Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and now Syria, the list of nations now in chaos after the fall of its governments is growing. There is a common pattern to the beginning of political storms in all these nations, which is the external interference in their domestic affairs by the United States. This model of toppling governments and replacing it with friendly options have failed everywhere. But the US is not reluctant to meddle with the affairs of other nations and especially when it comes to Asia, where they have geopolitical interests.
Author: TheViyug
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s Takeover of Syria is Another Chapter in Islamist Revival
Last week, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, one of the better-known rebel groups by another name – the Commission for the Liberation of the Levant, took over Damascus. They took Aleppo again and captured the mighty 46th Regiment of the Syrian Army. Second, HTS seized Hamam, the country’s second-largest city, thereby securing its largest territorial gains to date. The victory has wide-ranging implications on the world level, despite HTS’ attempts at rebranding itself as a “post-jihadist” entity committed to the fight against transnational Islam.
COP29: Disappointment at Baku
The multilateral UN Framework on Climate Change, which was established to address climate change, once again revealed disappointing results from the pledges made by developed countries at its COP29 climate financing summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. The unsettling start from the Azerbaijani president’s stirring statement that fossil fuels are a “gift from God” kicked off the meeting drawing disparagement from figures such as Greta Thunberg who referred Azerbaijan as “an authoritarian petro-state.”
Social Capitalism: A Theoretical Commentary
Can “capitalism survive” and “socialism work” individually? These two hypotheses and discussions travel among economic debates around the world. Austrian Economist Joseph Schumpeter’s work in entrepreneurship and innovation signifies the deviation from traditional or conventional methods of economic activities, particularly in terms of trade and increased quality of life. This article draws attention towards the global thought of social capitalism; and enables enthusiasts in economic affairs and international relations to understand the theoretical overview of this distinctive concept.
Time for Europe: Forging a New Path Ahead
The US Elections are over and the victory is resoundingly for Donald Trump. Europe leaders are nervous about what it would mean for Europe, NATO and the war in Ukraine. European Union, the largest regional bloc, still doesn’t speak in one voice. French President Emmanuel Macron has been leading the charge in forging an independent Europe. Since the end of World War 2, Europe has been tangled with the US in all the ways possible which has created an atmosphere of dependence on the US.
Trump’s 2.0: Testing Period for Saudi-Iran Rapprochement
The shifting geopolitical landscape in West Asia has become particularly evident after the Saudi Arabia-Iran rapprochement. Despite the prevailing instability in the region exacerbated by the Gaza crisis, the détente between these arch-rivals has opened diplomatic channels to bolster cooperation. Amid rising pragmatism in the Gulf, Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential elections has brought United States policy in the region into the spotlight.
Asia’s Cauldron: The South China Sea and the End of a Stable Pacific
Historically it is the competition for land that provokes tensions between the states, over time the world has seen this shift towards the blue territories as Kaplan calls it. Two explanations for the same could be economic mercantile trade and the dynamic shift of attention from Eurasia to East Asia which is largely maritime. Kaplan says that seas can act as a seed or a dodger in creating tensions and even invasions. However, the likelihood is quite tilted towards aggression.
India-GCC Relations: A Comprehensive Partnership
India’s relationship with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a pivotal aspect of its foreign policy, driven by a blend of historical ties, economic interdependence, energy needs, and cultural connections. The region’s significance for India is underpinned by its strategic location, shared interests in regional stability, and the presence of a large Indian diaspora. With 8.9 million Indians residing in GCC countries—constituting 66% of India’s global diaspora—and bilateral trade reaching $161.59 billion in FY 2023-24, the GCC represents India’s largest regional trading partner.
Can Terrorism Ever Be Morally Permissible?
Jaggar’s work on terrorism, titled What Is Terrorism, Why Is It Wrong, and Could It Ever Be Morally Permissible, will be analysed to examine how the author […]
Israel-Hamas War: A Year of Bloodshed and Stalemate
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has a long history and is a complicated topic. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced when the State of Israel was established in 1948. Since then, the region has been defined by decades of violence, including revolutions and wars. The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas first appeared in the 1980s and took over the Gaza Strip in 2007. The organisation has played a significant role in the war, frequently confronting Israel with weapons.