Recent Updates

The EU-US Summit: Where trade is messier than geopolitics
International Affairs Oct 28, 2023

The EU-US Summit: Where trade is messier than geopolitics

With elections due in 2024 in both the EU and the US, stabilising the relationship and easing lingering tensions before potential changes in leadership remain important ...

Afghanistan in need: A devastating Earthquake and its aftershocks
International Affairs Oct 28, 2023

Afghanistan in need: A devastating Earthquake and its aftershocks

In the aftermath of consecutive earthquakes in Afghanistan, the international community’s response to appeals for funding has been tepid ...

China-Philippines ties: Towards more escalations in the West Philippine Sea?
International Affairs Oct 25, 2023

China-Philippines ties: Towards more escalations in the West Philippine Sea?

The speed at which China has escalated its assertive manoeuvres in the West Philippine Sea aligns with the broader context of contemporary international geopolitics ...

China’s near space technologies pose a real challenge
China Foreign Policy | Space Oct 25, 2023

China’s near space technologies pose a real challenge

In the coming years, not just China, but countries across the world will need to recognise that the future battlefield will require investment in Near Space Flight Vehicles ...

The BRI in Melanesia: Connecting political statecraft with chequebook diplomacy
International Affairs | China Foreign Policy Oct 23, 2023

The BRI in Melanesia: Connecting political statecraft with chequebook diplomacy

While the four Melanesian countries recognise Beijing’s economic heft, these nations consider the national security implications of overtly involving China in their regional affairs ...

China's opportunities and challenges in a crisis-ridden West Asia
International Affairs | China Foreign Policy | Terrorism Oct 22, 2023

China's opportunities and challenges in a crisis-ridden West Asia

While China may aid West Asian countries to hedge their interests against the US, the lack of Chinese diplomacy on ground shows that there is still a gap between ambition and reality ...

Reading 10 years of BRI from an African perspective
International Affairs | China Foreign Policy Oct 19, 2023

Reading 10 years of BRI from an African perspective

The BRI was conceptualised under the ethos of the Chinese proverb, “If you want to get rich, build roads first”; however, China is adapting its approach to a fast-changing world ...

Reading Hamas from an Indian security vantage point
International Affairs | Terrorism Oct 19, 2023

Reading Hamas from an Indian security vantage point

Despite Hamas’s elevation in the scale of global terrorism, India’s reasons for banning this group are much more complex ...

Five years of sinification of Islam in China
International Affairs | China Foreign Policy Oct 18, 2023

Five years of sinification of Islam in China

Over the course of five years, Beijing has curbed religious freedom under the pretext of “reorienting” Muslims of China towards core socialist values ...

Crude oil shall remain below US$100 despite OPEC+ production cut
International Affairs | Energy | International Trade and Investment Oct 17, 2023

Crude oil shall remain below US$100 despite OPEC+ production cut

Crude oil prices are likely to head under US$ 90 per barrel, rather than exceed US$ 100 per barrel, notwithstanding daily fluctuations ...

China’s long game in West Asia
International Affairs | Terrorism Oct 17, 2023

China’s long game in West Asia

The West is straining to maintain control over the Gaza war while simultaneously dealing with the conflict in Ukraine; will China be able to make the most of this opportunity to play a bigger geopolitical role? ...

How can the G20 build stronger digital health systems?
International Affairs | Healthcare | Internet Governance | Artificial Intelligence Oct 17, 2023

How can the G20 build stronger digital health systems?

Besides strengthening existing initiatives, the G20 could consider eight new measures to advance digital health across its member states ...

After presidential poll, Maldives hard hit by economic realities
International Affairs | Neighbourhood Oct 16, 2023

After presidential poll, Maldives hard hit by economic realities

How Maldives controls its spiralling economic issues under the new leadership remains to be seen ...

CBDCs: Inflation control in the digital era?
Economics and Finance | International Trade and Investment | Developing and Emerging Economies Oct 16, 2023

CBDCs: Inflation control in the digital era?

The data collected through CBDCs has the potential to be paired with strict reserve requirements for commercial banks, creating a theoretical framework for inflation control ...

ASEAN Solidarity Exercise: Is it sending a strong message to China?
International Affairs | Maritime Security | China Military Oct 16, 2023

ASEAN Solidarity Exercise: Is it sending a strong message to China?

Contrary to prevailing beliefs, the ASEAN exercise was aimed at highlighting ASEAN unity and initiating maritime security collaboration among its members ...

Challenges and complexities of the Taliban’s governance
International Affairs Oct 14, 2023

Challenges and complexities of the Taliban’s governance

Over the past two years, the Taliban has faced internal power tussles and demolished key inherited institutions which has greatly impacted the Afghan society ...

Deciphering North Korea’s nuclear strategy: A deceptive pursuit
International Affairs | Nuclear Security Oct 13, 2023

Deciphering North Korea’s nuclear strategy: A deceptive pursuit

Pyongyang’s nuclear strategy operates within a complex global context and carries broader implications for global security ...

Gauging the impact of India’s development partnerships abroad
Economics and Finance | Developing and Emerging Economies Oct 12, 2023

Gauging the impact of India’s development partnerships abroad

Measuring the development impacts of India’s overseas programmes is important as it can help improve its ability to deliver on the ground and maximise the value for money ...

China’s evolving nuclear strategy
International Affairs | Defence and Security | China Foreign Policy | Nuclear Security Oct 12, 2023

China’s evolving nuclear strategy

Evidence suggests that China’s approach to its nuclear strategy is evolving. It is vital to understand the drivers of these changes. ...

Hamas attack snarls up US choices in West Asia
International Affairs | Terrorism Oct 11, 2023

Hamas attack snarls up US choices in West Asia

The Hamas attack may impose new security and political realities on the region and pose challenges in an election year for Biden ...

Parallel tracks: China’s SEZs and the geopolitics of the South China Sea
International Affairs | Maritime Security Oct 11, 2023

Parallel tracks: China’s SEZs and the geopolitics of the South China Sea

The development of Hainan SEZ stands to complicate the geopolitical situation of the South China Sea ...

The Canadian conundrum
International Affairs Oct 10, 2023

The Canadian conundrum

The growing perception of Canada being a sanctuary for global offenders not only tarnishes its international reputation but also poses a threat to its societal fabric ...

The curious case of the PLAN 093-147
International Affairs | Maritime Security Oct 10, 2023

The curious case of the PLAN 093-147

The tragic loss of life aboard a Chinese nuclear attack submarine should be a moment of reflection for the PLAN and other nuclear submarine operating navies. ...

Nepal’s cautious deals with China
Neighbourhood Oct 10, 2023

Nepal’s cautious deals with China

Although PM Dahal signed several agreements with China during his recent visit, critics at home are dismayed that Nepal is not gaining anything concrete from China ...

The Moscow Format meeting and Russia’s Afghanistan policy
International Affairs Oct 09, 2023

The Moscow Format meeting and Russia’s Afghanistan policy

Despite developing economic ties and sending humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, Russia has adopted a dual approach towards Taliban-rule Afghanistan ...

Contributors

Siranush Melikyan

Siranush Melikyan

Siranush Melikyan is an Assistant Professor at the Yerevan State University. ...

Read More + Tigran Yepremyan

Tigran Yepremyan

Tigran Yepremyan is the Dean of the Faculty of International Relations and an Associate Professor of World History and IR at the Yerevan State University, Armenia. ...

Read More +