In April 2023 civil war broke out between Sudan’s national army and the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group. The conflict has caused a catastrophic humanitarian crisis: so far almost 30% of the country’s pre-war population of 50 million has been displaced. As 2024 began the RSF appeared to have upper hand. It had taken over much of Khartoum, the capital. Meanwhile almost all of Darfur, in the west, was under its control, though the army clung on to el-Fasher, the regional capital. The RSF’s leader, Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo even embarked on a triumphant tour of African capitals.
Tag: South China Sea
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.
Dragon Breathes Fire at Shangri-La: China’s Approach to Global Security
The Shangri-La Dialogue, held in Singapore from May 31 to June 2, 2024, is a prominent annual forum that brings together defence ministers, military chiefs, and security experts from the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a leading think tank on international affairs, the event provides a platform for high-level discussions on pressing regional security issues. This year’s dialogue was particularly significant, as it took place against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions, ongoing conflicts, and the evolving global security landscape.
China Launches Shenzhou-18 Mission Aiming for Lunar Exploration
China’s space program is making great strides with the Shenzhou-18 mission. This time, three astronauts are sent to the country’s first domestically built space station. Led by former fighter pilots Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu, the crew embarks on a six-month mission, which includes conducting experiments and preparing for lunar exploration. In the midst of all this are zebrafish, part of more than 90 scientific experiments. Among them are creating a closed aquatic ecosystem for studying the interactions between fish and algae in space, information that can maybe inform future designs of habitats.
Israel Conducts Airstrikes on Iran Despite US Implorements to not Retaliate
According to a US official, Israeli Defense Force carried out an air strike on Iran on Friday, April 19, in retaliation to an Iranian attack last Sunday, April 14. The Iranian defense force has blocked three drones near the air base in Isfahan province. However Iran did not make any comment on who could be behind the attack and nor did Israel claim responsibility over the strike. The No large scale damage was caused by the attack, reported CNN. Sources said that Netanyahu government’s war cabinet has been planning for an attack since Monday which was hold back due to international pressure coming from allies like the United States and Gulf.
Chinese Cyber Agents likely to disrupt upcoming Election in India
The report also sheds light on the Chinese cyber actors, who are actively involved in spying and other cyber operations around the world. They have been using AI-generated content to intensify tensions, particularly in the disputed Asia-Pacific region and in the US. One notable group that is known for carrying out such activities is Storm-1376. They have been identified for intensifying their use of AI-generated news reports and memes. These tactics were used during Taiwan’s presidential elections, where they targeted political candidates, including spreading misinformation about William Lai, a candidate belonging to Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party, a party that nurtures anti-Chinese sentiments.
China aims for Technological Self-reliance amidst Tensions with the US
China Watch is our flagship newsletter and research programme offering critical insights, business intelligence and in-depth reporting on China and Taiwan. This issue’s cover story is “China aims for Technological Self-reliance amidst Tensions with the US.”
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.