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NIAS AFRICA WEEKLY
IN FOCUS | The reinvention of Al Shabab
NIAS Africa Team
|
Africa Weekly #27 & 28, Vol. 1, No. 27 & 28
6 September 2022
IN FOCUS
The Reinvention of Al Shabab: Four drivers
A juxtaposition of several internal and external factors driving the post-2011 phase of Al-Shabab has manifested into an extremist form of episodic terrorism.
By Paulomi Mondal
On 19 August, the capital city Mogadishu witnessed yet another terror attack in a 35-hour long siege that killed 21 people and leaving 117 wounded. Al Shabab, one of the richest and largest affiliates of Al Qaeda in the region, claimed the attack.
The attack which took place at the Hayat Hotel marked the longest attack in Somalia’s history. The siege commenced with explosions, followed by hours of gunfire exchange and ended with clearing of planted explosives and evacuation process by the Somali forces.
On 20 August, the US Department of State condemned the attack: “We express our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost loved ones...The United States remains steadfast in our support of Somalia and African Union- led efforts to counter terrorism and build a secure and prosperous future for the people of Somalia.” The UN Secretary-General Antonia Guterres said the UN supports the people of Somalia “in their fight against terrorism and their march towards peace.”
Al Shabab activities in Somalia: Four drivers
First, the increased emphasis on counter-insurgency operations. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s election in 2022 was followed by the immediate rolling out of strict counter-insurgency measures against Al Shabab; this can be deemed as a prime trigger for the attacks in the earlier months, including the group’s unprecedented invasion of Ethiopia or the killings of UN peacekeepers in Burundi prior to the Mogadishu attack. Additionally, the appointment of Mukhtar Robow, a former spokesperson and leader of Al Shabab as the religious minister hinting at the internal knowledge and falling out of the group triggered retaliation from Al Shabab.
Second, the US Policy in Somalia. An extension of the “war on terror” has been the primary emphasis of Washington’s interest in Somalia to prevent it from becoming a refuge of terrorist groups to plot attacks against the US or destabilize the Horn of Africa. The US has largely relied on proxy forces in Somalia to fight Al Shabab and hired private contractors or provided training and equipment to AMISOM security forces to combat the group. Over the years, there has been an increase in the number of airstrikes conducted by the US, particularly during the Trump administration conducting 276 airstrikes in Somalia. Under the Biden administration, the airstrikes killing 14 Al Shabab militants in August and a drone-strike killing the Al Qaeda head Ayman al-Zawahiri could be the reason behind the retaliation via the Mogadishu attack, aimed at deterring Western as well as European counter-insurgency operations in the country.
Third, the inefficiency of AMISOM. Despite the AU’s offensive against the Al Shabab in 2011, taking down a considerable number of militants and taking control of Kismayo, the main financer of the group by illicit taxation or charcoal trade, the group is still active and has affiliations with other groups like Islamic State of Maghreb and Boko Haram. This can be owed to cutting of funding to the AMISOM forces by US and the European Union amid allegations of corruption and widespread human rights abuse by the peacekeepers in the force, leading to lack of legitimacy even within the Somali citizens. A juxtaposition of lacking credibility and the cutting of funds has been the main reason for the inefficiency of other peacekeeping missions in the African continent as well, like the MONUSCO in Democratic Republic of Congo or MINUSCA in Central African Republic.
Fourth, the change in leadership dynamics. The earlier phases of Al Shabab saw a relatively heterogenous leadership including nationalists and politically pragmatic figures like Hassan Dahir Aweys or Mukhtar Robow who has publicly condemned the Al Shabab attacks recently. These leaders led to internal debates over the wisdom of attacks on civilian, role of Al Qaeda or role of foreign organization and so on. However, after 2011 what remains in Al Shabab is a more extremist fringe of the Al Qaeda franchise which is richer than the government of Somalia and strictly believes in the “takfiri” ethos that legitimizes killings for restoration of one true Islamic Caliphate. This shift of focus and homogenization of a group which played crucial role in employing the youth and local population after the piracy crisis or was instrumental in averting Ethiopia’s invasion of Somalia in 2006, questions the acceptability of Al Shabab in the general public opinion who for a long time gave their unwavering credence to the group.
In Perspective
Somalia today faces a four-part problem: severe drought and climate change conditions, a central administration whose writ does not run beyond the capital, complete dependence on international doners and timely episodes of terrorism from different extremist groups. All these cumulatively amount to the humanitarian crisis that the country faces today. At the bottom of it all lies the lack of state-building measures since its independence from colonial powers in 1960 to the civil war during Said Barre’s dictatorial regime till 1991 and continuing till date. At the short-term level, the government needs to immediately focus on providing essential services, relief and goods to the people as they face severe hunger and climatic warnings. Similarly, for longer term there is a need to simultaneously carry out state-building and counter-terrorism operations to lay the foundation of a comprehensive security framework that could be built with the help of international community to back Somalia in its looming humanitarian crisis which destabilizes the entire Horn of Africa and the African continent at large.
AFRICA IN BRIEF
24 August – 6 September
By Anu Maria Joseph and Apoorva Sudhakar
LIBYA
At least 32 killed in clashes between rival governments
On 28 August, the UN called for an immediate ceasefire to hostilities following deadly clashes between two political factions. The UN’s Libya mission said that the fighting had included “indiscriminate medium and heavy shelling in civilian populated neighborhoods'' and called for an immediate ceasefire backed by the US ambassador to Libya. On 27 August, the health ministry of Libya said that at least 32 people were killed and 159 wounded in the clashes in Tripoli. The ministry added that hospitals and medical centers were shelled and ambulances were blocked from evacuating the wounded, in acts that “amount to war crimes.” The UN backed Government of National Unity (GNU) said: “The clashes were triggered by a military group firing randomly at a convoy passing in the Zawia Street area, while armed groups were gathering at the 27th gate west of Tripoli and the Jebs Gate south of Tripoli.” The country’s interim Prime Minister and head of GNU, Abdulhamid Dbeibeh is based in Tripoli and the rival government led by Prime Minister Fathi Bashaga is seated in the eastern parliament. Bashagha has been trying to take over Tripoli claiming that GNU is illegal. While GNU has refused and claimed power should be handed peacefully through elections, not force. (Alys Davies, “Libya clashes: UN calls for ceasefire after 32 killed,” BBC, 28 August 2022, “At least 32 people dead following violent clashes between rival militias in Libyan capital of Tripoli,” CNN, 28 August 2022)
ALGERIA
Macron announces ‘renewed partnership’ during his visit
On 25 August, France’s President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Algeria, expected to repair fractured relations with the country. The move came as the country’s oil and gas reserves have new strategic importance due to Europe’s impending energy crisis. According to the Elysee palace, Macron has “made the choice to orientate this visit towards the future … and lay down the basis for a relaunching of the relationship.” On 26 August, France 24 reported, the French presidency said that Macron will head back to Algeria capital Algiers “to sign a joint declaration for a renewed concrete and ambitious partnership.” The same day, along with French military officials Macron laid a wreath at a monument to those who “did for France,” in the mixed Christian-Jewish Saint Eugene cemetery, a burial ground during colonial times. In a joint press conference, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune praised “promising prospects for improving the special partnership” between the two countries. Macron said: “We must look at it and recognize it, but we have a responsibility to build our future for ourselves and our youth.” (“Macron announces 'renewed partnership' during Algeria visit,” France24, 26 August 2022, Hugh Schofield, “France's Emmanuel Macron to mend Algeria ties as energy crisis bites,” BBC, 25 August 2022)
SUDAN
US sends first ambassador in 25 years
On 25 August, the US sent its first ambassador to Sudan in 25 years. The decision came two years after it removed Sudan from the list of countries that sponsor terrorism. On 24 August, Ambassador John Godfrey arrived in the capital, Khartoum. He tweeted: “I am delighted to arrive in Sudan. I look forward to deepening relations between Americans and Sudanese and to supporting the Sudanese people’s aspirations to freedom, peace, justice, and a transition to democracy. In 1993, Sudan was listed with the countries that sponsor terrorism over the accusations of supporting Al Qaeda. In 1997, the US removed its representation in Sudan from ambassadors and imposed economic sanctions. (“US sends first ambassador to Sudan in 25 years,” BBC, 25 August 2022)
ETHIOPIA
Fresh fighting between Ethiopia and Tigray forces, UN and African Union raises concerns, calls for peace talks
On 24 August, Tigray forces accused Ethiopian forces of launching a fresh offensive on the southern border with Amhara. However, the Ethiopian government blamed Tigrayan forces for starting the fighting. The Ethiopian military said that they hit an airplane in Mekelle carrying weapons for the TPLF. Meanwhile, UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply shocked” by the renewed fighting and called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities” and to resume peace talks, humanitarian access and re-establishing public services in Tigray. The head of African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat called for “de-escalation” and “talks to seek a peaceful solution.” The AU’s Horn of Africa envoy, Olusegun Obasanjo has been leading the peace talks to end the 21-month Tigray conflict. Previously in August, the Ethiopian government appealed for a formal Tigray ceasefire agreement. The government wants the AU envoy to lead the peace talks; however, Tigray authorities want former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta to lead the talks. Re-emergence of tensions between the two sides is threatening to undo a humanitarian truce reached in March. (“UN calls for ceasefire amid renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia,” Al Jazeera, 24 August 2022, Kalkidan Yibeltal, "Tigray forces accuse Ethiopia of fresh offensive," Al Jazeera, 24 August 202)
Ethiopian government accused of drone strikes in Mekelle
On 31 August, BBC reported, Tigrayan forces in Ethiopia’s northern region accused the government of conducting drone strikes in regional capital Mekelle. The government did not respond to the allegations. However, previously, the government had warned people to stay away from military targets. The UN said that the airstrikes conducted the previous week in Mekelle killed civilians including children. A Tigrayan official said that three bombs were dropped in the city and hospital was targeted in the latest strikes. The communication blackout in the region has made it difficult to get further information. On 1 September, Tigray forces accused the government and its Eritrean allies of launching "massive offensives" In the north-west region in Ethiopia. The same day, the government called the TPLF a "terrorist group" and said "the duty of halting from its destructive activities has fallen on the government and people of Ethiopia." .("Tigray forces say hospital targeted in drone strikes," BBC, 31 August 2022; “Rebels accuse Ethiopia of 'massive' Tigray offensive,” BBC, 1 September 2022)
At least 55 killed in Oromia region
On 2 September, residents in western Ethiopia said that at least 55 people were killed in the Oromia region. They claim that the Fano militia, affiliated with the Amhara ethnic group, is responsible for the attack. As the civil war in the northern part of the country has resumed, ending five-months truce, violent attacks keep erupting in various parts of the country. The UN and the US have raised concerns and called for "immediate ceasefire." Meanwhile, UK's Africa minister, Vicky Ford said: "The return of fighting in Ethiopia's civil war is catastrophic for the people of Ethiopia. The renewed conflict risks deepening the already dire humanitarian situation. Twenty-two months since fighting first began, it is clear that there is no military solution." The fighting continues to intensify and spread to other regions after the resumption of the conflict, following a five-month truce. (“Fresh Ethiopia fighting is catastrophic for the people - UK,” BBC, 1 September 2022; “Ethiopia government 'has duty' to halt Tigrayan attacks,” BBC, 1 September 2022, “Fear as dozens killed in Ethiopia's Oromia attacks,” BBC, 2 September 2022, )
KENYA
Odinga welcomes but disagrees with Supreme Court decision on elections
On 5 September, former prime minister and presidential candidate Raila Odinga accepted the Supreme Court’s decision to nullify his petition challenging William Ruto’s victory in the presidential elections. Odinga tweeted: “We respect the opinion of the court although we vehemently disagree with their decision today.” Previously on the same day, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld Ruto’s victory; Chief Justice Martha Koome said the court did not find proof that the results were tampered by hacking the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s servers. (“Odinga accepts but disagrees with court decision on Kenya election,” Al Jazeera, 5 September 2022)
SOMALIA
Al Shabab kills at least 19 in Hiran
On 3 September, at least 19 civilians were killed and trucks with food aid were destroyed by Al Shabab fighters in the central Somalia’s Hiran area. The governor of Hiran said the death toll could be higher. An Al Shabab statement said the group targeted members of a local sub-clan that assisted the government recently. The attack comes after 21 people were killed by Al Shabab in its 30-hour siege of the Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu in late August. (“At least 19 civilians killed in al-Shabab attack in Somalia,” Al Jazeera, 3 September 2022; “Somali forces end al-Shabab siege at Mogadishu hotel,” Al Jazeera, 21 August 2022)
UN says around 730 children died of malnutrition
On 6 September, Africanews reported, the UN said that around 730 children have died in nutrition centers across Somalia since January. It warned that the true figure could be much higher as the country reached a severe famine. The Somalia representative for the UNICEF said: "Malnutrition has reached an unprecedented level. Around 730 children are reported to have died in nutrition centers across the country." She added that nearly 1.5 million children, nearly half of them aged under five, are at risk of acute malnutrition. Among this, 385,000 needed the treatment for severe acute malnutrition. In June, the World Bank estimated that nearly 66.4 million people in the Horn of Africa are experiencing food crises and food emergencies. Affected by the worst drought in 40 years and failed consecutive rainy seasons added with global food crisis after the Ukraine war has exacerbated the condition in the region. ("UN: Around 730 children dead In Somalia nutrition centres," Africanews, 6 September 2022)
SIERRA LEONE
Six people killed in flash floods in capital Freetown
On 29 August, BBC reported, at least six people were killed after torrential rains caused flash floods and landslides in parts of Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown. The landslides swept away houses in Looking Town, Kanikay and Kaningo. The Freetown Mayor said: “As I spoke with survivors and neighbors, I could clearly see a huge boulder positioned precariously above the community. A poignant reminder of the risk of disaster this community lives daily.” President Julius Maado Bio said: “poor urban planning and mismanagement of the city’s resources as an enormous contributor to the problem.” He also cited climate change as another major factor. He said: “The heavy downpour experienced this August points to the impact and consequence of global warming and climate change.” (“Six deaths after Sierra Leone flash floods - report,” BBC, 29 August 2022)
CHAD
National dialogue suspended amid scuffle
On 29 August, BBC referred to a pro-government website Alwihda, and reported that Chad’s national dialogue has been suspended over the conflicted composition of the steering committee. The proposed steering committee was rejected by few members, who felt that the “names were not reflective of the country’s fabric.” The Alwihda report said: “Anger immediately spread in the meeting room after former Prime Minister Guelengouksia Ouaidou read out the proposed list of names.” The disagreement forced the chairperson of the Organizing Committee for the Inclusive National Dialogue (CODNI), Acheikh Ibni Oumar, to suspend the session. The national dialogue started on 20 August following the government’s signing of an agreement for peace with 40 rebel groups, expected to lead to free and democratic elections and transfer of power to civilians. (“Chad national dialogue suspended over representation row,” BBC, 29 August 2022)
Heavy rainfall leaves capital city and other areas flooded
On 6 September, Reuters reported Chad was experiencing the heaviest rainfall in 30 years, leaving parts of the capital city N’Djamena flooded and accessible by boats only and displacing thousands from their homes since August. The news report suggested that though rains are common from May to October, the current rainfall was early and abundant, thereby overwhelming the drainage systems and ponds. With this, Chad joined the countries in West and Central Africa which experienced above-normal rainfall in the same time period. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that by the end of August, 442,000 people had been affected by floods. (Mahamat Ramadane, “Thousands battle 'catastrophic' floods after Chad's heaviest rains in 30 years,” Reuters, 6 September 2022)
BURKINA FASO
35 killed in IED blast
On 5 September, 35 civilians were killed and 37 injured in northern Burkina Faso in an IED explosion. The victims were traveling to the capital city Ouagadougou in a convoy escorted by the army, when one of the vehicles ran over an IED between Djibo and Bourzanga area. The development comes after 15 soldiers were killed in a double IED blast in early August in the same area. (“Dozens killed, injured in attack in northern Burkina Faso,” France24, 6 September 2022)
MALI
At least 50 civilians killed in military operation, says UN mission
On 31 August, the UN said that at least 50 civilians were killed by Malian soldiers in a military operation on 19 April, aided by what it called "foreign" military personnel. The UN's mission in Mali MINUSMA said that the incident happened in Hombori municipality in the central Douentza region after a military convoy was attacked. MINUSMA stated: "At least 50 civilians (including a woman and a child) were killed and more than 500 others arrested." The military did not respond to the allegations. Though the foreign fighters were not specified, Russian mercenaries are active in the country after France withdrew its troops amid tensions. ("Dozens of civilians killed in April by Mali’s army: UN report," Al Jazeera, 31 August 2022)
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
At least 14 killed in rebel attack in eastern DR Congo
On 31 August, Al Jazeera reported, a local human rights group said that at least 14 were killed and more than dozens were kidnapped in an attack in Ituri province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. An army spokesperson blamed the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Ugandan militia having allegiance to the ISIL group, for the attack. Military spokesperson Antony Mwalushayi said that the army killed five fighters and rescued a five-year-old girl who had been kidnapped. The military group ADF carries out frequent deadly attacks in villages in eastern Congo despite the joint efforts by the Congolese and Ugandan armies. ("At least 14 dead in rebel attacks in eastern DR Congo," Al Jazeera, 31 August 2022)
ANGOLA
The ruling MPLA party wins elections
On 29 August, the National Electoral Commission (CNE) of Angola declared that the Movement of the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) won the elections gaining 51.17 per cent of votes against the UNITA opposition party which gained 43.95 per cent, marking the tightest elections in the country's history. The CNE head said: “The CNE proclaims Joao Manuel Gonclaves Lourenco president of the republic.” The MPLA party, a former liberation movement since independence, has been in power for 50 years, now extends its decades long rule giving president Joao Lourenco a second term in office. The previous week, Adalberto Costa, leader of UNITA, rejected the provisional results and called for an international panel to review the vote count. He cited disparities between the commission’s count and the main opposition coalition’s own tally. However, he did not respond to the declaration of final results. (“Angola’s MPLA ruling party wins elections and presidency,” Al Jazeera, 29 August 2022)
Court rejects opposition party’s bid challenging the election results
On 2 September, Angola main opposition party UNITA filed a case in the constitutional court challenging the election results in which the ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) was declared the winner. On 6 September, Angola’s constitutional court rejected the petition by the UNITA party to annul the election results. The court ruled that the part0079’s complaint did not meet the requirements to nullify the election results. The UNITA leader, Adalberto Costa Junior said that his party “did not recognize the final results” by the election commission. On Facebook, he said: “The MPLA did not win the election … we have been in peace for 20 years, and we now need to embrace a true democratic rule of law.” The MPLA, which has been in power for 50 years, secured a narrow majority with 51 per cent votes, handing President Joao Lourenco a second term. ("Angola court rejects opposition bid to annul election," BBC, 6 September 2022, "Angolan opposition files legal challenge, seeks annulment of vote," Al Jazeera, 2 September 2022)
MADAGASCAR
Madagascar: at least 18 died in police firing
On 30 August, Al Jazeera reported, at least 18 people were killed in Madagascar after the police opened fire on protesters demonstrating over the kidnapping of a child with albinism. People with albinism are regularly the target of violence in the country. According to the UN, more than a dozen were abducted, attacked and murdered in the past two years. In the previous week, four suspects were arrested. However, the residents forced their way into the police station, armed with blades and machetes demanding that suspects be handed over, which triggered the clash. (“Madagascar police shoot 18 dead in albino kidnap protest: Medic,” Al Jazeera, 30 August 2022)
SOUTH AFRICA
Trade unions protests against rising cost of living
On 24 August, hundreds of South African people protested in the executive and legislative capitals of Pretoria and Cape Town amid rising inflation, the highest in 13 years. The protests were led by the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), a longtime ally of the African National Congress. The protesters marched through central Pretoria towards Union Buildings, which houses the office of President Cyril Ramaphosa holding placards saying “stop basic food items.” In July, the central bank increased the interest rates, highest in 20 years, to curb inflation. (“South African unions go on protests against high cost of living,” Al Jazeera, 24 August 2022)
REGIONAL
High chance of persistence of worst drought in the Horn of Africa, says WMO
On 26 August, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said that the October-December forecasts show a high chance of persistence of the ongoing worst drought in more than 40 years. The director of the IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Center (ICPAC), WMO’S regional climate center for East Africa said: “Sadly, our models show with a high degree of confidence that we are entering the fifth consecutive failed rainy season in the Horn of Africa.” He added: “In Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, we are on the brink of an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.” Nearly 10 million children are suffering under failed consecutive rainy seasons, killing livestock, crops and drying water sources. More than 1.8 million children in East Africa are in need of urgent treatment for life threatening acute malnutrition. In June, the World Bank estimated 66.4 million people in the Horn of Africa experiencing food crisis and emergency. Besides, the global rise in food and fuel prices after Ukraine war has exacerbated the condition. (“Horn of Africa drought could go on for 5th season: UN weather body,” Al Jazeera, 26 August 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
The UN chartered Ukrainian ship for the Horn of Africa arrives in Djibouti
On 30 August, the World Food Programme reported that a United Nations chartered ship loaded with Ukrainian wheat for millions at risk of starvation in Ethiopia arrived in Djibouti. The ship carrying 23,000 tonnes of grain reached the Horn of Africa port two weeks after leaving Black Sea port in Ukraine. WFP executive director, David Beasley said on Twitter: “We have officially docked! The first WFP ship to carry Ukrainian grain since February has just arrived in Djibouti. Now, let's get this wheat offloaded and on to Ethiopia.” The previous month, the UN agency reported that 20.4 million people in Ethiopia are in need of food support because of the worst drought and global food crisis amid the war in Ukraine. ("First Ukraine ship for Horn of Africa docks in Djibouti port – UN," Al Jazeera, 30 August 2022)
Japan announces USD 30 billion to Africa during the TICAD8 in Tunisia
On 27 August, Japan held the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8) in Tunisia and pledged USD 30 billion in aid for development in Africa, aiming to work closely with the continent. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tokyo would work to ensure grain supply to Africa amid global shortage. He said: “If we give up on a rules-based society and permit unilateral changes of the status quo by force, the impact of that will extend not only through Africa, but all the world.” Tunisia’s President Kais Saied urged to “search together for ways for African peoples to achieve the hopes and dreams of the first generation after independence.” (“Japan pledges $30bn in aid for Africa at Tunisia conference,” Al Jazeera, 27 August 2022)
About the authors
Poulomi Mondal is a postgraduate scholar at the South Asian Centre at the Pondicherry University. Anu Maria Joseph is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru. Apoorva Sudhakar is a Project Associate at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.
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NIAS Africa Weekly #85&86 | Niger-France ties and Liberia elections
Nithyashree RB
Liberia elections: Explained
Jerry Franklin
France's increasing unpopularity in Niger
PR Team
The Snow Leopards of Pakistan
Padmashree Anandhan
Poland elections 2023: Reasons behind the shift
Padmashree Anandhan
Ukraine: The failure of the Black Sea Grain Initiative
Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri
Issues for Europe
Yogeswari S | CSIS
Poland’s engagement
Prof Joyati Bhattacharya
G20 Summit: India the Global Host
Anu Maria Joseph
Africa in the Indian Ocean region: Explained
Dhriti Mukherjee
Pakistan grapples with soaring electricity bills and free riders
Shamini Velayutham
Pakistan: Recent spike in Polio cases
Dhriti Mukherjee
Pakistan’s power predicament: Soaring bills and public discontent
Ankit Singh
Pakistan’s Economy: Three questions
Sneha Surendran
From Cargo to Canvas: The vibrant world of Pakistani Truck Art
Anu Maria Joseph
Taiwan in Africa: The Last Ally and the Lost Allies
Feben Itty | CSIS
NATO’s Challenge
Genesy B | abcnews
Russia’s Endgame
Sreeja JS
Ukraine’s Strategies and Endgame
NIAS Africa Team
Africa Weekly #79 | Africa Climate Summit
Sneha Surendran
Africa Climate Summit: Rising new leadership in climate action
Nithyashree RB
Coup in Gabon: Three questions
NIAS Africa Team
Africa Weekly #78 | Coup in Gabon
Sneha Surendran
Wildfires in Europe: Another year of devastation
Rishika Yadav
Floods in Europe: Impacts, and issues
Padmashree Anandhan
Return of the Heatwaves
Jerry Franklin A
A profile on Ethiopia's Oromo ethnic group
Sneha Surendran
A profile on Ethiopia’s Somali ethnic group
Nithyashree RB
A profile on Ethiopia’s Afar ethnic group
Anu Maria Joseph
Ethiopia’s Amhara problem
Jerry Franklin A
ECOWAS and Niger remain at an impasse, causing a prolonged standoff
Lakshmi Parimala H
Mural, Movie and the Map: Akhand Bharat mural and Adipurush
Rishika Yadav
The High Seas Treaty
Indrani Talukdar
Ukraine War and the International Order
Jerry Franklin A
Coup in Niger: Manifold national, regional and international stances
Sneha Surendran
Senegal's political crisis: Four questions
NIAS Africa Team
Africa Weekly #73&74 | Coup in Niger and Senegal’s political crisis
Himani Pant
Germany-Russia Relations: What Next?
D. Suba Chandran
Que Sara Sara: Pakistan, Two Months After 09 May
Sneha Surendran
Pakistan’s e-Sport Industry: A Profile
Ramya Balasubramanian
Russia and Europe: Understanding Moscow’s strategies
Bibhu Prasad Routray
Return of Violence in Manipur
Nithyashree RB
The UN in Africa: MINUSMA has failed. So did Mali
Bibhu Prasad Routray
Myanmar continues to burn
Anu Maria Joseph
The Wagner Group in Africa: Fallouts of the failed revolt in Russia
NIAS Africa Team
Africa Weekly #69-71 | The Wagner Group in Africa
Lakshmi Parimala
Hybrid Warfare in Ukraine
Padmashree Anandhan
Rise and fall of the Wagner Revolt: Four Takeaways
Sneha Surendran
The Wagner Revolt: A profile of Yevgeny Prigozhin
Padmashree Anandhan
The War in Ukraine: Four Issues to watch in 2023
Rishika Yadav, Sneha Surendran, Sandra D Costa, Ryan Marcus, Prerana P and Nithyashree RB
Global Gender Gap Report 2023: Regional Takeaways
Harini Madhusudan, Rishika Yada, Sneha Surendran, Prerana P, Sreeja JS and Padmashree Anandhan
Russia: Anatomy of Wagner Revolt, and its Fallouts
Anu Maria Joseph
Resurging insurgency in Uganda and insecurity in East Africa
Jerry Franklin
Eritrea: Back to the IGAD after 16 years
Bibhu Prasad Routray
India: Violence continues in Manipur
Jerry Franklin
Tunisia: A Political Profile
Jerry Franklin
Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis: Reasons for its continuation
Anu Maria Joseph
Ceasefires in Sudan: An uneasy trajectory
Rishika Yadav, Sreeja JS, Nithyashree RB, and Melvin George | Rishika Yadav is a Research Assistant in NIAS Europe Studies at NIAS. Nithyashree RB, Sreeja JS, and Melvin George are Research Interns in NIAS Europe Studies at NIAS.
The Battle for Bakhmut: Significance, Objectives, Course, and What Next
Nithyashree RB
Poland approves Russian Influence Law: Three Implications
Rishika Yadav | Research Assistant, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bangalore
Serbia: Mass shootings, protests and instability
Rishika Yadav and Nityashree RB | Research Assistant and Research Intern, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bangalore
Turkey’s Elections: Unravelling the Political Spectacle of 2023
Padmashree Anandhan | Research Associate National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore
Belgorod drone attacks: Who, What and Why?
NIAS Africa Team
In Focus | Japan in Africa
Devjyoti Saha
Japan in Africa: Renewed Efforts to Revitalise Relations
Indrani Talukdar
Russia's Position in the Arctic: New challenges
Lakshmi Parimala H
Bhutan's Gross National Happiness
Amit Gupta
The Trump Phenomenon: Why it Won’t Go
Rishika Yadav
Turkey’s Election: Issues, Actors and Outcomes
IPRI Team
The Armenia-Azerbaijan Stalemate
NIAS Africa Team
Droughts in East Africa: A climate disaster
NIAS Africa Team
Sudan: Intensifying political rivalry and expanding violence
NIAS Africa Team
Expanding Russia-South Africa relations
Padmashree Anandhan
Pentagon document leak: Russia-Ukraine Conflict From a Tactical Lens
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Tunisia: The question of undocumented migrants
Indrani Talukdar
Belarus’s endgame in Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Padmashree Anandhan
Russia: Drone attacks escalate the Ukraine war
Padmashree Anandhan
The UK: Conservative party put to test as worker strikes continue
Bhoomika Sesharaj
PR Explains: Pakistan’s power outage
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Pakistan’s Blue Helmets: A long-standing contribution
D Suba Chandran
Karachi: The race and new alignments for the Mayor
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Macron’s visit to Africa: Three Takeaways
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Nigeria elections: Ruling party wins; What is ahead?
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | M23 atrocities in DRC and upcoming Nigeria elections
NIAS Africa Team
Africa in 2023: Elections and conflicts
IPRI Team
The continuing crisis in Israel
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Chinese Foreign Minister's visit to Africa
IPRI Team
Protests in Spain, Sweden and Israel
Avishka Ashok
China: A complicated economic recovery
Padmashree Anandhan
Europe: An impending energy crisis and its economic fallouts
Ankit Singh
Defence: Towards a new cold war
Riya Itisha Ekka
Brazil: Managing Bolsonaro’s legacy
Apoorva Sudhakar
Africa: Despite the elections, democratic backslide will continue
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Pakistan in 2023: Between elections, economic turmoil and climate crisis
Sethuraman Nadarajan
Sri Lanka in 2023: A troubling economy and an unstable polity
Avishka Ashok
Chinese Foreign Minister's visit to Africa
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Bamako’s pardon of Ivorian soldiers
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | The relapse of ANC
Allen Joe Mathew, Sayani Rana, Joel Jacob
Newsmakers: From Putin to Rushdie
Sethuraman Nadarajan
Rest in Peace; Queen Elizabeth. Mikhail Gorbachev, Pelé...
Ankit Singh
Global economy in 2022: The year of cooling down
Bhoomika Sesharaj
Digital world: Elon Musk and the Twitter Chaos
Madhura Mahesh
The FTX Collapse: Depleting cryptocurrencies
Harini Madhusudan
The Space race: Scaling new technological feats
Avishka Ashok
G20: More challenges
Akriti Sharma
COP27: Hits and Misses
Padmashree Anandhan
The Ukraine War
Poulomi Mondal
French Exit from Mali: More questions than answers
Mohaimeen Khan
Yemen, Syria, and Sudan: Continuing humanitarian crises
Padmashree Anandhan
NATO and the Madrid Summit: Expanding defence frontiers
Padmashree Anandhan
Elections in France, Sweden, and Italy: The rise of the right
Janardhan G
North Korea: Missile Tests Galore
Avishka Ashok
The Taiwan Strait: Political and military assertions
Anu Maria Joseph
Ethiopia: Uncertainties despite ceasefire
Apoorva Sudhakar
Tunisia: The end of the Jasmine Revolution
Rashmi BR
Iraq: Deadlock and breakthrough
Kaviyadharshini A
Iran: Anti-government protests
Chrishari de Alwis Gunasekare
Sri Lanka: Political and Economic Crises
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Myanmar: The coup and after
NIAS Africa Team
The US-Africa Leaders Summit
IPRI Team
Workers strike in the UK
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | End of Operation Barkhane
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | The ceasefire in Ethiopia
IPRI Team
Drone attacks in Russia
Vignesh Ram | Assistant Professor | Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
Malaysia’s recent Elections: More questions than answers
Vignesh Ram
Anwar Ibrahim: Malaysia's new Prime Minister
Harini Madhusudan, Rishma Banerjee, Padmashree Anandhan, Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan, and Avishka Ashok
What next for Russia, Ukraine, Europe, South Asia & India, and China
Padmashree Anandhan and Rishma Banerjee
UNGA 77: Who said what from Europe?
Rashmi BR and Akriti Sharma
COP27: Ten key takeaways
Rashmi Ramesh
Ice Melt in Alps in Europe: Three impacts
Rishma Banerjee
Tracing Europe's droughts
Padmashree Anandhan
Major causes behind Europe’s continuing heatwaves
Emmanuel Selva Royan
100 days of the Ukraine war: US Responses in the war
Padmashree Anandhan
100 days of the Ukraine war: What next for Europe?
Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan
100 days of the Ukraine war: More loss than gain for Russia
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Challenges to peace in Eastern Congo
Avishka Ashok | Research Associate | National Institute of Advanced Studies
20th Party Congress of the Communist Party of China: Major takaways
Angelin Archana | Assistant Professor, Women’s Christian College, Chennai
China's response to the Ukraine crisis: Shaped by its relationship with Russia and EU under the US Shadow
Shreya Upadhyay | Assistant Professor, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore
Transatlantic Ties in the Wake of Ukraine-Russia War
Uma Purushothaman | Assistant Professor, Central University of Kerala, Kerala
Ukraine and beyond: The US Strategies towards Russia
Debangana Chatterjee | Assistant Professor, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Bangalore
Lessons from Ukraine War: Effectiveness of Sanctions
Himani Pant | Research Fellow, ICWA, Delhi
Ukraine and beyond: What next for Russia and Europe?
Sethuraman Nadarajan
Israel-Lebanon Maritime Border Deal
Avishka Ashok
G20 Summit: Four takeaways from Bali
NIAS Africa Team
China-Africa relations: Looking back and looking ahead
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Chad's political crisis
Sourina Bej
Elections in Sweden
Padmashree Anandhan
Italy's far-right wins 2022 elections
Padmashree Anandhan
Putin’s address in the Valdai Discussion: Six takeaways
Devjyoti Saha
Solomon Islands’ China card: Three reasons why
NIAS Africa Team
Floods in West Africa: Nigeria and beyond
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Famine in Somalia
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Kenya Elections 2022
IPRI Team
Protests in Iran
IPRI Team
Clashes between Armenia-Azerbaijan
Padmashree Anandhan
Queen Elizabeth: End of an era
Padmashree Anandhan
Russia and Eastern Economic Forum 2022: A sturdy Far East
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | The reinvention of Al Shabab
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Lavrov's visit to Africa
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Macron's visit to Africa
GP Team
Floods and Emergency in Pakistan
IPRI Team
Six months of War in Ukraine
GP Team
Regional round-ups
Padmashree Anandhan
Who will be the next UK prime minister: Liss Truss v. Rishi Sunak
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Tunisia's political crisis
NIAS Africa Team
Tunisia’s political crisis: Five questions
NIAS Africa Team
Tribal conflict in Blue Nile: Causes and Implications
STIR Team
Geopolitics of Semiconductors
Padmashree Anandhan
France: Uber files leak, and Macron’s trouble
Emmanuel Selva Royan
Italy: Three factors about its current political instability
NIAS Africa Team
Sudan-Ethiopia border tensions and a profile of Blaise Compaoré
NIAS Africa Team
Africa’s continuing migration problem: Three issues
STIR Team
China in Space: Shenzhou-13 and Tiangong
NIAS Africa Team
Africa’s displacement crises: Three key drivers
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Into the Sixth Decade of African Unity
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Communal Tensions in Ethiopia
Padmashree Anandhan
What does Macron's victory mean for France and the EU
Rishma Banerjee
The rise of Marine Le Pen
Sourina Bej
Four challenges ahead for President Macron
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Mali ends defence ties with France
GP Team
New US assistance for Ukraine
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | UK-Rwanda asylum deal
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Africa, Russia, and the War in Ukraine
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Political Crisis in Tunisia
GP Team
Russia's gas ultimatum to Europe
IPRI Team
30 days of War in Ukraine
NIAS Africa Team
60 years of Algerian independence
IPRI Team
Sri Lanka’s worsening economic crisis
NIAS Africa Team
In Focus: Libya
IPRI Team
The end of Denmark’s Inuit experiment
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Europe and Africa: Will AU and EU be equal partners?
Anu Maria Joseph
Europe and Africa: Will AU and EU be equal partners?
Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan
Lecture report: Ukraine, Russia and Europe
Joeana Cera Matthews
Into History: Northern Ireland and Bloody Sunday, 50 years later
Nireekshan Bollimpalli
Africa’s slow COVID vaccination continues. Four reasons why
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS: Conflict over the Nile Dam
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS: Instability in Burkina Faso
Padmashree Anandhan
Munich Security Report: Six takeaways
Joeana Cera Matthews
Europe and Africa: An elusive search for an equal partnership
Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan
Femicides in Europe: The case of France
Padmashree Anandhan
Post Brexit: Three challenges in Northern Ireland
Porkkodi Ganeshpandian and Angkuran Dey
The return of the Left
Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan
Lithuania and China: Vilnius has become Beijing’s Achilles heel. Four reasons why
Mohamad Aseel Ummer
Africa: The anti-France sentiments in Mali and beyond
Shalini Balaiah
The Middle East in 2021: Never-ending wars and conflicts
Angelin Archana
Russia in 2021: Expanding boundaries
Prakash Panneerselvam
East Asia in 2021: New era of hegemonic competition
Apoorva Sudhakar
Coup in Burkina Faso: Five things to know
Joeana Cera Matthews
In Europe, abortion rights are "a privilege." Four reasons why
Padmashree Anandhan
Mapping COVID-19 protests in Europe: Who and Why
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Pakistan, US and Russia: Putin Online, Biden Offline
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The unrest in Kazakhstan: Look beyond the trigger
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Deepening Pakistan-Russia ties
D. Suba Chandran
Justice Ayesha: Breaking the Legal Ceiling
Ankit Singh
Pakistan's Judiciary in 2021
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Same Page Story: Civil-Military Relations in 2021
D. Suba Chandran
Pakistan's Foreign Policy in 2021
Ankit Singh
Pakistan’s economy in 2021: Major highlights
Ankit Singh
Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank
Apoorva Sudhakar
The PDM is back, again
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Qureshi’s visit to Brussels: Three takeaways
GP Team
The Complete Compendium for 2021
GP Team
The Americas in 2021
GP Team
Europe in 2021
GP Team
Middle East and Africa in 2021
GP Team
South Asia in 2021
Apoorva Sudhakar
Protests in Gwadar: Four major highlights
Ankit Singh
Mini budget, IMF and a contemporary puzzle.
Ankit Singh
Pappu Sain bids adieu to the world
Apoorva Sudhakar
Smog, pollution and more: Deteriorating air quality in Pakistan
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
PTI’s secret dealing with the TTP and TLP
Vaishnavi Iyer
France, Algeria, and the politics over an apology
Joeana Cera Matthews
NATO-Russia relationship: Looking beyond the suspensions and expulsions
D. Suba Chandran
PTI’s TLP flip-flop and a secret deal
Apoorva Sudhakar
The increasing curbs on digital media freedom in Pakistan
Padmashree Anandhan
Facebook's Metaverse: Why it matters to Europe
Joeana Cera Matthews
Poland, EU and PolExit. It is complicated, for three reasons
Harini Madhusudhan
Europe's Energy Crisis and Gazprom
D. Suba Chandran
TLP: The government caves in again
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
TLP is back again
Apoorva Sudhakar | Project Associate, School of Conflict and Security Studies, NIAS
Pakistan’s transgender community: The long road ahead
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Since January 2021: Why the US President has not called Pakistan’s Prime Minister so far?
Apoorva Sudhakar
No honour in honour killing
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The Military Reshuffle: A strategic or routine decision?
D. Suba Chandran
Dr AQ Khan: Between a national hero and a nuclear proliferator
Apoorva Sudhakar
Rising child abuse in Pakistan: Five reasons why
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Hazara Persecution in Pakistan: No end in sight
D. Suba Chandran
Protests in Gwadar: Who and Why
Chetna Vinay Bhora
Europe's Energy Crisis: It could get worse. Five reasons why
STIR Team
Cover Story: War against Malaria
Aswathy Koonampilly
Japan: New Prime Minister, Old party
GP Team
Europe's Energy Crisis
STIR Team
The Science and Politics of Materials
Sourina Bej
France: Paris Terror Trial
Harini Madhusudan
Belarus: Weaponization of the Migrant Crisis
Juan Mary Joseph
Attacks on Chinese Investments in Pakistan: Who, Where And Why?
Joeana Cera Matthews
Haiti: Two months after the assassination, the storm is still brewing
Joeana Cera Matthews
From Crimea to Navalny: Putin's calibrated Europe strategy
Joeana Cera Matthews
Nord Stream-2: Why is the region unhappy about the pipeline?
Lokendra Sharma
Two months of Cuban protests: Is the ‘revolution’ ending?
GP Team
The New Afghanistan
STIR Team
Climate Change and Energy Options
Apoorva Sudhakar
Digital Pakistan: Idea, Potential and Challenges
Anu Maria Joseph
South Africa: What is behind the pro-Zuma protests?
Dincy Adlakha
China and Russia in Myanmar: The interests that bind
Sarthak Jain
Nord Stream 2 is Russia’s geopolitical victory
Jeshil J Samuel
REvil is dead. Long live REvil
STIR Team
Space Tourism
Keerthana Rajesh Nambiar
The EU Summit 2021: Five Takeaways
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Impending famine in Tigray, should make Ethiopia everyone's problem
Anu Maria Joseph
Too late and too little is Ethiopia's international problem
Sankalp Gurjar
Africa's Ethiopia Problem
Apoorva Sudhakar
Ethiopia's Tigray problem is Tigray's Ethiopia problem
Lokendra Sharma
The future of nuclear energy looks bleak
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Five reasons why Afghanistan is closer to a civil war
Mohamad Aseel Ummer
Migration in Africa: Origin, Drivers and Destinations
Dincy Adlakha
The new three-child policy is two decades too late
Dincy Adlakha
Loud Echoes of the National Security Law in China
Joeana Cera Matthews
Farfetched goals on pandemic recovery, climate action and economic revival
STIR Team
Rare Earths and the Global Resource Race
SDP Scholar
The Rise and Reign of Ransomware
Gurpreet Singh
India and the geopolitics of supply chains
Chetna Vinay Bhora
Spain, Morocco and the rise of rightwing politics in Europe over immigration
Vibha Venugopal
The return of Taliban will be bad news for women
Udbhav Krishna P
Revisiting the recent violence: Three takeaways
Joeana Cera Matthews
For the Economist, Taiwan is the most dangerous place. The argument is complicated
Apoorva Sudhakar
15 of the 23 global hunger hotspots are in Africa. Three reasons why
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The US decision to withdraw is a call made too early. Three reasons why
Lokendra Sharma
Learning from Cuba's vaccine development efforts
V S Ramamurthy and Dinesh K Srivastava
An energy mix of renewables and nuclear is the most viable option
Lokendra Sharma
Deadly second wave spirals into a humanitarian disaster
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The US-Taliban Deal: One Year Later
Akriti Sharma
The Quad Plus and the search beyond the four countries
Apoorva Sudhakar
India's Endgames, Roles and Limitations in Quad
Sukanya Bali
Tracing the Quad's evolution in the last two decades
Apoorva Sudhakar
Ethiopia: Five fallouts of the military offensive in Tigray
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Afghanistan: The recent surge in targeted killing vs the troops withdrawal
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
In Honduras, a move towards a permanent ban on abortion laws
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Civilian protests vs military: Three factors will decide the outcome in Myanmar
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Trump’s Climate Change legacy: Disruption and Denial
Apoorva Sudhakar
Trump’s Iran legacy: Maximum pressure, minimum results
N Manoharan and Drorima Chatterjee
Five ways India can detangle the fishermen issue with Sri Lanka
IPRI Team
Coup in Myanmar and Protests in Russia
D Suba Chandran
The PDM differences, Gwadar fencing, and Lakhvi's arrest
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Nagorno-Karabakh: Rekindled fighting, Causalities and a Ceasefire
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Thailand: For the pro-democracy protests, it is a long march ahead
Harini Madhusudan
Brexit: A year of the UK-EU transition talks and finally, a Deal
Apoorva Sudhakar
Ethiopia: The conflict in Tigray and the regional fallouts
Aparaajita Pandey
The Americas: Top Five Developments
Teiborlang T Kharsyntiew
Europe: Top five developments
Sandip Kumar Mishra
East Asia: Top Five developments in 2020
Harini Madhusudan
Outer Space in 2020: Missions, Privatization, and the Artemis Accords
Sukanya Bali
5G, Huawei and TikTok: Four trends in 2020
Sumedha Chatterjee
COVID-19: How the world fought in 2020
Harini Madhusudan
The Vaccine Rush: Expectations vs Realities
Harini Madhusudan
Open Skies Treaty: The US should not have withdrawn, for five reasons
Savithri Sellapperumage
Kamala Harris makes history
Mallika Devi
China is against the Quad. Five reasons why
Srikumar Pullat
Space of Tomorrow: The Need for Space Security
Tamanna Khosla
Japan: New Prime Minister, Old Challenges
Vaishali Handique
Not just regime change: Women and protest movements in Sudan
Sneha Tadkal
Technology in contemporary global protest movements
Chavindi Weerawansha
Students as agents of change: Protest movements in Zimbabwe
Anju Annie Mammen
“Unveiling”: Women and protest movements in the Middle East
Harini Madhusudan
‘The Revolution of Our Times’: Protests in Hong Kong
Samreen Wani
Lebanon: Can Macron's visit prevent the unravelling?
Harini Madhusudan
The Legacy of Shinzo Abe. It is Complicated.
Boa Wang
Two Sessions in Beijing
Boa Wang
How China fought the COVID-19
N. Manoharan
Is COVID-19 a Bio-weapon from China?
Prof PM Soundar Rajan
Is there an overlap of 5G Networks and COVID hotspots?
Rashmi Ramesh
Will COVID-19 provide a new agenda to the NAM?
Harini Madhusudan
Iran's New Military Satellite: Does it violate the UNSC 2231?
Jenice Jean Goveas
Epidemics through History
Sanduni Atapattu
Preventing hatred and suspicion would be a bigger struggle
Chavindi Weerawansha
A majority in the minority community suffers, for the action of a few
Chrishari de Alwis Gunasekare
The Cardinal sermons for peace, with a message to forgive
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Who and Why of the Perpetrators
Natasha Fernando
In retrospect, where did we go wrong?
Ruwanthi Jayasekara
Build the power of Co-existence, Trust, Gender and Awareness
N Manoharan
New ethnic faultlines at macro and micro levels
Asanga Abeyagoonasekera
A year has gone, but the pain has not vanished
Jenice Jean Goveas
In India, the glass is half full for the women
Fatemah Ghafori
In Afghanistan, there is no going back for the women
Lakshmi V Menon
The decline in terrorism in Pakistan in 2019
Rashmi Ramesh
The EU and the Arctic: The interest is not mutual. Why?
Rashmi Ramesh
Iceland, Denmark and Norway: Small is Big in the Arctic
Harini Madhusudan
The Non-Arctic powers: Interests of Japan and South Korea
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Malaysia: New PM, Old Challenges
Lakshmi V Menon
Pakistan to remain “Grey”; North Korea and Iran in “Black”
Rashmi Ramesh
Trump's India Visit: Optics, Substance and Rhetoric
Kabi Adhikari
The controversial MCC Nepal Compact
Malini Sethuraman
ISIS post Baghdadi: Will there be another Caliphate in 2020?
Aarathi Srinivasan
Climate Change: The Economy of the Indian Ocean Region in 2020
Prathiksha Ravi
Israel and the Middle East: The New Alliance Plans in 2020
Padmini Anilkumar
Middle East: The Return of Russia in 2020
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Sudan and Algeria: Road to Democracy in 2020
Lakshmi V Menon
Syria: ISIS Decline, US Retreat and the Return of Russia in 2020
Harini Madhusudan
The US-China Trade Dispute: Towards further disruptions in 2020
Parikshith Pradeep
The US under Donald Trump: The Fall of an Empire in 2020
Vivek Mishra
After Soleimani assassination: Options for the US
Sukanya Bali
Iran, Iraq and the US: Who wants what?
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Old problems to persist with no solutions in the near term
Aashiyana Adhikari
Indian and Chinese investments in Nepal: Managing asymmetry
Shailesh Nayak | Director, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)
Blue Economy and India: An Introduction
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
North Africa in 2019: A year of protests, with some positive results
Sukanya Bali
Hong Kong in 2019: China's New Achilles Heel
Harini Madhusudan
The US-China Trade Dispute in 2019: Towards a thaw in 2020?
Parikshith Pradeep
The US in 2019: Trump rollsout a template for a global American retreat
Rashmi Ramesh
The Arctic Littorals: Iceland and Greenland
Harini Madhusudan
The Polar Silk Route: China's ambitious search in the Arctic
GP Team
Syria: Who wants what?
Harini Madhusudan
Violence in Hong Kong: Will the protests end?
Rashmi Ramesh
Is Catalonia Spain’s Hong Kong?
D. Suba Chandran
Why an Arctic foray is essential for India
Parikshith Pradeep
Russia's Polar Military Edge
Nidhi Dalal
Protests rock Chile, Bolivia and Haiti
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Will prosecuting Suu Kyi resolve the Rohingya problem?
Lakshman Chakravarthy N & Rashmi Ramesh
Climate Change: Four Actors, No Action
Sukanya Bali
Brexit: Preparing for the Worst Case
Lakshman Chakravarthy N
5G: A Primer
Rashmi Ramesh
From Okjökull to OK: Death of a Glacier in Iceland
Sukanya Bali
Challenges before Boris Johnson
Parikshith Pradeep
The Hong Kong Protests: Who wants what
Harini Madhusudan
The Hong Kong Protests: Re-defining mass mobilization
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
ASEAN Outlook on the Indo Pacific: Worth all the Hype?
Mahesh Bhatta
Monsoons first, Floods next and the Blame Games follow
Titsala Sangtam
Counting Citizens: Manipur charts its own NRC
Vivek Mishra
Can Hedging be India’s Strategy?
Lakshmi V Menon
Amidst the US-Iran standoff, Saudi Arabia should be cautious
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
For Russia, it was big power projection
Harini Madhusudan
For China, it was trade and a temporary truce
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
For Japan, it was commerce and climate change
Sourina Bej
For the US, it was trade, tariff and talks
Titsala Sangtam
Iran, US and the Nuclear deal: Europe in the middle?
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Modi's Colombo Visit: Four issues to watch
Raakhavee Ramesh
Higher than the Himalayas: Pakistan and China
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Across the Himalayas: Nepal and China
Mahath Mangal
The Russian Resurgence: Is the US supremacy waning?
Mahath Mangal
San Francisco wants to ban, Kashgar wants to expand
Jerin George
Espionage or Investigative Journalism?
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The Huawei Controversy: Five things you need to know
Mahath Mangal
Why the world needs to look at Yemen
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The Central Asia Connector
Harini Madhusudan
An Under-represented East Asia
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
Africa Embraces the Belt and Road
Sourina Bej
It’s Europe vs EU on China
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Sudan: Between Democracy and another military rule
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
Responses and Inspiring Lessons
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Thailand: Between Elections and Instability
Sourina Bej
Two Sessions in 2019: Four Takeaways
Lakshmi V Menon
The End of ISIS Caliphate?
Harini Madhusudan
For China, its a sigh of relief
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
For Vietnam, its a big deal
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
For Japan, No Deal is Good Deal
Sourina Bej
For South Korea, a costly disappointment
Harini Madhusudan
No deal is better, but isn't it bad?
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
The Other Conflict in Rakhine State
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
Yemen: Will Sa'nna fall?
Harini Madhusudan
Sinicizing the Minorities
GP Team
US, South Korea and Thailand
Lakshmi V Menon
The Qatar Blockade: Eighteen Months Later
GP Team
Yemen, Venezuela and US-China
Sourina Bej
Maghreb: What makes al Shahab Resilient?
Harini Madhusudan
US-China Trade War: No Clear Winners
Abhishrut Singh
Trump’s Shutdown: Five Things to Know
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Myanmar: Will 2019 be better for the Rohingya?
D. Suba Chandran
Bangladesh: The Burden of Electoral History
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
US and China: Between Confrontation and Competition
Mahesh Bhatta | Centre for South Asian Studies, Kathmandu
Nepal
Nasima Khatoon | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS
The Maldives
Harini Madhusudan | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS
India
Sourina Bej | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS
Bangladesh
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS
Afghanistan
Harini Madhusudan
China and Japan: Renewing relations at the right time
Sourina Bej
The INF Treaty: US withdraws to balance China?
Harini Madhusudan
The Khashoggi Killing: Unanswered Questions
Lakshmi V Menon
US and Israel: Trump's Deal of the Century
Nasima Khatoon
The New Maldives: Advantage India?
Harini Madhusudhan
To NAFTA or Not: Trump, Mexico and Canada
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Malaysia’s China Moment: The Mahathir Gamble
Sourina Bej
BIMSTEC: A Bay of Good Hope?
Young Scholars Debate
India, Imran Khan and Indo-Pak Relations
Siddhatti Mehta
Does Brexit mean Brexit?
Oishee Majumdar
Factsheet: China’s Investments in Africa
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
The 8888 Uprising: Thirty Years Later
Harini Madhusudhan
The Tariff War: 'Stick of Hegemony' vs Vital Interests
Druta Bhatt
FactSheet: Shangri La Dialogue 2018
Rahul Arockiaraj
Immigrants as the “Other”: The Social and Economic Factors in the US
Divyabharathi E
Is Trump-Putin Summit a setback for the US?
Apoorva Sudhakar
India and Bangladesh: The Long Haul
Divyabharathi E
Quad as an alternative to the BRI: Three Main Challenges
Oishee Majumdar
FactSheet: India-Bangladesh Relations
D. Suba Chandran
Trump meets Putin; will it cost NATO?
Sourina Bej
Trump and the NATO: One Block, Different Views
Gayan Gowramma KC
Now, the United States withdraws from the UNHRC
Siddhatti Mehta
Will China be able to sustain its Dominance?
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Myanmar: Why won't they do anything for the Rohingya?
Harini Madhusudan
The Idea of an US Space Force: Strategic Calculations
Apoorva Sudhakar
Afghan Peace: Reality or Illusion?
Hely Desai
Looking beyond Trump: Is the US declining?
Manushi Kapadia
Is China using its soft power to become superpower?
Lakshmi. V. Menon
Middle East: Has Russia chosen Israel over Iran?
Miti Shah
G7: Why Trump wants Russia in?
Hely Desai
FactSheet: G7 Summit
Siddhatti Mehta
The Panmunjom Declaration: “Tip of the Iceberg”
Druta Bhatt
Iran N-Deal and the Trans-Atlantic Divide
Manushi Kapadia
US and China: Towards a Trade War
Miti Shah
Palestine: US triggers new tensions
Divyabharathi E
The "Indo-Pacific Command": What's in the name?
Harini Madhusudan
Trump’s Tariff Strategy: Targetting Adversaries and Allies
Hely Desai
Trump-Kim Summit: Three Likely Outcomes
Apoorva Sudhakar
The Lebanon Pawn: Will it change after elections?
Lakshmi V Menon
Israel, the Game Changer?
Samreen Wani
Deciphering Turkey's External Push
Divyabharathi E
China and Russia: The New Alignments
Ann Maria Shibu
Can India afford to lose Maldives to China?
Dhruv Ashok
Why Maldives is important to China?
Lakshmi V Menon
ISIS and the Yazidi victims: Why the World should stand up?
Harini Madhusudan
US- China Tariff Face-off : Five questions
Jamyang Dolma
Why is Free Tibet important for India
Divyabharathi E
Arctic: The Strategic Significance
Lakshmi V Menon
Do we need the Quad?
Samreen Wani
Why Trump’s Iran exit is a big mistake?
Jamyang Dolma
Inter Korean Summit: Will it work?
Dhruv Ashok
The Fishermen Issue between India and Sri Lanka
Apoorva Sudhakar
Bangladesh's Economy: Decoding a Success Story
Ann Maria Shibu
Why India should not pull out of the Indus water treaty?
Divyabharathi E