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Conflict Weekly
New BREXIT deal on Northern Ireland, battle for Bakhmut and return of violence in Palestine
IPRI Team
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Conflict Weekly #164 & 165, 2 March 2023, Vol.4, No.8 & 9
An initiative by NIAS-IPRI and India Office of the KAS
Sourina Bej, Padmashree Anandan and Mohaimeen Khan
New BREXIT deal on Northern Ireland: Some Answers, Tough Questions Ahead
In the news
On 27 February, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed on a deal with the European Union that set a “decisive breakthrough” over the Northern Ireland Protocol. The new BREXIT deal now has the Windsor Framework, which effectively replaces the old Northern Ireland Protocol, a major bone of contention between the UK and EU. According to the old protocol, brought by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a few goods from Ireland to Northern Ireland were subjected to checks. However, as Sunak hailed, the new framework has “removed any sense of a border (through customs and checks) in the Irish Sea.”
On 27 February, the Labour party said they would back the deal, while also reminding Sunak that his party signed the last protocol, which created a political crisis in Northern Ireland. The DUP, one of the major political parties in Northern Ireland, had refused to take part in the power-sharing government in Stormont until the former Protocol had been fixed. With the new framework in place, the DUP said it would review the details of what has been published before deciding on a position.
On 28 February, spokesman for the US National Security Council John Kirby said the Biden administration was “grateful” that the UK and EU had managed to come up with the deal, which he said would improve prosperity for both parties. Simultaneously, it would safeguard the peace arrangements of the Belfast Agreement, also called the Good Friday Agreement, that sought to solve the deep ethnonationalist divisions between NI and the Republic of Ireland.
Issues at large
First, the Windsor Framework in brief. The new deal puts in place three things: removes “any sense of border in the Irish sea”; availability of more British goods in Northern Ireland including medicines and online shopping; “safeguards sovereignty for Northern Ireland” by allowing the NI Assembly to stop EU goods laws applying in Northern Ireland using a mechanism called the ‘Stormont brake.’ But Von der Leyen said the European Court of Justice would have the final say on single market issues but with a softer role. The framework simplifies and removes checks along the green lane and red lane system for goods that will stay in Northern Ireland and those that will go to the EU respectively.
Second, preserving the Good Friday Agreement. Since the BREXIT deal, peace in NI has been relative. Occasional violent conflicts had broken out between the unionists and the remainers. With the ‘Stormont Brake’ political actors in NI will get to decide on its economy. However, a catch remains. Sunak said the Stormont Brake can only be used when the situation is considered “significant” enough. Yet the ‘Stormont Brake’ preserves the devolved power sharing arrangements put in place by the Good Friday Agreement.
Third, the reset in the UK-EU relation. The framework signifies a moment of cooperation between the UK and EU where the two, a year back, looked eye to eye on the NI protocol. In Dublin, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the negotiating teams in the EU and UK operated in “good faith”, as well as parties at Stormont. In a change of terms, the EU will accept the UK’s public health standards but will need to carry “not for EU” labels. In return, the UK has agreed to share near-real-time customs data with the EU so it can spot evidence of fraud and take remedial action if necessary.
In perspective
First, the task of implementing the framework. As the details remain to be published, small businesses are still weary of the processes set by the dual lane arrangement. It puts food and medicines back on supermarket shelves yet do not provide a roadmap on the durability of the trade routes.
Second, the moment of truth arrives for the political actors in Northern Ireland. Stormont has been unable to use devolved powers to tackle the cost of living. The stand-off in Stormont also risked tarnishing April’s celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. With the new framework, the spotlight falls on DUP. After looking at the fine print of the Windsor Framework, it remains to be seen whether Stormont breaks or puts a brake on the democratic deficit.
Third, stopgap peace between the UK and Ireland. The revised terms of the protocol will soften the Irish Sea border but will not end it. Checks could still return on certain perishable food items coming from the EU. However, with the framework, the UK could no longer breach international law after the prime minister dropped the Johnson-era bill.
Fourth, the future of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. With the framework, Sunak has delivered his party’s first mandates in a long time. In taking a calculated risk, the prime minister desires to better the working relationship with Brussels. The Tory leader would now be able to ensure that his summit with the French president ends with a deal on small boat crossings.
Ukraine: Battle for Bakhmut
In the news
On 24 February, Russia’s Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed victory over Berkhivka, a village situated in the northwest of Bakhmut. Prigozhin said: “Berkhivka is fully under our control. Units of Wagner Private Military Company are in full control of Berkhivka.” On 25 February, Prigozhin claimed the capturing of Yahidne village located in the north of Bakhmut. In response, Ukraine’s armed forces denied the claims but reported on the continuing offensives around Bakhmut.
On 28 February, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: “Bakhmut direction – the situation is getting more and more difficult. The enemy is constantly destroying everything that can be used to protect our positions, gain a foothold, and ensure defense.”
The UK Ministry of Defence initially reported on defences held by Ukraine in the logistical routes despite the offensive launched by Russia. On 20 February, it reported on increased casualties in the Russian army, especially in the 155th elite forces and 40th naval infantry brigades due to its pursuit in Bakhmut and Vuhledar. In a statement: “It is likely that Russia will claim that Bakhmut has been captured to align with the anniversary, regardless of the reality on the ground.” On 16 February, US Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council, John Kirby said: “..the most vicious fighting is happening around Bakhmut.”
Issues at large
First, the geographic significance of Bakhmut. Russia was the first to claim an advance in the area in February. An important city located on the highway toward Lysychansk is considered a strategic route for Ukraine troops to replenish stocks. The area gains attention for its economic significance and indirect strategic advantage. Other than the industrial rich nature of producing sparkling wine and table salt, the city connects to Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Although Kramatorsk is similarly industrial rich in the production of mining equipment, Sloviansk contains a strategic highway M03 which directly connects Kyiv, and Kharkiv, extending to Russia’s border close to “Rostov-on-Don.” Apart from the geography, ethnically the city is dominated by 70 per cent of Ukrainians and less than 30 per cent of Russians.
Second, the claim game. In the prolonged fight between Ukraine and Russia, the claim over the areas surrounding and the damage incurred have not provided any clear image of the on-ground situation. While the Wagner Group claimed to capture the villages in the north and northwest of Bakhmut, Ukraine has not accepted its claims but confirmed that the fight is becoming intense and challenging to defend. Whereas, the US National Security Council and the UK’s Ministry of Defence have added details on Russia incurring personnel loss and have remarked on the brutal nature of war in Bakhmut. However, none of the statements given by the actors give clarity on the state of Bakhmut. From the differentiating claims, the intensity of the battle and the resource loss is the only takeaway.
Third, Ukraine’s push for more offensive. The persistent defence held by Ukraine against Russia with the given support from Europe and the US has been the persuading factor to demand more weapon systems. Since the battle continues to incur major losses, with Russia observed to be deploying a mass number of troops, the US, the EU, and NATO members are pressured to fulfil the promises over advanced weapons and battle tank delivery. For Ukraine, the support given so far in the form of intelligence, advanced ground weapon systems, air defence capability, and battle tanks have been sufficient to withstand Russian attacks in Bakhmut. However, as it aims to put an end to the enduring loss of its resources, Ukraine has pushed up demands for modern aviation to halt Russia in the region. This means Ukraine’s military strategy is slightly diverging in countering Russia from defensive to offensive mode.
In perspective
First, an expensive war with no significant outcome so far. Russia’s drive to continue the war for six months despite the logistical challenges and personal loss at the military and paramilitary levels might not reap the benefit. If Russia’s goal is strategic and aims to take control of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk eventually, the losses and exhaustion experienced in the battle for Bakhmut will slow down or reduce the attacking capacity of the Russian military. Thereby, barring it from going forward or adding a limitation to its larger posture in the eastern Donbass. Ukraine and its supporting countries would have to stretch its military expenditure to be on par with Russia. This would only result in increasing the war cost and damages.
Second, an emerging break in Russia’s inner circle. The extensive role played by the Wagner Group in Bakhmut and the supreme image surrounding its founder Prigozhin has raised questions over Russia’s military command. Prigozhin’s capacity to withstand the fight and command the group has stirred debate over Russian leadership.
Israel-Palestine: Return of violence
In the news
On 22 February, multiple clashes broke out following an attack on Nablus by Israeli troops targeting two wanted Palestinian fighters; at least 11 other Palestinians were killed and 102 wounded in the raid.
Previously, on 20 February, following an agreement with the US, the Palestinian Authority withdrew a UNSC draft resolution against the unlawful Israeli settlements. The PA's decision drew criticism from the opposition and Hamas.
On 23 February, after numerous rocket attacks by Palestinian rebels amid tensions over the Nablus raid, Israel targeted the Al-Shati refugee camp in the Gaza Strip; the camp was suspected to have factories producing weapons for Hamas. A Hamas spokesperson warned: “The resistance in Gaza is observing the enemy’s escalating crimes against our people in the occupied West Bank." He added: “Patience is running out.”
On 24 February, the Nablus-based Lions’ Den armed group called for protests throughout Palestine leading to clashes with Israeli soldiers in various parts of the West Bank.
On 26 February, Jordan hosted Israel and Palestinian officials, to avert “a security breakdown that could fuel more violence.” A joint statement said that Israel had agreed to stop “discussing setting up any new settlement units for four months and stop approving any new settlements for six months.” On the same day, two Israelis were shot dead by a Palestinian gunman; following this, Israeli settlers set fire to homes in Palestinian towns.
As of February, at least 390 Palestinians had suffered injuries and Palestinian officials claim that at least 300 attacks were carried out by the Israeli settlers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank will resume just after Jordan hosted the meeting between the Israeli and Palestinian officials.
On 1 March, Israeli Finance Minister and in charge of civil administration in the occupied West Bank Bezalel Smotrich said: “I think the village of Huwara needs to be wiped out. I think the state of Israel should do it.”
Issues at large
First, the return of violence. The Nablus raid has been the deadliest Israeli operation in the West Bank since the second intifada of 2000-2005. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, after 2000, the West Bank witnessed the "bloodiest" start of a year in 2023. The Ministry said: "In the past 22 years, we have not recorded this number of martyrs, in the first two months of a year.” For the past six years, attacks by Israeli settlers have steadily increased. The casualties of January and February surpassed that of any comparable period in 2022 and includes 67 Palestinians, and 11 Israelis.
Second, the growth of organised Palestinian armed resistance. Israel has focused its brutal assaults on Nablus and Jenin in 2022. Simultaneously, armed opposition is increasing in these cities. Despite the spread of armed resistance in other parts of the West Bank, the Lions’ Den and the Jenin Brigade remain the “epicentre” of Palestinian armed resistance. These are a new generation of Palestinian fighters who disobey traditional armed groups. They target Israeli checkpoints and attack during Israeli operations. The decline in support for the PA, is one of the key drivers behind the emergence of new armed groups in the West Bank.
Third, the return of Netanyahu. The violence broke out in less than two months since Netanyahu's conservative government came to power; the coalition includes ultra-nationalist parties supporting the brutality carried out by the Israeli settlers. Meanwhile, amidst the violent clashes, Netanyahu said: “I ask – even when the blood is boiling – not to take law into one’s hands,” and asked the security forces “to carry out their work.” Netanyahu’s new governing coalition has been acting unilaterally announcing significant illegal settlement construction projects, increasing demolition of Palestinian homes, and enacting harsh measures against Palestinian prisoners, raising the possibility of a volatile situation developing on the ground.
In perspective
First, ongoing conflict with no end in sight. Palestinians view the continuous Israeli settlement building on land they claim for a future state as the main reason behind their protracted war with Israel. Palestinians claim the attacks are a retaliation to Israel’s actions and its significantly stronger military. Israel claims its continuing “break the wave” operation in the West Bank targets militant groups and prevents them from carrying out strikes. However, the operations occur in populated refugee camps and other urban areas, where they encounter armed resistance and violent clashes.
Second, a cause of worry for the Israeli government. The rise of Palestinian armed resistance is a major challenge for the Israeli government, because the fighters confront and resist the raids. These organisations are better at defensive operations. For the Israelis, the spread of this phenomenon is dangerous. Armed resistance has spread from Jenin to Nablus and is currently taking place in areas close to Ramallah signalling a changing situation in the West Bank.
Also, from around the World
Avishka Ashok, Femy Francis, Akriti Sharma, Rashmi BR, Anu Maria Joseph, Harini Madhusudan, Padmashree Anandhan, and Apoorva Sudhakar
East and Southeast Asia
East Asia: Survey notes an uptick in youth defying traditional gender norms
On 1 March, the Strait Times cited an opinion from the China Daily that looked into the issue of low fertility rates amongst East Asian Countries. The article recorded that the high costs of raising children were the top concern for the youth in these countries. However, despite the government's efforts, South Korea's fertility rate remained the lowest globally at 0.84 births per woman. A similar trend was observed in Singapore, the rate has remained at 1.12. Easing the costs of living is, therefore, not helping the situation. On 26 February, the Korean Association for Social Welfare Studies released the results of a survey on expectations of traditional gender roles in the country. According to the survey, only four per cent of the respondents agreed with the traditional norms of marriage and childbirth. There is an increasing trend of defying gender roles in East Asia.
China: Taiwan's Defence Ministry records incursion by 19 PLA aeroplanes
On 1 March, Taiwan's Defence Ministry accused the People's Republic of China of trespassing into its Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). The ministry reports that over 19 People's Liberation Army (PLA) air force planes entered the ADIZ in the last 24 hours. This is the latest intrusion in the many similar incidents caused by the PLA in the last few months. In the recent intrusion, J-10 fighter jets were used to cruise by the southwestern part of Taiwan's ADIZ.
China: To introduce egg freezing for unmarried women and infertility treatments
On 28 February, the Strait Times cited a Global Times interview with Dr Lu Weiying, a member of the top political advisory body, announcing her decision to introduce the concept of egg freezing for unmarried women. Dr Weiying announced that she would also introduce infertility treatments in the public health insurance system at the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Dr Weiying called for allowing unmarried women to freeze their eggs "to preserve the eggs before they pass their peak reproductive years. The woman still needs to get married if she wants to use her frozen eggs and get pregnant in the future."
Japan: Records lowest birth rate in seven-year decline
On 28 February, Japan's health ministry recorded that the number of newborns fell by 5.1 per cent to 7,99,728 in 2022. The record marked the lowest birth rate since the country began the study in 1899. The number of deaths in 2022 was marked at 8.9 per cent at 1.58 million, recording an increase. The 2022 birth rate has continued the trend of a consequent seven-year decline in Japan. The Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihiko Isozaki commented on the recent data: "We recognise that the falling birth rate is a critical situation. My understanding is that various factors are intricately intertwined, preventing individuals from realising their hopes for marriage, child birth and child rearing.”
Australia: Chinese shareholder’s investment request blocked
On 28 February, Australia’s Northern Mineral firm said that the government has blocked Yuxiao Fund, a Chinese investor while trying to raise their share hold to 19.9 per cent from 9.2 per cent. Australian firms stated that the government blocked the Chinese investors on the grounds of the country's national interest. Meanwhile, China has expressed their unhappiness with the blocking, which is contributing to a diplomatic freeze.
Philippines: Files 10 diplomatic protests against China over the South China Sea in 2023
On 27 February, the Department of Foreign affairs in the Philippines reported filing ten diplomatic protests against China over their aggressive activities in the South China Sea in the last two months. They add to the total of 77 diplomatic protests filed against China by President Ferdinand. They continue to protest against China's illegal presence in Philippine waters citing China's aggressive nature in using military-grade lasers at Philippine ships on contested waters.
South Asia
India: Targeted killing in Jammu and Kashmir
On 26 February, a bank guard belonging to the Kashmiri Pandit community was shot dead in Pulwama by militants. The incident took place when he was in the local market to buy groceries. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor said in a statement that the security forces were given freehand to address the situation. According to the Jammu and Kashmir Police, The Resistance Front (TRF) is responsible for the killing. On 28 February, security forces gunned down two militants who were responsible for the killing.
Nepal: UNHRC meeting promises justice to insurgency-era victims
On 1 March, while addressing the 52nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Nepal committed to providing justice to insurgency-era victims after amending the Enforced Disappearances Enquiry, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act. Nepal reiterated to protect and promote human rights. Additionally, it pledged reparation to the conflict survivors. It also highlighted that the legal framework of Nepal prohibits sexual, gender-based, and caste-based discrimination. Peace and Human Rights Advisor to the Prime Minister said: “Nepal is close to concluding the peace process by establishing a credible, meaningful and victim-centred transitional justice process.” He added: “My delegation assures that there will be no amnesty for serious human rights violations.”
Bangladesh: Villagers attack Indian Border Security Force
On 26 February, two Indian Border Security Force soldiers were injured and their weapons were snatched by hundreds of villagers along the border. The BSF was on duty along the border when the Bangladeshi farmers were bringing their cattle to the Indian side after which the villagers entered the Indian side and attacked. The incident took place in the Murshidabad district.
Central Asia, Middle East, and Africa
Israel: Protests and clashes over judicial reforms
On 1 March, protesters in Israel marked the ‘day of disruption’, demonstrating against the new judicial reforms. Scuffles broke out as protestors blocked roads and clashed with the police, who in turn fired stun grenades and arrested nine people. National Security Minister Ben Gvir said that anarchists would not be allowed to block roads and cause disruptions. Prime Minister Netanyahu tweeted and warned that violence against police officers, roadblocks, and flagrant violation of state laws will not be accepted.
Syria-Turkey: Earthquake death toll crosses 50,000; cholera outbreak in Syria
On 24 February, Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) announced that the latest death toll as a result of the earthquake reached 44,218. Syria’s latest numbers revealed that 5,914 people died in the calamity. Alongside the major quake of 7.8 magnitude, the aftershocks were nearly as powerful as the initial jolt, resulting in more destruction and death. In Syria’s northwestern parts, a cholera outbreak is worsening the situation. On 28 February, Syria Civil Defence or the White Helmets said that two people died of cholera in the same areas that have been affected by the earthquake. The outbreak traces back to the previous year and has currently claimed 22 lives and 568 non-fatal cases. The White Helmets tweeted: “The destruction of infrastructure, water and sewage lines after the earthquake increases the possibility of an outbreak of the disease.” Even prior to the calamity, 63 per cent of the refugee camps in the area lacked appropriate sewage systems and 43 per cent lacked access to clean water sources.
Yemen: UN seeks USD 4.3 billion for Yemen
On 27 February, the United Nations called for USD 4.3 billion in humanitarian aid for Yemen. The call comes before a donor’s conference for the cause. The UN said: “The record global humanitarian needs are stretching donor support like never before.” However, millions are facing food shortages, especially in Marib and Hajja where there is fear of re-escalation of conflict. On the same day, the United States announced USD 444 million aid and said that it is “committed to alleviate the suffering of millions.”
Somaliland: Thousands fleeing Ethiopia amid violence, says UN
On 22 February, the UN said that thousands of civilians fled the self-declared republic of Somaliland to Ethiopia following fighting between regional government forces and local militias. The UN’s refugee agency, the UNHRC said that more than 80,000 people have reached Ethiopia’s Doole area from Somaliland’s Las Anod district the previous month.
Somalia: Al-Shabab’s attack and army’s counter operations
On 1 March, the state-run news agency said that at least 10 Al-Shabab militants were killed in a security operation. On 22 February, BBC reported that at least 10 people were killed in an attack in Somali’s capital Mogadishu. The authorities said that Al-Shabab is responsible for the siege at the building occupied by pro-government militia. Security forces said that they have killed four members of the Al-Shabab group. Despite significant gains by Somalia’s military backed by the African Union and the US forces, the militant group continues to carry out frequent attacks.
Mali: At least 12 people killed in militant attack
On 24 February, BBC reported that at least 12 people were killed in an Islamist militant attack in central Mali’s Mopti region. Malian officials said that gunmen attacked a village, shot people, and burnt homes. Jihadist groups linked to al Qaeda and the Islamic State are suspected to be responsible for the attack.
Democratic Republic of Congo: M23 seizes more territory
On 27 February, BBC reported that the M23 rebels had seized more territory in Mushaki and Ryaya areas of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congolese army has not yet commented on the reports of capture. The areas are said to have large deposits of coltan, manganese, tantalum and other minerals. According to the new timelines by East Africa defence chiefs, the rebels were supposed to withdraw on 28 February from territories they had seized.
Nigeria: Oppositions protest against the INEC and irregularities in the election results
On 28 February, members of Nigeria’s major opposition parties walked out of the National Collation Center protesting against the irregularities in the results announced. The main oppositions People’s Democratic Party and Labour party, alleged that there were instances of over-voting and disparities in the results. Meanwhile, protests broke out in major towns denouncing the Independent National Election Commission (INEC), accusing the body of running non-transparent elections and demanding a rerun.
Nigeria: Eight police officers killed in suspected IPOB attack
On 20 February, a local police spokesperson in Anambra state said that at least eight police officers were killed in two separate attacks suspected to be carried out by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The spokesperson said a patrol vehicle and three exhibit vehicles had been set on fire in the attack and that two attackers were arrested and three were “fatally wounded.” The attacks come days ahead of the presidential elections; an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official said deployment to some stations may be hindered due to security challenges.
Europe and the Americas
Europe: Stoltenberg says Ukraine joining NATO would be a long-term goal
On 28 February, after the Samak Nordic summit, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that Ukraine becoming a NATO member remains a long-term goal and that the present issue relates to fighting for sovereignty and providing support. He stressed on how NATO must act to prevent such future wars and has to take measures to ensure Russia does not break into European and Ukraine security. Stoltenberg added: “I hear concerns that our support increases the risk of escalation. But as long as our biggest neighbor is willing to invade another country, there are no risk-free options…supporting Ukraine is not only the morally right thing to do. It is also in our own security interest.” He also highlighted how NATO keeps Finland and Sweden's accession first and increases the exercises in the Nordic countries to assure security.
France: Defence companies see a boost in share since the Ukraine war
On 26 February, FT reported on Thales’ (a French defence group) announcement on increasing its workforce by 12,000 or 15 per cent in 2023. The group recruited 11,500 in 2022 which is higher compared to the previous years of 5000 and 8000. The Chief Executive of the group, Patrice Caine aid: “Thales proves there is an exciting future for our industry . . . not in low cost, low tech but in cutting-edge innovation.” The move comes after French President Emmanuel Macron decides to increase the defence investment by a third (EUR 413 billion). Following the Ukraine war, the share value of the defence companies peaked to 60 per cent. Previously, the company was asked to deliver GM200 radars to Ukraine by the government.
Sweden: Forest ecosystem in danger; EU to regulate restoration law
On 27 February, EURACTIV reported that the Swedish forest ecosystem was in danger even though they look in abundance. The forest industry presents an existential threat to centuries-old Swedish landscapes. Thousands of old forests have been chopped and replaced with planted monocultures, slowly ruining sensitive species' habitats. Currently, nearly 2,000 forest species come under the red list and 400 are affected by the clear-cutting of the forest ecosystem. The deceptive marketing has been called out by several activists and yet there is no Swedish law that protects these ecosystems. Therefore, the pressure to protect these old ecosystems and restore the fragments lies with the EU legislation.
Italy: Migrant boat crash raises question over government’s approach
On 26 February, Italy’s news agency ANSA reported a migrant boat crash into one of the rocky reefs on Italy’s Calabrian coast. Nearly, 100 people are presumed to be dead, and 80 have reportedly survived. The total number of people in the boat is estimated to range from 180 to 250. During the rescue operation by the Port Authority of Crotone, the coast guards found that many children had not survived. The migrants were from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Syria. Meanwhile, Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni said: “..is committed to preventing the departures and with them the perpetration of these tragedies, and will continue to do so, first of all by demanding maximum collaboration from the States of departure and origin.” In response to the incident, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen said: “Member States must step forward and find a solution. Now. The EU needs common and up-to-date rules that will allow us to face the challenges of migration.”
Ukraine: Russia strikes intelligence centre near Kiev
On 27 February, the Russian Defence Ministry’s official Telegram channel confirmed that a Ukrainian electronic intelligence centre located in the settlement of Brovary in the Kiev region had been struck by Russian missiles. Additionally, the ministry reported that the Russian missiles had hit the “West” special operations centre, located near the city of Khmelnitsky in western Ukraine and destroyed an ammunition depot near the city of Artyomovsk/Bakhmut as well as a US-made AN/TPQ-37 counter-battery radar, in the Donetsk region. This marks the increased attacks by Russia on Ukrainian critical infrastructure.
Ukraine: 'Men are not allowed to leave the country,' says presidential aide
On 27 February, Ukrainian presidential advisor Mikhail Podoliak’s DW interview gave a response to the media statements on aggressive mobilisation tactics of the Kiev government. He said: “Fleeing the draft means wanting the country to be destroyed.” On 26 February, The Economist referred to the case of a man who was missing both hands since childhood, where the draft office in Lviv insisted he was fit to serve until social media uproar forced them to relent. Podoliak said: “The state has a duty to provide things, let people travel, let people live as they wish. Yes, in peacetime. But in wartime, that’s not a question to raise. Do you want to cross the border? That means you want Ukraine to stop existing, because you crossed the border.”
US-Russia: Moscow outlines conditions for unfreezing nuclear deal
On 27 February, the Russian Ambassador to the US said the US must reconsider its anti-Russia policies before the New START can be resumed. This comes after Moscow's decision to suspend New START discussions which is the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty with the US. The ambassador revealed that the decision to suspend was the right response to Washington’s anti-Russia policies and its violations of the deal. Further, he commented on Washington's criticism of the move and said that the US was shifting the blame. He said that “Washington has launched and dragged its European allies into a large-scale hybrid war against Russia,” while openly stating that its goal is “to inflict a strategic defeat on our country.”
Mexico-Peru: Obrador continues criticising Boularte
On 27 February, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador criticised Peruvian President Dina Boularte calling her a "puppet of oligarchs." Obrador said former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo's impeachment and imprisonment was unjust and a total farce and that the oligarchs wanted to plunder Peru. Obrador said: "They need to have a puppet, a dummy governor of their own." The development comes after Boularte ordered a "definitive removal" of Peru's ambassador to Mexico on 24 February after Obrador called Boularte's government unconstitutional.
Mexico: Thousands protest against electoral reforms
On 26 February, thousands of people protested against President Andres MAnuel Lopez Obrador's approval of electoral reforms; in Mexico City alone, over 500,000 people were protesting. The reforms would cut salaries and funding to local election offices and reduce training for citizens operating and overseeing polling stations. The reforms would "also reduce sanctions for candidates who fail to report campaign spending." The protesters believe the reforms would increase Obrador's powers over the election and would indicate a return to the past wherein vote manipulation was rampant.
The US: Labor department shed light on increased exploitation of children
On 27 February, the Departments of Labour and the Health and Human Services announced that an Interagency Taskforce to Combat Child Labor Exploitation would be created. The development comes after the Department of Labor observed a 69 per cent increase in illegal employment of children since 2018. The Department said in the 2021 fiscal year, over 3,800 children had been employed in 835 companies, amid an increased number of children entering the US from Latin America. An AP News report said that the issue has placed Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra under scrutiny as a video reported by The New York Times shows Becerra urging his staff to “discharge children from the federal government’s broken system of shelters faster." Becerra said: "If Henry Ford had seen this in his plants, he would have never become famous and rich...This is not the way you do an assembly line."
About the authors
Harini Madhusudan, Rashmi Ramesh and Akriti Sharma are Doctoral Scholars at the School of Conflict and Security Studies, NIAS. Sourina Bej is a Doctoral Candidate at University of Bonn, Germany. Avishka Ashok, Abigail Fernandez, Apoorva Sudhakar and Padmashree Anandhan are Project Associates at NIAS. Anu Maria Joseph is a Research Assistant at NIAS. Femy Francis is a Research Intern at NIAS. Mohaimeen Khan is a Postgraduate Scholar at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education.
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Taiwan Election 2024: The return of DPP
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The War in Ukraine and Gaza
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NIAS- CEAP- China Reader | Daily Briefs
Padmashree Anandhan
The War in Ukraine: Drones, missiles and counterattacks
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Ethiopia and Sudan: Governance in deadlock
Hoimi Mukherjee | Hoimi Mukherjee is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science in Bankura Zilla Saradamani Mahila Mahavidyapith.
Chile in 2023: Crises of Constitutionality
Richa Chandola | Richa Chandola is an independent scholar.
Peru in 2023: Political Tensions, Civil Unrest, and Governance Issues
Aprajita Kashyap | Aprajita Kashyap is a faculty of Latin American Studies, School of International Studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi.
Haiti in 2023: The Humanitarian Crisis
Shreya Pandey | Shreya Pandey is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science, Xavier’s College, Ranchi. Her research interests include EU-India relations, and current trends in international relations.
Russian Invasion on Ukraine: An assessment of its impact upon unity, economy and enlargement of the EU
Binod Khanal | Binod Khanal is a Doctoral candidate at the Centre for European Studies, School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi.
The Baltic: Energy, Russia, NATO and China
Rishika Yadav | Rishika Yadav is a Research Assistant at NIAS.
Finland in 2023: Challenges at Russia's border
Padmashree Anandhan | Padmashree Anandhan is a Research Associate at the School of Conflict and Security Studies, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangaluru.
Germany in 2023: Defence, Economy and Energy Triangle
Anu Maria Joseph | Anu Maria Joseph is a Research Assistant at NIAS.
Ethiopia and Sudan in 2023: Governance in deadlock
Nuha Aamina | Nuha Aamina is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy, St Joseph's University.
Thailand: Economic stability despite political instability
Alka Bala | Alka Bala is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy, St Joseph's University.
Myanmar in 2023: Extended Emergency, Political Instability and State-led violence
Sayani Rana | Sayani Rana is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace, and Public Policy, St Joseph's University, Bangalore.
Australia in 2023: Challenges of Economy, Employment and Immigration
Ashok Alex Luke | Ashok Alex Luke is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science at CMS College, Kottayam.
China and South Asia in 2023: Advantage Beijing?
Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri | Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri is a postgraduate student at the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies at the University of Madras, Chennai.
China and East Asia
Femy Francis | Femy Francis is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies.
China in 2023: Cracks in the Great Wall
Amit Gupta | Dr Amit Gupta is an international security and economics analyst based in the USA
The US: The Year of Living Dangerously?
Kuri Sravan Kumar | Kuri Sravan Kumar is a PhD scholar at the Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi.
North Korea in 2023: Military buildups and Close Connections with Russia
Yogeshwari S | Yogeswari S is a postgraduate student at the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies at the University of Madras, Chennai.
South Korea in 2023: Addressing Climate Change and the Global Supply Chains
Abhishek Ranjan | Abhishek Ranjan is a PhD student at the Korean Studies, Centre for East Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
East Asia in 2023: Big Power Politics and New Defence Strategies
IPRI Team
Special Edition: Conflicts in 2023
NIAS Africa Team
NIAS Africa Weekly #92&93 | COP 28 and Africa
Nithyashree RB
COP28 and Africa: Priorities and Initiatives
NIAS Africa Team
NIAS Africa Weekly #91 | Failed coup in Sierra Leone
Anu Maria Joseph
Sierra Leone: A failed coup
GP Team
Henry Kissinger: A profile
NIAS Africa Team
NIAS Africa Weekly #90 | Floods in East Africa
Jerry Franklin A
Floods in East Africa
NIAS Africa Team
NIAS Africa Weekly #89 | Africa’s debate on colonial reparations
Sneha Surendran
Africa’s debate on colonial reparations
NIAS Africa Team
NIAS Africa Weekly #87&88 | Elusive Ceasefires in Sudan
Anu Maria Joseph
Sudan’s ceasefires remain elusive: Four reasons why
GP Team
UK’s AI Summit
Femy Francis
Ten years of BRI: Xi and the Beijing Summit
Femy Francis
The return of the South China Sea
Femy Francis
BRICS Summit poised as the Champion of Global South
Femy Francis
Japan-Australia's Reciprocal Access Agreement
CR Team | Avishka Ashok
China: Palestine Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ visit emphasizes hope for statehood
NIAS Africa Team
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