Course Scholars

GP Commentaries
The US-Iran War
Why is the UK reluctant to engage?
Public pressure against the US-Iran War, economic apprehensions and the European position play a role in UK’s approach towards the US-Iran War.

May 2026 | CWA # 2098

Kirsten Wilfred Coelho | Kirsten Wilfred Coelho is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai. 

NIAS Global Politics, Young Voices (GPYV)
President Trump and the US-China Trade Tensions
Remembering Amb PS Raghavan and his legacy
Amb Raghavan’s analysis of multilateralism in a bipolar world validates strategic autonomy across every field.

May 2026 | CWA # 2097

Kirsten Wilfred Coelho | Kirsten Wilfred Coelho is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai. 

NIAS Global Politics, Young Voices (GPYV)
The Eurasian-Indo Pacific Congruence and its Critique
Remembering Amb PS Raghavan and his legacy
Whilst Amb Raghavan’s point about the careful handling of China being central to achieving the objectives of the congruence of constructs cannot be doubted, China respects strength.

May 2026 | CWA # 2095

Santhosh Guru PR

NIAS Global Politics, Young Voices (GPYV)
Transactional US foreign policy and it implications for India’s Strategic Autonomy
Remembering Amb PS Raghavan and his legacy
Amb Raghavan’s insights in US-India power asymmetry, the US “Expectation Trap” and avoiding the European fate are important for New Delhi to pursue its strategic autonomy.

May 2026 | CWA # 2094

Rakshitha B | Rakshitha B is a final-year undergraduate student of political science and economics at Mount Carmel College

NIAS Global Politics, Young Voices (GPYV)
The Russia–Ukraine War and the Rise of Parallel Strategic Systems: A Critique of Raghavan’s Strategic Framework
Remembering Amb PS Raghavan and his legacy
Amb Raghavan's call for a "multipolar" world reflects India’s long-standing view that the world is safer when power is shared, is a practical approach.

May 2026 | CWA # 2093

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.

Conflict Weekly
The US-Iran War, Week Ten
CW Column on Middle East: Escalating Israeli Aggression in Lebanon I UAE’s Covert Manoeuvres
NIAS Conflict Weekly #330, 08 May 2026, Vol 7, No. 17

May 2026 | CWA # 2092

NIAS Global Politics Team

CW Column
Conflicts in the Middle East:
Escalating Israeli Aggression in Lebanon I UAE’s Covert Manoeuvres 
Lebanon’s leadership has emerged assertive in its stance against Israel’s ceasefire violations and entrenching occupation.

May 2026 | CWA # 2091

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.

CW Note
The US-Iran War, Week Ten:
Fraying Ceasefire, Renewed Negotiations and the Risk of a Stalemate
The 14-point plan proposed by the US emphasises the immediate reopening of the strait over the long-term resolution of the conflict.

May 2026 | CWA # 2090

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 World This Week
US troop withdrawal from Germany I UAE’s Exit from OPEC I Japan, Vietnam and PM Takaichi’s Visit
King Charles's US Visit
The World This Week #353, Vol 8, No 15, 03 May 2026

May 2026 | CWA # 2089

Global Politics Team

TWTW Takeaways
King Charles's US Visit: 
Emphasis on strong bilateral relations, democratic values and security cooperation
King Charles speeches focused on partnership, mutual respect, and long-term friendship between the US and the UK.

May 2026 | CWA # 2088

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.

TWTW Note
Japan, Vietnam and PM Takaichi’s Visit
Exploring Strategic Sectors of Cooperation
The Japanese PM’s visit has expanded the scope of bilateral cooperation beyond trade, investment, and development aid to include critical minerals, AI, and semiconductors.

May 2026 | CWA # 2087

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.

TWTW Note
UAE’s Exit from OPEC: 
Implications for the Middle East and the Energy Market
The timing of the exit during an ongoing major conflict reflects growing fragmentation within the Gulf.

May 2026 | CWA # 2086

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.

TWTW Note
US troop withdrawal from Germany: 
Growing US-Europe differences and Challenges for Berlin
President Trump’s frustration reflects a broader transactional worldview that allies must contribute, not just comment.

May 2026 | CWA # 2085

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

Conflict Weekly
The US-Iran War, Week Nine I Escalating Violence in Mali
Review: Five Takeaways of RSF's 2026 Report on Media Freedom

May 2026 | CWA # 2084

NIAS IPRI

CW Note
The US-Iran War, Week Nine:
Deadlocked Negotiations, Competing Agendas and Domestic Pressure
Washington appears willing to sustain the pressure on Iran and higher global oil prices to force a more comprehensive deal on American terms rather than accepting a quick, limited reopening that could allow Tehran to regroup.

May 2026 | CWA # 2083

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.

CW Note
Escalating Violence in Mali:
Between Ethnic Insurgencies, Jihadist Attacks, and Military Coups
The conflict is driven by three primary actors: the Malian government, the FLA, and JNIM.

May 2026 | CWA # 2082

Akshath Kaimal | Akshath Kaimal is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and Interntional Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

CW Review
Media freedom hits a 25-year low:
Five Takeaways from the RSF 2026 Index
Press freedom is experiencing a significant and concerning decline, reaching its lowest level in 25 years, driven by political pressure, economic instability, technological disruption, and increasing hostility toward journalists.

May 2026 | CWA # 2081

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.

The World This Week
Nepal’s New “National Commitment” I Japan’s New Defence Posture
Four Takeaways of the WFP's report on the fallouts of the Middle East crisis
The World This Week #351-352, Vol 8, No 13-14, 26 April 2026

April 2026 | CWA # 2080

Global Politics Team

TWTW Note
Japan’s New Defence Posture:
From Post-War Pacifism to Strategic Recalibration and Autonomy
Increasing tensions with China, North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, and Russia have increased Japan’s threat perceptions. Besides, there is a broad perception shift in Japan of US security guarantees.

April 2026 | CWA # 2079

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.

TWTW Note
Nepal’s New “National Commitment”
Managing Consensus and Moving ahead towards a New Nepal
The National Commitment document represents an important attempt to align political priorities into a single, comprehensible national roadmap. The draft serves as a guide for the next five years.

April 2026 | CWA # 2078

Mahesh Bhatta | Mr Mahesh Raj Bhatta is a Research Fellow at the Centre for South Asian Studies (CSAS), Kathmandu, Nepal.

GP Insights
The US Supreme Court calls  Trump’s tariffs “illegal”  

March 2026 | GP Insights # 949

China and Africa relations are going strong: Predictable ties in unpredictable times

January 2026 | GP Insights # 948

China’s draft legislation on Antarctica: Legal and institutional clarification and environmental pro

December 2025 | GP Insights # 946

Germany-China Tensions over Chinese EVs: From Procurement to Protectionism

December 2025 | GP Insights # 947

Hong Kong court convicts Jimmy Lai

December 2025 | GP Insights # 945

China’s rare-earth export control exemption for one year

December 2025 | GP Insights # 936

SIPRI Top 100 arms-producing and military service report: China’s revenue declines by 10 per cent

December 2025 | GP Insights # 945

Ten Takeaways on White Paper

November 2025 | GP Insights # 944

China-India squabble over Arunachal Pradesh: What is it about? What are the claims?

November 2025 | GP Insights # 943

Taiwan: Flailing defence conscriptions

November 2025 | GP Insights # 942

Other Scholars

Abhimanyu Solanki is a Research Intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru, and is part of the NIAS Pakistan Reader team, contributing to the PR Daily Brief. He is also a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and PhD scholar in the Department of Political Science at the University...

Akriti Sharma is a doctoral scholar at the Science, Technology and International Relations Programme, National Institute of Advanced Studies. She has completed her Bachelors in Political Science and Masters in Political Science from the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. She is also the recipient of...

Akshath Kaimal is a Research Assistant with NIAS Area Studies-Pakistan, and is a postgraduate in International Studies and International Humanitarian Action

Ankit is a Ph.D. scholar at NIAS, his research interests lie South Asia, peace studies and oral history. His research topic is on political economy of external debt in Pakistan (1971-2021).   Research activities In the STIR program, he is currently assisting in preparations of PR evening...

Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) under the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme. She serves as an Assistant Editor for The Conflict Weekly and The World Today, and part of the NIAS Pakistan Reader team.   She...

Research Assistant, Area Studies-China, East Asia and the Pacific     External Publications Femy Francis, "Pakistan elections: four provinces, mixed results, one message | Data," The Hindu, 29 February 2024 Femy Francis, "China’s ties with Africa | Explained,"...

Harini Madhusudan is a doctoral scholar with the School of Conflict and Security Studies, NIAS. Her thesis looks at Militarisation in Outer Space, which draws from a combination of disciplines of International Law, Security Studies, International Relations, and Outer Space as a domain. She is looking...

Lekshmi MK is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), working with the Area Studies-Pakistan Programme and the NIAS Polar and Ocean Studies initiative. She also serves as an Assistant Editor for The World Today and The World This Week. Her research interests include...

Padmashree Anandhan is currently a project associate at the School of Conflict and Security Studies at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bangalore. Her research for the NIAS Europe Studies under the Area Studies initiative focuses on protest movements, conflicts, energy, economic, migration...

R. Preetha is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) - Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme. She serves as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week and The World Today, and is also part of the NIAS Pakistan Reader team. She is currently...

Ms Rohini Reenum is a Doctoral Student at the Science, Technology and International Relations Programme, School of Conflict and Security Studies, National Institute of Advanced Studies. Her areas of interest in terms of research are Maritime Security, Ocean Governance, International Relations Theory,...

Tanvi Thara Harendra Jha is an intern, and is undergraduate student double majoring in BSc Clinical Psychology and BA Political Science at the School of Liberal Arts, Alliance University, Bengaluru.

Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bannerghatta Road Campus, Bengaluru. She is a Research Intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), where she is part of the Pakistan Reader team and contributes analytical...