Photo Source: Bangkok Herald
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
Conflict Reader
Thailand: For the pro-democracy protests, it is a long march ahead
 |
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
|
The success of protests in Thailand will be a far-fetched expectation. Historically, it has been proven that no protests have been successful when the military and the monarchy have been together.
In 2020, the protests in Thailand have been a crucial development in Southeast Asia and have a global impact. The protests that started in early February were stalled by March due to the pandemic but has revived in July.
Protests in 2020
The protests in Thailand have evolved in two phases. The first phase started on 23 February, when the protestors were triggered by the dissolution of the Future Forward Party (FFP). There were protests by students in universities and high schools. However, due to the lockdown declared by the government in order to curb the rising cases of COVID-19 affected, the protests died down. The lull lasted only till 18 July, when a large demonstration was organised under Free Youth Umbrella at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok, the protests commenced again. This marked the beginning of the second phase.
There were remarkable shifts from phase one to two in the protests
There are also some important aspects which could be associated with the 2020 protests in Thailand. These aspects and the shifts from phase one to two could be identified as trends for the 2020 protests.
First, this year's protests could be essentially labelled as a youth protest. The protestors are especially young students, and in the first phase, the protests were restricted mostly to the universities and school campuses. The protest theatre changed with the second phase, and the resistance was taken to the streets. Protests are not rare in the country, especially street protest. However, youth-centric protests in Thailand seem to have revived since 1973. From 2006 to 2014, the most common protest was between the Red Shirts and the Yellow Shirts that did not comprise of students from elite institutions.
Second, unlike the country's previous protests this year's protests are not stagnated in Bangkok and its periphery. These protests, especially in the second phase, have spread to more than 49 provinces.
Third, these protests started against the political government, especially Prayut Chan-O-cha, the current Prime Minister and the newly constituted 2017 Constitution. However, by the second phase, the protests shifted demands, including the monarchy's reform. In the beginning, the protestors only had three basic demands, dissolution of the parliament; the ending of intimidation of people; and drafting a new constitution. In the second phase of the protests, the demands got stretched to include ten points. These ten points included and emphasised the monarchy's reform, which also demanded the institution be placed under the constitution. This is a new phenomenon in Thailand. The most important trend in this year's protest is the fourth one. For the first time, the monarch was publicly criticised. On 3 August, Anon Nampa, a Human Rights lawyer, was the first to call for the palace reform, after criticising monarchy as an institution, during a small demonstration. This is an important development given the reverence the monarchy enjoys in the country. Fifth, symbolic gestures and social media platforms as one of the media of protests is a new development. Symbolic gestures such as three fingers salute, and the usage of yellow ducks, prominent anime and fictional youth icons, and social media platforms such as Twitter are new in the Thai protest culture. These usages were replicated from the Hong Kong protest, which has been the Thai youth's inspiration.
Issues in the background
Three main actors have contributed towards the creation of an ideal background for the on-going protests. First, the Junta government: In 2014, when the military headed by Prayuth Cha-O-cha came to power after a coup, it was not unusual in the Thai political history. Thailand had witnessed 13 coups till date since 1932 when Constitutional monarchy was established. Since then, the Junta under the banner of National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) in the name of governance have restricted civil rights, and there have been increasing corruptions. In 2017, the newly drafted Constitution was introduced, after a referendum criticised for being unfair. The constitution itself was marred by disparages as it paved a way to an empowered military-appointed Senate to elect the Prime Minister for two tenures. It also ensured that even a new government comes to power it has to follow a national strategy road map designed by NCPO for next 20 years. In 2019, when a party formed Prayut Cha-O-cha came back to power it was not surprising. The FFP which had garnered youth support due to its political agendas was last hope for several. Hence, the unethical dissolution of the party became the immediate cause for the protests.
Second, the monarchy: Monarchy has been the most revered institution in Thailand, which is understood parallel to the Thai nationalism. Former late king, Bhumibol Adulyadej was respected as national father and the Queen as a mother. However, their son newly anointed King Maha Vajralongkorn has never enjoyed such respect as his lifestyle was not something the orthodox Thai society associate with a King. Additionally, his increasing political interference by voicing an opinion on the 2017 Constitution, gaining personal ownership of royal assets, and a public announcement of voting for "good people" during the 2019 election and others made many unhappy. Also, the King has been running the country's affairs from Bavaria, Germany, where he lives, and hence is termed by many as the 'absent King'. These were the aspects reassert by the protestors while criticising the monarchy.
Third, the pandemic: this has acted as the catalyst for this conflict. Since the Junta government came to power, the economy has been badly affected. The rising corruption and lack of knowledge related to the country's economic upliftment worsen the scenario over the years. The pandemic this year added to the crippling economy, which is completely based on tourism. Since March, the implementation of Emergency Decree angered the people as the majority saw it as an impediment to the economy rather than the government's effort to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The resignations of two Finance Ministers, one after the other, in 2020, made people lose faith in the government. An unstable government, rising corruption, questionable democracy and crippling economy- the youth had enough, which justified the protests.
Perspectives in 2021
First, the protest may not frizzle out suddenly in 2021. However, the success of these protests will be a far-fetched expectation. Historically, it has been proven that no protests have been successful when the military and the monarchy have been together. Second, the year 2021, may witness several more youth to question the need of monarchy as an institution. However, this should not be taken as an indication of the demolition of the institution in the coming years. There are several loyalists of this institution. Despite having a problem with the personal life of the current king, there are several in Thailand who consider the criticism of the King to be blasphemy and to be an attack against the Thai nationalism. Lastly, political instability and thriving corruption is not uncommon in several other countries in the region. It will not be surprising if more youths raise their voices against the regimes in these countries. In fact, Malaysia, where political tussle, growing corruptions and growing political interference of the Sultan, is not appreciated by many, may follow suit in the coming years. Whether there will be a domino effect of Thailand protests in the region is what one has to wait and watch.
Aparupa Bhattacherjee is a PhD Scholar at the School of Conflict and Security Studies at NIAS. Her research is focussed on Southeast Asia, primarily Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia. In particular, she studies politics, conflicts and peace processes relating to Myanmar, with special attention on the Rohingya conflict.
 |
 |
Bookmark |
Namrata L Ghanghatkar, Priyanka Makhijani and Urja R Kudalkar | Namrata L Ghanghatkar, Priyanka Makhijani, Urja R Kudalkar are postgraduate students at the Department of Public Policy, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences. They are currently Research interns at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)
Switzerland President Parmelin's India visit I China's Golden Week
Lekshmi MK | Lekshmi MK is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.
The US "Super Intelligence Force":
Glynnis Winona B | Glynnis Winona B is an undergraduate student in the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies and Public Policy at St. Joseph's University, Bengaluru.
Brazil Elections 2026:
Namrata L Ghanghatkar and Urja Kudalkar | Namrata L Ghanghatkar and Urja R Kudalkar are postgraduate students at the Department of Public Policy, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences. They are currently Research interns at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
Congo's Ebola crisis & Ethiopia's Tigray conflict
Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.
The Houthi-Saudi Arabia Escalation:
Lekshmi MK | Lekshmi MK is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.
Ocean State Report:
Angelo Neil Augustine, Disha V, Yaazhini Thiruchelvi DD and Srishti HS
The UN General Assembly 81st Session:
Preetha Renganarayanan | Preetha Renganarayanan is a Research Assistant with the NIAS.
The UN General Assembly 81st Session: Six Takeaways
NIAS Global Politics Team
War returns to Tigray I The "UN Gender Snapshot 2026" Report
Namrata L Ghanghatkar, Priyanka Makhijani and Urja R Kudalkar | Namrata L Ghanghatkar, Priyanka Makhijani, Urja R Kudalkar are postgraduate students at the Department of Public Policy, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences. They are currently Research interns at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS),
Myanmar's deepening Rohingya crisis I US withdrawal from Iraq
Preetha Renganarayanan | Preetha Renganarayanan is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
The "UN Gender Snapshot 2026" Report: Seven Takeaways
Akshath Kaimal | Akshath Kaimal is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
War returns to Tigray:
Namrata L Ghanghatkar | Namrata L Ghanghatkar is a postgraduate student at the Department of Public Policy, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru. She is currently a research intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS).
The US Consumer Price Index Report:
Urja R Kudalkar | Urja R Kudalkar is a Post graduate student at the Department of Public Policy, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences. She is currently a Research intern at National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
Femicide in Afghanistan:
Urja R Kudalkar | Urja R Kudalkar is a Post graduate student at Department of Public Policy, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences. She is currently a Research intern at National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
Militant groups in Iraq:
Nithin V | Nithin V is a postgraduate student in International Relations, with an interest in geopolitics, international political economy, and climate governance. He is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
The US-Venezuela Oil Agreement:
Sreemaya Nair | Sreemaya Nair is a postgraduate student at the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, University of Madras, Chennai. She is also a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS).
The SCO Summit 2026:
Sreemaya Nair | Sreemaya Nair is a postgraduate student at the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, University of Madras, Chennai. She is also a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS).
The SCO Summit in Bishkek:
Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella, Namrata L Ghanghatkar, Priyanka Makhijani and Urja R Kudalkar
Drone attacks in Germany | Settler violence in Palestine
Akshath Kaimal | Akshath Kaimal is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru
Africa's State of Food Security and Nutrition:
Yesasvi Koganti | Yesasvi Koganti is an undergraduate scholar at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai. She is also a Research Intern at NIAS, Bengaluru.
The State of Food Security and Nutrition:
Aparna A Nair | Aparna A Nair is a postgraduate student at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai. She is currently a Research Assistant at NIAS.
The Trial of Joshua Wong:
Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.
The US-Iran War Week 26:
Namrata L Ghanghatkar, Priyanka Makhijani and Urja R Kudalkar
Lake Ontario
Priyanka Makhijani | Priyanka Makhijani is a postgraduate student at the department of Public Policy, School of Social Science, Ramaiah University of Applied science. She is currently an intern at NIAS.
China's First Land-Based Rocket Recovery:
Namrata L Ghanghatkar | Namrata L Ghanghatkar is a postgraduate student at the Department of Public Policy, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru. She is currently a research intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS).
The US-Canada tariff tensions:
Akshath Kaimal | Akshath Kaimal is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru, and is part of the NIAS Pakistan Reader team.
The case against Meta:
Namrata L Ghanghatkar | Namrata L Ghanghatkar is a postgraduate student at the Department of Public Policy, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru. She is currently a research intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS).
The US and North Korea:
Adwaith Sankar | Adwaith Sankar is a final-year undergraduate student pursuing Political Science and International Liberal Studies through the NUS-Waseda Double Degree Programme. He is currently a research intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS),
Kim Jong Un:
Namrata L Ghanghatkar, Priyanka Makhijani and Urja R Kudalkar | Namrata L Ghanghatkar, Priyanka Makhijani, Urja R Kudalkar are postgraduate students at the Department of Public Policy, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences. They are currently Research interns at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS),
General Ratko Mladic I Kidnapping in Nigeria I Wildfires in North Africa
Urja R Kudalkar | Urja R Kudalkar is a postgraduate student at the Department of Public Policy, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, RUAS, Bengaluru. She is currently a research intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
The Board of Peace Plan for Gaza:
CW Newsmakers
Adwaith Sankar | Adwaith Sankar is an undergraduate student pursuing Political Science and International Liberal Studies through the NUS-Waseda Double Degree Programme. He is currently an intern at NIAS.
Southeast Asia (April-June 2026)
Dattesh D Parulekar | Dr Dattesh D. Parulekar is an Assistant Professor at the School of International and Area Studies, Goa University.
Latin America (Apr-Jun 2026):
Nithin V | Nithin V is a postgraduate student in International Relations, with an interest in geopolitics, international political economy, and climate governance. He is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
Colombia's ban on Female Genital Mutilation:
Namrata L Ghanghatkar, Priyanka Makhijani and Urja R Kudalkar | Namrata L Ghanghatkar, Priyanka Makhijani, Urja R Kudalkar are postgraduate students at the Department of Public Policy, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences. They are currently Research interns at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)
Peru's new President Netanyahu's Washington visit
Namrata L Ghanghatkar, Priyanka Makhijani, Urja R Kudalkar | Namrata L Ghanghatkar, Priyanka Makhijani, Urja R Kudalkar are postgraduate students at the Department of Public Policy, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences. They are currently Research interns at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)
The Berlin Pride attack
Manikranth Chakravarthula | Manikranth Chakravarthula is a doctoral student at the Conflict Resolution and Peace Research Programme, School of Conflict and Security Studies, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.
The Houthis:
Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies. Bengaluru
The US-Iran War, Week 22:
Priyanka Makhijani | Priyanka Makhijani is a postgraduate student at the department of Public Policy, School of Social Science, Ramaiah University of Applied science. She is currently an intern at NIAS.
AI's Rogue Agent Breach:
Adwaith Sankar | Adwaith Sankar is an undergraduate student pursuing Political Science and International Liberal Studies through the NUS-Waseda Double Degree Programme. He is currently an intern at NIAS.
ASEAN Regional Forum:
Namrata L Ghanghatkar | Namrata L Ghanghatkar is a postgraduate student at the Department of Public Policy, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru. She is currently a research intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS).
The return of US-Canada Tariff Tensions:
Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella | Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella is an undergraduate student from the Department of Political Science, School of Liberal Arts, Alliance University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at NIAS.
The US-Saudi Arabia Nuclear Cooperation Agreement:
Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
The Houthis target Saudi Arabia:
Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
US-Iran War, Week 21:
Preetha Renganarayanan
The SDG Annual Report 2026:
Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella | Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella is an undergraduate student from the Department of Political Science, School of Liberal Arts, Alliance University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at NIAS.
The US-Iran War, Week 20:
Radhika M Agarwal | Radhika M Agarwal is a an internt at NIAS and also a postgraduate student at the Department of Politics and International Relations in Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar.
The C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue:
Dhivya KM | Dhivya K M is an intern at NIAS and is also a postgraduate student from the Department of Financial Economics, Madras School of Economics, Chennai.
The IMF World Economic Outlook:
Global Politics Team
Iran after Ali Khamenei I The War in Ukraine
Deb Dutta | Deb Dutta completed his graduation from the Department of Political Science, Sir Aurobindo International Centre of Education (SAICE), Puducherry. He is currently an intern at NIAS.
UNHCR Global Trends Report 2025:
Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella | Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella is an undergraduate student from the Department of Political Science, School of Liberal Arts, Alliance University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at NIAS.
Iran after Ali Khamenei
Deb Dutta | Deb Dutta completed his graduation from the Department of Political Science, Sir Aurobindo International Centre of Education (SAICE), Puducherry. He is currently an intern at NIAS.
PM Takaichi's India visit:
Yesasvi Koganti | Yesasvi Koganti is an undergraduate student at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai. She is also an intern at NIAS, Bengaluru.
The Israel-Lebanon Framework:
Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
The US-Iran negotiations:
Lakshmi Venugopal Menon
The Middle East (April–June 2026):
Shreya Upadhyay | Dr Shreya Upadhyay is an Assistant Professor at Christ (deemed to be) University, Bengaluru, and Fellow, Kalinga Institute of Indo-Pacific Studies.
The United States (April-June 2026)
Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella | Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella is an undergraduate student from the Department of Political Science, School of Liberal Arts, Alliance University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at NIAS.
The US-Iran MoU
Rohini Reenum | Rohini Reenum is a doctoral student at NIAS. She is working on Governance in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction using the case study of the BBNJ Agreement.
Israel's Ultra-Orthodox Jews:
Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
The US-Iran MoU:
Acsah H | Acsah H is a postgraduate student at the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal Institute of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, MAHE, Manipal, Udupi. She is currently a research intern at NIAS.
The Blue Origin Rocket Explosion:
Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella | Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella is an undergraduate from the Department of Political Science, School of Liberal Arts, Alliance University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at NIAS.
Shangri-La Dialogue 2026:
Aishal Hab Yousuf | Aishal Hab Yousuf is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Studies. Stella Maris College, Chennai. She is currently an intern at NIAS, Bengaluru.
Shangri-La Dialogue 2026: Four Major Takeaways
Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
The US-Iran War, Week Fourteen:
Rohini Reenum | Rohini Reenum is a doctoral student at NIAS. She is working on Governance in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction using the case study of the BBNJ Agreement.
Israel-Lebanon Tensions:
Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella | Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella is an undergraduate from the Department of Political Science, School of Liberal Arts, Alliance University, Bengaluru
The Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting 2026:
Glynnis Winona B | Glynnis Winona B is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies, and Public Policy, St. Joseph's University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengalur
The Crisis in Cuba:
Deb Dutta | Deb Dutta completed his graduation from the Department of Political Science, Sir Aurobindo International Centre of Education (SAICE), Puducherry. He is currently an intern at NIAS.
Israel, Lebanon, Hezbollah, and the Border Tensions:
Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
Conflicts in the Middle East
Lekshmi MK | Lekshmi MK is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.
The India-Nordic Summit and PM Modi’s Oslo Visit
Yesasvi Koganti | Yesasvi Koganti is currently pursuing undergraduate studies at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai.
India, the UAE, and PM Modi’s visit:
Glynnis Winona B | Glynnis Winona B is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies and Public Policy, St. Joseph's University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru
What makes the UAE a global player?
Nithin V | Nithin V is a postgraduate student in international relations at Loyola College, Chennai. He is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
Why does the Falkland Islands dispute keep recurring?
Aishal Hab Yousuf | Aishal Hab Yousuf is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
North Korea's Constitutional Amendment 2026:
Rohini Reenum
Iran’s Lebanon precondition for a ceasefire with the US:
Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
The Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire:
Glynnis Winona B | Glynnis Winona B is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies and Public Policy, St. Joseph's University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru
Weakening faith in institutions and Political polarization in Latin America and the Caribbean:
Aishal Hab Yousuf | Aishal Hab Yousuf is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai.
The Hormuz Strait and the Fertilizer Crisis in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa
Kirsten Wilfred Coelho
Why is the UK reluctant to engage?
Sreemaya Nair | Sreemaya Nair has pursued an undergraduate degree from the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies and Public Policy, St Joseph University, Bengaluru.
India, Russia and the imperative to strengthen the traditional relationship
Kirsten Wilfred Coelho
President Trump and the US-China Trade Tensions
Santhosh Guru PR
The Eurasian-Indo Pacific Congruence and its Critique
Rakshitha B | Rakshitha B is a final-year undergraduate student of political science and economics at Mount Carmel College
Transactional US foreign policy and it implications for India's Strategic Autonomy
Glynnis Winona B | Glynnis Winona B is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies and Public Policy, St Joseph's University, Bengaluru.
The Russia-Ukraine War and the Rise of Parallel Strategic Systems: A Critique of Raghavan's Strategic Framework
Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
Conflicts in the Middle East:
Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
The US-Iran War, Week Ten:
Nithin V | Nithin V is a postgraduate student in International Relations, with an interest in geopolitics, international political economy, and climate governance. He is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
King Charles's US Visit:
Siddhi Halyur | Siddhi Halyur is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Public Policy and Journalism at St Joseph's University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
Japan, Vietnam and PM Takaichis Visit
Aishal Hab Yousuf | Aishal Hab Yousuf is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
UAE's Exit from OPEC:
Glynnis Winona B | Glynnis Winona B is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies and Public Policy, St. Joseph's University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru
US troop withdrawal from Germany:
Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
The US-Iran War, Week Nine:
Jenin Raj S | Dr Jenin Raj S is an Assistant Professor and Head of the Centre for Media, Department of Journalism, Mount Carmel College (Autonomous), Bengaluru.
Media freedom hits a 25-year low:
Aishal Hab Yousuf | Aishal Hab Yousuf, Postgraduate student, Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
Japans New Defence Posture:
Nithin V | Nithin V is a postgraduate student in International Relations, with an interest in geopolitics, international political economy, and climate governance. He is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
The Middle East Crisis and its Fallouts on Hunger and Global Food Supply Network
Brighty Ann Sarah | Ms Sarah is a Research Assistant at NIAS and Assistant Editor of NIAS Conflict Weekly.
Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire:
Akshath Kaimal | Mr Kaimal is a Research Assistant at NIAS. He works on Pakistan and Africa.
The US-Iran War, Week Eight:
Lakshmi Venugopal Menon | Dr Lakshmi Venugopal Menon is an academic and policy researcher specializing in Gulf studies, cultural heritage trafficking, geopolitics, migration, Afghan politics and the Taliban.
The Middle East (JanMar 2026):
Ashik J Bonofer
Southeast Asia (Jan-Mar 2026)
Haans J Freddy
East Asia (Jan-Mar 2026)
Brighty Ann Sarah
Continuing Israel-Hezbollah Confrontation
Rohini Reenum
The US-Iran War, Week Three
Mahesh Bhatta
Nepal after elections:
Siddhi Halyur
State power, Entrenched authoritarian rule, Structural inequalities, Gender Constraints, and Restricted civic space in Middle East
Aishal Hab Yousuf
Economic modernization without political liberalization, Legal systems as instruments of political control, Shrinking civic space and Sports Washing
Jayasree
Legislative suppression of dissent, Promotion of patriarchal norms, Forced assimilation of minorities and Censorship in China
Rebecca Ann Oommen
Rampant armed conflicts and the Erosion of Democracy in Africa
Manik Dhawan
Significant setback to Human Rights situation in Europe
Santhosh Guru PR
Alarming rise of Authoritarianism and Autocracy in the Americas
Lekshmi MK
The UN and the Iran-US War
Brighty Ann Sarah
Continuing Israel-Hezbollah Confrontation
Rohini Reenum
The US-Iran War, Week Two
Global Politics Team
The World Today #275, 10 March 2026
Global Politics Team
The World Today #274, 09 March 2026
Tanvi Thara Harendra Jha
Canadas PM Mark Carneys India Visit
Mahesh Bhatta
Nepal Elections 2026
Sreemaya Nair
Nepal Elections 2026
Global Politics Team
The World Today #272, 06 March 2026
Mahesh Bhatta
Nepal Election 2026, Day One
Global Politics Team
The World Today #271, 05 March 2026
Yesasvi Koganti
PM Modis Visit to Israel
Rohini Reenum
The US-Iran War, Week One
Global Politics Team
The World Today #269, 03 March 2026
Global Politics Team
The World Today #268, 02 March 2026
Global Politics Team
Trumps State of the Union Address | German Chancellors China Visit | Indias PMs Israel Visit
Global Politics Team
The World Today #266, 27 February 2026
Abhimanyu Solanki
Basant in Pakistan
Global Politics Team
The World Today #265, 26 February 2026
Global Politics Team
The World Today #264, 25 February 2026
Global Politics Team
The World Today #263, 24 February 2026
Global Politics Team
The World Today #261-262, 23 February 2026
Global Politics Team
The World Today #259, 20 February 2026
Global Politics Team
The World Today #258, 19 February 2026
Global Politics Team
The World Today #256, 17 February 2026
Brighty Ann Sarah
The US-Iran Negotiations in Geneva
Yesasvi Koganti
The Global AI Impact Summit in New Delhi:
Lekshmi MK
Pakistan-Taliban Peace Talks
Aparna A Nair
Pakistan & China
Lekshmi MK
Pakistan's Climate Change Challenges
Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi
Pakistan and the US
Lekshmi MK
Pakistans Climate and Water Crisis
Global Politics Team
The World Today #255, 16 February 2026
Lekshmi MK
Sanae Takaichis historic win in Japan
Femy Francis
Jimmy Lai sentenced for 20 years in Hong Kong: Who, What, and Why
Yesasvi Koganti | Yesasvi Koganti is an undergraduate student from Madras Christian College, Chennai.
UK and China
Akshath Kaimal | Akshath Kaimal is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)
India-EU Free Trade Agreement: Five Major Takeaways
Preetha Renganarayanan | R Preetha is pursuing post-graduation in the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai, and is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.
The India-US interim trade framework
Lekshmi MK | Lekshmi MK is pursuing post-graduation in the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai, and is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.
End of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START)
IPRI Team
Abu Dhabi Talks on Ukraine I Militant Attacks in Balochistan
Brighty Ann Sarah
US threats against Iran, and Phase Two operations in Gaza
Anu Maria Joseph
Africa: Renewed violence in Ethiopia and a Jihadist attack in Niger
Lekshmi MK
The War in Ukraine: The Trilateral Talks, and the Deadlock over Donetsk & Security Guarantees for Kyiv
Preetha Renganarayanan
The United States: ICE Crackdowns, Rising Resistance and the Political/Legal pushback
Brighty Ann Sarah
The Pentagons National Defence Strategy: Four major takeaways
Preetha Renganarayanan
The Davos Summit 2026
Brighty Ann Sarah
Syria: The State victory over the Syrian Democratic Forces
Brighty Ann Sarah
The War in Gaza: Trumps Board of Peace and the Challenges to Phase Two
Lekshmi MK
Greenland: Trumps escalation-deescalation strategy and Europes defence
Brighty Ann Sarah
Protests in Iran: Continuing Stalemate and Shifting US Position
Lekshmi MK
Ongoing diplomatic push, security deadlock, and strategic manoeuvres
Akshath Kaimal
Thailand-Cambodia: Border disputes, blame game and a fragile ceasefire
Preetha Renganarayanan
US National Security Strategy 2025: Five Major Takeaways of 'Trump Corollary' to the Monroe Doctrine
Preetha Renganarayanan
US-Venezuela Tensions: Military, Diplomatic and Internal Challenges to President Trump
Lekshmi MK
France's President Macron's visit to China: Strengthening bilateral ties, trade, and strategic engagement
Sunidhi Sampige & Tanvi Harendra
President Putin's India Visit: Economic, Military, and Strategic Agreements
Rohini Reenum
One Year of Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire: Continuing Violations and Evolving Endgames
Akriti Sharma
Devastating floods in Southeast and South Asia: High Casualties and Multiple Challenges
Anu Maria Joseph
The G20 Summit: Who said what? Major Takeaways
Brighty Ann Sarah
Israels escalating attack on Hezbollah and Syrias deepening sectarian violence
R Preetha
US-Saudi Arabia Reset: Crown Prince meets the American President and sign key agreements on Defense, AI, Critical Minerals
Akriti Sharma
COP30 Summit at Brazil: Major takeaways
Brighty Ann Sarah
Escalating ceasefire violations and settler violence in Gaza, Israel-Syria tensions, and Israel's pressure on Hezbollah
Akriti Sharma
Climate Change: COP30 begins with full momentum and high expectations
Rohini Reenum
Israel's ceasefire violations in Lebanon: History, Causes and Consequences
Brighty Ann Sarah and Preetha R
The War in Gaza and the 20-point peace plan: An audit of phase one and the pivot to phase two
D Suba Chandran
Women, Peace and Security: 25 Years of UNSC 1325, its achievements and limitations
Neha Tresa George
Thailand and Cambodia: A joint declaration, US-ASEAN intervention and its challenges
Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi
Pakistan and Afghanistan: Military Strikes, Border Clashes and Ceasefire Talks
Brighty Ann Sarah
Breakthrough in Gaza: Trump’s 20-Point Plan, A New Opening, and Its Challenges
Brighty Ann Sarah and R Preetha
The War in Gaza: US Post-War Plans and Global Accountability Efforts
Brighty Ann Sarah and R Preetha
The War in Gaza: The Ceasefire Conundrum, Attack on Gaza City, and Israel's new settlement plans
Abhimanyu Solanki
Pakistan: Cholistan Canal Dispute, Militant Violence & Power Sector Crisis
Ditipriya Ghosh
India and the Maldives: Was Modi’s visit to the Maldives a diplomatic reset?
Brighty Ann Sarah and R Preetha
The War in Gaza: Israel's reoccupation plan and International support for the Two-State Solution
Naomi Miriam Mathew
US-China tariff extension:
Abhiruchi Chowdhury
The Trump-Putin Meeting at Alaska:
Abhiruchi Chowdhury
India-UK FTA and Vision 2035 Framework:
Abhiruchi Chowdhury
Trump’s 50 per cent tariffs on India:
Astha Panda
Bhutan's Ageing Crisis: What do the numbers say about the demographic shift?
Ayush Joshi
Afghanistan: Evolution of Islamic State - Khorasan Province
Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi
China's FDI surge in Pakistan: Numbers, Sectors, and Stakes
Brighty Ann Sarah and R Preetha
The War in Gaza: Failed negotiations, unfolding famine and the mounting international pressure
Swati Sood
The US-EU Trade Deal:
Abhiruchi Chowdhury
Trump tariffs:
Kasvi Batra
Elections for Japan’s Upper House:
Swati Sood
PM Modi’s Visit, India and the Maldives:
Naomi Miriam Mathew
Indian PM Modi’s Visit to Argentina:
Swati Sood
Indian PM Modi's visit to Brazil:
Kasvi Batra
Australian PM Albanese’s visit to China:
Lekshmi MK & Swati Sood
US-EU Tariff tensions:
Lekshmi MK
UN Ocean Conference, Deep Sea Mining and Seabed Exploitation
Lekshmi MK
Ocean Darkening:
Naomi Miriam Mathew
SIPRI 2025 Report on World Nuclear Forces: Nine Major Trends
Rohini Reenum
Syria: Druze-Bedouin clashes and the Israeli intervention
Brighty Ann Sarah, R Preetha, Santhiya M, Aparna A Nair and M Kejia
Israel, Iran, the US and "The 12 Day War" in the Middle East: Claims & Counter Claims
Brighty Ann Sarah
Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting:
Merin Treesa Alex
One Big Beautiful Bill Act:
Kasvi Batra
Prime Ministers visit to Ghana:
M Kejia
PM Modi’s Visit to Trinidad and Tobago:
Astha Panda
Bhutan's Gelephu Gate: Deepening Regional Connectivity
Emma Rose Boby
Declining Media Freedom in Bangladesh: What and Why
Fleur Elizabeth Philip
Thailand and Cambodia
Merin Treesa Alex
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
Santhiya M
Russia and Mali bilateral agreements:
Ananya Dinesh
China and the Pacific Islands
Aparna A Nair
China and the Darwin Port:
Farhaz Rashid Ahmed
Five years after George Floyd’s death:
Farhaz Rashid Ahmed
The Awami League is banned in Bangladesh: Why? What next?
Gauri Gupta
Shenzhou-19 Mission: A Profile
M Kejia
G7 Summit 2025:
Aparna A Nair
Second China-Central Asia Summit:
Brighty Ann Sarah, R Preetha, Santhiya M, Aparna A Nair & M Kejia
Operation Midnight Hammer: US bombs three nuclear sites in Iran
Kumari Gargi, Naomi Miriam Matthew, & Fleur Elizabeth Philip
Shangri-La Dialogue 2025: Who said what?
Santhiya M
Cambodia and Thailand: Preah Vihear border dispute and the ICJ interventions
Femy Francis
The US-China:
Lekshmi MK
The UN Ocean Conference in France:
R Preetha
New Zealand: Māori indigenous resistance meets harsh parliament response
Gauri Gupta
The US: Protests against Trump’s immigration raid in Los Angeles
Ananya Dinesh
US-Iran Nuclear Deal
Santhiya M
Nepal’s Republic Day Parade and Pro-Monarchy Protests: Who, What and Why?
Lekshmi MK
Poland's Presidential Elections:
Merin Treesa Alex
South Korea’s Presidential Elections:
Emma Rose Boby
Bangladesh Elections 2026: Who Wants What, When and Why?
M Kejia
Sagarmatha Sambaad in Nepal
Lekshmi MK
Eleven PIC sign a joint statement with China
Merin Treesa Alex
Global Politics Explainer
Fleur Elizabeth Philip
State of Germany-Israel Relations
Aashish Ganeshan
The US:
Fleur Elizabeth Philip
President Macron’s visit to Vietnam, Indonesia & Singapore:
Gauri Gupta
China-ASEAN-GCC Summit:
Ayan Datta
Gaza
Aparna A Nair
UK-EU Summit:
Farhaz Rashid Ahmed
Poland’s Presidential Elections:
Aashish Ganeshan
Elections in Portugal:
Abhiruchi Chowdhury
Presidential elections in Romania:
Femy Francis
China-Pakistan-Afghanistan Foreign Ministers meeting in Beijing
Aashish Ganeshan
US in the Middle Easr
Gauri Gupta
China in Latin America
Lekshmi MK
Turkey:
Padmashree Anandhan
Ukraine:
D Suba Chandran
India and Pakistan:
Abhiruchi Chowdhury
US, Ukraine and Russia:
Fleur Elizabeth Philip
Singapore Elections in 2025:
D Suba Chandran
A Militant attack in J&K:
R Preetha and Brighty Ann Sarah
East Asia:
Padmashree Anandhan
The US-Ukraine
R Preetha
Canada Elections 2025:
Abhishiktha S Kumar
Nepal’s Pro-Monarchy Protests:
Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi
Sri Lanka’s Human-Elephant Conflict: What, Where and Why
Santhiya M
Decline of the Greens since 2005
Brighty Ann Sarah
Explaining the rise of extremism in East Germany
Vaneeta
Canada’s New Prime Minister: Who is Mark Carney? What are his immediate Challenges?
Vaneeta
Trump wants to retake the Panama Canal. Why?
Souparno Rakshit, Emma Rose Boby and Souparnika Suresh
Bangladesh's New Political Party: Who, Why and What for?
Kumari Krishna
Sri Lanka: Seven takeaways of new President's first visit to China
C Shraddha
Trump's Inaugural Address: Five major takeaways
Kumari Krishna
Greenland: What is Trump's new interest? What has been the response from the islanders and the Europeans?
Vaneeta
Who is Nicolás Maduro? And why is there a controversy over his third term?
Vaneeta
Who is Nicolás Maduro? And what next for Venezuela after his third term?
Nupur Priya
Ireland Elections and What's Next?
Ayan Datta
Lebanon’s new President: Who is Aoun? Will he be able to address the mounting challenges?
C Shraddha, Vaishak Sreekumar, Kumari Krishna, Nova Karun K
Why did Justin Trudeau resign? What next for Canada?
Nupur Priya
UN’s Recent Report on Femicides: Six Takeaways
Prajwal TV
Political Crisis in France
Kavithasri M
Busan Plastic Pollution Summit: What happened in Busan? And what didnt?
Ayan Datta
Why Israel is NOT facing a strategic defeat in Gaza: A Response to Stanly Johny
Sayeka Ghosh
07 July 1978: Solomon Islands gains independence from British rule
Karthik Manoharan
05 July 1962: The Algerian War comes to an end
Prajwal TV
01 July 1968: US, Soviet Union, UK and 40 countries sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty
Mayank Bharti
05 July 1996: Dolly becomes the first mammal to be cloned
Ronakk Tijoriwala
01 July 2002: The Rome Statute establishes the International Criminal Court
Deepika Seervi
05 July 1962: Algeria declares its independence, ending 132 years of French occupation
Ayan Datta & Sayeka Ghosh
US Presidential Debate 2024: Trump exposes Biden’s weaknesses, promises stronger America
Dhriti Mukherjee
Haiti: The UN backed Kenyan police force lands
Prajwal T V
Julian Assange: The WikiLeaks founder pleads guilty, ending a long legal stand-off with the US
IPRI Team
The US: President Biden announces new executive order allowing hundreds of thousands of immigrants to get citizenship
IPRI Team
Israeli forces shot Palestinians in West Bank
Dhriti Mukherjee
Mexico Elections 2024: A Historic Moment sees a First Woman President in North America
Dhriti Mukherjee
The US: Jury finds Donald Trump Guilty on 34 counts. Five Takeaways of the verdict
By young scholars of NIAS Course on Global Politics: Contemporary World Order and Theories. Compiled by Sayeka Ghosh.
South Korea Elections 2024: An interview with Dr Sandip Mishra and Dr Vyjayanti Raghavan
By the NIAS-IPRI Course scholars on Contemporary Conflicts, Peace Processes, Theories and Thinkers. Compiled by Ayan Datta.
The War in Gaza: An Interview with Dr Stanly Johny
Rohini Reenum
Ebrahim Raisi: An Untimely Death, and What it means for Iran and its Neighbourhood
NIAS South Asia Team
South Asia This Week (21 Apr- 27 Apr 2024)
NIAS South Asia Team
South Asia This Week (14 Apr -20 Apr 2024)
Devi Chandana M
Seychelles-India Relations: Five Areas of Partnership
Sayeka Ghosh
26 April 1986: Chernobyl nuclear accident
Arya Prasad
Elections in South Korea: Six Takeaways
Sayeka Ghosh
Fukushima Nuclear Disaster, 13 years later: Energy Debate, Safety Concerns and Global Fallouts
Diya Madhavan
The Rise of Temu: A Chinese online shopping app in the US
Ramya B
4 April 1968: Martin Luther King Jr assassinated
NIAS South Asia Team
South Asia This Week (25 Mar- 01 Apr 2024)
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
Manasa G
14 March 1879: Albert Einstein born in Germany
D Rohan Kumar
11 March 1985: Mikhail Gorbachev becomes the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
Sivasubramanian K
09 March 1776: Adam Smith publishes “The Wealth of Nations”
LS Hareesh
14 March 1849: The Sikh Army surrenders to the British
Ramya B
12 March 1918: Lenin shifts the capital to Moscow
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 South Asia Team
South Asia This Week (11-17 Feb 2024)
NIAS Latin America Team
Latin America This Week (3-10 Feb 2024)
NIAS South Asia Team
South Asia This Week (3-10 Feb 2024)
IPRI Team
NIAS-Conflict Weekly Special Alert | The War in Gaza: Fifteenth Week
Bibhu Prasad Routray
Myanmar: Ethnic Armed Organizations, China’s Mediation and Continuing Fighting
Femy Francis
Taiwan Election 2024: The return of DPP
IPRI Team
NIAS-Conflict Weekly Special Alert | The War in Gaza: Fourteenth Week
IPRI Team
NIAS-Conflict Weekly Special Alert | The War in Gaza: Thirteen Week
IPRI Team
NIAS-Conflict Weekly Special Alert | The War in Gaza: Twelfth Week
CEAP Team
NIAS- CEAP- China Reader | Daily Briefs
IPRI Team
NIAS-Conflict Weekly Special Alert | The War in Gaza: Eleventh Week
IPRI Team
NIAS-Conflict Weekly Special Alert | The War in Gaza: Tenth Week
IPRI Team
NIAS-Conflict Weekly Special Alert | The War in Gaza: Nineth Week
IPRI Team
NIAS-Conflict Weekly Special Alert | The War in Gaza: Eigth Week
IPRI Team
NIAS-Conflict Weekly Special Alert | The War in Gaza: Seventh Week
Amit Gupta
The War in Gaza: Consequences for Israel and the US
IPRI Team
NIAS-Conflict Weekly Special Alert | The War in Gaza: Sixth Week
IPRI Team
NIAS-Conflict Weekly Special Alert | The War in Gaza: Fifth Week
IPRI Team
NIAS-Conflict Weekly Special Alert | The War in Gaza: Fourth Week
Prof Joyati Bhattacharya
G20 Summit: India the Global Host
Lakshmi Parimala H
Mural, Movie and the Map: Akhand Bharat mural and Adipurush
Amit Gupta
The Trump Phenomenon: Why it Won’t Go
Vignesh Ram | Assistant Professor | Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
Malaysia’s recent Elections: More questions than answers
Rashmi BR and Akriti Sharma
COP27: Ten key takeaways
Sethuraman Nadarajan
Israel-Lebanon Maritime Border Deal
Avishka Ashok
G20 Summit: Four takeaways from Bali
Dr Beena
Sri Lanka’s political and economic crisis: Implications for India
Sourina Bej
The UK: Domestic, regional and global challenges to the new Prime Minister
Naina Singh
India-Taiwan Relations: Making a Case for Active Sub-National Diplomacy with Tamil Nadu
Amit Gupta
Afghanistan, AUKUS, and Ukraine: A new strategy for India
Porkkodi Ganeshpandian and Angkuran Dey
The return of the Left
Shalini Balaiah
The Middle East in 2021: Never-ending wars and conflicts
Prakash Panneerselvam
East Asia in 2021: New era of hegemonic competition
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The unrest in Kazakhstan: Look beyond the trigger
STIR Team
Living with Risks: The Art and Science of Managing Public Risks
Aswathy Koonampilly
Japan: New Prime Minister, Old party
Vineeth Daniel Vinoy
Afghanistan: Who is who in the interim Taliban government? And, what would be the government structure?
Joeana Cera Matthews
Haiti: Two months after the assassination, the storm is still brewing
Lokendra Sharma
Two months of Cuban protests: Is the ‘revolution’ ending?
Bhuvan Ningania
In Afghanistan, the Indian influence will not fade: Four reasons why
Dincy Adlakha
China and Russia in Myanmar: The interests that bind
Jeshil J Samuel
REvil is dead. Long live REvil
Lokendra Sharma
The future of nuclear energy looks bleak
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Five reasons why Afghanistan is closer to a civil war
Joeana Cera Matthews
Farfetched goals on pandemic recovery, climate action and economic revival
Gurpreet Singh
India and the geopolitics of supply chains
Anju Joseph
Timor Leste: Instability continues, despite 19 years of independence
Sarthak Jain
India should invest in technology to meet China's water challenge
Sourina Bej
Fresh election-call mean unending cycle of instability
Vibha Venugopal
The return of Taliban will be bad news for women
Dincy Adlakha
The SCRI will fail before it takes off, for three reasons
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
Julia Mathew
Though the US is late to the race, it has an edge. Three reasons why
Dhanushaa P
Between "strategic patience" and "grand bargain," Biden's policy options on Pyongyang are limited
SDP Scholars
US, China, and the race to Mars, Cryptocurrencies face a setback as states pose hurdles, Polar Regions and Climate Change
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The US decision to withdraw is a call made too early. Three reasons why
Rashmi BR
As Russia takes over the Arctic Council chair from Iceland, will it balance its regional and national interests?
Lokendra Sharma
Learning from Cuba's vaccine development efforts
GP Team
The US' Leaders Summit on Climate: Global Issue, Regional Prisms
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
Harini Madhusudan
The Greenland election result is all about eco-geopolitics, and growing Chinese interests
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The US-Taliban Deal: One Year Later
Akriti Sharma
The Quad Plus and the search beyond the four countries
Avishka Ashok
Despite the economic challenges, there are opportunities for Quad
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
Avishka Ashok
In Argentina, an extraordinarily progressive law on abortion brings the Conservatives to protest
Harini Madhusudan
In Poland, the protests against the abortion law feed into anti-government sentiments
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
In Honduras, a move towards a permanent ban on abortion laws
Sukanya Bali
In Thailand, the new abortion law poses more questions
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
GP Team
Iran’s decision to enrich its Uranium by 20 per cent: What does it mean?
GP Team
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP): Global and Regional Implications
D Suba Chandran
The Hazaras protest over burying the dead; PM says don’t blackmail me
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
Mallika Devi
Hong Kong: Slow Strangulation of Protests, Security Law and China's victory
Harini Madhusudan
Brexit: A year of the UK-EU transition talks and finally, a Deal
Kamna Tiwary
Europe: From anti-government protests in Belarus to ‘United for Abortion’ in Poland
Apoorva Sudhakar
Ethiopia: The conflict in Tigray and the regional fallouts
Teshu Singh
India and China: A tense border with compromise unlikely
Sourina Bej
France: Needs to rethink the state-religion relation in battling extremism
Rashmi Ramesh
Abraham Accords: Rethinking Diplomacy and Restructuring Priorities in the Middle East
Aparaajita Pandey
The Americas: Top Five Developments
Teiborlang T Kharsyntiew
Europe: Top five developments
Sandip Kumar Mishra
East Asia: Top Five developments in 2020
Sourina Bej
The Brexit Endgame: A Trade deal, but it is yet to be over for the UK-EU
Harini Madhusudan
Outer Space in 2020: Missions, Privatization, and the Artemis Accords
Gunjan Singh
China and the US in 2020: Year of Continuing Confrontation
Sukanya Bali
5G, Huawei and TikTok: Four trends in 2020
Sumedha Chatterjee
COVID-19: How the world fought in 2020
GP Team
The World This Year: What happened, What paused and What failed
Rashmi Ramesh
Trump legacy leaves negligible space for any policy changes
Harini Madhusudan
The Vaccine Rush: Expectations vs Realities
Harini Madhusudan
Open Skies Treaty: The US should not have withdrawn, for five reasons
Sukanya Bali
Three reasons why the US wants to restrict, but China wants to promote it
Savithri Sellapperumage
Kamala Harris makes history
Harini Madhusudan
Australia joins the Malabar exercise. However, the Quad has a long way to go
Rashmi Ramesh
Climate Change Protests: Now moving out of the COVID-19 shadow
Mallika Devi
China is against the Quad. Five reasons why
Srikumar Pullat
Space of Tomorrow: The Need for Space Security
Harini Madhusudan
Japan- South Korea: Will there be a reset in bilateral relations under the new Japanese PM?
Lokendra Sharma
Bahrain and the UAE have normalized ties with Israel. Five reasons why
Nancy Pathak
Indonesia and the South China Sea: Between the Nine-Dash Line and an EEZ
Shreya Sinha
Despite Brexit, the UK is unlikely to disengage from the EU in their defence and security cooperation. Why?
Kamna Tiwary
Abe's Indo-Pacific legacy: Will the new PM follow it up?
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
Unnikrishnan M J
Rise of the middle class: Independence protest movements in Catalonia
Rashmi Ramesh
#FridaysforFuture: The global protests against Climate Change
A Padmashree
Looking Inwards: The anti-government protests in Iran
Oviya A J
#NiUnaMenos: Women and protest movements in Latin America
Harini Sha P
Solve economic crisis: Indigenous movements in Latin America
Chavindi Weerawansha
Students as agents of change: Protest movements in Zimbabwe
Arjun C
Digital platforms as tools: Rise of Anti-Fracking protest movements across the world
Anju Annie Mammen
“Unveiling”: Women and protest movements in the Middle East
Harini Madhusudan
‘The Revolution of Our Times’: Protests in Hong Kong
Sourina Bej
‘The yellow vests will triumph’: The middle and working class protests in France
Lakshmi V Menon
Will the Abraham Accord lead to peace, or is it the end of Palestine state?
Samreen Wani
Lebanon: Can Macron's visit prevent the unravelling?
Sankalp Gurjar
In Sudan, the government signs an agreement with the rebels. However, there are serious challenges
Harini Madhusudan
The Legacy of Shinzo Abe. It is Complicated.
Sourina Bej
Despite the UK ban, it is not over yet for China. For three reasons.
Harini Madhusudan
A Zero-Sum Game: At the core of the US-China rivalry, is an Isolate-China policy
Samreen Wani
Iran Nuclear Deal: It is time to write the obituary, for three reasons
Padmashree A
Yemen and Oil, MBS’s two-path destruction in Saudi Arabia
Boa Wang
Two Sessions in Beijing
Adnan Aziz Chowdhury
For Bangladesh, it was Nationwide Lockdown, Checking High Inflation & Critical Social Media
Mahesh Bhatta
For Nepal, it is effective local governments, educative media, and India-Nepal health diplomacy
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?
Harini Sha P
The problem is not just Haftar. It is the international hunger for the Libyan Oil
Rashmi Ramesh
Will COVID-19 provide a new agenda to the NAM?
Sourina Bej
EU, minus the US, leads the global cooperation for the vaccine
D. Suba Chandran
Healing needs Forgiveness, Accountability, Responsibility and Justice
Harini Madhusudan
Iran's New Military Satellite: Does it violate the UNSC 2231?
La Toya Waha
One year after the Easter Attacks in Sri Lanka: Have the Islamists Won?
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
Kabi Adhikari
In Nepal, it is a struggle for the women out of the patriarchal shadows
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
Sukanya Bali
One month after the deal with the Taliban: Problems Four, Progress None
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
La Toya Waha
The Bar Shooting in Germany: Just an act of a crazy individual?
Rohej Khatiwada
Small countries in the SAARC: Will they succeed in reviving regional cooperation?
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
Roshni Sharma
Climate Change: The New Refugees Paradox in South and East Asia in 2020
Rashmi Ramesh
Addressing Climate Change: Calamities, Risks and Protests in 2020
Dhruv Ashok
India-Pakistan Relation: Will it get worse in 2020?
Prathiksha Ravi
Israel and the Middle East: The New Alliance Plans in 2020
Aswathy K
The US in the Middle East: Flux or Status Quo 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
Sourina Bej
The Pangs of BREXIT: UK's Tough Transition in 2020
Sukanya Bali
The Belt and Road Initiative: A New Global Connectivity Map 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
Boa Wang
China in 2019: 70th Anniversary, Rise of Domestic Animation and the Commercialization of 5G
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
Lakshmi V Menon
The Middle East in 2019: Domestic Protests, Bilateral Conflicts and Regional Tensions
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
Sourina Bej
Europe in 2019: Hard Brexit for the UK, Systemic Struggle for the EU
Rashmi Ramesh
Climate Change in 2019: Active Civil Society, Hesitant State
Rashmi Ramesh
The Arctic Littorals: Iceland and Greenland
Harini Madhusudan
The Polar Silk Route: China's ambitious search in the Arctic
Parikshith Pradeep
The Scientific Imbalance: Is technology rightly being invested 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?
Sourina Bej
As the Brexit deadline nears: Three Implications of Boris Johnson’s Election Call
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?
Sourina Bej
Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi: Multiple Deals, No Takeaways
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
Mahath Mangal
Iran, US and the Nuclear Deal: Will Russia remain neutral?
Titsala Sangtam
Iran, US and the Nuclear deal: Europe in the middle?
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Modi's Colombo Visit: Four issues to watch
Sourina Bej
From Moscow to Manila: Attack on Journalists, Public Protests and Culture of Impunity
Harini Madhusudan
Thirty years after Tiananmen: What remains in the popular memory and what doesn’t
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?
Titsala Sangtam
Beyond the Kuril Island Dispute: Tensions between Moscow and Tokyo
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The Huawei Controversy: Five things you need to know
Mahath Mangal
Why the world needs to look at Yemen
Sourina Bej
Modi's Foreign Policy 2.0: A Response to C Raja Mohan
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
Ryan Mitra
Malaysia, China and the BRI: The Delicate Hedging
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
Lakshmi V Menon
The Qatar Blockade: Eighteen Months Later
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
Kriti
Afghanistan: Why Trump’s decision to withdraw will create more instability
Komal Tiwary
Syria: Why Trump’s decision to withdraw is a right one but at a wrong time
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
Ryan Mitra
The INF Treaty: Towards a new Security Dilemma
Sourina Bej
The INF Treaty: US withdraws to balance China?
Harini Madhusudan
The Khashoggi Killing: Unanswered Questions
Divyabharathi E
The Economic Crisis and the Saudi Investments: What are the Fallouts?
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?
Ryan Mitra
India between the US and Iran: The Art of Balancing Two States
Hely Desai
Two Years of Brexit: The Reverse-Domino Effect
Young Scholars Debate
India, Imran Khan and Indo-Pak Relations
Siddhatti Mehta
Does Brexit mean Brexit?
Oishee Majumdar
Factsheet: China’s Investments in Africa
Sourina Bej
Post Trump-Putin Summit: How significant is the Russia threat to Europe?
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
Rahul Arockiaraj
Zero Tolerance on Illegal Immigration: Explaining Trump’s strategy and the American Spirit
Gayan Gowramma KC
Now, the United States withdraws from the UNHRC
Druta Bhatt
Electoral Rise of the Right: From Trump to Brexit
Siddhatti Mehta
Will China be able to sustain its Dominance?
Miti Shah
Is religion redefining nationalism?: The Case of Myanmar, India and Sri Lanka
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?
Divyabharathi E
India and Seychelles: Is the Assumption Deal a Game Changer in the Indian Ocean?
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?
Shalini E
What prevents India and Nepal from moving forward?
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
Quad and India's Strategic Dilemma
Samreen Wani