Topics Archive
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 13, 2019
Iran delivers an ultimatum
Tensions between Iran and the US are mounting. The US has steadily enforced more sanctions, while Iran recently announced that it was suspending compliance with two commitments under the JCPOA. Iran…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 9, 2019
Sri Lanka bombings, who did it?
Tensions caused by the Easter Sunday bombings are heightened by Sri Lanka's history of ethnic and religious conflict. ISIS claims that the attacks were in retaliation for the Christchurch mosque…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 8, 2019
Trump threatens more tariffs against China
America warns of additional tariffs on China after the countries were expected to sign an agreement ending their trade war. What has caused the Trump administration to threaten more duties? Two of…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 7, 2019
Military expansion to protect OBOR
The US Defence Department expects China to add military bases around the world to protect the One Belt One Road (OBOR) infrastructure program. What are the implications of such a military build up?
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 7, 2019
Israel, the Gaza Strip and Eurovision
Israel and the Gaza Strip regularly engage in violent exchanges. Israel recently employed targeted assassinations after years of restraint. Why has Israel changed its tactics now? Hamas is a Sunni-…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 2, 2019
US restricts Chinese visas
Amidst economic and geopolitical tensions, America tightens its visa procedures for prospective Chinese students. Does the US gain from protectionist visa policies that could affect the flow of…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 2, 2019
The Dome of Argus
China and America are extending their geopolitical heft to an ice dome in the Antarctic. Why is Dome Argus at the centre of competition between the two countries in the South Pole? Dome Argus is the…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - May 1, 2019
Ukraine’s President-elect rejects passport plan
Ukraine's president-elect and former comedian Volodymyr Zelensky has mocked Russia's offer to give passports to citizens in the disputed territories of Donbass and Luhansk. The “Passport Plan” would…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 29, 2019
India’s ASW readiness
China has stepped up its activity in the Indian Ocean while maintaining a sizeable number advantage to India’s submarines. Can India adapt its surface technologies to thwart sub-surface threats? Anti…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 27, 2019
Belarus to join Russia?
President Vladimir Putin may look beyond Russia for a window to retain status quo after his current term ends. Is President Putin looking to force Belarus’ integration with Russia as a way of staying…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 27, 2019
Erdogan takes a gamble
President Erdogan is unlikely to buy oil from Saudi Arabia and the UAE due to sustained tensions. However, can Mr. Erdogan continue to buy oil from Iran given its energy requirements? Strategic…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 25, 2019
Kim Jong-Un in Russia
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet Russian President Vlad Putin in the first trip aimed at galvanising support while talks with Washington are in limbo. Is North Korea looking for other…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 24, 2019
Afghanistan – A way forward
Upendra Baghel visited Synergia Foundation to discuss India’s need for an independent and inclusive Afghanistan Policy. Mr. Baghel recently served as the Head of the Policy Advisory Unit of the…
Geopolitics - Op-Eds - Apr 20, 2019
People centered intra-Afghan talks lead to convergences
Constitution is at the intersection of the legal system, the political system and the society in the country. It is the supreme law of the land. Foundation of legal system: rights and duties are…
Geopolitics - Op-Eds - Apr 20, 2019
Ceasefire in Doha talks: Difficult to agree, more difficult to implement.
Whatever type of ceasefire is negotiated in Doha, it would have two basic ingredients: (i) moratorium on all types of attacks by all parties, here the Government and the Taliban cessation of…
Geopolitics - Op-Eds - Apr 20, 2019
Doha Peace Process - Another Dayton Agreement?
Doha peace talks between the US and the Taliban have progressed but still one should agree with Amb. Zalmay Khalilzad, that ‘nothing is agreed till everything is agreed’. Afghans’ recent conflicts…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 17, 2019
Pakistan retreats from US – Taliban peace talks
Pakistan has withdrawn from US-Taliban scheduled peace talk but will continue to play a facilitating role. A series of civil wars in 1996 saw Kabul fall into the hands of the Taliban, a hardline…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 17, 2019
Saudi Arabia building nuclear reactor
Saudi Arabia is building a small reactor in its drive to divest from hydrocarbon fuelled electricity. The move brings questions of regional nuclear proliferation to the forefront. The Kingdom of…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 13, 2019
US’ OPIC vs China’s BRI
China’s controversial Belt and Road Initiative is pitted against the US’ Overseas Private Investment Corporation in a global race for geopolitical, economic and normative primacy. The Belt and Road…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 12, 2019
The US-Russia nuclear tussle
America and Russia are currently engaged in a legal, normative and political battle to ensure their nuclear advantage, although this may mean a new nuclear arms race. Measures for the Further…