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.
Pakistan’s Need for Civic Education
The paper emphasizes the importance of civic education for a truly democratic state. It is certainly Pakistan’s best bet for promoting active political participation, increasing civic engagement in political activities, and encouraging healthy voting behaviors, while improving the constitutional literacy of the populace.
This paper also tackles ways to improve civic education and engagement in Pakistan by analyzing the German model of civic education.
The Washington Declaration: Revisiting the US-South Korean Security Commitment
The Washington Declaration is the name given to the very recent revised commitment between South Korea and the US on the 27th of April, 2023.
The declaration seeks to reinforce the US-South Korean alliance for the security interests of both in the region.
The US’s antagonism towards Chinese influence and South Korea’s uneasiness with North Korea’s nuclear expansion and missile capabilities have forced both of them to establish a Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) to strengthen deterrence against North Korea.
Faith in Imran Khan
The nation’s in a frenzy, but the political elite could care less about the economic woes of the public.
In the absence of good governance by the current political leadership, Imran Khan and his party are continually raising the hopes of a better tomorrow.
Neutrality in Politics is a Sin
Citing different historical examples like the French Revolution and the creation of the US, Bilal Ahmed argues why taking an interest in politics is necessary for the people of a state, especially its youth.
He claims that general neglect shown by the citizens can lead to bad governance and the deterioration of democracy, as is the case in Pakistan.
Who is Rahul Gandhi?
Rahul Gandhi, an MP until just recently and the descendant of Jawaharlal Nehru, has been sentenced to two years in prison for a four-year-old defamation case.
This sentence has been spurred by the popularity of Rahul Gandhi’s Congress Party and the success of the Unite India March against the BJP government.
What Does 2023 Hold for Pakistan?
In just the last two months, significant political harm has been done to the government, to major institutions and their reputations, as well as to the general elite. This is a direct result of the issues posed by inflation and the additional drastic deterioration of consumer capabilities.
Hina Anwar believes that the comparative economic advantage of Pakistan’s rivals (e.g. India) will further pull the country into political and economic crises.
Such crises are likely to manifest in the short term, as a fresh wave of terrorist attacks by the TTP, Daesh, and the separatists in Balochistan.
The PML-Q Breakup: Family Feud or Brilliant Politics?
PML-Q has recently been in the limelight due to the conflicts happening within the party. In a shocking turn of events, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi have parted ways, with Elahi now pledging loyalty to PTI.
Aleena Imran discusses how the tight-knit cousins have pledged their loyalty to different political figures throughout history – just to protect their own interests.
She also notes how this televised feud could be a part of their political strategy, so that the ‘Chaudhrys win’ – no matter which party is in power.
PML-N’s Future: Abbasi’s Resignation and Maryam Nawaz’s Elevation
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s resignation in the wake of Maryam Nawaz’s appointment as senior VP and chief organiser led to speculations about his continued membership of the party.
Would this resignation and appointment widen the intra-party divisions, leading to prospective defections of senior members of PML-N?
Pakistan’s Governance Implosion Syndrome
Mir Adnaz Aziz finds there to be discordance between the people of Pakistan and the ruling elite.
Citizens are now beginning to realize that the government has never really served them. In fact, the public has been on the receiving end of the injudicious and hasty decisions of the politicians.
The Reasons Behind the Complicated Civil-Military Relations in Pakistan
In most third-world countries, after the colonial period, civil-military relations (CMR) were characterized by military interventions in politics and insubordination to civil control.
Brigadier Syed Mushtaq Ahmed examines the reasons for the widespread influence of the armed forces in the domestic political scene.
He also explores how civilian regimes have attempted to ensure the subordination of the military to their authority.
President Macron’s Possible Trip to China
France and its allies in the EU made the decision to stand by Ukraine as soon as the Russia-Ukraine conflict started on 24th February 2022.
According to sources, French President Emmanuel Macron believes that his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, could act as a mediator to stop the large-scale land conflict from resuming in Ukraine.
Macron plans to visit China in April to reportedly discuss trade and energy issues, as well as the wider ramifications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A Look at the Ongoing Protests in Peru
A nationwide insurrection has engulfed Peru since early December, following the arrest and imprisonment of the country’s former president, Pedro Castillo.
The violent confrontation between the Peruvians and the security forces has entered the eighth week, culminating in the death of 60 civilians – and counting. What prompted these protests, and what lies ahead for Peru?