Russia-Ukraine war explicitly shows that information warfare is not a distant future, but it is in practice. Russia’s tremendous efforts to push the narratives in order to deflect blame from Moscow and undermine support for Ukraine have been visible across the digital sphere. This article analyses Russia’s deployment of information operations and deception capabilities against Ukraine and how cyberspace shapes public opinion
Tag: China
US Bans Chinese-Owned TikTok Over Election Influence Concerns
In this issue of our flagship newsletter ‘China Watch,’ our team member analyses the US ban on Chinese media giant TikTok over alleged spying concerns that can influence its 2024 Presidential Election. Also a roundup of this week’s news and analysis on China and Taiwan is presented.
The Perfect Timing for China’s Attack on Taiwan
Can we expect a third major conflict this year being China’s invasion of Taiwan? With the world engulfed already in two major conflicts where Taiwan’s ally United States has been distracted by Israel-Hamas War and Russia-Ukraine conflict, China might potentially seize this opportunity to attack Taiwan.
Assessing the Prospects of India-Saudi Arabia Defence Cooperation
India and Saudi Arabia conducted their maiden military exercise ‘Sada Tanseeq’ from 29 January 2024 to 9 February 2024. The 12-day exercise has proven to be an indicator of a growing defence relationship between both nations. Saudi crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman paid a state visit to India during the 2023 G-20 summit hosted by India. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia in 2019, the two countries signed a landmark memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation which entailed joint military exercises between the two countries.
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?