How Modi’s Neutrality Could Affect India-Russia & India-Ukraine Relations
India has strong diplomatic, economic, and military ties with Russia and Ukraine. Keeping this in mind, Syed Haris Shah and M. Shahkar Ijaz Khan explain the cause of India’s neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war. They argue that the impartiality of New Delhi has both opportunities and challenges for the republic in the future. Moreover, if India openly condemns the Russian aggression in Ukraine, India-Russia relations will suffer a huge blow.
The 48th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Pakistan
The delegations of over 50 member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation congregated in Islamabad on the 22nd of March for the 48th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers. The two-day meeting resulted in the adoption of the Islamabad Declaration; a historic set of resolutions detailing the policies and attitudes of the Muslim world regarding Palestine, Kashmir, and other world crises. The conference was titled and themed “Partnering for Unity, Justice, and Development.”
Assessing the Political System in Pakistan Amid the No-Confidence Vote
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s public support holds great promise, but it might not be enough to survive the vote of no-confidence. The author, Muhammad Mustafa Ahmed Khan, examines PTI’s failures, the opposition’s attempts, the apprehensive public, and the untended democratic infrastructure.
The Pakistan-Russia-China Bloc: A Consequence of US Actions?
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has stirred up bloc politics once again, pitting the West against the Russia-China bloc. Pakistan’s current government is clearly leaning towards the idea of a Pakistan-Russia-China bloc, but that foreign policy truly rests on the domestic political situation of the country. Amid the political uncertainty. the author, Mr Sarmad Ishfaq, illustrates how future policies pivot on the results of the no-confidence vote.
The Great Gamble: The Soviet War in Afghanistan (Book Review)
“The Great Gamble: The Soviet War in Afghanistan” provides an overview of the Soviet Union’s direct and indirect involvement in Afghanistan. Gregory Feifer, the author of the book, traces the events that led to the Soviet invasion in 1979 and analyzes the war itself. In doing so, he aptly explains the role of Pakistan in bringing the Soviet war to an end, and how the US’ uncalculated actions in Afghanistan led to intensifying extremism and terrorism.
The Foreign Policy of US as Dictated by the Israel Lobby
The Israel lobby is one of the strongest lobbying groups in the United States. Through it, the state of Israel has been able to influence every aspect of US foreign policy and molded it according to its needs. The author, Muhammad Osama Asghar, notes that the US’ unconditional support for Israel – despite the atrocities being committed in the Israel-Palestine conflict – is the result of this lobbying. It is this very support that has caused the US to lose its prestige among the Muslim states, mainly in the Middle East.
A Biography of Eqbal Ahmad: Remembering the Progressive Intellectual and Peace Advocate of Pakistan
The author, Syed Haris Shah, details the life of Eqbal Ahmad, an admirable intellectual who was even once arrested because of his anti-war stance. He dreamed of establishing an institute that would meld Islamic education with Western education. His writings are a remarkable contribution to the fields of peace studies, international relations, history, Islam, and political science.
A Book Review of War Without Winners
Rasul Baksh Rais’s “War Without Winners: Afghanistan’s Uncertain Transition After the Cold War” explored the Afghan War through a domestic lens in 1994. It was very much ahead of its time, as its contents reminded individuals and states that only the Afghans would be able to resolve the conflict in their country.
Understanding the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has left the world quaking. President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine are presently resisting the assault of the Russian forces on their sovereign state. The authors, Alyan Waheed and Muskan Moazzam, discuss the events that set the scene for the current war.
Joint Naval Exercise CHIRU-2Q22 in the Indian Ocean: Indication of an Eastern Axis?
The author, Syed Haris Shah, explains the reality from the perspectives of China, Iran, and Russia. Already a part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), these three Eastern states have been repeatedly partnering in joint naval exercises to maintain maritime security in their waters against the United States.
The Leverage Paradox: Pakistan and the United States
Robert M. Hathaway’s “The Leverage Paradox: Pakistan and the United States” gives a very unique picture of the relationship between Pakistan and the United States. After a careful perusal of the events, he concludes, contrary to public opinion, that it was not the United States but Pakistan that has had an upper hand.
China-Pakistan Axis: Asia’s New Geopolitics
Andrew Small’s “China-Pakistan Axis: Asia’s New Geopolitics” describes the relations between the two Asian states. The book is an in-depth analysis of the impact of geographical factors on the past and present ties between China and Pakistan. Through his extensive research, Andrew Small has explained how this relationship is one of mutual benefit, and both of the countries involved have put themselves and their defense ahead of everything else.
The Strategic Importance of the Indian Ocean to China and India
The changing dynamics of global politics has pushed the Indian Ocean region into the limelight, and so the author, Allah Nawaz, examines the strategic policies and alliances of China and India. Although both China and India have a huge disparity in conventional and non-conventional capabilities, the US and Israel’s role in making India a regional power has intensified Indo-China relations.
Iran: A Common Enemy of Israel and the Arab Countries
The relations of the Arab states, namely Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, and Oman, with Israel have always been based upon what they perceive as a threat and what benefits them. The authors, Rubab Nawaz and Kanza Tahir, explain that initially, these Arab states viewed Israel as the enemy but now, they’ve started to align themselves with it to counter the threat of a Shi’ite and nuclear Iran. This threat has been securitized to gain legitimacy from the masses. For the sake of this Arab-Israel alliance, the Gulf states seem to have sidelined the issue of Palestine.
Russia’s Conflict with Ukraine: An Analysis of the Past & Present
Since October 2021, the number of Russian troops at the Russia-Ukraine border has reached more than 127,000. Moscow’s decision to deploy more troops is a cause for concern for Ukraine and the NATO member states, especially the US, as they believe that Russia is preparing to invade its neighboring state. Zuha Tiwana explains that Russia’s conflict with Ukraine has now become a global issue. She argues that if the conflict persists, and NATO imposes new sanctions on Russia, the latter might retaliate by cutting off its natural gas supply to Europe.
Is There a Link Between Slavery and Capitalism?
The paper critically examines the essence of capitalism and how it functions in the many social systems across the world. It also looks into the relationship between capitalism and slavery, and whether or not capitalism has any characteristics that are similar to slavery.
All Eyes on the Republics of Central Asia’s Resources
The onset of the geopolitics of energy and resources in the international political system has redefined the regions’ importance in terms of the reservoirs of resources. Central Asia, in this respect, stands out with its abundant, unexplored, and top-notch natural resources. The paper highlights the factors behind the arousing interests of Pakistan, China, and the United States in the Central Asian republics. The future of Central Asia’s political, economic, and geostrategic landscape shall be determined by the member countries’ course of policies and actions towards Pakistan, China, and the United States.