Topics Archive
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…
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?
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 ?
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…
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?
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…
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…
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?
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…
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…
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…
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…
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?
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…
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…
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…
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…
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?
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-…
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…