The 54th annual meeting of World Economic Forum (WEF) kicked off in Davos, Switzerland, with the overarching theme of “Rebuilding Trust.” Bringing together more than 2800 participants from 120 countries across business, politics, academia, and civil society, the forum aimed to address pressing global challenges amidst geopolitical tensions and rapid technological advancements.
Category: Analysis
Interim Budget and the Road to the Big Game Ahead
For the current government it’s not an ordinary budget but it’s a report card or a moment to show its credibility for the next season. This budget is said to be the 6th in row for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Read to know the budget’s nutshell
Silent Adjudicators Amidst the Iran-Pakistan Cross-Border Strikes
States are the primary actors in international relations, driven by self-interest and the pursuit of power. In this context, the Iran-Pakistan conflict can be understood as a struggle for influence and security along their shared border. The volatile region of Baluchistan province is being heightened by the recent airstrikes between Iran and Pakistan, posing concerns about potential escalation of tensions. The ongoing conflict is influenced by power dynamics and national interests, while China’s GSI is playing a stability role.
2024 Taiwanese Election: DPP’s Mandate and China’s Sovereignty Dilemma
In the 2024 Taiwan elections, where the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) secured another victory with Vice President William Lai Ching-Te assuming the presidency, Beijing faces the challenge of navigating its relations with Taipei. It is imperative to analyse how Beijing can portray its dominant presence as a way forward in the Taiwan Strait and turn the scenario in its balance by considering voting patterns, factors influencing the election, and the international perspective involving Beijing, Taipei, and Washington, D.C.
Popular Narratives Should not be the Drivers of India’s Global Ambitions
Since independence, up until 1991, India had never attempted to establish formal diplomatic relations with the State of Israel. Not that it did not want to, but it was mainly because of the popular Indian sentiment that it should not keep connections or do any business with the nation that ostracises and conducts atrocities against Palestinian Muslims. And also, because certain sections of the society did not want the Indian state to recognise Israel as a separate entity in itself. Is appeasing and pacifying the heated sentiments of the people considered the deciding factor in foreign policy engagements of a nation?
Disease X: Is the World Ready to Face Another Pandemic Caused by an Unknown Pathogen?
The concept of Disease X was introduced by the World Health Organization in 2018 as a potential novel infectious agent with pandemic potential. The designation aims to prioritize preparedness, with COVID-19 being considered a recent example of Disease X. The distinction between biodisasters and intentional bioterrorism becomes crucial in understanding and preparing for such risks, emphasising the need for global cooperation and investment in pandemic preparedness.