Course Scholars

Aishal Hab Yousuf

Aishal Hab Yousuf is currently pursuing post-graduation at the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai. 

China’s domestic politics, society, and economy; the Russia-Ukraine conflict; Maritime chokepoints and Great Power Rivalry in the Indian Ocean Region.


GP Commentaries
Global Politics Review: WPF Report 2026
Sri Lanka and Press Freedom: 
Five Takeaways on Political influence, Legal mechanisms to control, Ethnic sensitivities and History of State intimidation
Despite the end of civil war, freedom of the press is still encumbered by challenges, including political pressure on state and private media, ethnic and religious sensitivities, and the long history of state intimidation.

June 2026 | CWA # 2143

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.

Global Politics Review: WPF Report 2026
Maldives and Press Freedom:
Four takeaways on the influence of democracy, legislation, and state funding
In Maldives, press freedom remains fragile and heavily shaped by political power and restrictive laws. While constitutional provisions protect journalists, they still face intimidation and censorship. 

June 2026 | CWA # 2141

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
Shangri-La Dialogue 2026: Four Major Takeaways
Focus on Rules-based maritime order, AI & Cyber Security, and Preventive Diplomacy, but with no consensus

June 2026 | CWA # 2134

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.

Global Politics Explainer
Sri Lanka and the US-Iran War 
Rising oil imports, Austerity measures and State capacity
Fuel prices have been rising significantly, with reports that have indicated increases of up to 25-30 percent. Rationing systems have also been introduced to manage the limited supplies.

May 2026 | CWA # 2113

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.

TWTW Note
The Trump-Xi Summit:
Managing Strategic Competition through Trade, Technology, and Diplomacy
The summit reflects efforts to stabilize US-China relations without resolving any core strategic differences.

May 2026 | CWA # 2110

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
North Korea's Constitutional Amendment 2026:
The End of Korean Reunification, the Declaration of New Borders, and the Control of Nuclear Command

May 2026 | CWA # 2109

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.

The US-Iran War
The Hormuz Strait and the Fertilizer Crisis in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa
The Middle East possesses abundant natural gas reserves, which are pertinent to the production of nitrogen-based fertilizers.

May 2026 | CWA # 2100

Aishal Hab Yousuf | Aishal Hab Yousuf is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai.

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
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.

Global Politics Review
Economic modernization without political liberalization, Legal systems as instruments of political control, Shrinking civic space and Sports Washing
Five Takeaways of the HRW Report 2026 on the Middle East (Saudi Arabia and the UAE)

March 2026 | CWA # 2029

Aishal Hab Yousuf 

Other Scholars

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Acsah H is currently and intern at NIAS. She is pursuing postgraduate studies at the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations at Manipal Institute of Social Studies, Humanities and Arts, MAHE, Manipal, Udupi. Her research interests include Outer-space governance and regulation.

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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...

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Aparna A Nair is an undergraduate student at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai. Her research interests lie in East Asia (China), the Arctic Region, Planetary Governance and Gender Studies.

Avaneesh S is an intern at NIAS. Currently, he is pursuing post gradaute studies at Pondicherry University. His research interests include South Asian geopolitics & Security studies, Conflict & Counterterrorism studies and Energy Transition in Asia.

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Deb Dutta is a Political Science graduate from the Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education. Currently he is an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru. His research interests include US-China and India-China relations, offensive realism in modern geopolitics,...

Dhivya KM is an intern at NIAS and is also a postgraduate student from the Department of Financial Economics, Madras School of Economics, Chennai.

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Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella is an an intern at NIAS. She is also an undergraduate student at the School of Liberal Arts, Alliance University, pursuing a bachelor's in Political Science and Economics. Her interests lie in conflict studies, foreign policy, and international relations. 

Namrata L Ghanghatkar 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. 

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.

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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,...

Sreemaya Nair is currently pursuing her under graduation at the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies and Public Policy, St Joseph's University, Bengaluru.  Her research interests include Gender Studies, India and its neighbourhood, and Public Administration.

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Yesasvi Koganti is currently pursuing under-graduation at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai.  Her research interests include China–Europe relations; Pakistan–Afghanistan conflict dynamics in India’s Neighbourhood; Emerging security challenges...