Eid Across the Globe
Eid-ul-Fitr is a three-day religious holiday celebrated at the end of Ramazan by Muslims worldwide. Different countries have their own unique traditions, rituals, and clothing for this auspicious day.
Pakistan, UAE, Turkey, Indonesia, and Canada, all celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with fervor, zeal, and jubilation.
Parliamentary System vs Presidential System: What’s Better for Pakistan?
Are you familiar with the differences between a presidential and parliamentary form of government? If not, we can provide you with a quick guide to understand both systems.
Given Pakistan’s history of democratic challenges, it is important to understand the intricacies of its previous governments and determine which system was more suitable and why.
The Power of Geography
Tim Marshall, a seasoned journalist, explores the geopolitical impact of geography in “The Power of Geography.” Focusing on ten key regions, including Australia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Greece, Türkiye, the Sahel, Ethiopia, Spain, and Space, Marshall delves into historical contexts and current challenges. He connects geography with political choices and global dynamics.
Fall of the Ottoman Empire & the Emergence of Nation States
To comprehend the fall of the Ottoman Empire, it is essential to examine not only the events that led to this significant shift but also those that followed the collapse. The authors provide a concise overview of the events preceding the empire’s fall, such as the Young Turk Revolution, the Balkan Wars, and WWI, among others. They also evaluate the various agreements and events that contributed to the emergence of nation-states and their international boundaries.
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.
Maritime Disputes and International Law: Disputed Waters and Seabed Resources in Asia and Europe
Constantinos Yiallourides’ Maritime Disputes and International Law: Disputed Waters and Seabed Resources in Asia and Europe provides an extensive analysis of maritime conflicts.
Using international law, he recommends achieving joint development agreements.
It examines the legal principles behind maritime disputes and provides a framework for cooperation in order to use disputed resources for mutual benefit.
A Look Into the Pakistan-Türkiye Relief Efforts
Zainab Haseeb undertakes an event-by-event analysis to understand how both Pakistan and Türkiye have contributed to safeguarding each other’s interests during natural challenges.
She traces the relief efforts made during the 2005 earthquake, the 2022 floods, and the recent 2023 earthquakes.
Turkey, Greece and the Cyprus Dispute
Hafsa Ammar discusses how international mediation sometimes is necessary to maintain world order and peace.
She builds on this case by recalling the Cyprus dispute. The mediation attempts by the US and the United Nations managed to subdue Turkey and Greece, and this effectively prevented the conflict from escalating.
Turkey-China Relations: From Defense to Economic Partnerships
The relations between China and Turkey serve as the perfect example of common interests winning over ideology. Though the two states have diverging views on several issues like terrorism, or the Arab Spring, they still view each other as important trading partners – and have cooperated in the defense, cultural, and economic spheres. Samana Mehmood notes that the diplomatic relations which started in 1971, have now become much more significant. With the changing structure of the international environment, Beijing and Ankara are bound to play a more proactive role in global affairs.
The Putin-Erdogan Meeting: Courtship or Alliance?
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi on August 5th, to discuss a wide array of topics. This included the strengthening of economic ties between the two.
This meeting follows Türkiye’s masterful diplomacy of acting as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia, which has allowed Ukraine grains to be exported again.
Turkey’s Opposition to NATO Expansion & the Madrid Summit
Ever since the Madrid Summit recognized Turkey for its role in NATO and lifted the arms embargo on it, Ankara has sought to redefine its foreign relations. While Turkey is seeking an arms deal with the US, its decision to oppose Finland and Sweden is a clear indication of Erdogan’s uncompromising attitude towards his goals. Tiejun Huаng addresses the cause of Turkey’s opposition to Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership. The author explains that the Scandinavian states have utilized vague wording and lack of proper implementation procedures in the 2022 Madrid Summit agreement to avoid extraditing Kurdish militants to Turkey.
The Myth of Secularism
While President Erdogan’s decision to change Hagia Sophia to a mosque has been criticised for being religiously motivated, one must also take note of the West’s use of religion in various political endeavours. Mir Adnan Aziz reveals that even in the most ‘secular’ Western democracies, several major decisions (such as the Iraq war) were based on the religious beliefs of those in power.
Putin’s Visit to Iran: Ending Western Hegemony
President Putin’s visit to Iran has caught significant attention amidst the fragile global political and economic conditions. Faran Feroze considers the visit to have raised various concerns among Washington and its allies as the two leaders met to discuss economic cooperation and deepening partnerships through an MOU between Gazprom and the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and the installation of the Rasht-Astara railway line, among others.
Sultan Mehmed II’s Ottoman Empire Compared to Atatürk’s Secular Turkey
In 1453, Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople, the capital city of the Byzantine Empire. The reign of the sultan saw the Ottoman Empire grow exponentially and the city become a world refuge, a center of arts, literature, and culture. Mir Adnan Aziz compares the Ottoman Empire under Mehmed the Conqueror with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s secular Turkey. He reveals the loss of identity of the people of the once magnificent empire in the name of “westernization”.
Turkey’s Opposition to the Nordic NATO Membership
Russia’s not the only one bothered by the NATO expansion — in fact, Turkey is only willing to admit Finland and Sweden into NATO if they meet a few crucial conditions. Turkey will only vote for their acceptance if they follow through on the agreements that were made on counterterrorism and arms exports at the NATO summit in Madrid.
Digging Up the History of Saudi Arabia
In this very detailed and clear piece, Mohammad Mudasar Laghari connects the past and present of Saudi Arabia, a kingdom shrouded in mysteries. Discover the origins of the name of the Kingdom, the roots of Wahhabism, the finding of oil, and the army of flies, among others.
A Peaceful Afghanistan: The Interest of Pakistan, China, & the Region
Over the years, the state of Afghanistan has experienced terrorism, drug trafficking, human rights abuse, political turmoil, geostrategic and geo-economic tussle, and societal deterioration. The instability in the state has impacted Pakistan, China, Iran, Turkey, and the Central Asian Republics as well. The authors, Muhammad Saad, Eman Anjum, Jizza Babar, and M. Shaheer Khattak, note that for their own interests, these regional states seek a peaceful Afghanistan, the establishment of which is not an easy task. For this reason, they have made efforts to stabilize and develop the war-torn state.