Photo Source: NIAS
National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)
Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bangalore
For any further information or to subscribe to GP alerts send an email to subachandran@nias.res.in
NIAS Fortnightly on Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR)
When Science, Technology and Innovation meet Society
STIR Team
|
NIAS Fortnightly on Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR), Vol 1, Issue 9
Cover Story
By Lokendra Sharma and Akriti Sharma
When Science, Technology and Innovation meet Society
An Interview with Young Innovators João Pedro de Goes Novochadlo and Junyi Gao
In the recently concluded BRICS-Young Scientists Forum Conclave (13-16 September 2021) hosted by India, João Pedro de Goes Novochadlo and Junyi Gao bagged the first and second prize in the young innovators' category, respectively. João, who hails from Brazil and is currently associated with the University of Southern California, works on technological solutions for visually challenged people. Junyi, who hails from China and is currently associated with the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, contributes to the advancement of medical technologies. They respond to questions about their innovative projects, ensuing benefits for society, the significance of transboundary networks of scientists, and their message to young innovators.
Can you describe the innovative projects you are working on?
João Pedro de Goes Novochadlo: I have been dedicating my time to Veever, a project that I had the opportunity to present during the BRICS-YSF India Conclave 2021. Veever is a free mobile application that uses micro-location technology and artificial intelligence to facilitate the interaction and mobility of visually challenged and impaired people in indoor and outdoor spaces, all through a virtual voice assistant. We are a start-up that works with assistive technology for people with disabilities using four central technical pillars as a solution: micro-location systems, mobile applications, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. Information is transmitted to the user's smartphone by placing Bluetooth devices (beacons) arranged indoors and outdoors. The mapping of these spaces is done by an artificial intelligence algorithm that predicts and corrects some inconsistencies in information spreading. This content is shared through a mobile application that uses an offline database and voice assistant or video recordings to locate, guide, and describe the user's surroundings. Other functionalities embedded in smartphones, such as gyroscope sensor and GPS, are also used to have a greater sense of what is in that space. Finally, cloud platform is used for data storage and management, allowing the infrastructure manager to control what is sent to the user. Alongside that, usage patterns can also be monitored for gathering insights.
Junyi Gao: As one of the major advances in the medical field, endoscopic technology has been widely and deeply applied in surgical operations, but at the same time it has brought several challenges, such as increasing hemostasis difficulty, changes in surgical approaches and poor field of vision resulting from smoke generated by energy equipment. Although several tentative inventions have been developed, such as anti-fog coated lenses, there were still few satisfactory solutions. In the past years, our group thoroughly analyzed various adverse events in the surgical video, and tried to use artificial intelligence technology to optimize the real-time surgical video, aiming to provide better vision to surgeons and help them make the best choice in surgeries.
To reduce the surgical risks caused by the disadvantages of endoscopic technology, we combined deep learning technology with a deductive reasoning algorithm and applied these techniques in video real-time digital processing. At present, our group has successfully developed a software package containing several functions, such as real-time bleeding area tracking, defogging, gauze recognition and recurrent laryngeal nerve recognition.
How will your work benefit society at large?
João: Veever is a start-up whose main objective is to promote accessibility and social inclusion through technology for people with visual disabilities. Through our solution, we can deliver a much more inclusive experience so that our users can better move around, guide and interact within internal and external environments. In addition, we also work to raise awareness of the cause of people with disabilities, creating informational content and developing community empowerment activities. It's noteworthy that the challenges of people with disabilities, in general, are identical in every part of the world: the lack of accessibility.
Junyi: Our project is designed to provide better surgical vision and more important information to surgeons during operations; we hope our product would benefit surgeons performing laparoscopic surgeries, especially the surgeons in populous and developing countries. With the development of the economy and society, people's demand for high-level medical services will gradually increase, and the pressure on the medical resources will also increase. A shorter training period for doctors and a higher level of medical care can help relieve the pressure of sharply increasing medical demand. Our product could provide surgeons with valuable information during surgical treatment to improve the operation safety, such as bleeding areas and key anatomical structures, resulting in reduction of medical resources loss due to surgical complications.
What factors led to choosing the area of research and innovation?
João: Between 2014 and 2015, I did volunteer work at an institute that served people with visual impairments in my hometown, Curitiba. There, I had the opportunity to get in touch and live with some people who introduced me to the challenges they had to face daily. At the end of 2015, I participated in a hackathon. I decided, with my team, that we would develop a project to minimize the problems arising from the lack of accessibility in urban spaces. Just because I don't face this challenge, it doesn't mean that I'm not responsible for helping solve it.
Junyi: In recent years, AI technology has become ubiquitous in our daily lives. In the medical area, AI technology also performed outstandingly in multiple fields, including interpretation of medical examination, cancer diagnosis and treatment decision. With the development of the economy and society, people's demand for high-level medical services will increase sharply and this problem will be more prominent in developing countries. Application of AI in healthcare might relieve this pressure in some ways. The endoscopic technology has been widely and deeply applied in surgical operations in the past decades, but has also brought some problems.
As a surgeon, I can deeply appreciate the convenience that medical advancement brings to the people, but at the same time, how to better apply advanced technology to benefit patients has become an area of importance. In recent years, our group tried to apply the deep learning technology to processing of surgical videos in the past years, providing surgeons with better real-time visual information during the operations and ensuring the safety of surgery.
Do you think building networks of scientists and innovators beyond national boundaries will lead to a better world - peaceful, prosperous and sustainable?
João: Yes; all knowledge, when shared, is essential for building a more just and socially egalitarian society. Contacting people from different countries, especially those who share our problems and challenges, helps us amplify our power to impact and our ability to execute. I am also delighted to shed light on such an important topic: social inclusion and technology as an engine of transformation, carrying forward connections and ideas that will make our world even better.
Junyi: Science and innovation are very important for the advancement of human society. We not only have the right to share the earth's resources, but also share the obligation to protect the earth and develop the future of mankind.
Breaking the national boundaries, scientists and innovators could make science and technology better benefit human society. In a quote often attributed to George Bernard Shaw, he said: "If you have an apple and I have an apple, and we exchange apples, we both still only have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea, and we exchange ideas, we each now have two ideas". Forums like the BRICS-YSF provide a meeting platform for scientists and innovators. In the recent India Conclave 2021, scientists and innovators from different countries fully shared their ideas and technologies, and such exchanges and sharing marked the possibility of a better world.
What would be your message to young scientists and innovators?
João: Never give up; and whenever you can, act with purpose. Bringing real meaning to your projects will motivate you to work harder and harder, especially when you start to see the results of your work. We are a generation that has almost unlimited access to information. We can connect with any part of the world in a way never seen before in our society. We need to use this opportune moment to be agents of positive transformation, understanding that there is no competition when it comes to the future of our planet. There is just potentially unending scope for collaboration.
Junyi: First of all, as young scientists and innovators, we need to learn more about the needs of society, discern the problems, and try to apply our scientific achievements to improve people's lives. Secondly, scientific research is a difficult process: we not only need to learn to solve problems tactfully, but also need to constantly strengthen our confidence. Last but not least, young people need to create a research environment that respects and encourages science and innovation.
About the interviewers
Lokendra Sharma and Akriti Sharma are PhD Scholars at the School of Conflict and Security Studies, NIAS.
In Brief
By Avishka Ashok and Lokendra Sharma
China's success with Shenzhou-12 and upcoming space missions
On 17 September, Shenzhou-12, China's seventh crewed mission, landed back on earth after a successful outer space flight. The mission broke the record in China for spending the longest duration in space after the three-member crew spent three months in the Chinese Space Station. The spacecraft landed in the Gobi Desert after separating from its orbit on the same day.
The mission was launched on 17 June 2021 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre and was entrusted with numerous tasks. Other than breaking records for being the longest Chinese mission in space, the mission is also credited for bringing the first group of astronauts to Tiangong. It is the Chinese Space Station which was launched in April 2021. The Shenzhou-12 installed a mechanical arm in the Tiangong which will help build the rest of the space station while the country prepares for the next spacewalk, scheduled to happen on 3 October 2021. The mission was also tasked with extravehicular operations, confirming the feasibility of long-duration missions and recycling resources in space.
The crew consisting of Mission Commander Nie Haisheng, Major General Liu Boming and Senior Colonel Tang Hongbo tested the latest space-suits and the abilities of the newly installed equipment and conducted a seven-hour long spacewalk, the longest in China's history of space missions. The Shenzhou-12 mission was different from other Chinese space missions because of its tricky landing conditions. Unlike most missions that land in Siziwang Banner Sit, the Shenzhou-12 landed in Dongfeng due to its topography, climatic conditions, rescue and search practicability and return options. The mountainous terrain posed a challenge to the rescue team but the astronauts were brought to the site soon after they landed.
On 20 September, China also launched the Long March-7 Y4 rocket which was accompanied by the Tianzhou-3 cargo spacecraft. The spacecraft was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre in Hainan and is tasked with depositing the supplies, equipment and propellant for the upcoming Shenzhou-13 mission. The mission aims to double the longest-duration in space record by spending six months at the Tiangong Space Station. All activities related to Tiangong and the space missions are celebrated in China with enthusiasm as the country is not a part of the International Space Station. ("Shenzhou-12 crewed spaceship launch a complete success", China Manned Space, 17 June 2021; Rhea Mogul, "Chinese astronauts complete first space walk outside new Tiangong space station", CNBC, 4 July 2021; Deng Xiaoci and Fan Anqi, "Mission accomplished: China's Shenzhou-12 crew safely back on earth", Global Times, 17 September 2021; Deng Xiaoci, "China successfully launches Tianzhou-3 for second space station supply mission; to support upcoming six-month Shenzhou-13 manned mission", Global Times, 20 September 2021)
Australia to procure nuclear-powered submarines
On 15 September, a new security alliance called AUKUS was launched by the US, the UK and Australia for tackling shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. The main highlight of the alliance, however, was the commitment of the US and the UK to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines (SNN). While the delivery of the submarines, which are expected to be at least eight initially, may only happen in the 2040s, Australia is considering leasing SSN from the AUKUS partners as a stop-gap measure. Once put into operation, Australia will join a select list of countries — the US, Russia, the UK, France, China, and India. However, Australia would be the only country without nuclear weapons to have a SSN.
There are primarily two types of nuclear submarines: SSN and the nuclear-powered ballistic submarines (SSBN). While the former houses a nuclear reactor fuelled with highly enriched uranium (HEU), the latter has nuclear tipped ballistic missiles in addition to nuclear propulsion. Once fuelled, the mini-reactors in nuclear submarines can last for decades without the need to refuel. Even as Australia and other AUKUS members have made it clear that no submarine would be armed by nuclear weapons, it is hardly a move in consonance with larger arms control and disarmament goals. The sharing of sensitive nuclear technology and HEU has ignited proliferation concerns.
Operating a fleet of SSNs would confer multiple advantages to Australia as compared to the diesel-powered submarines they currently operate or the diesel-powered submarines they were planning (but cancelled in wake of this deal) to procure from France. First, a SSN can be in continuous operation for months at a stretch, giving Australia the capability to project power in the seas near China (especially the hotly contested South China Sea). Second, SSNs comparatively have better speed. Lastly, since they need to resurface only in many months, they are stealthier. (Raghav Bikhchandani, "What are nuclear-powered submarines that Australia will acquire under first AUKUS initiative", The Print, 19 September 2021; Andrew S. Erickson, "Australia Badly Needs Nuclear Submarines", Foreign Policy, 20 September 2021; AJ Mitchell, "How do nuclear-powered submarines work? A nuclear scientist explains", The Conversation, 16 September 2021)
S&T Nuggets
By Akriti Sharma and Lokendra Sharma
Climate and Environment
Japan: Research to address agricultural nitrous oxide emissions
On 7 September, NHK-World Japan reported that the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences has collaborated with the researchers overseas to explore ways to reduce the agricultural emissions of a key greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide. The gas is produced when the nitrogen fertilizer is applied to the farm produce. It is considered to be 300 times more harmful than carbon dioxide. The researchers have developed a new type of wheat which can prevent the nitrogen fertilizer from emitting harmful gas. The tests have shown that the new wheat emits 25 per cent less nitrous oxide. Additionally, the new wheat can maintain the same productivity level while absorbing 60 per cent less fertilizer. Researchers at Tohoku University and the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization have developed bacteria that can convert nitrous oxide emissions from the soybean fields into a harmless gas. Reduction of emission of greenhouse gases from the agriculture sector is important and the scientists in Japan have been able to reduce the emissions by 30 per cent. ("New researches tackle nitrous oxide emissions", NHK-World Japan, 7 September 2021)
The UN: WMO report says COVID-19 has not slowed down the pace of climate change
On 16 September, the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released a report titled "United in Science 2021: A multi-organization high-level compilation of the latest climate science information". The reduction in the carbon dioxide emissions due to the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic was temporary. The report says that emissions during January-July 2021 were at the same level as 2019 levels or the pre-pandemic level. While releasing the report, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said: "Unless there are immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, limiting warming to 1.5C will be impossible, with catastrophic consequences for people and the planet on which we depend". Secretary-General WMO said: "Throughout the pandemic we have heard that we must 'build back better' to set humanity on a more sustainable path, and to avoid the worst impacts of climate change on society and economies. This report shows that so far in 2021, we are not going in the right direction". ("United in Science 2021", World Meteorological Organization, 16 September 2021)
Iceland: Zurich-based carbon capture plant project opened
On 8 September, Zurich-based Climeworks opened its carbon capture plant — Orca in Iceland. The start-up claimed that it will build a much larger plant in future which would help in removing millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Orca will remove 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year and store it underground. The Orca plant sells the most expensive carbon offset in the world and has been sold out of credit several times in its lifespan of 12 years. According to the energy models, the world will require removal of tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to achieve net zero emissions. The disadvantages of carbon capture is that they require too much energy to operate at a meaningful scale. However, the US President Joe Biden's recent infrastructure bill includes USD 3.5 billion for four direct air capture hubs. (Leslie Hook, "World's biggest' direct air capture' plant starts pulling in CO2", Financial Times, 8 September 2021)
Health
COVID-19: Pfizer claims its COVID-19 vaccine works for kids
On 21 September, Pfizer claimed that its COVID-19 vaccine works for kids aged 5-11 and it will soon seek US authorization for the same. It is a key step towards vaccinating children. The vaccine jointly developed by Pfizer and BioNTech already is available for anyone 12 and older. After testing, it has been found out that a lower dose of the same vaccine is effective for elementary school kids. The dosage also proved safe with similar or fewer temporary side effects including sore arms, fever and achiness. Cuba has started immunizing children aged two with their homegrown vaccine and China has cleared two vaccines for the kids aged three and above. However, the western countries have not started vaccinating children younger than 12 years of age. (Lauren Neergaard, "Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine works in kids ages 5 to 11", AP, 21 September 2021)
China: First of its kind treatment for spinal deformity combined with spinal herniation
On 8 September, the Department of Orthopedics at Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University successfully performed world's first surgical treatment for "anterior and posterior scoliosis-correction of cervicothoracic spinal deformity, spinal hernia release, and dural hernia repair" for a patient with "congenital cervical thoracic spinal deformity combined with spinal cord herniation". The 40-year-old patient was diagnosed with a "congenital spinal deformity combined with spinal herniation". Prof Liao Bo's team successfully implemented the surgery with full cooperation with a multidisciplinary team. ("Professor Liao Bo's team at Tangdu Hospital Complete the World's First 'Postoperative Revision of Congenital Cervicothoracic Spinal Deformity Combined with Spinal Cord Herniation'", Global Times, 8 September 2021)
COVID-19: Scientists question the need for booster doses
On 13 September, an article titled "Consideration in boosting Covid-19 vaccine immune responses" was published in The Lancet which concluded that "booster doses for the general population are not appropriate at this stage in the pandemic". A group of 18 scientists suggested inoculation of the unvaccinated should be prioritized. Al Jazeera reported that the WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, had called "countries to avoid giving out extra COVID jabs until the end of the year". The UN health agency also urged "all nations to vaccinate at least 10 per cent of their populations by the end of this month, and at least 40 per cent by the end of this year". Although the authors also acknowledged that "some individuals, such as the immunocompromised, could benefit from an additional dose of the same vaccine or of a different vaccine that might complement the primary immune response". ("Covid-19 vaccine boosters not widely needed, say scientists," Al Jazeera, 13 September 2021; Philip R Krause et. al., "Considerations in boosting COVID-19 vaccine immune response," The Lancet, 13 September 2021)
Space
The US: SpaceX's civilian crew returns back to earth after three days in space
On 18 September, SpaceX successfully completed its Inspiration4 mission when the all-civilian crew landed in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Florida. SpaceX's first space tourism flight was comparatively different from recent ones by Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic. While the latter two went around 100 kms above earth (sub-orbital), the SpaceX flight went up to 590 kms (orbital), which is even above the International Space Station and the Hubble Space Telescope. And unlike the previous flights which offered only a short period of weightlessness, the SpaceX Dragon capsule stayed encircled earth for three days. The four civilian crew included two persons selected through a contest, a cancer recovered health care worker and a billionaire, Jared Isaacman. Jared has now become the third billionaire to make a trip to space, after Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos. A highlight about the crew was that none of them were trained astronauts and thus had no professional experience. (Amy Thompson, "SpaceX's Private Inspiration4 Crew Is Back on Earth", Scientific American, 21 September 2021; Marcia Dunn, "SpaceX launches 4 amateurs on private Earth-circling trip", AP, 16 September 2021)
The UK: OneWeb launches 34 more satellites in its quest for global internet
On 15 September, London-based OneWeb reached a new milestone when its 34 satellites were successfully placed into earth's orbit by Arianespace's Soyuz rocket which lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. With this launch, OneWeb will now have 322 satellites circling earth, which is nearly half of the total number of satellites it eventually wants to put in space — 648. OneWeb plans use a constellation of low earth orbit satellites to provide global internet, even in the remotest corners of earth. OneWeb has secured global funding, and the UK government and India's telecom major Bharti group acquired the company in 2020 as the OneWeb emerged from bankruptcy. The company is directly competing with SpaceX's Starlink to provide global internet. (Mike Wall, "Arianespace Soyuz rocket launches 34 more OneWeb internet satellites to orbit", Space, 14/15 September 2021)
China: Indigenous hydrogen liquefying system developed
On 21 September, the Global Times reported that China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) has developed a hydrogen liquefying system with about 90 per cent of localization. Producing about two tons of liquified hydrogen, it will be a major boost for the country's domestic space industry. So far, China's main rockets in the Long March series have relied on liquid hydrogen produced by foreign equipment. Another positive fallout will be for the larger energy sector, which is vying to use hydrogen as a fuel. ("China's self-developed hydrogen liquefying system to power domestic carrier rockets", Global Times, 21 September 2021)
Technology
Europe: European Commission announces plans for self-reliance in semiconductors
On 15 September, the European Commission (EC) announced plans for building a regional ecosystem to ensure self-reliance in semiconductor chips. Reuters quoted EC President Ursula von der Leyen as saying during a speech at the European Parliament: "We will present a new European Chips Act. The aim is to jointly create a state-of-the-art European chip ecosystem, including production. That ensures our security of supply and will develop new markets for ground-breaking European tech". This comes in the wake of global chip shortage and a realisation among European policy makers that a reliance on Asian and North America based suppliers is not sustainable. (Foo Yun Chee, "EU plans' Chips Act' to promote semiconductor self-sufficiency", Reuters, 15 September 2021)
China: Machines being developed that can track data sent abroad by automobiles
On 14 September, Reuters reported that China Automotive Engineering Research Institute (CAERI) has been developing machines and systems that are capable of tracking the data generated by cars in China. High-end cars sold by foreign companies have a number of sensors that collect and transmit data back to the company's servers and this has been an issue of concern for the Chinese government. Regulators have mandated that any data being generated within China has to be stored locally. The company developing these communication detection systems, CAERI, has tested vehicles of various foreign companies, including Tesla, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Daimler and Land Rover. It is however unclear when this system would be rolled out and at what scale. ("China develops machines that can track data sent abroad by cars", Reuters, 14 September 2021)
Israel: Citizen Lab finds another exploit developed by the NSO Group
On 13 September, the University of Toronto based Citizen Lab, which is an interdisciplinary group researching digital espionage on civil society, reported that it had found a "zero-day zero-click exploit against iMessage" called FORCEDENTRY. Found to be effective against the operating systems of Apple devices (iOS, MacOS, WatchOS), Citizen Lab "determined that the mercenary spyware company NSO Group used the vulnerability to remotely exploit and infect the latest Apple devices with the Pegasus spyware". On the same day, Apple released updates for its devices to patch this vulnerability after Citizen Lab shared the details with the former. The NSO Group, accused by Citizen Lab to be behind developing this exploit, has previously been embroiled in another controversy over targeting of civil society across many countries using a sophisticated attack through popular communications app WhatsApp. (Bill Marczak et. al., "FORCEDENTRY: NSO Group iMessage Zero-Click Exploit Captured in the Wild", The Citizen Lab, 13 September)
Lithuania: Defense Ministry flags cybersecurity risks of Chinese mobiles
On 21 September, the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense warned citizens against using Chinese mobile phones. The Ministry's National Cyber Security Centre conducted a "cyber security assessment of 5G smartphones made by Chinese manufacturers and supplied in Lithuania: Huawei P40 5G , Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G, OnePlus 8T 5G", according to a press release by the Ministry. The investigation found multiple problems with the smartphones, including that relating to freedom of speech. The Xiaomi device in particular was found to censor "449 keywords and keyword combinations in Chinese characters, for example, free Tibet, America's voice, democratic movement, Long Live the Democratic Taiwan, etc". The report comes against the backdrop of tense relations between China and Lithuania after Taiwan announced establishing a 'Taiwanese' (and not 'Taipei' which China prefers) representative office in Lithuania. ("Things your smartphone does without your awareness: investigation into three China-made 5G devices", Ministry of National Defense of Lithuania, 21 September 2021).
About the authors
Lokendra Sharma and Akriti Sharma are PhD Scholars, Avishka Ashok is a Research Associate at the School of Conflict and Security Studies, NIAS.
Bookmark |
Sayeka Ghosh
26 April 1986: Chernobyl nuclear accident
Dhriti Mukherjee
Profile: Street Crimes in Karachi
Femy Francis
Germany and China: It’s the economy, stupid
Arya Prasad
Elections in South Korea: Six Takeaways
Alka Bala
25 Years of Euro: What lies ahead?
GP Team
75 Years of NATO
NIAS South Asia Team
South Asia This Week (25 Mar- 01 Apr 2024)
Devi Chandana M
Rise in China’s Marriages
Padmashree Anandhan
Ireland: Four reasons why Prime Minister Leo Varadkar resigned
GP Team
Elections in Senegal
NIAS Africa Team
Africa This Week (16-22 March)
T C A Raghavan
March 1739: Nadir Shah invades Delhi
Karthik Manoharan
17 March 1992: The end of Apartheid in South Africa
Rosemary Kurian
18 March 2014: Russia annexes Crimea
NIAS Africa Team
Africa This Week
IPRI Team
Continuing Kidnappings in Nigeria
Sivasubramanian K
09 March 1776: Adam Smith publishes “The Wealth of Nations”
NIAS South Asia Team
South Asia This Week (2-9 Mar 2024)
NIAS South Asia Team
South Asia This Week (26 Feb-02 Mar 2024)
NIAS Africa Team
Africa This Week (1 March-7 March)
NIAS Africa Team
Africa This Week (24 February-29 February)
Asanga Abeyagoonasekera
Sri Lanka: The rise of ultra-nationalism and elections
IPRI Team
The Battle for Avdiivka in Ukraine
NIAS South Asia Team
South Asia This Week (11-17 Feb 2024)
NIAS Africa Team
Africa This Week
IPRI Team
Israel's Military Campaign in Rafah
NIAS Latin America Team
Latin America This Week (3-10 Feb 2024)
NIAS South Asia Team
South Asia This Week (3-10 Feb 2024)
NIAS Africa Team
Africa This Week (3-10 Feb 2024)
IPRI Team
Protests in Senegal
Jerry Franklin A
Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON): Five Questions
Padmashree Anandhan, Femy Francis, Rohini Reenum, Akriti Sharma, Akhil Ajith, Shamini Velayutham and Anu Maria Joseph
Expert Interview: Russia in the International Order
Bibhu Prasad Routray
Myanmar: Ethnic Armed Organizations, China’s Mediation and Continuing Fighting
Narmatha S and Anu Maria Jospeh
Ethiopia-Somalia tensions over Somaliland | Explained
CEAP Team
Taiwan elections
GP Team
Taiwan Election 2024
Femy Francis
Taiwan Election 2024: The return of DPP
IPRI Team
The War in Ukraine and Gaza
CEAP Team
NIAS- CEAP- China Reader | Daily Briefs
Padmashree Anandhan
The War in Ukraine: Drones, missiles and counterattacks
Anu Maria Joseph
Ethiopia and Sudan: Governance in deadlock
Hoimi Mukherjee | Hoimi Mukherjee is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science in Bankura Zilla Saradamani Mahila Mahavidyapith.
Chile in 2023: Crises of Constitutionality
Richa Chandola | Richa Chandola is an independent scholar.
Peru in 2023: Political Tensions, Civil Unrest, and Governance Issues
Aprajita Kashyap | Aprajita Kashyap is a faculty of Latin American Studies, School of International Studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi.
Haiti in 2023: The Humanitarian Crisis
Shreya Pandey | Shreya Pandey is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science, Xavier’s College, Ranchi. Her research interests include EU-India relations, and current trends in international relations.
Russian Invasion on Ukraine: An assessment of its impact upon unity, economy and enlargement of the EU
Binod Khanal | Binod Khanal is a Doctoral candidate at the Centre for European Studies, School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi.
The Baltic: Energy, Russia, NATO and China
Rishika Yadav | Rishika Yadav is a Research Assistant at NIAS.
Finland in 2023: Challenges at Russia's border
Padmashree Anandhan | Padmashree Anandhan is a Research Associate at the School of Conflict and Security Studies, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangaluru.
Germany in 2023: Defence, Economy and Energy Triangle
Anu Maria Joseph | Anu Maria Joseph is a Research Assistant at NIAS.
Ethiopia and Sudan in 2023: Governance in deadlock
Nuha Aamina | Nuha Aamina is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy, St Joseph's University.
Thailand: Economic stability despite political instability
Alka Bala | Alka Bala is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy, St Joseph's University.
Myanmar in 2023: Extended Emergency, Political Instability and State-led violence
Sayani Rana | Sayani Rana is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace, and Public Policy, St Joseph's University, Bangalore.
Australia in 2023: Challenges of Economy, Employment and Immigration
Ashok Alex Luke | Ashok Alex Luke is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science at CMS College, Kottayam.
China and South Asia in 2023: Advantage Beijing?
Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri | Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri is a postgraduate student at the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies at the University of Madras, Chennai.
China and East Asia
Femy Francis | Femy Francis is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies.
China in 2023: Cracks in the Great Wall
Amit Gupta | Dr Amit Gupta is an international security and economics analyst based in the USA
The US: The Year of Living Dangerously?
Kuri Sravan Kumar | Kuri Sravan Kumar is a PhD scholar at the Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi.
North Korea in 2023: Military buildups and Close Connections with Russia
Yogeshwari S | Yogeswari S is a postgraduate student at the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies at the University of Madras, Chennai.
South Korea in 2023: Addressing Climate Change and the Global Supply Chains
Abhishek Ranjan | Abhishek Ranjan is a PhD student at the Korean Studies, Centre for East Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
East Asia in 2023: Big Power Politics and New Defence Strategies
IPRI Team
Special Edition: Conflicts in 2023
NIAS Africa Team
NIAS Africa Weekly #92&93 | COP 28 and Africa
Nithyashree RB
COP28 and Africa: Priorities and Initiatives
NIAS Africa Team
NIAS Africa Weekly #91 | Failed coup in Sierra Leone
Anu Maria Joseph
Sierra Leone: A failed coup
GP Team
Henry Kissinger: A profile
NIAS Africa Team
NIAS Africa Weekly #90 | Floods in East Africa
Jerry Franklin A
Floods in East Africa
NIAS Africa Team
NIAS Africa Weekly #89 | Africa’s debate on colonial reparations
Sneha Surendran
Africa’s debate on colonial reparations
NIAS Africa Team
NIAS Africa Weekly #87&88 | Elusive Ceasefires in Sudan
Anu Maria Joseph
Sudan’s ceasefires remain elusive: Four reasons why
GP Team
UK’s AI Summit
Femy Francis
Ten years of BRI: Xi and the Beijing Summit
Femy Francis
The return of the South China Sea
Femy Francis
BRICS Summit poised as the Champion of Global South
Femy Francis
Japan-Australia's Reciprocal Access Agreement
CR Team | Avishka Ashok
China: Palestine Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ visit emphasizes hope for statehood
NIAS Africa Team
NIAS Africa Weekly #85&86 | Niger-France ties and Liberia elections
Nithyashree RB
Liberia elections: Explained
Jerry Franklin
France's increasing unpopularity in Niger
PR Team
The Snow Leopards of Pakistan
Padmashree Anandhan
Poland elections 2023: Reasons behind the shift
Padmashree Anandhan
Ukraine: The failure of the Black Sea Grain Initiative
Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri
Issues for Europe
Yogeswari S | CSIS
Poland’s engagement
Prof Joyati Bhattacharya
G20 Summit: India the Global Host
Anu Maria Joseph
Africa in the Indian Ocean region: Explained
Dhriti Mukherjee
Pakistan grapples with soaring electricity bills and free riders
Shamini Velayutham
Pakistan: Recent spike in Polio cases
Dhriti Mukherjee
Pakistan’s power predicament: Soaring bills and public discontent
Ankit Singh
Pakistan’s Economy: Three questions
Sneha Surendran
From Cargo to Canvas: The vibrant world of Pakistani Truck Art
Anu Maria Joseph
Taiwan in Africa: The Last Ally and the Lost Allies
Feben Itty | CSIS
NATO’s Challenge
Genesy B | abcnews
Russia’s Endgame
Sreeja JS
Ukraine’s Strategies and Endgame
NIAS Africa Team
Africa Weekly #79 | Africa Climate Summit
Sneha Surendran
Africa Climate Summit: Rising new leadership in climate action
Nithyashree RB
Coup in Gabon: Three questions
NIAS Africa Team
Africa Weekly #78 | Coup in Gabon
Sneha Surendran
Wildfires in Europe: Another year of devastation
Rishika Yadav
Floods in Europe: Impacts, and issues
Padmashree Anandhan
Return of the Heatwaves
Jerry Franklin A
A profile on Ethiopia's Oromo ethnic group
Sneha Surendran
A profile on Ethiopia’s Somali ethnic group
Nithyashree RB
A profile on Ethiopia’s Afar ethnic group
Anu Maria Joseph
Ethiopia’s Amhara problem
Jerry Franklin A
ECOWAS and Niger remain at an impasse, causing a prolonged standoff
Lakshmi Parimala H
Mural, Movie and the Map: Akhand Bharat mural and Adipurush
Rishika Yadav
The High Seas Treaty
Indrani Talukdar
Ukraine War and the International Order
Jerry Franklin A
Coup in Niger: Manifold national, regional and international stances
Sneha Surendran
Senegal's political crisis: Four questions
NIAS Africa Team
Africa Weekly #73&74 | Coup in Niger and Senegal’s political crisis
Himani Pant
Germany-Russia Relations: What Next?
D. Suba Chandran
Que Sara Sara: Pakistan, Two Months After 09 May
Sneha Surendran
Pakistan’s e-Sport Industry: A Profile
Ramya Balasubramanian
Russia and Europe: Understanding Moscow’s strategies
Bibhu Prasad Routray
Return of Violence in Manipur
Nithyashree RB
The UN in Africa: MINUSMA has failed. So did Mali
Bibhu Prasad Routray
Myanmar continues to burn
Anu Maria Joseph
The Wagner Group in Africa: Fallouts of the failed revolt in Russia
NIAS Africa Team
Africa Weekly #69-71 | The Wagner Group in Africa
Lakshmi Parimala
Hybrid Warfare in Ukraine
Padmashree Anandhan
Rise and fall of the Wagner Revolt: Four Takeaways
Sneha Surendran
The Wagner Revolt: A profile of Yevgeny Prigozhin
Padmashree Anandhan
The War in Ukraine: Four Issues to watch in 2023
Rishika Yadav, Sneha Surendran, Sandra D Costa, Ryan Marcus, Prerana P and Nithyashree RB
Global Gender Gap Report 2023: Regional Takeaways
Harini Madhusudan, Rishika Yada, Sneha Surendran, Prerana P, Sreeja JS and Padmashree Anandhan
Russia: Anatomy of Wagner Revolt, and its Fallouts
Anu Maria Joseph
Resurging insurgency in Uganda and insecurity in East Africa
Jerry Franklin
Eritrea: Back to the IGAD after 16 years
Bibhu Prasad Routray
India: Violence continues in Manipur
Jerry Franklin
Tunisia: A Political Profile
Jerry Franklin
Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis: Reasons for its continuation
Anu Maria Joseph
Ceasefires in Sudan: An uneasy trajectory
Rishika Yadav, Sreeja JS, Nithyashree RB, and Melvin George | Rishika Yadav is a Research Assistant in NIAS Europe Studies at NIAS. Nithyashree RB, Sreeja JS, and Melvin George are Research Interns in NIAS Europe Studies at NIAS.
The Battle for Bakhmut: Significance, Objectives, Course, and What Next
Nithyashree RB
Poland approves Russian Influence Law: Three Implications
Rishika Yadav | Research Assistant, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bangalore
Serbia: Mass shootings, protests and instability
Rishika Yadav and Nityashree RB | Research Assistant and Research Intern, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bangalore
Turkey’s Elections: Unravelling the Political Spectacle of 2023
Padmashree Anandhan | Research Associate National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore
Belgorod drone attacks: Who, What and Why?
NIAS Africa Team
In Focus | Japan in Africa
Devjyoti Saha
Japan in Africa: Renewed Efforts to Revitalise Relations
Indrani Talukdar
Russia's Position in the Arctic: New challenges
Lakshmi Parimala H
Bhutan's Gross National Happiness
Amit Gupta
The Trump Phenomenon: Why it Won’t Go
Rishika Yadav
Turkey’s Election: Issues, Actors and Outcomes
IPRI Team
The Armenia-Azerbaijan Stalemate
NIAS Africa Team
Droughts in East Africa: A climate disaster
NIAS Africa Team
Sudan: Intensifying political rivalry and expanding violence
NIAS Africa Team
Expanding Russia-South Africa relations
Padmashree Anandhan
Pentagon document leak: Russia-Ukraine Conflict From a Tactical Lens
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Tunisia: The question of undocumented migrants
Indrani Talukdar
Belarus’s endgame in Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Padmashree Anandhan
Russia: Drone attacks escalate the Ukraine war
Padmashree Anandhan
The UK: Conservative party put to test as worker strikes continue
Bhoomika Sesharaj
PR Explains: Pakistan’s power outage
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Pakistan’s Blue Helmets: A long-standing contribution
D Suba Chandran
Karachi: The race and new alignments for the Mayor
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Macron’s visit to Africa: Three Takeaways
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Nigeria elections: Ruling party wins; What is ahead?
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | M23 atrocities in DRC and upcoming Nigeria elections
NIAS Africa Team
Africa in 2023: Elections and conflicts
IPRI Team
The continuing crisis in Israel
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Chinese Foreign Minister's visit to Africa
IPRI Team
Protests in Spain, Sweden and Israel
Avishka Ashok
China: A complicated economic recovery
Padmashree Anandhan
Europe: An impending energy crisis and its economic fallouts
Ankit Singh
Defence: Towards a new cold war
Riya Itisha Ekka
Brazil: Managing Bolsonaro’s legacy
Apoorva Sudhakar
Africa: Despite the elections, democratic backslide will continue
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Pakistan in 2023: Between elections, economic turmoil and climate crisis
Sethuraman Nadarajan
Sri Lanka in 2023: A troubling economy and an unstable polity
Avishka Ashok
Chinese Foreign Minister's visit to Africa
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Bamako’s pardon of Ivorian soldiers
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | The relapse of ANC
Allen Joe Mathew, Sayani Rana, Joel Jacob
Newsmakers: From Putin to Rushdie
Sethuraman Nadarajan
Rest in Peace; Queen Elizabeth. Mikhail Gorbachev, Pelé...
Ankit Singh
Global economy in 2022: The year of cooling down
Bhoomika Sesharaj
Digital world: Elon Musk and the Twitter Chaos
Madhura Mahesh
The FTX Collapse: Depleting cryptocurrencies
Harini Madhusudan
The Space race: Scaling new technological feats
Avishka Ashok
G20: More challenges
Akriti Sharma
COP27: Hits and Misses
Padmashree Anandhan
The Ukraine War
Poulomi Mondal
French Exit from Mali: More questions than answers
Mohaimeen Khan
Yemen, Syria, and Sudan: Continuing humanitarian crises
Padmashree Anandhan
NATO and the Madrid Summit: Expanding defence frontiers
Padmashree Anandhan
Elections in France, Sweden, and Italy: The rise of the right
Janardhan G
North Korea: Missile Tests Galore
Avishka Ashok
The Taiwan Strait: Political and military assertions
Anu Maria Joseph
Ethiopia: Uncertainties despite ceasefire
Apoorva Sudhakar
Tunisia: The end of the Jasmine Revolution
Rashmi BR
Iraq: Deadlock and breakthrough
Kaviyadharshini A
Iran: Anti-government protests
Chrishari de Alwis Gunasekare
Sri Lanka: Political and Economic Crises
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Myanmar: The coup and after
NIAS Africa Team
The US-Africa Leaders Summit
IPRI Team
Workers strike in the UK
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | End of Operation Barkhane
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | The ceasefire in Ethiopia
IPRI Team
Drone attacks in Russia
Vignesh Ram | Assistant Professor | Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
Malaysia’s recent Elections: More questions than answers
Vignesh Ram
Anwar Ibrahim: Malaysia's new Prime Minister
Harini Madhusudan, Rishma Banerjee, Padmashree Anandhan, Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan, and Avishka Ashok
What next for Russia, Ukraine, Europe, South Asia & India, and China
Padmashree Anandhan and Rishma Banerjee
UNGA 77: Who said what from Europe?
Rashmi BR and Akriti Sharma
COP27: Ten key takeaways
Rashmi Ramesh
Ice Melt in Alps in Europe: Three impacts
Rishma Banerjee
Tracing Europe's droughts
Padmashree Anandhan
Major causes behind Europe’s continuing heatwaves
Emmanuel Selva Royan
100 days of the Ukraine war: US Responses in the war
Padmashree Anandhan
100 days of the Ukraine war: What next for Europe?
Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan
100 days of the Ukraine war: More loss than gain for Russia
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Challenges to peace in Eastern Congo
Avishka Ashok | Research Associate | National Institute of Advanced Studies
20th Party Congress of the Communist Party of China: Major takaways
Angelin Archana | Assistant Professor, Women’s Christian College, Chennai
China's response to the Ukraine crisis: Shaped by its relationship with Russia and EU under the US Shadow
Shreya Upadhyay | Assistant Professor, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore
Transatlantic Ties in the Wake of Ukraine-Russia War
Uma Purushothaman | Assistant Professor, Central University of Kerala, Kerala
Ukraine and beyond: The US Strategies towards Russia
Debangana Chatterjee | Assistant Professor, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Bangalore
Lessons from Ukraine War: Effectiveness of Sanctions
Himani Pant | Research Fellow, ICWA, Delhi
Ukraine and beyond: What next for Russia and Europe?
Sethuraman Nadarajan
Israel-Lebanon Maritime Border Deal
Avishka Ashok
G20 Summit: Four takeaways from Bali
NIAS Africa Team
China-Africa relations: Looking back and looking ahead
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Chad's political crisis
Sourina Bej
Elections in Sweden
Padmashree Anandhan
Italy's far-right wins 2022 elections
Padmashree Anandhan
Putin’s address in the Valdai Discussion: Six takeaways
Devjyoti Saha
Solomon Islands’ China card: Three reasons why
NIAS Africa Team
Floods in West Africa: Nigeria and beyond
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Famine in Somalia
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Kenya Elections 2022
IPRI Team
Protests in Iran
IPRI Team
Clashes between Armenia-Azerbaijan
Padmashree Anandhan
Queen Elizabeth: End of an era
Padmashree Anandhan
Russia and Eastern Economic Forum 2022: A sturdy Far East
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | The reinvention of Al Shabab
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Lavrov's visit to Africa
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Macron's visit to Africa
GP Team
Floods and Emergency in Pakistan
IPRI Team
Six months of War in Ukraine
GP Team
Regional round-ups
Padmashree Anandhan
Who will be the next UK prime minister: Liss Truss v. Rishi Sunak
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Tunisia's political crisis
NIAS Africa Team
Tunisia’s political crisis: Five questions
NIAS Africa Team
Tribal conflict in Blue Nile: Causes and Implications
STIR Team
Geopolitics of Semiconductors
Padmashree Anandhan
France: Uber files leak, and Macron’s trouble
Emmanuel Selva Royan
Italy: Three factors about its current political instability
NIAS Africa Team
Sudan-Ethiopia border tensions and a profile of Blaise Compaoré
NIAS Africa Team
Africa’s continuing migration problem: Three issues
STIR Team
China in Space: Shenzhou-13 and Tiangong
NIAS Africa Team
Africa’s displacement crises: Three key drivers
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Into the Sixth Decade of African Unity
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Communal Tensions in Ethiopia
Padmashree Anandhan
What does Macron's victory mean for France and the EU
Rishma Banerjee
The rise of Marine Le Pen
Sourina Bej
Four challenges ahead for President Macron
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Mali ends defence ties with France
GP Team
New US assistance for Ukraine
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | UK-Rwanda asylum deal
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Africa, Russia, and the War in Ukraine
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Political Crisis in Tunisia
GP Team
Russia's gas ultimatum to Europe
IPRI Team
30 days of War in Ukraine
NIAS Africa Team
60 years of Algerian independence
IPRI Team
Sri Lanka’s worsening economic crisis
NIAS Africa Team
In Focus: Libya
IPRI Team
The end of Denmark’s Inuit experiment
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Europe and Africa: Will AU and EU be equal partners?
Anu Maria Joseph
Europe and Africa: Will AU and EU be equal partners?
Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan
Lecture report: Ukraine, Russia and Europe
Joeana Cera Matthews
Into History: Northern Ireland and Bloody Sunday, 50 years later
Nireekshan Bollimpalli
Africa’s slow COVID vaccination continues. Four reasons why
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS: Conflict over the Nile Dam
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS: Instability in Burkina Faso
Padmashree Anandhan
Munich Security Report: Six takeaways
Joeana Cera Matthews
Europe and Africa: An elusive search for an equal partnership
Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan
Femicides in Europe: The case of France
Padmashree Anandhan
Post Brexit: Three challenges in Northern Ireland
Porkkodi Ganeshpandian and Angkuran Dey
The return of the Left
Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan
Lithuania and China: Vilnius has become Beijing’s Achilles heel. Four reasons why
Mohamad Aseel Ummer
Africa: The anti-France sentiments in Mali and beyond
Shalini Balaiah
The Middle East in 2021: Never-ending wars and conflicts
Angelin Archana
Russia in 2021: Expanding boundaries
Prakash Panneerselvam
East Asia in 2021: New era of hegemonic competition
Apoorva Sudhakar
Coup in Burkina Faso: Five things to know
Joeana Cera Matthews
In Europe, abortion rights are "a privilege." Four reasons why
Padmashree Anandhan
Mapping COVID-19 protests in Europe: Who and Why
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Pakistan, US and Russia: Putin Online, Biden Offline
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The unrest in Kazakhstan: Look beyond the trigger
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Deepening Pakistan-Russia ties
D. Suba Chandran
Justice Ayesha: Breaking the Legal Ceiling
Ankit Singh
Pakistan's Judiciary in 2021
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Same Page Story: Civil-Military Relations in 2021
D. Suba Chandran
Pakistan's Foreign Policy in 2021
Ankit Singh
Pakistan’s economy in 2021: Major highlights
Ankit Singh
Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank
Apoorva Sudhakar
The PDM is back, again
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Qureshi’s visit to Brussels: Three takeaways
GP Team
The Complete Compendium for 2021
GP Team
The Americas in 2021
GP Team
Europe in 2021
GP Team
Middle East and Africa in 2021
GP Team
South Asia in 2021
Apoorva Sudhakar
Protests in Gwadar: Four major highlights
Ankit Singh
Mini budget, IMF and a contemporary puzzle.
Ankit Singh
Pappu Sain bids adieu to the world
Apoorva Sudhakar
Smog, pollution and more: Deteriorating air quality in Pakistan
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
PTI’s secret dealing with the TTP and TLP
Vaishnavi Iyer
France, Algeria, and the politics over an apology
Joeana Cera Matthews
NATO-Russia relationship: Looking beyond the suspensions and expulsions
D. Suba Chandran
PTI’s TLP flip-flop and a secret deal
Apoorva Sudhakar
The increasing curbs on digital media freedom in Pakistan
Padmashree Anandhan
Facebook's Metaverse: Why it matters to Europe
Joeana Cera Matthews
Poland, EU and PolExit. It is complicated, for three reasons
Harini Madhusudhan
Europe's Energy Crisis and Gazprom
D. Suba Chandran
TLP: The government caves in again
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
TLP is back again
Apoorva Sudhakar | Project Associate, School of Conflict and Security Studies, NIAS
Pakistan’s transgender community: The long road ahead
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Since January 2021: Why the US President has not called Pakistan’s Prime Minister so far?
Apoorva Sudhakar
No honour in honour killing
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The Military Reshuffle: A strategic or routine decision?
D. Suba Chandran
Dr AQ Khan: Between a national hero and a nuclear proliferator
Apoorva Sudhakar
Rising child abuse in Pakistan: Five reasons why
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Hazara Persecution in Pakistan: No end in sight
D. Suba Chandran
Protests in Gwadar: Who and Why
Chetna Vinay Bhora
Europe's Energy Crisis: It could get worse. Five reasons why
STIR Team
Cover Story: War against Malaria
Aswathy Koonampilly
Japan: New Prime Minister, Old party
GP Team
Europe's Energy Crisis
STIR Team
The Science and Politics of Materials
Sourina Bej
France: Paris Terror Trial
Harini Madhusudan
Belarus: Weaponization of the Migrant Crisis
Juan Mary Joseph
Attacks on Chinese Investments in Pakistan: Who, Where And Why?
Joeana Cera Matthews
Haiti: Two months after the assassination, the storm is still brewing
Joeana Cera Matthews
From Crimea to Navalny: Putin's calibrated Europe strategy
Joeana Cera Matthews
Nord Stream-2: Why is the region unhappy about the pipeline?
Lokendra Sharma
Two months of Cuban protests: Is the ‘revolution’ ending?
GP Team
The New Afghanistan
STIR Team
Climate Change and Energy Options
Apoorva Sudhakar
Digital Pakistan: Idea, Potential and Challenges
Anu Maria Joseph
South Africa: What is behind the pro-Zuma protests?
Dincy Adlakha
China and Russia in Myanmar: The interests that bind
Sarthak Jain
Nord Stream 2 is Russia’s geopolitical victory
Jeshil J Samuel
REvil is dead. Long live REvil
STIR Team
Space Tourism
Keerthana Rajesh Nambiar
The EU Summit 2021: Five Takeaways
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Impending famine in Tigray, should make Ethiopia everyone's problem
Anu Maria Joseph
Too late and too little is Ethiopia's international problem
Sankalp Gurjar
Africa's Ethiopia Problem
Apoorva Sudhakar
Ethiopia's Tigray problem is Tigray's Ethiopia problem
Lokendra Sharma
The future of nuclear energy looks bleak
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Five reasons why Afghanistan is closer to a civil war
Mohamad Aseel Ummer
Migration in Africa: Origin, Drivers and Destinations
Dincy Adlakha
The new three-child policy is two decades too late
Dincy Adlakha
Loud Echoes of the National Security Law in China
Joeana Cera Matthews
Farfetched goals on pandemic recovery, climate action and economic revival
STIR Team
Rare Earths and the Global Resource Race
SDP Scholar
The Rise and Reign of Ransomware
Gurpreet Singh
India and the geopolitics of supply chains
Chetna Vinay Bhora
Spain, Morocco and the rise of rightwing politics in Europe over immigration
Vibha Venugopal
The return of Taliban will be bad news for women
Udbhav Krishna P
Revisiting the recent violence: Three takeaways
Joeana Cera Matthews
For the Economist, Taiwan is the most dangerous place. The argument is complicated
Apoorva Sudhakar
15 of the 23 global hunger hotspots are in Africa. Three reasons why
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The US decision to withdraw is a call made too early. Three reasons why
Lokendra Sharma
Learning from Cuba's vaccine development efforts
V S Ramamurthy and Dinesh K Srivastava
An energy mix of renewables and nuclear is the most viable option
Lokendra Sharma
Deadly second wave spirals into a humanitarian disaster
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The US-Taliban Deal: One Year Later
Akriti Sharma
The Quad Plus and the search beyond the four countries
Apoorva Sudhakar
India's Endgames, Roles and Limitations in Quad
Sukanya Bali
Tracing the Quad's evolution in the last two decades
Apoorva Sudhakar
Ethiopia: Five fallouts of the military offensive in Tigray
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Afghanistan: The recent surge in targeted killing vs the troops withdrawal
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
In Honduras, a move towards a permanent ban on abortion laws
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Civilian protests vs military: Three factors will decide the outcome in Myanmar
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Trump’s Climate Change legacy: Disruption and Denial
Apoorva Sudhakar
Trump’s Iran legacy: Maximum pressure, minimum results
N Manoharan and Drorima Chatterjee
Five ways India can detangle the fishermen issue with Sri Lanka
IPRI Team
Coup in Myanmar and Protests in Russia
D Suba Chandran
The PDM differences, Gwadar fencing, and Lakhvi's arrest
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Nagorno-Karabakh: Rekindled fighting, Causalities and a Ceasefire
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Thailand: For the pro-democracy protests, it is a long march ahead
Harini Madhusudan
Brexit: A year of the UK-EU transition talks and finally, a Deal
Apoorva Sudhakar
Ethiopia: The conflict in Tigray and the regional fallouts
Aparaajita Pandey
The Americas: Top Five Developments
Teiborlang T Kharsyntiew
Europe: Top five developments
Sandip Kumar Mishra
East Asia: Top Five developments in 2020
Harini Madhusudan
Outer Space in 2020: Missions, Privatization, and the Artemis Accords
Sukanya Bali
5G, Huawei and TikTok: Four trends in 2020
Sumedha Chatterjee
COVID-19: How the world fought in 2020
Harini Madhusudan
The Vaccine Rush: Expectations vs Realities
Harini Madhusudan
Open Skies Treaty: The US should not have withdrawn, for five reasons
Savithri Sellapperumage
Kamala Harris makes history
Mallika Devi
China is against the Quad. Five reasons why
Srikumar Pullat
Space of Tomorrow: The Need for Space Security
Tamanna Khosla
Japan: New Prime Minister, Old Challenges
Vaishali Handique
Not just regime change: Women and protest movements in Sudan
Sneha Tadkal
Technology in contemporary global protest movements
Chavindi Weerawansha
Students as agents of change: Protest movements in Zimbabwe
Anju Annie Mammen
“Unveiling”: Women and protest movements in the Middle East
Harini Madhusudan
‘The Revolution of Our Times’: Protests in Hong Kong
Samreen Wani
Lebanon: Can Macron's visit prevent the unravelling?
Harini Madhusudan
The Legacy of Shinzo Abe. It is Complicated.
Boa Wang
Two Sessions in Beijing
Boa Wang
How China fought the COVID-19
N. Manoharan
Is COVID-19 a Bio-weapon from China?
Prof PM Soundar Rajan
Is there an overlap of 5G Networks and COVID hotspots?
Rashmi Ramesh
Will COVID-19 provide a new agenda to the NAM?
Harini Madhusudan
Iran's New Military Satellite: Does it violate the UNSC 2231?
Jenice Jean Goveas
Epidemics through History
Sanduni Atapattu
Preventing hatred and suspicion would be a bigger struggle
Chavindi Weerawansha
A majority in the minority community suffers, for the action of a few
Chrishari de Alwis Gunasekare
The Cardinal sermons for peace, with a message to forgive
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Who and Why of the Perpetrators
Natasha Fernando
In retrospect, where did we go wrong?
Ruwanthi Jayasekara
Build the power of Co-existence, Trust, Gender and Awareness
N Manoharan
New ethnic faultlines at macro and micro levels
Asanga Abeyagoonasekera
A year has gone, but the pain has not vanished
Jenice Jean Goveas
In India, the glass is half full for the women
Fatemah Ghafori
In Afghanistan, there is no going back for the women
Lakshmi V Menon
The decline in terrorism in Pakistan in 2019
Rashmi Ramesh
The EU and the Arctic: The interest is not mutual. Why?
Rashmi Ramesh
Iceland, Denmark and Norway: Small is Big in the Arctic
Harini Madhusudan
The Non-Arctic powers: Interests of Japan and South Korea
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Malaysia: New PM, Old Challenges
Lakshmi V Menon
Pakistan to remain “Grey”; North Korea and Iran in “Black”
Rashmi Ramesh
Trump's India Visit: Optics, Substance and Rhetoric
Kabi Adhikari
The controversial MCC Nepal Compact
Malini Sethuraman
ISIS post Baghdadi: Will there be another Caliphate in 2020?
Aarathi Srinivasan
Climate Change: The Economy of the Indian Ocean Region in 2020
Prathiksha Ravi
Israel and the Middle East: The New Alliance Plans in 2020
Padmini Anilkumar
Middle East: The Return of Russia in 2020
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Sudan and Algeria: Road to Democracy in 2020
Lakshmi V Menon
Syria: ISIS Decline, US Retreat and the Return of Russia in 2020
Harini Madhusudan
The US-China Trade Dispute: Towards further disruptions in 2020
Parikshith Pradeep
The US under Donald Trump: The Fall of an Empire in 2020
Vivek Mishra
After Soleimani assassination: Options for the US
Sukanya Bali
Iran, Iraq and the US: Who wants what?
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Old problems to persist with no solutions in the near term
Aashiyana Adhikari
Indian and Chinese investments in Nepal: Managing asymmetry
Shailesh Nayak | Director, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)
Blue Economy and India: An Introduction
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
North Africa in 2019: A year of protests, with some positive results
Sukanya Bali
Hong Kong in 2019: China's New Achilles Heel
Harini Madhusudan
The US-China Trade Dispute in 2019: Towards a thaw in 2020?
Parikshith Pradeep
The US in 2019: Trump rollsout a template for a global American retreat
Rashmi Ramesh
The Arctic Littorals: Iceland and Greenland
Harini Madhusudan
The Polar Silk Route: China's ambitious search in the Arctic
GP Team
Syria: Who wants what?
Harini Madhusudan
Violence in Hong Kong: Will the protests end?
Rashmi Ramesh
Is Catalonia Spain’s Hong Kong?
D. Suba Chandran
Why an Arctic foray is essential for India
Parikshith Pradeep
Russia's Polar Military Edge
Nidhi Dalal
Protests rock Chile, Bolivia and Haiti
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Will prosecuting Suu Kyi resolve the Rohingya problem?
Lakshman Chakravarthy N & Rashmi Ramesh
Climate Change: Four Actors, No Action
Sukanya Bali
Brexit: Preparing for the Worst Case
Lakshman Chakravarthy N
5G: A Primer
Rashmi Ramesh
From Okjökull to OK: Death of a Glacier in Iceland
Sukanya Bali
Challenges before Boris Johnson
Parikshith Pradeep
The Hong Kong Protests: Who wants what
Harini Madhusudan
The Hong Kong Protests: Re-defining mass mobilization
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
ASEAN Outlook on the Indo Pacific: Worth all the Hype?
Mahesh Bhatta
Monsoons first, Floods next and the Blame Games follow
Titsala Sangtam
Counting Citizens: Manipur charts its own NRC
Vivek Mishra
Can Hedging be India’s Strategy?
Lakshmi V Menon
Amidst the US-Iran standoff, Saudi Arabia should be cautious
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
For Russia, it was big power projection
Harini Madhusudan
For China, it was trade and a temporary truce
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
For Japan, it was commerce and climate change
Sourina Bej
For the US, it was trade, tariff and talks
Titsala Sangtam
Iran, US and the Nuclear deal: Europe in the middle?
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Modi's Colombo Visit: Four issues to watch
Raakhavee Ramesh
Higher than the Himalayas: Pakistan and China
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Across the Himalayas: Nepal and China
Mahath Mangal
The Russian Resurgence: Is the US supremacy waning?
Mahath Mangal
San Francisco wants to ban, Kashgar wants to expand
Jerin George
Espionage or Investigative Journalism?
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The Huawei Controversy: Five things you need to know
Mahath Mangal
Why the world needs to look at Yemen
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The Central Asia Connector
Harini Madhusudan
An Under-represented East Asia
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
Africa Embraces the Belt and Road
Sourina Bej
It’s Europe vs EU on China
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Sudan: Between Democracy and another military rule
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
Responses and Inspiring Lessons
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Thailand: Between Elections and Instability
Sourina Bej
Two Sessions in 2019: Four Takeaways
Lakshmi V Menon
The End of ISIS Caliphate?
Harini Madhusudan
For China, its a sigh of relief
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
For Vietnam, its a big deal
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
For Japan, No Deal is Good Deal
Sourina Bej
For South Korea, a costly disappointment
Harini Madhusudan
No deal is better, but isn't it bad?
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
The Other Conflict in Rakhine State
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
Yemen: Will Sa'nna fall?
Harini Madhusudan
Sinicizing the Minorities
GP Team
US, South Korea and Thailand
Lakshmi V Menon
The Qatar Blockade: Eighteen Months Later
GP Team
Yemen, Venezuela and US-China
Sourina Bej
Maghreb: What makes al Shahab Resilient?
Harini Madhusudan
US-China Trade War: No Clear Winners
Abhishrut Singh
Trump’s Shutdown: Five Things to Know
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Myanmar: Will 2019 be better for the Rohingya?
D. Suba Chandran
Bangladesh: The Burden of Electoral History
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
US and China: Between Confrontation and Competition
Mahesh Bhatta | Centre for South Asian Studies, Kathmandu
Nepal
Nasima Khatoon | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS
The Maldives
Harini Madhusudan | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS
India
Sourina Bej | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS
Bangladesh
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS
Afghanistan
Harini Madhusudan
China and Japan: Renewing relations at the right time
Sourina Bej
The INF Treaty: US withdraws to balance China?
Harini Madhusudan
The Khashoggi Killing: Unanswered Questions
Lakshmi V Menon
US and Israel: Trump's Deal of the Century
Nasima Khatoon
The New Maldives: Advantage India?
Harini Madhusudhan
To NAFTA or Not: Trump, Mexico and Canada
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Malaysia’s China Moment: The Mahathir Gamble
Sourina Bej
BIMSTEC: A Bay of Good Hope?
Young Scholars Debate
India, Imran Khan and Indo-Pak Relations
Siddhatti Mehta
Does Brexit mean Brexit?
Oishee Majumdar
Factsheet: China’s Investments in Africa
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
The 8888 Uprising: Thirty Years Later
Harini Madhusudhan
The Tariff War: 'Stick of Hegemony' vs Vital Interests
Druta Bhatt
FactSheet: Shangri La Dialogue 2018
Rahul Arockiaraj
Immigrants as the “Other”: The Social and Economic Factors in the US
Divyabharathi E
Is Trump-Putin Summit a setback for the US?
Apoorva Sudhakar
India and Bangladesh: The Long Haul
Divyabharathi E
Quad as an alternative to the BRI: Three Main Challenges
Oishee Majumdar
FactSheet: India-Bangladesh Relations
D. Suba Chandran
Trump meets Putin; will it cost NATO?
Sourina Bej
Trump and the NATO: One Block, Different Views
Gayan Gowramma KC
Now, the United States withdraws from the UNHRC
Siddhatti Mehta
Will China be able to sustain its Dominance?
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Myanmar: Why won't they do anything for the Rohingya?
Harini Madhusudan
The Idea of an US Space Force: Strategic Calculations
Apoorva Sudhakar
Afghan Peace: Reality or Illusion?
Hely Desai
Looking beyond Trump: Is the US declining?
Manushi Kapadia
Is China using its soft power to become superpower?
Lakshmi. V. Menon
Middle East: Has Russia chosen Israel over Iran?
Miti Shah
G7: Why Trump wants Russia in?
Hely Desai
FactSheet: G7 Summit
Siddhatti Mehta
The Panmunjom Declaration: “Tip of the Iceberg”
Druta Bhatt
Iran N-Deal and the Trans-Atlantic Divide
Manushi Kapadia
US and China: Towards a Trade War
Miti Shah
Palestine: US triggers new tensions
Divyabharathi E
The "Indo-Pacific Command": What's in the name?
Harini Madhusudan
Trump’s Tariff Strategy: Targetting Adversaries and Allies
Hely Desai
Trump-Kim Summit: Three Likely Outcomes
Apoorva Sudhakar
The Lebanon Pawn: Will it change after elections?
Lakshmi V Menon
Israel, the Game Changer?
Samreen Wani
Deciphering Turkey's External Push
Divyabharathi E
China and Russia: The New Alignments
Ann Maria Shibu
Can India afford to lose Maldives to China?
Dhruv Ashok
Why Maldives is important to China?
Lakshmi V Menon
ISIS and the Yazidi victims: Why the World should stand up?
Harini Madhusudan
US- China Tariff Face-off : Five questions
Jamyang Dolma
Why is Free Tibet important for India
Divyabharathi E
Arctic: The Strategic Significance
Lakshmi V Menon
Do we need the Quad?
Samreen Wani
Why Trump’s Iran exit is a big mistake?
Jamyang Dolma
Inter Korean Summit: Will it work?
Dhruv Ashok
The Fishermen Issue between India and Sri Lanka
Apoorva Sudhakar
Bangladesh's Economy: Decoding a Success Story
Ann Maria Shibu
Why India should not pull out of the Indus water treaty?
Divyabharathi E