Nepal’s New “National Commitment” I Japan’s New Defence Posture

The World This Week #351-351, Vol 8, No 13-14, 26 April 2026

Global Politics Team

Japan’s New Defence Posture:

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.

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.

Nepal’s New “National Commitment”

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.

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

The Middle East Crisis and its Fallouts on Hunger and Global Food Supply Network

The impact of the Middle East crisis is not confined to the region; it affects distant economies through price increases, supply disruptions, and trade pressures.

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.

Three years of War in Sudan, DRC-M23 talks in Switzerland and the collapse of the peace agreement in Tigray

In Ethiopia, the latest developments point to a high risk of the collapse of the 2022 peace agreement and resumption of full-scale violence in Tigray. In Sudan, the war has been prolonged for three years primarily because of the abundant weapon suppl

Anu Maria Joseph | Ms Anu Maria Joseph was a NIAS Project Associate and served as Assistant Editor, Conflict Weekly.

The US-Iran War Fallouts on the Asia Pacific, Energy Security and Supply Chains

The report draws on 22 UNDP country office impact and needs assessments spanning 36 countries in the Asia-Pacific region and offers a preliminary assessment of shock transmission channels (such as energy, trade, fertilisers).

R Preetha | Ms R Preetha is a Research Assistant with the NIAS.

Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire:

Brighty Ann Sarah | Ms Sarah is a Research Assistant at NIAS and Assistant Editor of NIAS Conflict Weekly.

The US-Iran War, Week Eight:

Despite extensive diplomatic outreach by Pakistan and its allies, along with increased pressure from Trump to come to the negotiating table, Iran continues to reject peace talks, while the US naval blockade continues to remain in place.

Akshath Kaimal | Mr Kaimal is a Research Assistant at NIAS. He works on Pakistan and Africa.

Three Years of War in Sudan

Three years into this deadly power struggle, the endgame is clear. The SAF is adamant to fight until the RSF is eliminated or surrenders. The RSF has not taken a strong stance to eliminate SAF, primarily because of its suspected pursuit of internatio

Anu Maria Joseph | Ms Anu Maria Joseph was a NIAS Project Associate and served as Assistant Editor, Conflict Weekly.

Three Years of Civil War in Sudan I The US-Iran War, Week Eight I Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire

Conflict Weekly #328, 24 April 2026, Vol 7, No. 15

NIAS Global Politics Team

Peace and Conflicts This Quarter (January–March 2026)

Conflict Weekly #327, 17 April 2026, Vol 7, No. 14

NIAS Global Politics Team

The War in Ukraine

Russia is likely to maintain its position of strategic endurance, supported by energy revenues and external partnerships, while continuing incremental advances. Ukraine, despite its innovation and diplomatic outreach, will remain externally dependent

Padmashree Anandhan

China-Japan Tensions

The China-Japan tensions remained high, with distrust on both sides, as reflected in military provocations and incursions during the first quarter. On the economic front, both China and Japan are taking active steps to diversify their supply chains.

Femy Francis 

Conflicts in Africa

While much global attention has shifted to the conflict in the Middle East and its global impact, Africa this quarter saw the continuation of two major violent conflicts: civil war in Sudan and conflict in eastern DRC.

Anu Maria Joseph

The Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict

The first quarter of 2026 saw a renewed escalation in tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, triggered by a series of terrorist attacks within Pakistan in January and February, which Islamabad

Akshath Kaimal

The Middle East (Jan–Mar 2026):

Though US-Iran war was the most important regional development, during the first quarter, From Gaza to the Gulf, the region witnessed recalibrations of conflict, shifting alliances, and evolving diplomatic strategies and dilemmas.

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.

Afghanistan (Jan–Mar 2026):

Afghanistan today is neither in immediate collapse nor on a credible path to stabilisation. Instead, it occupies an uneasy space defined by tactical resilience and structural fragility.

Anwesha Ghosh | Dr Anwesha Ghosh is a Research Fellow at ICWA, New Delhi. She is the author of Identity and Marginality in India (Routledge, 2020) and Afghanistan Under the Taliban: Pasts and Anticipations (KW Publishers, 2026).

Russia (Jan-Mar 2026)

During the quarter, Russia pursued a dual diplomatic track - confronting the West while deepening ties with partners in Asia and the Middle East 

Ramya B | Ramya B is an Associate Professor at the Department of History, Kristu Jayanti University, Bengaluru

Europe (Jan-Mar 2026)

Europe is looking forward to increasing its defence expenditure, diversifying trade and pursuing strategic autonomy

Himani Pant | Dr Himani Pant is a Research Fellow at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), New Delhi

Africa (Jan-Mar 2026)

While the civil wars, are moving in a dangerous direction, especially in Sudan, and traditional/non-traditional security threats are equally impacting Africa, the continent is also showing positive signs of economic recovery

S Shaji | Dr S Shaji is an Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science, University of Hyderabad