Topics Archive

Top 10 Geopolitical Conflicts of 2020 by Synergia Group

Radical Islamists, drug wars, and fighting against the system- these are some of the geopolitical risks of 2020.

Education 4.0: Are We Prepared for IR4?

India is struggling to produce an employable workforce. How can we develop our youth to meet the demands of the fourth industrial revolution?

India Genome Sequencing: changing paradigms

The expansive reach of genome sequencing could endanger human biosafety. If so, what are the key concerns ?

Neighbourhood First: Building Bhutan

India is Bhutan’s most significant neighbour across dimensions. How can we foster this relationship to develop the South Asian region?

“Redback” Rising: Trading in Yuan

The increasing influence of the Chinese Yuan is raising red flags. What are the impacts on Yuan’s reserve status and its usage in global trade?

Sudan: Shedding Stigma of Terrorism

As Sudan gingerly adopts democracy, its first major diplomatic initiative is to mend ties with Israel. Will this quicken its international acceptance?

Black Swan of the Decade

The deadly Coronavirus is disrupting global supply chains. How will countries cope with this unexpected “decoupling” from China?

Campaign Finance: Feeding Democracy

Campaign funding legislation has triggered a debate on transparency vs donor privacy. Is there a reasonable compromise to protect the right to privacy?

Israel: A Plebiscite on Bibi

The Israeli elections are likely to become a referendum on Benjamin Netanyahu, who was charged with corruption in November 2019. Will “right” politics prevail?

The post-BREXIT UK: Pigeonholing Access

The UK has instituted a new points-based immigration system post BREXIT. How will this impact immigration into “Fortress UK?”

The Paradox of Sudan

After decades of authoritarian rule, Omar al-Bashir is likely to stand the ICC trial. Is this the dawn of a new rule-based democratic Sudan?

The Year of the wRATh

The Chinese economy, afflicted by the consequences of the US tariffs is only facing a greater setback due to COVID-19 outbreak. How will it respond to this double whammy?

The Iraqi Dilemma: Protests and More

Iraq, a fulcrum of Middle East geopolitics, is trapped inexorably in the Iran- U.S. faceoff. Will it turn into a battlefield for a wider 21st Century war?

Turkey & Syria: Gathering War Clouds

Turkey and Syria are on the verge of open conflict over the control of the strategic Idlib province. Can the world avert an all-out war?

Powering Africa

Africa will be deeply impacted by climate change, despite contributing less than 3% to global greenhouse emissions. Can Africa balance these effects with its Growing Energy Deficit?

IMO 2020: Making Maritime Green

The shipping and oil industry worldwide is stirred up by the IMO 2020. What are the viable alternatives available for stakeholders?

Delivering Justice with AI

State institutions of policing and prosecution are turning to AI for decision making. Will this deliver equitable justice?

Estranged, flat-lined or natural allies

President Trump’s visit demonstrated the strong chemistry shared by the leaders of the world's two biggest democracies. Optics and cringe apart, were there significant gains from the visit?

Peru: Tarnished Gold

With soaring demand and indispensability of gold to industry, Peru, the sixth-largest producer in the world, struggles to keep the supply legitimate.

ISIS – On a Comeback

Exploiting the weakened security environment in Iraq and Syria, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has begun to reassert. Can the genie be put back?