Conflict Weekly 21

Conflict Weekly 21
Echoes of Black Lives Matter, Violence in Kashmir Valley, Rohingyas in the deep blue sea, One year of Hong Kong protests, Conflict in Libya and the human-wildlife conflict in South Asia

IPRI Team
10 June 2020
Photo Source: New York Times

IPRI Conflict Weekly, 10 June 2020, Vol.1, No. 21

Black Lives Matter brings the US to its knees

In the news

Black Lives Matter. As Floyd got buried the last week, these words have been echoed all across the major cities throughout the world, calling an end to injustice, racism, and police brutality in the United States. What started with George Floyd's tragic death has transformed into a large movement that has mobilized large numbers of people that have not been seen since the likes of the Civil Rights Movement, despite most of the country still being in quarantine. 

Meanwhile, in the US, there is an attempt to "defund" the police. Congress is working on a new bill to address the issue of policing and racism.

Issues at Large
First issue is defunding police. While this may sound like a drastic measure, most think tanks and organizations promoting the idea have confirmed that the plan would involve divesting funds from the massive national policing budget towards other neighbourhood programs such as mental health resources, social workers, and other neighbourhood programs centred around security and safety. Los Angeles took the first step; Minneapolis, the birthplace of this movement, followed it. As more local governments moved to make drastic changes to their city or county's police culture, all eyes shifted towards the decisions federal government would make.

Second issue is relating to the Democrats unveiling the "Justice in Policing Act." It aims to ban chokeholds, create a registry of police misconduct, mandate a training program against racial profiling, and most notably making changes to qualified immunity, all of which direct responses to the tragic deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. While this bill does not resemble the 'defund police movement' sparked by the protest, democrats have preached how the bill would be the 'first step' in effectively changing police culture and targeting systematic racism. Though democrats seem to be unanimously backing this bill, especially considering its moderate liberal values compared to other requests made by protestors, not all republicans are on board. 

Third issue, the biggest one is racism. While legislation reforms can address systematic racism, the answer to addressing the hundreds of years of blatant injustice and racism rooted in American society may be complex. 

In perspective
Just a few weeks ago, the statement that America should 'defund the police' would be considered far from reasonable. However, it is currently a serious question asked amongst many legislators. In fact, this proposed movement should not be considered 'radical' as President Trump suggests. 

Despite the large magnitude of support for the divesting of police funding,  the Democrats moved to enact a bill that is much more moderate in nature. As speaker of the house, Nancy Pelosi stated: "True justice can only be achieved with full, comprehensive action. This is the first step. There is more to come." If there is, in fact, "more to come," then this undoubtedly would be a great first step in changing the culture of police brutality within the system. 

Beyond agencies and organizations pushing specific legislation and Congress' actions within the past week, this particular movement is more concerned with another issue: how to address cultural racism, as a whole. While there is a multitude of different manners to address racism in America, one step that we can all take, is to look at "Black Lives Matter," from the perspective of human and not political analysis. Senator Mitt Romney, Republican Senator from Utah, was seen amidst the thousands of protestors in Washington DC All of which suggests that this movement, sparked by the public lynching of George Floyd, is far more than a political issue. To quote the thousands of tweets concerned with the issue, "It is a human rights issue."


India: Familiar patterns of violence in Kashmir Valley: South Kashmir becomes hot, militants kill a Sarpanch, LoC witness infiltration

In the news
Last week, there were three sets of violence in J&K, most of them taking place within Kashmir Valley, focussed on South Kashmir.

First, was the killing of a Sarpanch on Sunday, 7 June, in the Anantnag district in South Kashmir. The Sarpanch belongs to the Pandit community and is affiliated with the Congress party.

Second was a series of encounters between the militants and the security forces during the week. On 7 June, five militants were killed in an encounter in Shopian district. Later, in the same district, four more militants were killed on 11 June, in another encounter. Shopian district is adjacent to Anantnag district in South Kashmir.

Third, violence across the LoC relating to infiltration in the Rajouri sector.

Issues at large
First, the violence with its geographic focus in South Kashmir. Geographically, the Valley has two regions – North and South Kashmir. During the peak of militancy in the 1990s and the following decade, South Kashmir has been a focal point for militancy led by local Kashmiri fighters. It appears that the pattern is getting repeated a decade later.

Second, the targeting of panchayat leaders. During the 1990s, the militants targeted the panchayat leaders – so that there is no local governance in place at the ground level. Since 2004 (establishment of Indo-Pak ceasefire along the LoC), one of the biggest success stories of the Indian democracy in J&K is the return of panchayat elections. According to a news report (The Tribune, 11 June 2020), in the panchayat elections held in December 2018, "a total of 22,214 panches and 3,459 sarpanches were elected out of a total of 33,592 panch and 4,290 sarpanch constituencies." The panches and sarpanches have always been an easy target for the militants, as they live in the villages and towns.

Third, the fear of communal aspect of terror targets, and its impact on the return of the Pandit community. The Sarpanch who lost his life in Anantnag belongs to the Pandit community; during the 1990s, the militants targeted the Pandit community resulting in an exodus of the minorities out of Kashmir valley. During the 2010s, there has been a debate on the return of the Kashmiri Pandits, a highlight of relating to return of normalcy inside the Kashmir Valley.

Fourth is the violence across the LoC – both in terms of infiltration and cross-LoC firing. This affects the peace along not only the LoC, but also the situation within Kashmir Valley. Both developments were linked in the 1990s; the mid-2000s, especially after the 2004 ceasefire, there was a reduction in infiltration, and also the situation within the Valley.

In perspective
The BJP government has to relook at its present strategy to achieve stability in J&K. A muscular policy towards J&K is an option for New Delhi – at the political level in terms of working with the regional parties and leaders, and at the societal level, in terms of a security-first approach. But, a year later adopting such an approach, the government has to weigh the fallouts and implications and do a course correction.

Though the Indian government may have wanted to decouple its Kashmir strategy and its approaches towards Pakistan, the latter has worked against it, and inter-twined it. Islamabad is also trying to internationalize the issue and paint India on the wrong side. New Delhi has to realize, it is working. 


Rohingyas detained by Malaysia; refused by Bangladesh

In the news
On 10 June, Bangladesh Foreign Minister rejected a Reuters news report about the Malaysian plan to ask Dhaka to take in 269 Rohingyas. The Rohingyas were detained after they sought to enter Malaysia near the Langkawi Island on a damaged boat wherein the body of a woman was also retrieved. Emphasizing that Bangladesh is not obligated or willing to take any of the refugees, the foreign minister added that even if the refugees are detained, Dhaka will have no say in the matter as they are not its citizens. 

Issues at large
First, a dangerous exodus of Rohingyas is a common sight. The reports related to the Rohingya refugees stranded in the sea or detained once they land in the destination countries are increasingly common. Since 2017 the exodus of the Rohingyas to Bangladesh have been taking place trying to escape Tatmadaw's brutal atrocity. The country has received more than seven lakhs refugees and has been vocal about their indisposition. Similar to Bangladesh, other countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and India have been reluctant to receive the Rohingya refugees as they are perceived to be a burden to the economy owing to them being unskilled or semi-skilled and also seen as a security threat due to their vulnerability and religion.

Second, lack of justice against inhuman treatment of refugees stranded at sea. The Rohingyas have been rendered stateless by Myanmar's 1982 Constitution, the country of their origin. Gambia has filed a case against the government of Myanmar and the military on charges of genocide against the Rohingya in the International Court of Justice. But forcing human beings to be stranded in the sea without food or water, pushing the boats once they attempt to land or detaining the refugees, are humanitarian crimes of grave concern. Malaysia, which is the most favoured destination for the Rohingyas undertaking the arduous journey in rickety boats and overcrowded fishing trailers, have been known to either push or detain. Similarly, when a mass of graves of shelter seeking refugees was unearthed in Thailand, no punitive action was taken against these crimes.

Last, the spectre of trafficking networks thrives on the refugees' desire to survive.The large picture is the trafficking racket that accentuates the plight of the refugees. The Cox's Bazaar district of Bangladesh which has the largest camps of the Rohingya refugees serves as the ideal geostrategic location for illegal human traffickers to operate. The Rohingyas who live in the ghettoed camps are restricted from employment and fall prey to the traffickers' promise of better livelihood that inadvertently pushes them to take the risky voyage. However, it is not only them, but several reports and also the UNHCR has shown that several Bangladeshis' have sought to claim themselves as Rohingyas in order to claim the perks and sympathy of being a Rohingya.

In perspective
These incidents and report could act as a catalyst to instigate Bangladesh to send the refugees to Bhasan Char. The government has already sent a batch of 25 refugees who were saved by the marine being stranded in the sea, to this uninhabitable island of Bhasan Char. However, instead of dusting away from their responsibility, the country should focus on the larger trafficking racket that assists these refugees to travel by boats to these destinations. 


One-year since Hong Kong Protests, the movement is alive with the call for Independence 

In the news 
On the evening of 9 June, thousands of demonstrators marched on the streets of Hong Kong to mark the anniversary of the major protests that broke out against the extradition bill. One year on, the protesters continue to challenge the foundations of the 'One Country, Two Systems.' The crowd gathered in the upmarket central district, in defiance to the COVID-19 bans and emergency laws that prohibit gatherings. The rally was organized by the Civil Human Rights Front, who were seen urging the people in Hong Kong to "persevere." Since 2019, the seven months of protests was halted after the coronavirus outbreak. However for over a month now, the protests have steadily revived after the announcement of the anthem and the security bills. 

Issues at large
The year-long protests in Hong Kong highlight four issues.

First, the changing nature of the protests. The anti- extradition bill protests did not stop when the bill was nullified. What started off as peaceful demonstrations which saw as many as one million people taking to the streets eventually escalated to become routine battles between the protesters and the police. 

Second, the changing nature of demands. The early sense of the protests was to have changes to the extradition bill, which extended to the demand to scrap the entire bill. At the peak of these protests even though the bill was announced dead, the protesters' demand had shifted to more than just the scrapping of the bill. "Five demands, not one less," became the slogan in the later months of the protests. 

Third, the changing nature of responses by the Hong Kong administration and the leadership in Beijing. The first response to the protests of the Carrie Lam administration was to incorporate some of the amendments that the public demanded and when the protests escalated, very few efforts were made to engage in negotiations with the crowds. Carrie Lam would make a few public statements, however many of them were seen as being late responses. The leadership in Beijing, for the large part of 2019, maintained a policy of non- intervention. 

Last, the expanding international responses to the protests. The international media gave wide coverage to the protests, specifically painting them as pro-democracy protests. The protests in Hong Kong also became the precedence to the other protests that followed in the other parts of the world. Many international students in universities in Hong Kong were seen protesting and support for the cause was also shown by holding demonstrations in many of the cities across the world. 

In perspective 
There are clear intentions among the protesters to continue demonstrations against the policies by Beijing. The sense of mistrust towards the leadership has worsened with the security bill and the passing of the anthem bill. However, it is crucial to observe how much of society's trust is the leadership willing to lose in order to make legal changes in Hong Kong. 

The security bill stands as the strongest response by Beijing that bypasses the city's legislature entirely. It would not be possible for other regions, like Taiwan, to follow the Hong Kong model. Internationally, the protests in Hong Kong would continue to inspire other regions.


Libya: The GNA forces regain control of Tripoli from Haftar

In the news
The UN-backed GNA forces have successfully pushed Haftar's troops to the pre-April 2019 positions after a month-long campaign against them with the help of Turkish military. The city of Tarhuna was the last stronghold of Haftar troops in the western territories of Libya which was swept by the GNA troops on 5 June, proclaiming the recapture of greater Tripoli area in its entirety. The Libyan based Government of National Accord (GNA) has also taken the control of the Tripoli airport that was overrun by the Libyan National Army last year thereby making significant victories over the week. Earlier this week there were reports of Russia deploying mercenaries in Libyan soil to support the Libyan National Army (LNA) of the renegade commander Khalifa Haftar. The US Africa Command, AFRICOM released images of Russian fighter jets, MiG-29s and Su-24s in Libya and claimed that the jets are sent to provide assistance to Russia's private military contractor, Wagner group in fighting Tripoli-based GNA troops.

Issues at large
First, the international support for the rival troops. The oil-rich state, Libya, plunged into years of conflict since the demise of the popular leader Mummad Gadaffi in 2011. In April 2019 the renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar, proclaimed himself as the potential leader to unite Libya and launched an offensive to siege the capital city Tripoli. The Tripoli-based government led by Fayez-al-Sarraj is backed by the UN and the US, Turkey, Italy, and Qatar. However, the Tripoli government is seen as a terrorist supporter by the LNA forces that is based on Tobruk an eastern city which is supported by UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordon, and Russia. 

Second, the pandemic tilted the stakes towards GNA. In the wake of the pandemic and the Islamic holy month of Ramadan the Haftar troops announced ceasefire and retreated from fighting in the western fronts. Following this, with the combined involvement of the Turkish troops the GNA forces have made significant gains in the conflict and tilted the power in favour of the Tripoli-based government.

In perspective
First, the series of setbacks faced by the LNA troops halted the operation to siege the capital city after the involvement of Turkey in the fighting theatres.

Second, a serious disadvantage to Haftar's forces is that the troops have relied only on foreign aids. The key supporters of Haftar have also released a joint statement for all parties' political talks to resolve issues in Libya. This has further weakened Haftar's ambitions to capture Libya.

Last, Haftar is unlikely to give up his ambition for power in Libya. Though GNA forces have forced the LNA troops to retreat, the force of Haftar also possess capable weapons to resume a fight and hold the largest Libyan territory in compared to the Government of National Accord. Thus, the territorial gains and international pressure for peace talks do not communicate a message of the ending of the conflict. But to sustain as the warlord, Haftar could reconsider his decision to engage in political reformation talks rather than continuing a war.


Human-Animal Conflict: India's pregnant elephant death garners public outcry against policy fault lines  

In the news 
A female elephant died at the Veliyar river under the Mannarkadd division in Palakkad district in Kerala, India due to an oral injury from consuming a firecracker filled fruit. The injury restricted her from further feeding, and due to subsequent hunger and exhaustion, the elephant drowned in the river. During the post-mortem, it was found that the elephant was pregnant. This ghastly incident and visuals led to an uproar among the general public with further emotional outbursts and political mudslinging. This episode has brought the plight of wild elephants and the issue of human-elephant (wildlife) conflict to the forefront.
 
Issues at large 
First, complex ecological losses have led to negative human-animal interactions. In India, population growth, habitat loss and fragmentation, agricultural and industrial expansion have caused significant overlap of resource and space between humans and wildlife. This has led to tangible losses and decreased wellbeing for both humans and wildlife. The emotional and political outrage during this particular incident in Kerala and many other similar incidents across India in general, hide the complex environment through which the negative interactions between humans and wildlife unfold. Colonial and post-independence forest policies, industrial and agricultural land-use strategies and urbanization have a direct bearing on today's violent negative human-wildlife interactions. 
 
Second, more conflict-prone the animal species mean dangerous defensive methods by a human. Various species, such as herbivores (Asian elephants, Gaur, wild boar, macaques etc.) and carnivores (tiger, leopard, wolf, dhole etc.) have been found to be conflict-prone, and various measures such as protected area-based conservation policies, compensation for losses, conflict mitigation strategies, community-based conservation, livelihood management could not create a durable solution to this conflict. As a result affected people sometimes resort to crude methods such as usage of firecrackers or submerging live electrical wire on the field. Governmental data suggests that between 2014- 2017, 1,144 humans got killed by tiger and elephant and in the same time, 345 elephants and 84 tigers lost their lives due to the conflict. 

In perspective 
First, long term conflict management will require significant changes in land use policies and wildlife as well as farmer-friendly habitat management. In the short term, the compensation system needs to be revamped, as, presently, it is inadequate, cumbersome and time-consuming. 
 
Second, changes in livelihood and lifestyle have changed wildlife behaviour and the response of wildlife towards humans, often in detriment to each other. Only biology or sociology alone cannot address this complex issue. Rather, an interdisciplinary environment consisting of expertise from environmental science, social sciences as well as humanities needs to be created to bring out innovative solutions.
 
Last, human-wildlife conflict is often a misnomer, as humans and wildlife are not consciously conflicting with each other. Rather, recent scholarship has shown that there is often a conflict between various human-groups about wildlife. This human-human conflict is often realized through differential goals of rural farming communities and urban animal rights or conservation groups. Shifting focus towards this can lead to better conflict resolution mechanisms. Short term emotional and political outbursts will not serve any purpose.


Also during the week…

Bangladesh uses Digital Security Act to arrest journalists 
On 9 June, two journalists were arrested in Habiganj, Bangladesh due to a case filed against them under the violation of the Digital Security Act (DSA). The arrest adds to the growing number of detentions of journalists and media persons under this act in the country. In May, there have been protests in districts demanding revocation of this act as it impinges on freedom of expression. 

North Korea to sever all communications with South Korea
Pyongyang has threatened to shut down all communication lines with South Korea. The decision comes after Kim Yo-jong's demand for South Korea to stop activists from floating anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border. South Korea has reacted by stating that it would abide by the inter-Korean agreements and work towards peace and prosperity in the Korean peninsula. 

With partial disengagement, India and Chinese troops ease off tensions at LAC
The Indian and Chinese troops have begun a partial "deinduction" from some of the stand-off points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, said the defence sources on 9 June. This marks the first sign of resolution in the month-long stand-off between the Indian Army and the People's Liberation Army in the Galwan and the Hot Spring areas. A series of ground level military talks are due to be held over the next 10 days, beginning 10 June, to try and resolve most of the other issues at the local level.

 


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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 # 2065

Lakshmi Venugopal Menon

The US-Iran War, Israel-Hamas Conflict and their interconnected fallouts
April 2026 | CWA # 2064

Anwesha Ghosh

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 # 2059

Adarsh Vijay

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 # 2054

Amrita Jash

Regional assertion, Pragmatic recalibration with the West and Avoiding military entanglement in the Middle East
April 2026 | CWA # 2053

Anand V

The "Two Sessions," Recalibrated growth targets, Technology prioritization, and Military purges
April 2026 | CWA # 2052

Shreya Upadhyay

April 2026 | CWA # 2050

IPRI Team

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 # 2023

Femy Francis

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 # 2017

Global Politics Team

March 2026 | CWA # 2011

Tanvi Thara Harendra Jha

Resetting Economic, Strategic and Cultural Ties
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

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

Yesasvi Koganti

From bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership
March 2026 | CWA # 2002

Femy Francis

Reducing trade deficit and recalibrating economic cooperation with Beijing
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
March 2026 | CWA # 1991

Global Politics Team

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?
November 2025 | CWA # 1967

R Preetha

Risks, Reforms and Trajectories
November 2025 | CWA # 1966

Lekshmi MK

Five Questions on Challenges, Capacity and Policies
February 2026 | CWA # 1962

Global Politics Team

Regional Roundups: From East Asia to the Americas
February 2026 | CWA # 1961

Lekshmi MK

What does it mean for domestic politics and regional stability?
February 2026 | CWA # 1955

Global Politics Team

Regional Roundups: From East Asia to the Americas
January 2026 | CWA # 1947

Brighty Ann Sarah

January 2026 | CWA # 1946

Preetha Renganarayanan

The Davos Summit 2026
Five Major Takeaways from The World Economic Forum
January 2026 | CWA # 1945

Global Politics Team

January 2026 | CWA # 1943

Anu Maria Joseph

January 2026 | CWA # 1942

Lekshmi MK

January 2026 | CWA # 1941

Brighty Ann Sarah

January 2026 | CWA # 1940

IPRI Team

January 2026 | CWA # 1939

Lekshmi MK

January 2026 | CWA # 1937

Anu Maria Joseph

December 2025 | CWA # 1931

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1930

Aparna A Nair

December 2025 | CWA # 1924

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1914

Preetha Renganarayanan

December 2025 | CWA # 1913

Rohini Reenum

December 2025 | CWA # 1912

Lekshmi MK

December 2025 | CWA # 1911

Swati Sood

December 2025 | CWA # 1905

Femy Francis

December 2025 | CWA # 1902

Brighty Ann Sarah

December 2025 | CWA # 1893

Lekshmi MK

December 2025 | CWA # 1889

Femy Francis

December 2025 | CWA # 1881

Sunidhi Sampige

December 2025 | CWA # 1864

Femy Francis

Ten Takeaways of a SCMP Interview with a former PLA Colonel
December 2025 | CWA # 1861

Femy Francis

China Reader
November 2025 | CWA # 1859

Brighty Ann Sarah

November 2025 | CWA # 1858

Padmashree Anandhan

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 # 1790

GP Team

The World This Week#323-324
The Trump-Putin meeting & the US-China tariff extension
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 # 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 # 1762

Lekshmi MK

Ocean Darkening: 
What is the phenomenon? What are its effects? And who are more vulnerable?
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 # 1748

GP Team

The World This Week #318
PM Modi’s Visit to Trinidad and Tobago & Ghana, One big beautiful bill, and Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting
July 2025 | CWA # 1744

Chittrothu Vaihali

EU-Canada Summit 2025
What is security and defence partnership all about?
July 2025 | CWA # 1742

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly # 287-88
The 12 Day War and the Congo-Rwanda Peace Deal
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

China and the Pacific Islands 
What was the recent China-PIC joint statement about? What it says, and what it means?
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 # 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  

China’s EV Surge
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 # 1712

R Preetha

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 # 1703

M Kejia 

Sagarmatha Sambaad in Nepal
Kathmandu’s Global Agenda for the Himalayas
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 # 1694

Aashish Ganeshan

The US:
Harvard vs Trump Administration
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
Continuing Russia’s Aerial Attacks, despite exchange of prisoners
May 2025 | CWA # 1688

Ayan Datta

Gaza
The Humanitarian Crisis and Israel’s Renewed Offensive
May 2025 | CWA # 1685

Aparna A Nair

UK-EU Summit:
First step towards a reset
May 2025 | CWA # 1683

Aashish Ganeshan

Elections in Portugal:
The Rise of Chega Party and the Search for Political Stability
May 2025 | CWA # 1679

Aashish Ganeshan

US in the Middle Easr
Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE
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 # 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 # 1670

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

Singapore Elections in 2025:
People’s Action Party (PAP) Wins, Again
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?
October 2024 | CWA # 1480

IPRI Team

July 2024 | CWA # 1413

Ramya B

May 2024 | CWA # 1336

Femy Francis

April 2024 | CWA # 1275

Ramya B

March 2024 | CWA # 1251

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
March 2024 | CWA # 1246

Sivasubramanian K

February 2024 | CWA # 1226

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
November 2023 | CWA # 1148

GP Team

October 2023 | CWA # 1091

Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri

Issues for Europe
October 2023 | CWA # 1087

PR Team

October 2023 | CWA # 1083

GP Team

August 2023 | CWA # 1049

IPRI Team

July 2023 | CWA # 1012

Bibhu Prasad Routray

Myanmar continues to burn
July 2023 | CWA # 1009

GP Team

December 2022 | CWA # 879

Padmashree Anandhan

The Ukraine War
December 2022 | CWA # 872

Sapna Elsa Abraham

November 2022 | CWA # 838

Rishma Banerjee

Tracing Europe's droughts
March 2022 | CWA # 705

NIAS Africa Team

In Focus: Libya
December 2021 | CWA # 630

GP Team

Europe in 2021
October 2021 | CWA # 588

Abigail Miriam Fernandez

TLP is back again
August 2021 | CWA # 528

STIR Team

Space Tourism
September 2020 | CWA # 337

Anju Annie Mammen

February 2020 | CWA # 235

Lakshmi V Menon

September 2019 | CWA # 162

Lakshman Chakravarthy N

5G: A Primer
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
July 2018 | CWA # 47

Rahul Arockiaraj

June 2018 | CWA # 26

Siddhatti Mehta