politics, States, Diasporas” provides a thorough analysis of the political, social, and cultural changes that have occurred in South Asia from the colonial period to the present.
Through his extensive study and analysis of the region, Talbot highlights nationalism, border disputes, sectarian and ethnic violence, and economic development.
Why Are the 2023 General Elections Important for Pakistan?
Muhammad Shaheer Mahmood shares why the upcoming 2023 general elections carry unprecedented importance for Pakistan.
The elections would not only bring stability to the country’s political set-up but also a fully occupied National Assembly.
The Pathan Unarmed
Mukulika Banerjee’s “The Pathan Unarmed” is an enlightening book that dives into the captivating history of Pashtuns’ nonviolent resistance.
It gives an in-depth history of the Khudai Khidmatgaar movement, which was started and steered by Abdul Ghaffar Khan, commonly known as Bacha Khan.
His non-violent movement became a sincere instrument for the transformation of Pathans from a group with polemic and defiant nature to a non-violent one.
Tug of War Between Central Governments and Supreme Courts in Pakistan and India
Muhammad Shaheer Mahmood discusses the uncanny similarities in both the constitutional and political discourse in India and Pakistan.
Despite their longstanding hostility, both countries find themselves entangled in a web of mistrust between their respective centers and the Supreme Courts.
These intriguing coincidences send us down a fascinating path fraught with power struggles, legislative interventions, and the slow erosion of institutional trust.
Turkey’s 2023 Elections: What You Need to Know
A complex state that has seen power juggle between its political and military institutes, Türkiye has seen years of struggle to get to its current political shape.
In 2018, Türkiye saw its transition from a parliamentary to a presidential system after the constitutional referendum in 2017. The initiative was planned by Tayyip Erdoğan of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) who remains a powerful political figure and has been President since 2014.
While both the presidential and parliamentary elections were held on 14th May, Erdoğan and Kılıçdaroğlu will contest a run-off vote on 28th May to decide the winner of the 2023 presidential elections.
What Does a Stable Afghanistan Mean for China?
Despite being an underdeveloped country, Afghanistan seems to have gained China’s attention. China desires a stable Afghanistan so that it can safeguard its national and cross-border security.
Moreover, China needs to have stability in its landlocked neighbor so that it can further its economic expansion.
Muhammad Shaheer Mahmood sheds light on the importance of stability in Afghanistan for China and China’s attempts to make sure that it enjoys a stable neighborhood.
Why is Bakhmut Important in the Russia-Ukraine War?
Ayesha Javaid discusses why Bakhmut is important for both Russia and Ukraine, and what would happen if it were to fall.
For Ukraine, the city is a symbol of its struggle and resistance against the Russian forces. On the other hand, Russia seeks Bakhmut to gain control over the entire eastern Donbas territory and ultimately the liberation of the “Donetsk People’s Republic”.
As she describes the recent developments in the ongoing war for Bakhmut, she concludes that in the coming weeks, the city might completely slip through Russia’s fingers.
A National Circus: The Game of Power and the Neglected Masses
“Why are people fighting on TV?”, an innocent child asked his mom, after watching the clash between the police and the protesters last week on TV.
This question prompted Zuha Tiwana, the mother of that child, to pen down the consequences that the national-level circus has had on the public’s welfare.
The Propaganda War Between India and Pakistan Post-Pulwama
After the Pulwama attack in India, tensions between both Pakistan and India rose rapidly. The escalation eventually culminated in an aerial dogfight where an Indian MiG-21 was downed by Pakistan and its pilot, Abhinandan, captured.
To save face, India began a propaganda campaign claiming that a Pakistani F-16 was downed by India. This led to a massive war of words between both countries characterized by lies, jingoism, hyperbole, and nationalism.
While both countries’ media were to be blamed for the preceding, the Indian media was more culpable for displaying such negative traits. Eventually, this propaganda war was settled by international news agencies and organizations that corrected many false Indian claims, especially the one relating to the alleged downed Pakistani F-16.
The final nail in the coffin was when a US inventory check asserted that no Pakistani F-16s were missing and therefore Pakistan came out as the victor in the dogfight as well as the propaganda war.
The Role of Hydropolitics in Pakistan’s Water Crisis
Ayesha Javaid discusses how Pakistan has been embroiled in politics over water resources since its independence – at both local and international levels.
Pakistan and India initially had disagreements over the Indus Basin, which was finally settled by the Indus Water Treaty in 1960. However, with India now demanding modifications in the 62-year-old treaty, serious water-based conflicts between the two countries are a likely possibility.
Pakistan also faces water troubles within, as provincial governments have failed to reach an agreement over the much-needed construction (& even usage) of dams.
Violent Protests in Pakistan: A Hollow Endeavour?
As Pakistanis, we’re accustomed to placing the blame on others and seeking remedies through sit-ins and protests that characteristically morph into violent and fruitless endeavours.
This time, however, it won’t just stop with arrests and economic contractions as the economy is closely inching towards a catastrophic collapse.