Topics Archive
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - Jun 7, 2019
The Prospect of Security Council Reform
The United Nations Security Council is often criticised for being ineffective and there is thus a clarion call for it to be fundamentally reformed. Will the five permanent members (P5) accede to this…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - Jun 7, 2019
Venezuela: The Future As We See It
Venezuela, a nation with such immense potential, has suffered a startling collapse in a short span of five years. To this end, what does the future hold for what was once one of Latin America’s…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - Jun 6, 2019
The Arctic’s Coldest War
Climate change has opened areas of the Arctic which provides significant economic and geopolitical opportunities to many non-Arctic countries. How do global powers view economic activities in the…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - Jun 1, 2019
Trump threatens sanctions against Mexico
The US is expected to impose a 5% tariff on all goods from Mexico. The duties will increase until illegal immigration from Mexico into the US is stopped. Why has President Trump increased pressure on…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 31, 2019
Pro-EU parties to control European Parliament
Populist, eurosceptic parties were expected to gain significantly in recently held European Parliament elections. Results indicate that while the European Union has largely rejected populism, some…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 30, 2019
Laser attacks in South China Sea
Australian navy helicopter pilots have been hit with laser beams from fishing boats suspected of being part of China’s maritime militia during a recent military exercise in the South China Sea.…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 30, 2019
Macron and Merkel spar over EU leadership
In a recent vote, the hold on European Parliament by centrist blocs that have dominated the institution has been weakened. France and Germany are at odds as to who secures Europe’s top jobs including…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 30, 2019
China’s rare-earth metals
Chinese state media has warned that the country is ready to use rare-earth in the trade war with the US. Is such a strategy a viable option for China?
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 29, 2019
Right to Information vs Disclosure of defaulters
The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Reserve Bank of India to disclose the list of loan defaulters. Will RBI disclose names of such non - payers ?
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 29, 2019
Iran and China vs the US?
Both Iran and China have recently faced the ire of the United States; Iran over the 2015 nuclear deal and China through an ongoing trade war. Are Iran and China likely to engage in closer cooperation…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 27, 2019
Hong Kong’s Fugitive bill
A new blanket extradition law in Hong Kong has sparked concerns that China will use the bill to extradite whoever it wants from the territory. Considering the domestic nature of the law, why is…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 27, 2019
Canada’s trash in Philippines
Canada will take back tonnes of waste shipped to the Philippines between 2013-14 which was causing a diplomatic sink. Are developing nations which have become global dumping grounds pushing back?
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 27, 2019
Pakistan to get Saudi oil on deferred payments
Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Pakistan PM’s finance adviser has indicated that Saudi Arabia will supply oil worth USD 3.2billion per year on deferred payments for three years. Is Pakistan the new proxy…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 21, 2019
US arms sale to allies
United States has approved the sale of air defense missiles to South Korea and Japan amidst the re-emergence of tensions in the Korean peninsula. Will North Korea stop testing missiles?
Geopolitics - Op-Eds - May 20, 2019
A Timely Act
The unprecedented rise of China and several other Asian nations has led to a global transformation. While this has a positive impact on much of the world, it has also unsettled a few leading powers…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 18, 2019
Iran coordinates proxy wars with militias
A prominent leader of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is believed to have met capable Shia militias in Iraq, telling them to prepare for a proxy war. The meeting is reported to have occurred before…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 18, 2019
Trump's new immigration plan
The White House unveils a new plan to further apply pressure on illegal immigrants. How likely is the program to be passed into law and does it address the concerns of President Trump's electoral…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 17, 2019
US-China Trade War
The United States and China – the world’s largest economies have been held up in a trade war for nearly ten months. With its inevitable impact on global trade, are there winners or looses from such a…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 17, 2019
Taiwan to counter Chinese infiltration
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen convened national security agencies to counter China’s infiltration. Will Taiwan, a US ally succeed?
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 16, 2019
Pompeo visits Russia
US Secretary of State visits Russia for the first high-level meeting between the countries since the Mueller Report. With the Trump administration unlikely to take legal action for Russian election…