Topics Archive
World - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 25, 2019
Afghanistan civilian casualties fall
Civilian casualties from the Afghan conflict dropped by almost a quarter in the first three months of the year, amid freezing winter weather and a sharp fall in the number of suicide attacks. Is the…
Technology - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 25, 2019
Russia’s nuclear drones
Is the likelihood of nuclear war increasing? In March 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed footage of six prototype advanced weapons systems being developed by the nation. Mr. Putin said…
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…
General Interest - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 24, 2019
Do Better with Less: Frugal Innovation to Sustainable Growth
The Synergia Foundation hosted a Harvard Business School Club of India conversation with Prof. Jaideep Prabhu and Navi Radjou on April 16, 2019. Also in attendance were Sajju Jain - Founder of Impact…
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…
Environment - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 23, 2019
London choked by Climate protests
Climate change protesters who have brought parts of London to a standstill said that they were prepared to call a halt if the U.K. government would discuss their demands. The question is, will the…
General Interest - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 23, 2019
Violence returns to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s government has blamed local jihadist group National Thowheed Jamath for one of Asia’s deadliest terrorist attacks in years and said other nations had shared intelligence ahead of the…
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 - 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…
World - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 18, 2019
Indonesia’s electoral burdens
Indonesia votes in the largest single-day elections in history amidst increasing disunity and identity-driven politics. The Republic of Indonesia is a Southeast Asian nation that occupies a strategic…
Technology - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 17, 2019
iPhone production in India
Foxconn Technology Group, Apple's largest manufacturer of iPhones intends to shift production from China to India. Apple uses manufacturers from around the world to deliver individual parts. The…
Technology - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 17, 2019
Google launches AI centre in Ghana
US tech giant, Google has introduced the first Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory in Ghana to help address economic, political and environmental issues in Africa. Artificial intelligence…
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 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…
General Interest - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 17, 2019
Measles incidence increases worldwide
Measles cases increases by 300% worldwide, spurred on by anti-vaccination campaigns, supply chain issues and conflict. A vaccine is a biological concoction that provides acquired immunity to a…
Technology - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 16, 2019
Trump announces 5G plans
The United States releases plans for an auction of radio spectrums to support its 5G ambitions amounting to US$20.4 billion. 5G (from "5th Generation") is the latest generation of cellular mobile…
World - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 13, 2019
Russia gambles on Arctic shipping
Russia plans to invest over US$11 billion in the North Sea Route in a move that could have significant economic and strategic ramifications.
General Interest - Analyses & Assessments - Apr 13, 2019
Deeper EU-China cooperation in the near future?
Given pre-summit tensions, the release of a statement and commitment to a timetable for developing a monitoring mechanism is an achievement. Concessions made by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang are…
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…