Topics Archive

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…

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?

Starlink: SpaceX’s broadband service

SpaceX recently launched satellites for its Starlink broadband service. Why are private space companies attempting to provide global internet coverage?

The Future of Security: Mapping the 5G ecosystem in India

Synergia Foundation hosted its 55th Forum on the future of Security in India, focusing on the 5G networks. The forum saw the participation of prominent civil servants, industry leaders and technology…

China’s food woes

China, reeling from the effects of the Asian Swine Flu virus, is affected by an infestation of the fall armyworm. Is China’s food security in serious jeopardy considering increased pressure from the…

India’s electric two-wheeler market

India proposes a policy that electrifies most of its two-wheelers over a 6-8 year period. Considering the failure to incentivise the car industry with a similar strategy, is this new proposal likely…

The global trade in plastic waste

Malaysia will send back non-recyclable plastic waste to the developed country that exported it, in the wake of an amendment to the Basel Convention that regulates the plastic waste industry. Will the…

Google suspends activity with Huawei

In line with President Trump’s executive order blacklisting Huawei, Google has suspended the Chinese company’s access to Android updates. How would this impact the operations of Huawei in China and…

Australia’s pre-election polls prove inaccurate

Pre-election polls suggested that the Labor Party was set to win the Australian 2019 general elections. Exit-polls indicatethat the incumbent Liberal-National coalition will secure a surprise victory…

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?

Data Protection and Beyond

At a Synergia forum on May 20, 2019, Justice Srikrishna discussed the future of Data protection in India based on the recommendations of the expert committee he chaired.

The Kushner plan starts with economic investment

Mr Trump’s deal to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict was expected to be unveiled after the 2019 Israeli elections. The White House has announced an economic ‘workshop’ in Bahrain to encourage…

Indian exports and the US-China trade war

The US-China trade war is expected to have repercussions for markets around the world. A report by the Finch Group says that India's exports are likely to be affected by the trade war. What impact…

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…

WhatsApp's Indian regulations fall short

A recent report shows that inexpensive third-party applications and software tools can circumvent regulations implemented by WhatsApp in India. Why have WhatsApp's efforts failed?

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?

'Stop secret surveillance ordinance'

US technology hub, San Francisco has voted to ban the purchase and use of facial recognition technology by city personnel. Is face recognition an intrusive form of surveillance?

China explores lunar craters

China’s lunar exploration program receives a boost as it’s Chang’e-4 mission successfully landed on the far side of the Moon. The first scientific report from the mission outlines findings related to…