Conflict Weekly

Conflict Weekly
Trump-Putin-Zelensky-EU Leaders meetings, Reoccupation of Gaza by Israel, and the Armenia-Azerbaijan agreement

Conflict Weekly # 295, 21 August 2025, Vol 6, No. 34

IPRI Team
21 August 2025
Photo Source: Reuters

Conflict Weekly #295, 21 August  2025, Vol.6, No. 34
An initiative by NIAS-IPRI
 

Padmashree Anandhan, Brighty Ann Sarah, R Preetha and Rohini Reenum


Trump-Zelenskyy-European Leaders meeting: Tough discussions and the difficult road ahead
Padmashree Anandhan
 
In the news
On 15 August, US President Donald Trump and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin held a meeting in Alaska to discuss on war in Ukraine and Russia-US bilateral relations. Following the talks, the leaders held a press conference where both called the talks “productive.” The expectations to reach an agreement on a ceasefire or any concessions in favour of ending the war were not met. In the joint statement, Putin said: “Conflict resolution in Ukraine to be long-term and lasting, all the root causes of the crisis…all of Russia’s legitimate concerns must be taken into account.” Trump said: “I would say, a couple of big ones that we haven't quite gotten there, but we've made some headway. So there's no deal until there's a deal.” 

On 16 August, following the call with Trump, the European Commission jointly pledged strong support for Ukraine. The statement stressed the need for “ironclad security guarantees” to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

On 18 August, following the meeting held between Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, with Trump. An immediate ceasefire was ruled out by Trump, and he assured to give security guarantees for Ukraine. On the same, Zelenskyy said that security guarantees for Ukraine are expected to be finalized within 10 days, including a USD 90 billion US weapons package and an agreement for the US to purchase Ukrainian-made drones. 

On 18 August, in the meeting between Trump, EU leaders and Zelenskyy, the prolonged direct talks were proposed in a trilateral format. However, the extent of support is unknown. During the meeting, UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed “real progress,” highlighting two key outcomes. One, joint US-European work on security guarantees for Ukraine and two, the direct talks with a focus on territory, prisoners and children.

On 19 August, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that any potential meeting between Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and must be “thoroughly prepared.” On 19 August, Trump ruled out US troop commitments as part of security guarantees but indicated that the US might support European efforts with other forms of assistance, particularly air support. 

On 20 August, on the security guarantees, Lavrov responded: “Without Russia, talks on security guarantees will lead to nowhere.” On the same day, NATO defense leaders held a meeting to discuss security guarantees. Italy’s Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone said: "On Ukraine, we confirmed our support. Priority continues to be a just, credible and durable peace." 

Issues at large
First, a brief note on Trump-Zelenskyy talks till now. Since Trump’s Presidency, the nature of engagement with Zelenskyy has been intense, except for the recent one. Starting from Trump blaming Ukraine for prolonging the war to the clash in the Oval Office. Trump has shown high reluctance in aiding Ukraine in military and political negotiations. Since the minerals deal and the gradual gathering of the EU leaders under the “Coalition of willing” to support Ukraine, Trump’s interaction with Zelenskyy has mellowed. From banning military aid to assuring security guarantees and helping bring Putin to the table, Trump has taken heed to stop the war on the ground.    

Second, military aid and security guarantees for Ukraine. West’s support has developed slowly, mostly on a reactive basis. Till not the US, EU and NATO have provided USD 250 billion in aid, combining military, economic and humanitarian. In the last two years, the support has been limited to keep Ukraine’s defence, but also expanded into advanced air defences such as F-16 and long-range missiles. Direct troop deployment has been ruled out, although the UK, France, Germany and Poland have agreed to sustain their military assistance, intelligence sharing and defence industrial cooperation through security agreements to Ukraine. 

Third, European unity. France, the UK and Germany, which formed the “Coalition of Willing” did not initially seem like a solid strategy to garner support for Ukraine. Over the months, the coalition has grown to 31 countries, aligning with core principles. It includes “…no recognition of territorial changes by force, commitment to long-term security and no peace deal without Ukraine.” Apart from this, Germany, the UK and France have taken extensive efforts to fix the transatlantic equation and help in building a united EU consensus. This has helped position Europe as a united actor to strengthen Ukraine at the political and ground level while also shaping Europe’s security landscape. 

In perspective
The tough road ahead for Ukraine. Putin and Zelenskyy have met only once in 2019 in the Normandy format set up by France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine. The meeting aimed at putting an end to the conflict in Donbas, where both agreed to withdraw troops by 2020, conduct elections in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions and reintegrate Ukraine. It was seen as historic in 2019; however, except for the prisoner exchange, the deal did not last long. The Normandy format dialogue was initiated again in 2022 but, the leaders were not present. At present, with Trump agreeing to mediate the trilateral, the first direct talk between Zelenskyy and Putin will be seen as an ice breaker but without either of them agreeing to forgo a part of the territorial claims, the deadlock to end the war will continue, with the meeting being only symbolic. 


The War in Gaza: The Ceasefire Conundrum, Attack on Gaza City, and Israel’s new settlement plans
Brighty Ann Sarah and R Preetha
 
In the news
On 20 August, an Israeli military spokesperson said: “We have begun the preliminary operations and the first stages of the attack on Gaza City, and already now IDF forces are holding the outskirts of Gaza City." Israel has also called upon 60,000 reservists set to report by September. 

On 19 August, Israel responded that the ceasefire proposal was still under review, while several far-right members of the Netanyahu cabinet, including National Security Minister Itamer Ben Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich rejected the partial deal. Earlier, on 18 August, Egyptian and Qatari officials stated that Hamas accepted the new 60-day ceasefire proposal that included the return of ten living and 18 deceased Israeli hostages, in exchange for the return of 200 Palestinians. The proposal demands the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces and the flow of humanitarian aid into the territory.

On 14 August, Smotrich approved construction of 3,401 houses for Israeli settlers in the E1 area settlement project. On 20 August, Israel issued the final approval for the project. Smotrich stated that “the Palestinian state is being erased from the table not with slogans but with actions,” and that “every settlement, every neighbourhood, every housing unit is another nail in the coffin of this dangerous idea.”

On 17 August, thousands of Israelis joined a nationwide strike in support of families of hostages held in Gaza, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure a deal with Hamas to end the war and release the remaining captives.

Issues at large
First, the plan to reoccupy Gaza and the threat of displacement. The UN has warned that relocation of Gaza residents to the south of the enclave, which Israel states as a safety measure, will only deepen humanitarian suffering, especially as no part of Gaza is truly safe. According to the UN, over 1.9 million, nearly 90 per cent of the population of Gaza have already been displaced since the war began. The threat of permanent displacement grows increasingly real with Israel’s advancing settlement plans and its new offensive plan to seize control of northern Gaza City, the enclave's largest urban centre.

Second, the Hamas approval and Israeli rejection of the ceasefire. Israel’s acceleration of plans to re-occupy Gaza has forced Hamas to come forward for a ceasefire agreement that, as stated by Qatari sources, aligns mostly with the terms of the previous deal proposed by Witkoff. However, Israel’s commitment to a diplomatic resolution of the conflict is questionable. As Israel implements the first steps of its re-seizing of Gaza through military offensive and the reoccupation of the West Bank through the E1 project, another Israeli rejection of a negotiation is a likely outcome.

Third, background to the E1 area settlement project. Israel’s finance minister Bezalel Smotrich approved construction of 3,401 houses for Israeli settlers in the E1 area settlement project which would connect Jerusalem and the existing Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim. The project would divide the occupied West Bank into northern and southern regions, preventing the creation of a contiguous Palestinian territory linking occupied East Jerusalem to key cities including Bethlehem and Ramallah. Israel postponed the plan in 2022 under US pressure, but Netanyahu’s far-right government has advanced road projects and restricted Palestinian access in recent months. Palestinians fear the surge in West Bank settlement building, which has accelerated since the 2023 Hamas attack, will rob them of any prospects for statehood. It has raised international alarm with the UN Human Rights office and the European Commission spokesperson stating it’s a violation of international law. 

In perspective
First, Israel's tough position on the ceasefire and the hostages. Israel’s hardline reluctance to accept the ceasefire deal and hostage negotiations, coupled with its re-occupation of Gaza, indicate a shift that prioritizes territorial control over diplomatic resolution. The expanded military operation and takeover of Gaza without the recovery of the hostages have put the Israeli government in a tough spot domestically, as the population grows increasingly impatient towards the prolonged occupation of Gaza. Israel’s tough position on the ceasefire and aid blockades endangers the well-being of the remaining hostages. 

Second, Israeli settlement expansion plans and what they mean for Palestinian statehood. The proposed E1 settlement project marks more than just a territorial issue; it is a significant political obstacle to the two-state solution. If completed, the settlements would bisect the West Bank, threatening the possibility of a contiguous, viable Palestinian state. The newly proposed Israeli settlements would further complicate the question of a sovereign territory for the Palestinian people. 


Armenia-Azerbaijan: A Peace Deal, Transit Corridor and the US interests
Rohini Reenum
 
In the news
On 18 August, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Armenia and conveyed apprehensions over the transit corridor. The transit corridor, Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), is part of the US-brokered peace deal signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan on 8 August, ending a four-decade-long conflict. Pezeshkian stated: “Governance in the Caucasus region must remain Caucasian – outsourcing the resolution of Caucasus issues to extra-regional forces will complicate it.” 

On the same day, Pashinyan responded: “Roads passing through Armenia will be under the exclusive jurisdiction of Armenia, and security will be provided by Armenia, not by any third country.” 

On 8 August, upon the signing of the peace deal, US President Trump remarked: “The countries of Armenia and Azerbaijan are committing to stop all fighting forever; open up commerce, travel and diplomatic relations; and respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” 

On 9 August, Russia commended the peace deal, however, cautioned that “the involvement of non-regional players should strengthen the peace agenda, not create new divisions.” Turkey welcomed the deal, terming it a “very beneficial development.” Iran cautiously welcomed the deal. However, it rejected the proposed corridor passing near its border, terming it “worrying” and “political treachery.” 

Issues at large
First, a brief background to the conflict. The conflict has been over the control of Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave in Azerbaijan with a majority ethnic-Armenian population. Originally part of the Russian Empire, Nagorno-Karabakh was renamed by the Soviet Union as the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region under the Soviet Socialist Republic of Azerbaijan. The conflict began with the breakdown of the Soviet Union in the 1980s. While Azerbaijan sought control over Nagorno-Karabakh, the latter’s regional parliament voted for an independent republic in 1991. In 1992, a full-scale war broke out over the issue and lasted until a Russia-brokered ceasefire in 1994. Armenia gained control of the region and adjoining Azerbaijani territories. Nagorno-Karabakh has remained a flashpoint between the countries ever since. In 2020, a second war broke out with an Azerbaijani offensive. A Russia-brokered ceasefire ended the war, with Armenia agreeing to return all occupied territory outside the former Soviet Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region to Azerbaijan. Russian peacekeepers were stationed at the Lachin Corridor, connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. In 2023, an Azerbaijani offensive recaptured Nagorno-Karabakh, causing a mass exodus of Armenians from the region. This, however, started negotiations for the current peace agreement.

Second, previous attempts at a peace deal. The first major attempt to end the conflict was the creation of the OSCE Minsk Group in 1992, with co-chairmanship of France, Russia and the US. The Group met Armenian and Azerbaijani delegations several times, but no resolution was reached. After the 2023 offensive, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev called for a complete dissolution of the Minsk process, claiming that the conflict had been resolved with Baku recapturing the region. The second attempt was the finalisation of a draft Agreement on Peace and the Establishment of Interstate Relations in March 2025. However, a few points of contention remained. Azerbaijan demanded that Armenia amend parts of its constitution that claim Azerbaijani territories. Armenia remained apprehensive of the Azerbaijani demand for a transit corridor linking Nakhchivan enclave, bordering Türkiye. In July, leaders of both countries met in the UAE to resolve the contentions; however, yielded no results.

Third, the proposed transit corridor and the US interest. The corridor conundrum was resolved by the US proposal to develop a transit corridor between the two countries. The White House said that the corridor would be leased for 99 years, and US companies will engage in investments and infrastructure development. The TRIPP corridor fulfilled Azerbaijan’s demand to connect with its enclave and assuaged Armenia’s apprehensions regarding its territorial sovereignty. The proposed corridor would become a key geo-economic asset for the US. Forbes has estimated that the corridor could generate around USD 50-100 billion in annual trade flows. 

Fourth, the sidelining of traditional regional players-Russia, Turkey and Iran. Russia was a traditional mediator and security guarantor in the region with overt support for Armenia. However, Russia’s preoccupation with the Ukraine War and failure to stop the Azerbaijani offensive in 2023 caused its decoupling with Armenia. The failed Minsk process reduced its involvement in the peace process. This was reflected in Putin’s failed reattempt to mediate a peace deal in 2024. Turkey, which backed Azerbaijan in the conflict and was part of the Minsk process, was not consulted in the recent peace negotiations. Iran, which is a key Armenian ally and neighbour, was excluded from the peace process. 

In perspective
First, the roadblocks to the peace deal. The main issue that can arise is non-adherence to the proposed and promised terms by the two countries. Any protracted conflict has points of contention that reappear intermittently and have the potential to sabotage the peace process. The next roadblock could be the nature of the US involvement or its discontinuance. Given the centrality of the proposed corridor in resolving the strategic demands and concerns of both parties, the success of the peace deal would rely partly on the success of the TRIPP. Another roadblock could arise from the exclusion of traditional players which not only border the countries but also have significant economic stakes in the region, with their spheres of political influence.

Second, the rise of Trump as a peace-broker. This deal has cemented Trump’s image as an unconventional peacemaker with geo-economic opportunism as his tool and low-hanging fruit for the parties involved. This method, however, has a significant drawback. The success of the peace deal is contingent upon the economic gambit delivering its due in time.  

Third, the US inroad into the South Caucasus. With the existing presence of US’s two historical foes in the region, namely Russia and Iran, there are fears, with good reason, that this might turn the South Caucasus into a theatre of geopolitical rivalry, destabilizing the entire region.


Issues in Peace and Conflict This Week:
Regional Roundups

Padmashree Anandhan, Anu Maria Joseph, Rohini Reenum, Femy Francis, Abhiruchi Chowdhury, Kasvi Batra, Brighty Ann Sarah, R Preetha, Lekshmi MK, Aparna A Nair, M Kejia, Rizwana Banu Vaihali Chittrothu and Santhiya M 

China, East, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific
China: Reopens border trade with India; PM Modi to attend the SCO summit
On 19 August, according to The Hindu, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, “striking a note of reconciliation,” commented on the bilateral relationship facing an “important opportunity.” At the 24th Special Representatives talks with the Chinese Foreign Minister, India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval stated that “the bilateral engagements between the two countries have been more substantial." He has confirmed that Modi will be attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin on 31 August and 1 September. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to meet Modi before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit. He has assured China’s support to “India’s need for fertilisers, rare earths and tunnel boring machines,” reported Reuters. 

On 14 August, Bloomberg reported that India and China discussed resuming the border trade of domestic goods after more than five years. This showcases the steady revival of ties after the 2020 Doklam standoff. Both countries have proposed to restart trade through the designated point on the shared border. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “Border trade between China and India has long played an important role in improving the lives of the two countries’ border residents,” and that “willing to step up communication and coordination with India.” 

North Korea: Kim Jong Un calls for rapid expansion of nuclear armament as US-South Korea joint military drills commence
On 19 August, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for a rapid expansion of his country’s nuclear arsenal, calling the US-South Korea military drills “an obvious expression of their will to provoke war.” The two began their 11-day annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises this week. South Korea said 20 of the 40 field events were rescheduled to September, as President Lee Jae Myung seeks to ease tensions. On 18 August, Kim stated that the security environment necessitated North Korea to "rapidly expand" its nuclear arsenal, pointing out that recent US-South Korea exercises involved a "nuclear element." President Trump and Lee are expected to address North Korea’s nuclear program in Washington in their upcoming summit on 25 August. In 2024, the Federation of American Scientists estimated that North Korea could produce enough fissile material for as many as 90 nuclear warheads, and it had likely built closer to 50. Pyongyang is expanding its navy, aiming to launch a third 5,000-tonne Choe Hyon-class destroyer by October 2026 and testing cruise and anti-air missiles for the ships.

The Philippines: Expands defence cooperation with Australia through the largest joint exercises
On 15 August, the Philippines and Australia launched their largest joint military exercises amid rising tensions in the South China Sea. The drills, taking place from 15–29 August in Palawan province, directly face the disputed waters. According to the Philippine military, the exercises will involve around 3,600 personnel from both countries and feature additional participation from the Royal Canadian Navy and the US Marine Corps. Officials described the program as the “most extensive and complex” version of the bilateral defence exercise since its establishment. 

Thailand: Announces legal action against Cambodian leaders Hun Sen and Hun Manet over border clashes
On 18 August, Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Vechayachai announced that the government will pursue legal proceedings against former Cambodian leader Hun Sen and current Prime Minister Hun Manet for allegedly breaching Thai sovereignty through military action. The decision, made after a National Security Council meeting, aims to address damage caused to Thai citizens and property. Complaints will be collected by the Royal Thai Police and Provincial Police Region 3 Command, then forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General. Phumtham stressed that the action falls under Thai law and will not involve the International Court of Justice, whose jurisdiction Thailand does not recognise. The lawsuits will be filed as “temporary detention” cases, enabling Thai authorities to issue arrest warrants if the "accused" enters the country.

South Asia
Pakistan: Counter-Terrorism Department neutralise three TTP militants in KP
On 14 August, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) initiated an intelligence-based operation in Regi Lalma, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to hunt down militants belonging to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). As per the officers of CTD, the militants were preparing to carry out assaults at the border between the provincial capital, Peshawar and Khyber districts. The operation resulted in CTD neutralising three militants. Four militants managed to escape. Further, the CTD officials informed that one of the neutralised militants was a citizen of Afghanistan and was a “wanted militant.”

Separately, in Lakki Marwat, three miscreants assaulted FC personnel. As per the police, two FC officials and one civilian were killed.

On 15 August, in a separate incident in DI Khan, gunmen attacked a hotel. The armed men killed two officers from the Excise Department. Police sealed the area and initiated a “search operation” to hunt down the culprits.

Pakistan: German Foreign Ministry appeals to Islamabad to take back deported Afghan refugees
On 19 August, Dawn reported on the remarks from Germany's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the resettlement of Afghan refugees. The spokesperson of the ministry, Josef Hinterseher, informed that around 200 Afghan refugees, sent back from Pakistan to Afghanistan, are looking to re-settle in Germany. The refugees were earlier promised refuge in Germany. However, after Friedrich Merz assumed the position of chancellor in Germany, the country moved towards a stricter “immigration policy.” According to Hinterseher, Germany is requesting that Pakistan allow the deported refugees to return to Pakistan. Addressing the media, he said: “We are continuing to talk to Pakistan to facilitate the return of those who have already been deported.” During Olaf Scholz’s government, Germany came up with a scheme that would assist the Afghans who had helped “German institutions and their families.” The scheme has been suspended by the current Merz government, which has resulted in aggravating the problems of around 2000 Afghan refugees stuck in Pakistan, waiting to be resettled in Germany.

Pakistan: Government to clamp down on illegal residents
On 18 August, The Express Tribune reported that the concerned authorities would be initiating a clampdown against “illegal foreigners” residing in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Murree, and Haripur. According to the plan, data of illegal foreigners would be accumulated, and their mobile phone SIM cards would be blocked. The illegal residents would not be permitted to participate in property and other financial activities. Further, the deputy commissioners and district police heads of the above-mentioned districts will have to send in “weekly progress reports.” This came during a high-profile meeting of the “special task force” presided over by Islamabad Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa. A “centralized database” would also be formulated, which would prevent illegal foreigners from resettling. 

Pakistan: Amendment in the Anti-Terrorism Act to allow detention based on suspicion
On 13 August, the National Assembly gave its assent to an amendment in the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997. The amendment has authorised the law enforcement agencies and armed forces to hold up “suspicious individuals” for a maximum period of three months. In 2014, an amendment was brought to the ATA that gave power to civil armed forces and the army to detain people based on suspicion. Nevertheless, the amendment was valid for only two years and expired in 2016. As per the Associated Press of Pakistan, 125 members in the National Assembly voted in favour of the bill, whereas 59 members opposed it. Pakistan’s Minister of Law, Azam Nazeer Tarar, informed the Assembly that the power to detain individuals based on suspicion will be used “only in specific situations.” PTI leader Asad Qaiser criticised the bill, highlighting how the same could be “misused” for silencing the government dissenters. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman denounced the bill and claimed that the law would authorise the law enforcement agencies to detain individuals.

Pakistan: Militants attack gas pipeline in Lakki Marwat, KP; supply to Punjab disrupted
On 13 August, militants in Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, blew up a gas pipeline. According to the police, this led to a disruption in the supply of gas to Punjab. The spokesperson from the police informed that they have launched a “search operation” to hunt down those responsible for the blast. Previously, in July, militants had targeted a gas pipeline near Wanda Amir, which resulted in a temporary disruption in the supply of gas to Punjab. Similar attacks took place in June. Lakki Marwat has witnessed several militant attacks since 2000. Although the operations initiated by the security forces did bring some peace in the region, terrorist attacks in the past few years have increased substantially.

The Middle East and Africa
Lebanon: Hezbollah says Beirut “will have no life” if it attempted to confront or eliminate the group
On 15 August, Hezbollah stated that there would be “no life” in Lebanon if the government attempted to confront or disarm the Iran-backed group. The previous week, the Lebanese government tasked the army with restricting weapons to state forces by a US-backed plan, following Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah. However, the group insists that disarmament cannot occur until Israel halts strikes and withdraws from southern Lebanon, which had been a Hezbollah stronghold. In a televised speech, deputy leader Naim Qassem declared that Lebanon’s sovereignty must be built “together,” otherwise “Lebanon will have no life if you stand on the other side and try to confront us and eliminate us.” Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called the remarks unacceptable, stating that it was an implicit threat of civil war. Israel’s strikes over the last two years have killed senior Hezbollah figures, including former leader Hassan Nasrallah, and nearly 5000 of its fighters. Qassem stated that the government is trying to implement an "American-Israeli order to eliminate the resistance, even if that leads to civil war and internal strife.” While Hezbollah holds strong support among Lebanon’s Shi'ite community, there have been increasing calls for its disarmament across the rest of society, says Reuters.

Sudan: SAF accused of torture and execution amid escalating war crimes
On 18 August, a Sudanese human rights group, Emergency Lawyers, accused the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and security forces of torturing people and operating execution chambers in Khartoum. The group documented hundreds of arbitrary arrests. Many victims were later found dead after torture. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is also indulging in similar atrocities. The UN fact-finding mission confirmed widespread patterns of arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment by both factions. 

Democratic Republic of Congo: ISIL-affiliated ADF rebels kill 52 civilians in eastern Congo
On 19 August, the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) reported that the ISIL-backed Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels killed at least 52 civilians in the eastern DRC between August 9 and 16. MONUSCO condemned the violence and warned that the death toll might increase. The ADF, originally formed by Ugandan rebels, joined ISIL in 2019. The violence has been intensified despite the joint military efforts by Uganda and the DRC under Operation Shujaa.

Democratic Republic of Congo: M23 rebels withdraw from peace talks in Doha
On 19 August, the M23 rebel group suspended the peace talks with the DRC government, citing the government’s failure to uphold a recent ceasefire agreement signed in Qatar. The talks were scheduled to happen on 18 August, but M23 representatives didn’t attend. The M23 spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, accused the DRC government of continued military assault despite the ceasefire’s terms. The DRC military countered that the M23 rebels are launching daily attacks in North and South Kivu.

Nigeria: 40 people missing after a boat capsizes in Sokoto
On 18 August, Al Jazeera reported that over 40 people went missing after a boat carrying more than 50 passengers capsized in Nigeria’s southwestern state of Sokoto. The National Emergency Management Agency confirmed that ten people were rescued. In July, 16 farmers died when a canoe capsized. These repeated incidents highlight the urgent need for safety regulations and enforcement in Nigeria’s inland waterways. 

Cape Verde: State of emergency declared after deadly floods kill nine people
On 14 August, Cape Verde declared a state of emergency on the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão after floods caused by a tropical storm. The storm led to a downpour of 193mm of rain in five hours and killed at least nine people and displaced nearly 1500 people. Rescue teams are searching for the missing people, while roads and houses were severely damaged. 

Mali: Military rule enters its fifth year 
On 19 August, Mali marked five years since the ruling military overthrew Mali's democratic government. The coup initially promised an 18-month transition to civilian rule, but five years on, the junta is still in power. Initially, General Assimi Goita promised to free Mali from insurgents, but many towns are still under the control of insurgents. Recently, Mali reduced its ties with the former colonial countries but increased its cooperation with Russia, Turkey, China, Iran and North Korea. 

Mali: French national arrested over spying for alleged coup plot
On 16 August, Mali’s military government arrested a French national, Yann Vezilier, and accused him of spying for France and aiding a plot to destabilise the country. The security minister, Gen Daoud Aly Mohammedine, announced the arrest on national television and claimed that the person was acting on behalf of French intelligence. At least 55 soldiers have been arrested in connection with the alleged coup attempt. The military government later claimed that the conspiracy had been thwarted.

Europe and the Americas
Europe: Wildfires across Spain and Portugal; Six people reported dead, and more than 500,000 hectares destroyed
On 19 August, France24 reported on the death of six firefighters across Spain and Portugal. The Iberian Peninsula witnessed extreme wildfires due to a heatwave. Thousands of firefighters have been deployed across southern Europe in the past weeks to combat. However, more than 343,000 hectares (848,000 acres) of land in Spain and 216,000 hectares in Portugal have been destroyed, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), since 2025. On 14 August, Euronews reported that the EU's solidarity requests to combat the rampant wildfires had already matched the total activations of the EU’s civil protection mechanism for the entire 2024 fire season. Spain became the first country to activate the mechanism, joined by Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, and Montenegro in seeking urgent assistance. The EU coordinated deployments include planes, helicopters, and pre-positioned firefighting teams (650 personnel from 14 countries) to aid the battle against fires that have scorched over 511,000 hectares, more than double the area burnt by mid-August.

Venezuela: The US to deploy warships to combat drug cartels, reports Reuters
On 19 August, Reuters reported that three US Aegis guided-missile destroyers will arrive off the coast of Venezuela in the next two days. It is speculated that the ships are the USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham and the USS Sampson. Additionally, over 4,000 American soldiers and US Marines are expected to be deployed in the southern Caribbean region. This development is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to counter security threats from Latin American drug cartels to achieve the wider objective of limiting illegal migration from the southern border of the US. Previously, multiple efforts have been made by the administration in the domain of border security and drug trafficking, including deployment of over two warships, designation of prominent drug cartels as global terror organisations, immigration enforcement against alleged cartel members, enhanced airborne surveillance of Mexican drug cartels, and usage of naval assets to carry out intelligence and surveillance operations. In response, on 18 August, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro asserted that Venezuela will defend its seas, skies and lands against what he described as an “outlandish, bizarre threat of a declining empire."


About the authors
Rohini Reenum is a PhD Scholar at NIAS. Padmashree Anandhan, Anu Maria Joseph and Femy Francis are Project Associates at NIAS. Abhiruchi Chowdhury is a Research Assistant at NIAS. Kasvi Batra is a Research Intern at NIAS. Brighty Ann Sarah and R Preetha are postgraduate students at the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai. Lekshmi MK is a postgraduate student at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai. Rizwana Banu, Santhiya M and Aparna A Nair are undergraduate students at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai. M Kejia is an undergraduate student at the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry. Swati Sood is an undergraduate student at Vivekananda College, University of Delhi. Vaihali Chittrothu is an undergraduate student at the Department of Political Science, St Ann's College for Women, Hyderabad.


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Lekshmi MK

The War in Ukraine:
Continuing deep strikes, escalating civilian targeting, and expanding drone warfare
August 2026 | CWA # 2236
CW Newsmakers
Sheikh Hasina, Settler Violence in West Bank, Heat Waves in Northeast Asia...
August 2026 | CWA # 2235

Adwaith Sankar

Southeast Asia (April-June 2026)
Economic headwinds, Internal friction, and Contrasting domestic developments
August 2026 | CWA # 2233

Teshu Singh

East Asia (Apr-Jun 2026):
Strategic Rebalancing, Neo-Militarisation and Increasing Tensions in Taiwan Straits
August 2026 | CWA # 2232

Dattesh D Parulekar 

Latin America (Apr-Jun 2026):
The 'Right' Electoral Tilt, Upswing in Venezuela-India relations, and Argentina's Energy Rise
August 2026 | CWA # 2231

Dhivya KM

China's economy at mid-2026:
Six Takeaways of the World Bank China Economic Update
August 2026 | CWA # 2225

Acsah H

China's C909:
China moves from near-total reliance on foreign jets to domestic dominance. How did it happen? And what does it mean?
August 2026 | CWA # 2224

Global Politics Team

Zelenskyy's US visit
Newsmakers of the week
August 2026 | CWA # 2222

Namrata L Ghanghatkar, Priyanka Makhijani and Urja R Kudalkar

Peru's new President Netanyahu's Washington visit
US Senate bill against Russia | Ukraine and Patriot missiles | China's PLA 99th anniversary
July 2026 | CWA # 2217

Namrata L Ghanghatkar, Priyanka Makhijani, Urja R Kudalkar

The Berlin Pride attack
Zelensky's US Visit I Japan's Earthquake
July 2026 | CWA # 2216

Manikranth Chakravarthula

The Houthis:
Origins, Ethnic makeup, Political structure, Geographical footprint and External support
July 2026 | CWA # 2213

Brighty Ann Sarah

The US-Iran War, Week 22:
End of pause, Return of hostilities and Expanding conflict geography
July 2026 | CWA # 2211

Priyanka Makhijani

AI's Rogue Agent Breach:
Recurring Patterns, Gaps in the AI safety rules and the AI rivalry
July 2026 | CWA # 2210

Adwaith Sankar

ASEAN Regional Forum:
Six Takeaways on Issues, Limitations and Opportunities
July 2026 | CWA # 2206

Akshath Kaimal

The resurgence of Somali piracy:
Sophisticated tactics, Regional instability and an Ineffective international response
July 2026 | CWA # 2203

Brighty Ann Sarah

US-Iran War, Week 21:
Resumption of attacks and the Strait of Hormuz impasse
July 2026 | CWA # 2199

Preetha Renganarayanan

The SDG Annual Report 2026:
Six takeaways on a decade of SDG monitoring, global progress, and key challenges
July 2026 | CWA # 2197

Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella

The US-Iran War, Week 20:
Renewed Strikes, Collapsed MoU and the Blockade of the Strait
July 2026 | CWA # 2196

Mahesh Bhatta

Nepal (Apr-Jun 2026):
New Government, Political Stability and Economic Recovery
July 2026 | CWA # 2195

Radhika M Agarwal

June 2026 | CWA # 2193

Aparna A Nair

Pakistan PMin China:
75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, CPEC expansion and Middle East mediation
July 2026 | CWA # 2190

NIAS Global Politics Team

China-DPRK friendship treaty I The IMF World Economic Outlook
July 2026 | CWA # 2189

Dhivya KM

Five takeaways on Global growth, AI, and Economic resilience
July 2026 | CWA # 2186

Lekshmi MK

NATO Summit 2026:
Four takeaways on Alliance unity, Defence commitments, and Support for Ukraine
July 2026 | CWA # 2184

Deb Dutta

Four takeaways on Forced returns, Collapsing protection, Protracted crises
July 2026 | CWA # 2182

Anu Maria Joseph

Africa This Week
JNIM-FLA coordinated attacks in Mali and the RSF siege in Sudan
July 2026 | CWA # 2181

Padmashree Anandhan

The War in Ukraine:
Deep strikes, NATO diplomacy and the Expanding air warfare
July 2026 | CWA # 2180

Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella

Iran after Ali Khamenei
Institutional resilience, Anti-American sentiment and an Unresolved conflict
July 2026 | CWA # 2178

NIAS Global Politics Team

July 2026 | CWA # 2177

Deb Dutta

Economic Security, Artificial Intelligence and Energy Resilience
July 2026 | CWA # 2171

Radhika M Agarwal

June 2026 | CWA # 2169

Anwesha Ghosh

Afghanistan (Apr-Jun 2026):
Growing External Engagement, Enduring Internal Constraints
June 2026 | CWA # 2167

Lakshmi Venugopal Menon

Fragile De-escalation amid Persistent Volatility
June 2026 | CWA # 2166

Ramya B

Russia (April-June 2026)
Unsuccessful Offensive, Drone Attacks and Economic Challenges
June 2026 | CWA # 2165

Himani Pant

Europe (April-June 2026)
End of the Orban Era, Political Fragmentation, Tightening of Migration Rules and Continuing Economic Slowdown
June 2026 | CWA # 2160

Radhika M Agarwal

The War in Ukraine:
Ukraine's Crimea Campaign, The Belarus Standoff, and Russia's Aerial Bombardment
June 2026 | CWA # 2159

Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella

The US-Iran MoU
Renewed strikes, Persistent disagreements, and a Fragile Agreement
June 2026 | CWA # 2158

Anu Maria Joseph

June 2026 | CWA # 2154

Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella

The G7 Summit 2026
Four Takeaways on Economic security, Critical minerals, and Consensus on Ukraine and Iran
June 2026 | CWA # 2153

Global Politics Team

The US-Iran MoU
The War in Ukraine I Anti-immigrant violence in South Africa I Ultra Orthodox Jews' protests in Israel
June 2026 | CWA # 2150

Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella

The War in Ukraine:
Massive drone attacks, Europe's support for Ukraine, and a Distant ceasefire
June 2026 | CWA # 2149

Brighty Ann Sarah

The US-Iran MoU:
Asymmetric Gains and Implementation Challenges
June 2026 | CWA # 2143

Aishal Hab Yousuf 

Sri Lanka and Press Freedom:
Five Takeaways on Political influence, Legal mechanisms to control, Ethnic sensitivities and History of State intimidation
June 2026 | CWA # 2142

Glynnis Winona B

Bhutan and Press Freedom:
Four takeaways on Regulatory control, Economic fragility, and Social constraints
June 2026 | CWA # 2141

Aishal Hab Yousuf

Maldives and Press Freedom:
Four takeaways on the influence of democracy, legislation, and state funding
June 2026 | CWA # 2140

Nithin V

Pakistan and Press Freedom:
Four takeaways Military influence, cyber laws, political instability, and youth-driven digital journalism
June 2026 | CWA # 2138

Siddhi Halyur

Nepal and Press Freedom:
Three takeaways on Political constraints, Missing legal protection and Funding issues
June 2026 | CWA # 2129

Anu Maria Joseph

Conflicts in Africa This Week:
The Ebola fear in DR Congo and the Elections in Ethiopia amidst conflicts
May 2026 | CWA # 2128

NIAS Global Politics Team

May 2026 | CWA # 2126

Aparna A Nair

The Shenzhou-23 Mission:
China's Space Missions, Technology, and Infrastructure
May 2026 | CWA # 2124

Glynnis Winona B

The Crisis in Cuba:
The US Sanctions, Energy Crisis, and Economic Instability
May 2026 | CWA # 2123

Akshath Kaimal

The Ebola and the DR Congo:
Multiple Outbreaks, Fragile Healthcare System, and Ineffective Global Responses
May 2026 | CWA # 2122

Radhika M Agarwal

The War in Ukraine:
Ballistic missiles, Nuclear drills with Belarus, and the Czech ammunition initiative
May 2026 | CWA # 2120

Brighty Ann Sarah

Conflicts in the Middle East
The US-Iran War Week Thirteen: Escalating Hostilities, Tenuous Ceasefire and Tense Negotiations
May 2026 | CWA # 2119

Anu Maria Joseph

Conflicts in Africa
The Ebola spread in DR Congo, The Faye-Sonko split in Senegal, and the Deepening US military involvement in Nigeria
May 2026 | CWA # 2117

Lekshmi MK

Arctic cooperation, Climate diplomacy, and Trade diversification
May 2026 | CWA # 2116

Yesasvi Koganti

Deepening Energy, AI, Defence, and Maritime Cooperation
May 2026 | CWA # 2115

Aparna A Nair

The Putin-Xi Summit
Trade, Technology, Security, and Pipeline
May 2026 | CWA # 2114

Glynnis Winona B

What makes the UAE a global player?
Explaining the Governance, Economy, People, and Strategic Influence of a Small Middle Eastern State
May 2026 | CWA # 2113

Aishal Hab Yousuf

Sri Lanka and the US-Iran War:
Rising oil imports, Austerity measures and State capacity
May 2026 | CWA # 2111

NIAS Global Politics Team

The Trump-Xi Summit
The Africa Forward Summit 2026 I North Korea's Constitutional Amendment 2026
May 2026 | CWA # 2110

Aishal Hab Yousuf

The Trump-Xi Summit:
Managing Strategic Competition through Trade, Technology, and Diplomacy
May 2026 | CWA # 2105

Rohini Reenum

Four reasons why Tehran insists on including Hezbollah
May 2026 | CWA # 2103

Akshath Kaimal

Complex Geography, Multiple Insurgencies, and an Escalating Humanitarian Crisis
May 2026 | CWA # 2092

NIAS Global Politics Team

The US-Iran War, Week Ten
CW Column on Middle East: Escalating Israeli Aggression in Lebanon I UAE's Covert Manoeuvres
May 2026 | CWA # 2091

Brighty Ann Sarah

Conflicts in the Middle East:
Escalating Israeli Aggression in Lebanon I UAEs Covert Manoeuvres
May 2026 | CWA # 2090

Brighty Ann Sarah

The US-Iran War, Week Ten:
Fraying Ceasefire, Renewed Negotiations and the Risk of a Stalemate
May 2026 | CWA # 2088

Nithin V

King Charles's US Visit:
Emphasis on strong bilateral relations, democratic values and security cooperation
May 2026 | CWA # 2086

Aishal Hab Yousuf

UAE's Exit from OPEC:
Implications for the Middle East and the Energy Market
May 2026 | CWA # 2083

Brighty Ann Sarah

The US-Iran War, Week Nine:
Deadlocked Negotiations, Competing Agendas and Domestic Pressure
May 2026 | CWA # 2082

Akshath Kaimal

Escalating Violence in Mali:
Between Ethnic Insurgencies, Jihadist Attacks, and Military Coups
April 2026 | CWA # 2079

Aishal Hab Yousuf

Japans New Defence Posture:
From Post-War Pacifism to Strategic Recalibration and Autonomy
April 2026 | CWA # 2074

Brighty Ann Sarah

Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire:
Asymmetric Terms, Fragile Truce and Israeli Occupation
April 2026 | CWA # 2073

Akshath Kaimal

The US-Iran War, Week Eight:
A Fragile Ceasefire, Attempts to Control Hormuz and the Stalled Talks in Islamabad
April 2026 | CWA # 2072

Anu Maria Joseph

Three Years of War in Sudan
Prolonged Stalemate, Humanitarian Cost, External Interventions and Regional Fallouts
April 2026 | CWA # 2069

Padmashree Anandhan

The War in Ukraine
Expanding Drone Warfare, Russia's Strategic Patience and Ukraine's Diplomatic Outreach
April 2026 | CWA # 2068

Femy Francis 

China-Japan Tensions
Escalating Defence Posturing and Economic Decoupling
April 2026 | CWA # 2067

Anu Maria Joseph

Conflicts in Africa
Continuing Conflicts in Sudan, South Sudan and DR Congo, Security issues in Nigeria, and Political Instability in Madagascar
April 2026 | CWA # 2066

Akshath Kaimal

The Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict
Recurrent Clashes, Defiant Taliban, Contesting Narratives and Emerging Chinas Role
April 2026 | CWA # 2065

Lakshmi Venugopal Menon

The Middle East (JanMar 2026):
The US-Iran War, Israel-Hamas Conflict and their interconnected fallouts
April 2026 | CWA # 2064

Anwesha Ghosh

Afghanistan (JanMar 2026):
Gender Repression, Leadership Rifts, Regional Realignments and Clashes with Pakistan
April 2026 | CWA # 2063

Ramya B

Russia (Jan-Mar 2026)
Assertive Military Posture, Attempts for an Economic Turnaround and Search for Partners
April 2026 | CWA # 2062

Himani Pant

Europe (Jan-Mar 2026)
Trade diversification & FTAs, Increased defence spending, Tightening irregular migration and Economic slowdown
April 2026 | CWA # 2061

S Shaji

Africa (Jan-Mar 2026)
Elections, Civil Wars, Militancy and Peace Initiatives
April 2026 | CWA # 2058

Nishchal N Pandey  & Mahesh Raj Bhatta

Nepal (Jan-Mar 2026)
Political Upheaval, Generational Change and Economic Uncertainty
April 2026 | CWA # 2057

Bibhu Prasad Routray

Myanmar (Jan-Mar 2026)
An Illegitimate Regime's Consolidation Game
April 2026 | CWA # 2056

Ashik J Bonofer

Southeast Asia (Jan-Mar 2026)
Deteriorating situation in Myanmar, Philippines as the ASEAN Chair, New government in Thailand, and Economic & Environmental challenges
April 2026 | CWA # 2055

Haans J Freddy

East Asia (Jan-Mar 2026)
Chinas military operations near Taiwan, Japan-China tensions and South Koreas security challenges
April 2026 | CWA # 2054

Amrita Jash

Chinas External Landscape (Jan-Mar 2026):
Regional assertion, Pragmatic recalibration with the West and Avoiding military entanglement in the Middle East
April 2026 | CWA # 2052

Shreya Upadhyay

The United States(Jan-Mar2026)
Tariffs, Ukraine, Iran and Operationalization of Trumps World Order
March 2026 | CWA # 2042

Preetha Renganarayanan

Five Takeaways of the US Annual Threat Assessment (ATA) Report for 2026
March 2026 | CWA # 2039

Femy Francis

Trump-Xi Meeting
Why did Trump reschedule it? What does that mean?
March 2026 | CWA # 2035

Akshath Kaimal

Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict
Broken ceasefire, Expanding military strikes and Worsening humanitarian situation
March 2026 | CWA # 2033

Mahesh Bhatta

Nepal after elections:
Five major challenges for the new government
March 2026 | CWA # 2024

Lekshmi MK

The UN and the Iran-US War
UNSC Resolution 2817 between Clear and Unified Message and Manifest Injustice
March 2026 | CWA # 2023

Femy Francis

Chinas Two Sessions 2026
New Five-Year Plan, Ethnic Unity Law, and an Enhanced Defence Budget
March 2026 | CWA # 2019

Akshath Kaimal

Rising Violence in Nigeria
Limited State Capacity, Multiple Actors, and a Complex Security Environment
March 2026 | CWA # 2012

Padmashree Anandhan

The War in Ukraine
Long-range strikes, Defence adaptation and the EUs energy dependence
March 2026 | CWA # 2010

Mahesh Bhatta

Nepal Elections 2026
The Rise of the New and the Fall of the Old
March 2026 | CWA # 2009

Sreemaya Nair

Nepal Elections 2026
Rise of a new leadership and Reset in political landscape
March 2026 | CWA # 2004

Akshath Kaimal

The Forgotten South Sudan Conflict
Instability returns, with a fragile peace agreement, uptick in violence and limited international engagement
March 2026 | CWA # 2003

Yesasvi Koganti

PM Modis Visit to Israel
From bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership
March 2026 | CWA # 2001

Preetha Renganarayanan

Six major takeaways on the economy, border and internal security and Iran
February 2026 | CWA # 1998

Anu Maria Joseph

Instability in Sudan
Response to the genocide call and the threats of a regional spillover
February 2026 | CWA # 1986

Preetha Renganarayanan

Focus on Trade, Defense, Energy and Regional Connectivity
February 2026 | CWA # 1985

Abhimanyu Solanki

Basant in Pakistan
The return of Basant, and what it signifies
February 2026 | CWA # 1977

Anu Maria Joseph

Violence in Nigeria
US military deployment amidst worsening insurgency
February 2026 | CWA # 1976

Lekshmi MK

The War in Ukraine
The Geneva Talks and Growing Negotiation Asymmetry
December 2025 | CWA # 1971

Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi

Pakistan Budget 2025-26
Legislating stabilisation under IMF discipline and coalition constraints
December 2025 | CWA # 1970

Aparna A Nair

Pakistan & China
Ten Years of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
November 2025 | CWA # 1968

Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi

Pakistan and the US
A New opening, or another cycle?
February 2026 | CWA # 1959

Yesasvi Koganti

UK and China
PM Keir Starmers visit and the Recalibration of Economic, Strategic, and Domestic ties
January 2026 | CWA # 1946

Preetha Renganarayanan

The Davos Summit 2026
Five Major Takeaways from The World Economic Forum
December 2025 | CWA # 1931

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1924

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1914

Preetha Renganarayanan

November 2025 | CWA # 1841

IPRI Team

October 2025 | CWA # 1828

Brighty Ann Sarah

October 2025 | CWA # 1827

GP Team

September 2025 | CWA # 1819

Ayan Datta

Africa
September 2025 | CWA # 1816

Brighty Ann Sarah

The Middle East
September 2025 | CWA # 1815

Anshuman Behera

South Asia
September 2025 | CWA # 1814

Anshuman Behera

South Asia
September 2025 | CWA # 1812

Kasvi Batra

China, East Asia and Southeast Asia
August 2025 | CWA # 1801

R Preetha

28 August 1963
Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech and the Civil Rights Movement in the US
August 2025 | CWA # 1796

Ditipriya Ghosh

August 2025 | CWA # 1795

Anu Maria Joseph

August 2025 | CWA # 1790

GP Team

The World This Week#323-324
The Trump-Putin meeting & the US-China tariff extension
August 2025 | CWA # 1787

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

What is the background? And what does it mean?
August 2025 | CWA # 1786

Astha Panda

Fewer births, Smaller families and Out-migration
August 2025 | CWA # 1780

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

Trump tariffs:
Weaponization of access to the US economy
August 2025 | CWA # 1779

GP Team

The World This Week#322
US tariffs on India, Brazil and Canada & the EU-US trade deal
August 2025 | CWA # 1778

Lekshmi MK

28 July 1914
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, starting the First World War
July 2025 | CWA # 1773

Lekshmi MK

July 2025 | CWA # 1772

Kasvi Batra

Another setback for the ruling party
July 2025 | CWA # 1771

Swati Sood

Prioritizing Neighbors
July 2025 | CWA # 1770

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

Pakistan-Afghanistan relations:
Why the focus on terrorism, refugees, and Uzbekistan as the third partner?
July 2025 | CWA # 1769

GP Team

The World This Week#321
Indian PM Modi's visit to the Maldives I Elections to the Upper House in Japan
July 2025 | CWA # 1768

IPRI Team

July 2025 | CWA # 1767

Naomi Miriam Mathew

Minerals, Markets, and Military
July 2025 | CWA # 1765

Kasvi Batra

Balancing Economic Interests, Strategic Tensions and a Soft Power Recalibration
July 2025 | CWA # 1762

Lekshmi MK

What is the phenomenon? What are its effects? And who are more vulnerable?
July 2025 | CWA # 1760

NIAS Global Politics Team

July 2025 | CWA # 1759

Padmashree Anandhan

July 2025 | CWA # 1750

Swati Sood

July 2025 | CWA # 1749

R Preetha

Africa as the Hunger Epicenter
Of the 13 Global Hunger Hotspots, 8 are in Africa: Five reasons why
July 2025 | CWA # 1744

Chittrothu Vaihali

EU-Canada Summit 2025
What is security and defence partnership all about?
July 2025 | CWA # 1743

M Kejia

A Significant Visit for a Road to Strategic Partnership
July 2025 | CWA # 1742

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly # 287-88
The 12 Day War and the Congo-Rwanda Peace Deal
July 2025 | CWA # 1739

Swati Sood 

Why now, what next?
July 2025 | CWA # 1738

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

Thailand and Cambodia
What was the phone call between PM Shinawatra and President of Senate Hun Sen? What is the border dispute between the two? Why has this become an issue?
June 2025 | CWA # 1735

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025:
Trump making Europe great again
June 2025 | CWA # 1734

GP Team

The World This Week #317
NATO Summit 2025 and Russia-Mali bilateral agreements
June 2025 | CWA # 1733

Ananya Dinesh

What was the recent China-PIC joint statement about? What it says, and what it means?
June 2025 | CWA # 1731

Farhaz Rashid Ahmed

Where does the Black Lives Matter Movement stand today?
June 2025 | CWA # 1728

M Kejia

G7 Summit 2025:
The Focus on the Middle East and Trade negotiations
June 2025 | CWA # 1726

GP Team

The World This Week #316
China-Central Asia Summit in Kazakhstan, and the G7 Summit in Canada
June 2025 | CWA # 1725

Brighty Ann Sarah, R Preetha, Santhiya M, Aparna A Nair & M Kejia

Operation Midnight Hammer: US bombs three nuclear sites in Iran
What were the three Iranian nuclear sites that were targeted? What are the B2 Bombers and Bunker Buster Bombs? What do these attacks mean? What Next?
June 2025 | CWA # 1724

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly #286
The Spiralling Israel-Iran Crisis, and the Dangerous Hunger Hotspots
June 2025 | CWA # 1722

Rizwana Banu S

Why is Diego Garcia important to the US?
June 2025 | CWA # 1721

Rizwana Banu S and Santhiya M

Who are the Afrikaners?
Why is Trump interested in the Afrikaner question in South Africa?
June 2025 | CWA # 1720

Lekshmi MK

New WMO Report on Arctic Warming
What are the social, economic and environmental implications of Arctic warming
June 2025 | CWA # 1719

J Yamini  

What contributes to the rise of BYD
June 2025 | CWA # 1717

J Yamini

Gender Violence in Pakistan:
What are the larger issues in the Noor Mukadam case?
June 2025 | CWA # 1715

Femy Francis

The US-China:
On Tariffs, Rare Earths and Visas
June 2025 | CWA # 1713

GP Team

The World This Week #315
The UN Ocean Conference in France and the US-China Meeting in London
June 2025 | CWA # 1711

Gauri Gupta

June 2025 | CWA # 1709

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly #284-285
Cambodia-Thailand Border Tensions, Protests in the US, and the Indigenous Mori question in New Zealand
June 2025 | CWA # 1708

Santhiya M

The RPP and UML showcase their strength in the streets of Kathmandu
June 2025 | CWA # 1706

Merin Treesa Alex

Instability to possible stability
June 2025 | CWA # 1705

GP Team

The World This Week #314
Elections in South Korea and Poland I China and the Pacific Island Countries I Bangladesh Election Announcement 2026
June 2025 | CWA # 1702

Lekshmi MK

June 2025 | CWA # 1701

Santhiya M

June 2025 | CWA # 1700

R Preetha

Ethiopia bans the TPLF
What does the TPLF ban mean for the Pretoria agreement? What next for Ethiopia?
June 2025 | CWA # 1698

Gauri Gupta

June 2025 | CWA # 1694

Aashish Ganeshan

The US:
Harvard vs Trump Administration
June 2025 | CWA # 1693

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

The focus on Politics, Trade and Defence
June 2025 | CWA # 1691

GP Team

The World This Week #313
China-ASEAN-GCC Summit I President Macron's visit to South East Asia I Trump Vs Harvard
May 2025 | CWA # 1690

GP Team

The World This Week #312
Elections in Romania, Portugal & Poland I UK-EU Summit
May 2025 | CWA # 1689

Padmashree Anandhan

Ukraine
May 2025 | CWA # 1688

Ayan Datta

Gaza
May 2025 | CWA # 1685

Aparna A Nair

UK-EU Summit:
First step towards a reset
May 2025 | CWA # 1684

Farhaz Rashid Ahmed

No clear winners, yet
May 2025 | CWA # 1683

Aashish Ganeshan

Elections in Portugal:
The Rise of Chega Party and the Search for Political Stability
May 2025 | CWA # 1680

Padmashree Anandhan

May 2025 | CWA # 1678

Gauri Gupta

China in Latin America
China-CELAC forum: Strengthening ties with Latin America and Caribbean
May 2025 | CWA # 1677

GP Team

The World This Week #310-311
China in Latin America and the Carribbean I Trump's Middle East Visit I Denmark as the new Arctic Chair
May 2025 | CWA # 1675

Lekshmi MK

Turkey:
PKK disbands after 40 years of armed insurgency
May 2025 | CWA # 1674

Anu Maria Joseph

May 2025 | CWA # 1673

Padmashree Anandhan

Ukraine:
The Discussion in Turkiye and the Elusive Ceasefire
May 2025 | CWA # 1671

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

US, Ukraine and Russia:
Air attacks amidst a Minerals deal and Ceasefire Proposals
May 2025 | CWA # 1669

Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi

On Memory, Justice, Diplomacy, Strategy, and Narratives
May 2025 | CWA # 1667

R Preetha and Brighty Ann Sarah

East Asia:
Tough Tariff Negotiations with the US
May 2025 | CWA # 1666

Padmashree Anandhan

The US-Ukraine
The mineral deal with the US
May 2025 | CWA # 1665
Conflict Weekly # 280-81
India-Pakistan De-escalation I Ukraine Discussion in Istanbul I The Battle over Port Sudan I Disbanding of PKK in Turkiye I France-Algeria Diplomatic Tensions
May 2025 | CWA # 1663

R Preetha

Canada Elections 2025:
What do the results convey? What next for Mark Carney?
April 2025 | CWA # 1658

GP Team

April 2025 | CWA # 1657

Abhishiktha S Kumar

Who wants the King to return and who opposes it?
April 2025 | CWA # 1655

IPRI Team

April 2025 | CWA # 1642

Esther Gamako Zugwai

March 2025 | CWA # 1641

Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi

March 2025 | CWA # 1639

Anu Maria Joseph

March 2025 | CWA # 1634

Nuha Aamina

March 2025 | CWA # 1622

GP Team

March 2025 | CWA # 1621

Vaneeta

March 2025 | CWA # 1613

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

March 2025 | CWA # 1609

IPRI Team

January 2025 | CWA # 1594

Ayan Datta

February 2025 | CWA # 1592

South Asia Brief Team

February 2025 | CWA # 1591

GP Team

February 2025 | CWA # 1590

IPRI Team

December 2024 | CWA # 1579

Sayeka Ghosh

January 2025 | CWA # 1573

Vaneeta

January 2025 | CWA # 1570

Vaneeta

January 2025 | CWA # 1565

GP Team

January 2025 | CWA # 1563

IPRI Team

January 2025 | CWA # 1562

Ayan Datta

December 2024 | CWA # 1555

Nupur Priya

November 2024 | CWA # 1544

Ayan Datta

November 2024 | CWA # 1537

Rohini Reenum

October 2024 | CWA # 1522

Advik S Mohan

October 2024 | CWA # 1480

IPRI Team

October 2024 | CWA # 1479

GP Team

September 2024 | CWA # 1476

Advik S Mohan

September 2024 | CWA # 1472

IPRI Team

August 2024 | CWA # 1465

IPRI Team

August 2024 | CWA # 1458

Samruddhi Pathak

August 2024 | CWA # 1457

Padmashree Anandhan

August 2024 | CWA # 1448

IPRI Team

August 2024 | CWA # 1446

IPRI Team

August 2024 | CWA # 1445

Anu Maria Joseph

August 2024 | CWA # 1444

Ayan Datta

August 2024 | CWA # 1442

Vetriselvi Baskaran

August 2024 | CWA # 1437

Prajwal T V

August 2024 | CWA # 1427

Ken B Varghese

July 2024 | CWA # 1416

GP Team

July 2024 | CWA # 1413

Ramya B

July 2024 | CWA # 1404

Vetriselvi Baskaran

July 2024 | CWA # 1392

Ayan Datta

June 2024 | CWA # 1377

GP Team

June 2024 | CWA # 1368

Ayan Datta & Sayeka Ghosh

June 2024 | CWA # 1355

GP Team

June 2024 | CWA # 1349

Padmashree Anandhan

June 2024 | CWA # 1339

LS Hareesh

May 2024 | CWA # 1336

Femy Francis

May 2024 | CWA # 1330

Akhil Ajith

May 2024 | CWA # 1321

Akhil Ajith

May 2024 | CWA # 1320

Femy Francis

May 2024 | CWA # 1318

Akhil Ajith

May 2024 | CWA # 1311

Akhil Ajith

May 2024 | CWA # 1310

Dhriti Mukherjee

May 2024 | CWA # 1308

GP Team

May 2024 | CWA # 1307

IPRI Team

April 2024 | CWA # 1286

Karthik Manoharan

April 2024 | CWA # 1282

Femy Francis

April 2024 | CWA # 1275

Ramya B

April 2024 | CWA # 1273

GP Team

April 2024 | CWA # 1265

Devi Chandana M

March 2024 | CWA # 1251

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
March 2024 | CWA # 1246

Sivasubramanian K

March 2024 | CWA # 1243

GP Team

February 2024 | CWA # 1226

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
January 2024 | CWA # 1211

Bibhu Prasad Routray

January 2024 | CWA # 1199

GP Team

November 2023 | CWA # 1152

GP Team

November 2023 | CWA # 1150

NIAS Africa Team

November 2023 | CWA # 1149

Sneha Surendran

November 2023 | CWA # 1148

GP Team

November 2023 | CWA # 1146

IPRI Team

November 2023 | CWA # 1142

GP Team

November 2023 | CWA # 1140

GP Team

July 2023 | CWA # 1114

Prerana P

June 2023 | CWA # 1113

CR Team

October 2023 | CWA # 1091

Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri

Issues for Europe
October 2023 | CWA # 1090

Yogeswari S

October 2023 | CWA # 1087

PR Team

October 2023 | CWA # 1083

GP Team

September 2023 | CWA # 1076

IPRI Team

September 2023 | CWA # 1071

Dhriti Mukherjee

August 2023 | CWA # 1070

Ankit Singh

September 2023 | CWA # 1067

PR Team

September 2023 | CWA # 1062

Feben Itty

September 2023 | CWA # 1061

Genesy B

September 2023 | CWA # 1060

Sreeja JS

August 2023 | CWA # 1049

IPRI Team

August 2023 | CWA # 1045

NIAS Africa Team

August 2023 | CWA # 1043

Sneha Surendran

August 2023 | CWA # 1042

Nithyashree RB

August 2023 | CWA # 1038

Anu Maria Joseph

August 2023 | CWA # 1036

NIAS Africa Team

August 2023 | CWA # 1024

NIAS Africa Team

July 2023 | CWA # 1022

Ankita Dutta

July 2023 | CWA # 1019

Sneha Surendran

July 2023 | CWA # 1016

Medini Hegde

July 2023 | CWA # 1015

Ramya Balasubramanian

July 2023 | CWA # 1009

GP Team

July 2023 | CWA # 1008

IPRI Team

June 2023 | CWA # 985

GP Team

June 2023 | CWA # 977

NIAS Africa Team

June 2023 | CWA # 976

Jerry Franklin

June 2023 | CWA # 974

Akshaya S

June 2023 | CWA # 968

Rishika Yadav and Nityashree RB

May 2023 | CWA # 955

Amit Gupta

May 2023 | CWA # 953

GP Team

May 2023 | CWA # 952

Rishika Yadav

April 2023 | CWA # 943

NIAS Africa Team

April 2023 | CWA # 935

GP Team

March 2023 | CWA # 931

Himani Pant

March 2023 | CWA # 929

IPRI Team

March 2023 | CWA # 927

Indrani Talukdar

January 2023 | CWA # 922

Bhoomika Sesharaj

January 2023 | CWA # 921

Abigail Miriam Fernandez

March 2023 | CWA # 919

NIAS Africa Team

January 2023 | CWA # 901

Riya Itisha Ekka

January 2023 | CWA # 900

Apoorva Sudhakar

January 2023 | CWA # 899

Sayani Rana

January 2023 | CWA # 892

IPRI Team

January 2023 | CWA # 891

NIAS Africa Team

December 2022 | CWA # 886

Sethuraman Nadarajan

December 2022 | CWA # 879

Padmashree Anandhan

The Ukraine War
December 2022 | CWA # 872

Sapna Elsa Abraham

November 2022 | CWA # 848

Vignesh Ram

November 2022 | CWA # 838

Rishma Banerjee

Tracing Europe's droughts
November 2022 | CWA # 836

Padmashree Anandhan

November 2022 | CWA # 833

Rishma Banerjee

November 2022 | CWA # 814

IPRI Team

October 2022 | CWA # 809

Padmashree Anandhan

October 2022 | CWA # 808

Devjyoti Saha

October 2022 | CWA # 807

Dr Beena

October 2022 | CWA # 794

GP Team

September 2022 | CWA # 786

GP Team

July 2022 | CWA # 769

NIAS Africa Team

July 2022 | CWA # 762

Padmashree Anandhan

July 2022 | CWA # 760

GP Team

July 2022 | CWA # 759

IPRI Team

July 2022 | CWA # 757

IPRI Team

July 2022 | CWA # 756

NIAS Africa Team

June 2022 | CWA # 751

NIAS Africa Team

June 2022 | CWA # 743

NIAS Africa Team

April 2022 | CWA # 724

IPRI Team

April 2022 | CWA # 723

STIR Team

April 2022 | CWA # 720

GP Team

April 2022 | CWA # 719

IPRI Team

March 2022 | CWA # 707

GP Team

March 2022 | CWA # 706

IPRI Team

March 2022 | CWA # 705

NIAS Africa Team

In Focus: Libya
March 2022 | CWA # 703

IPRI Team

March 2022 | CWA # 701

GP Team

March 2022 | CWA # 697

Avishka Ashok

March 2022 | CWA # 696

Nireekshan Bollimpalli 

March 2022 | CWA # 695

IPRI Team

March 2022 | CWA # 693

PR Team

March 2022 | CWA # 692

GP Team

March 2022 | CWA # 691

IPRI Team

February 2022 | CWA # 689

GP Team

February 2022 | CWA # 688

Padmashree Anandhan

February 2022 | CWA # 685

IPRI Team

February 2022 | CWA # 683
February 2022 | CWA # 682

IPRI Team

February 2022 | CWA # 679

Porkkodi Ganeshpandian and Angkuran Dey

February 2022 | CWA # 678

Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan 

February 2022 | CWA # 668

Amit Gupta

January 2022 | CWA # 653

STIR Team

January 2022 | CWA # 645

Ankit Singh

January 2022 | CWA # 640

Ankit Singh

January 2022 | CWA # 639

Abigail Miriam Fernandez

January 2022 | CWA # 638

Sneha M

December 2021 | CWA # 630

GP Team

Europe in 2021
November 2021 | CWA # 613

GP Team

November 2021 | CWA # 610

Abigail Miriam Fernandez

November 2021 | CWA # 602

D. Suba Chandran

October 2021 | CWA # 595

Joeana Cera Matthews 

October 2021 | CWA # 593

Harini Madhusudhan

October 2021 | CWA # 590

Sneha M

October 2021 | CWA # 588

Abigail Miriam Fernandez

TLP is back again
October 2021 | CWA # 586

Apoorva Sudhakar

October 2021 | CWA # 584

Abigail Miriam Fernandez

September 2021 | CWA # 560

Apoorva Sudhakar

September 2021 | CWA # 550

Joeana Cera Matthews 

September 2021 | CWA # 547

Lokendra Sharma

August 2021 | CWA # 539

STIR Team

August 2021 | CWA # 533

Dincy Adlakha

August 2021 | CWA # 532

Sarthak Jain

August 2021 | CWA # 528

STIR Team

Space Tourism
July 2021 | CWA # 512

Mohamad Aseel Ummer

July 2021 | CWA # 503

GP Team

June 2021 | CWA # 498

Gurpreet Singh

May 2021 | CWA # 467

Lokendra Sharma

May 2021 | CWA # 464

GP Team

April 2021 | CWA # 456

GP Team

March 2021 | CWA # 440

IPRI Team

February 2021 | CWA # 436

IPRI Team

February 2021 | CWA # 434

Abigail Miriam Fernandez

February 2021 | CWA # 428

Abigail Miriam Fernandez

February 2021 | CWA # 427

Apoorva Sudhakar

February 2021 | CWA # 424

GP Team

January 2021 | CWA # 415

GP Team

January 2021 | CWA # 411

D Suba Chandran

December 2020 | CWA # 405

Mallika Devi

December 2020 | CWA # 404

Harini Madhusudan

December 2020 | CWA # 403

Kamna Tiwary

December 2020 | CWA # 400

Sourina Bej

November 2020 | CWA # 369

IPRI Team

September 2020 | CWA # 337

Anju Annie Mammen

September 2020 | CWA # 336

Harini Madhusudan

September 2020 | CWA # 335

Sourina Bej

August 2020 | CWA # 320

IPRI Team

June 2020 | CWA # 304

Padmashree A

May 2020 | CWA # 295

GP Team

May 2020 | CWA # 293

Boa Wang

May 2020 | CWA # 288

Adnan Aziz Chowdhury

May 2020 | CWA # 286

Boa Wang

May 2020 | CWA # 283

GP Team

April 2020 | CWA # 277

IPRI Team

April 2020 | CWA # 272

GP Team

April 2020 | CWA # 271

IPRI Team

April 2020 | CWA # 259

GP Team

April 2020 | CWA # 255

GP Team

April 2020 | CWA # 253

IPRI Team

March 2020 | CWA # 250

Rashmi Ramesh

March 2020 | CWA # 240

GP Team

March 2020 | CWA # 239

IPRI Team

February 2020 | CWA # 235

Lakshmi V Menon

February 2020 | CWA # 212

GP Team

January 2020 | CWA # 209

Boa Wang

January 2020 | CWA # 208

Vivek Mishra

December 2019 | CWA # 196

Harini Madhusudan

November 2019 | CWA # 179

Rashmi Ramesh

October 2019 | CWA # 178

Sourina Bej

September 2019 | CWA # 164

GP Team

September 2019 | CWA # 162

Lakshman Chakravarthy N

5G: A Primer
September 2019 | CWA # 161

Rashmi Ramesh

July 2019 | CWA # 147

Vivek Mishra

June 2019 | CWA # 134

Sourina Bej

June 2019 | CWA # 133

Harini Madhusudan

June 2019 | CWA # 126

Jerin George

June 2019 | CWA # 124

GP Team

May 2019 | CWA # 117

Sourina Bej

May 2019 | CWA # 114

GP Team

May 2019 | CWA # 113

GP Team

April 2019 | CWA # 111

GP Team

January 2019 | CWA # 80

Abhishrut Singh

January 2019 | CWA # 78

Kriti

January 2019 | CWA # 77

Komal Tiwary

December 2018 | CWA # 71

Mahesh Bhatta

Nepal
December 2018 | CWA # 70

Nasima Khatoon

The Maldives
December 2018 | CWA # 69

Harini Madhusudan

India
December 2018 | CWA # 68

Sourina Bej

Bangladesh
December 2018 | CWA # 67

Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer

Afghanistan
September 2018 | CWA # 58

Aparupa Bhattacherjee

August 2018 | CWA # 52

Oishee Majumdar

July 2018 | CWA # 47

Rahul Arockiaraj

July 2018 | CWA # 40

Rahul Arockiaraj

June 2018 | CWA # 26

Siddhatti Mehta

June 2018 | CWA # 21

Harini Madhusudan

May 2018 | CWA # 8

Samreen Wani

May 2018 | CWA # 1

Samreen Wani