The World this Week

CWA # 321
The World this Week
Selecting Kamala Harris in the US, Arresting Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong and Facing the Second Wave in Europe

GP Team
16 August 2020
Photo Source: NY Post

The World This Week # 80, 16 August 2020, Vol 2 No 33

N Jayaram, Shreya Upadhyay, Sourina Bej and Rashmi Ramesh

Hong Kong: Media arrests under the National Security Law

What happened? 
Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, the publisher of one of Hong Kong's best-selling newspapers, Apple Daily, was arrested on 10 August for alleged "collusion with a foreign country or external elements". Several others from the daily as well as prominent pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow Ting were also arrested the same day on similar charges. They were released on bail over the following days.  

What is the background? 
First, the arrests took place under the National Security Law (NSL), imposed by Beijing early in July. Hong Kong activists had seen off an attempt by Hong Kong's own administration to adopt national security legislation in 2003 following a protest rally by more than 500,000 people. But in the aftermath of the even more spectacular protests throughout 2019 and early this year sparked by an attempt by Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to legislate an extradition treaty that included extraditions to mainland China and violent clashes with the police, Beijing seems to have lost its patience. 

Second, under the NSL, passed by the Standing Committee of China's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress on 30 June, "secession", "subversion", "terrorism" and "collusion with foreign forces" incur maximum penalties of life imprisonment. Within hours of its coming into force, shops and restaurants began to take down posters and banners proclaiming their support to pro-democracy and pro-human rights causes, while public libraries and bookshops began removing "sensitive" texts from their shelves.

What does it mean?
Those who said that the imposition of the NSL by Beijing meant the end of "One Country, Two Systems", "A high degree of autonomy" for the territory and "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong" – which had been mantra ever since the signing of the Sino-British Agreement of 1984 that envisaged the handover of Hong Kong's sovereignty from Britain to China – stand vindicated. 

Add to this the postponement of elections to the Legislative Council which had been scheduled for 5 September – and which could have led to a massive show of strength by pro-democracy candidates – by a whole year on the specious pretext of the COVID pandemic, the people of Hong Kong stand deprived of protections envisaged under the Basic Law, the mini-constitution that governs Hong Kong since its handover in 1997. 

The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and other international bodies have warned that the draconian NSL could lead to "discriminatory or arbitrary interpretation and enforcement which could undermine human rights protection". Global human rights organization Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific Regional Director, Nicholas Bequelin, said: "The authorities' allegation of 'foreign collusion' against Jimmy Lai and others – so far without explanation – highlights how this overly broad and vague provision of the national security law can be used to prosecute those with different political views."
 

Kamala Harris: The Running Mate to Joe Biden in US Presidential Elections
What happened? 
US Senator Kamala Harris has been chosen by Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden to be his running mate in the 2020 elections. Senator Kamala's nomination makes her the first African American and Indian American to become a vice-presidential candidate. 
 
What is the background 
First, Harris born to immigrant parents, and has made a career, reflects what the US stands for. She was born to an Indian mother and Jamaican father. She made a name for herself as a top lawyer and law enforcement official. 

Second, in 2019, she launched her candidacy for President that was met with initial enthusiasm. However, she could not garner much support and earned flak from the progressives side. 'Kamala is a cop' adage was used during her presidential campaign, spoiling her chances to win over progressive liberals. She ended her candidacy in December and later endorsed Biden for the post. 
. 
What does it mean?
First, Senator Kamala's nomination brings to fore what the Democratic party stands for- young(er) and ethnically diverse. Kamala is 55-year-old, much younger than the 77-year-old white Joe. Her selection helps in balancing the overall age of the future democratic White House.

Second, her nomination has been celebrated by the party's African American, Indian American, women, immigrant, and liberal voter base. With the ongoing 'Black lives Matter' movement, the symbolism of Kamala as a candidate who has been an outspoken leader on racism and a woman of colour, will go a long way in attracting the voter base.  

Third, she needs to further up her game on specifics regarding tough questions on prison reforms, and health care reforms. Since the death of George Floyd, Harris has been outspoken in alleging police brutality and institutional racism in law enforcement and has advocated law-enforcement reform. 

Finally, the democratic party would need to devise a fresh plan on dealing with the current Covid-19 crisis which has left the incumbent weak but more aggressive. They would need to come up with robust ideas on the economy, immigration, globalization, and public health to device a winning deal. 
 

With rising Covid-19 cases, Europe at the brink of a second wave 
What happened? 
On 14 August France declared Paris and its port city Marseille as high-risk zones for the coronavirus as the government reported more than 2,500 new infections for the third day in a row.

On 13 August Germany recorded its highest daily number of new cases in three months, and infections from the COVID-19 are fast increasing in Spain, Netherlands Iceland, Belgium, Greece, and Luxembourg. 

The cases since July are increasing the stakes of a possible second wave reckoning in Europe. Spain has emerged to be the worst hit with more than 16,000 cases in the first week of August and two-thirds of cases are concentrated in the northern regions of Catalonia, Aragon, and Madrid. These emerging cases have led to the return of 14-days mandatory quarantine rules and travel warnings in the region. The apprehension has now led to a brief spat between the UK and Spain when the former placed Spain in its mandatory quarantine list. France was added to the UK's 'quarantine upon travel' list early this week. Wearing of masks, banning on smoking and cancelling of marathons are new measures put in place to curb the spread in the region. 

What is the background? 
First, tourism and holiday returnees are contributing most to the cases. After the first wave ended in June, Europe eagerly reopened its economies before the community virus load reduced permitting holidays with caution. Spain has become a good example of how tourism has become one of the many factors responsible for a spike in coronavirus cases in the region. In the rest of Europe, lifting of the three-month nationwide lockdown, the opening of bars, cafes, nightclubs have led to socializing, making new outbreaks potentially dangerous. As more return from holidays, countries such as Germany, where 1,200 cases are only from holiday returnees, are trying to balance the movement of people, businesses, and the contagion. 

Second, past lessons from national lockdown replaced with localized measures. Across Europe, governments are turning away from national lockdowns toward small scale and targeted restrictions in movement. These localized lockdowns are believed to avoid a devastated economy in spring 2021. In the UK, the city of Leicester was brought under lockdown, a model that is increasingly being followed in Catalonia, Madrid in Spain, and Aberdeen in Scotland. 

Last, young demography becomes the casualty in the second wave. One key difference from the cases registered in April and in August is that while case numbers are beginning to increase, new daily deaths remain low. This is because unlike the first wave of the pandemic, the epidemiologists have said, most of the new cases in Europe are among the youth, who are less likely to die from the virus. The youths are the holiday returnees and the most socializing group. Even though this appears to be a silver lining, the risk of the contagion to the old demography lies strong. 

What does it mean? 
First, Europe is still recuperating from the first wave both in terms of deaths and the economy. After the EU recovery fund was announced, the opening through the relaxation of national lockdowns was part of the region's policies against an economic free fall. Currently, the containment of the second wave through localized lockdowns will be another chance at saving the European economy from spiralling into recession. 

Second, while new daily cases are still several times lower than they were during Europe's peak in March and April, one thing one knows about COVID-19 is that it can spread exponentially if allowed to get out of control. There is a debate on whether it is a second wave as most cases are yet to translate into a region-wide spike. Lessons lie in tests and trace programme and Italy has become one of the examples who after being the worst-hit countries in the first wave have been able to keep its per capita daily case rate to one of the lowest levels on the continent. 

South Asia This Week

Sri Lanka: Mahinda Rajapaksa forms the new government 
SLPP led by the Rajapaksas scored big in the recent elections that were held on 5 August. Decimating the opposition completely, the party won 145 out of the 225 seats, plus five more seats from the allies. On 9 August, Mahinda Rajapaksa took an oath of office as the Prime Minister for the Ninth Parliament. 
The elections and the subsequent formation of the government have tightened the grip of Rajapaksas over the country. The family has retained key portfolios, indicating their growing influence on the political scene of Sri Lanka. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has retained the defence ministry, while PM Mahinda Rajapaksa has kept finance, urban development and Buddhist affairs ministries with himself. The latter named his son Namal Rajapaksa as the youth and sports minister and his eldest brother Chamal Rajapaksa as the irrigation minister. 

The Maldives: India announces a new economic package 
India announced a $500 million package for the Maldives in the form of a slew of connectivity and infrastructural development projects. The announcement comes after the virtual meeting between the external affairs ministers of both countries. As per the package, India and Maldives have agreed to establish an air bubble that would facilitate easy movement of people and goods during the pandemic; a submarine cable for telecom connectivity; and direct ferry service. Additionally, India would also give assistance for the Greater Male Connectivity Project to ensure inter-island connectivity. 

Pakistan: The UN General Assembly President-elect visits Islamabad
Volkan Bozkir, the UN General Assembly President-elect visited Pakistan and held meetings with Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The meeting focussed on Pakistan's response to COVID-19, Kashmir and other issues relating to peace, security and development. 
During the course of the meeting, PM Khan highlighted the 'crisis' in Kashmir and the need for the international community and the UN, in particular, to "ensure people's right to self-determination as promised under the UNSC resolutions." Bozkir's visit also highlights the strong bonhomie between Pakistan and Turkey. 

Pakistan: China to supply COVID-19 vaccines
China will supply COVID-19 vaccines to Pakistan as part of an agreement for conducting trials there. State undertaking Sinopharm will reportedly work with Karachi University on vaccine trials and distributing them to the most vulnerable sections of Pakistan's population including health workers, senior citizens, people with comorbidities and infants. 

Afghanistan government releases more Taliban prisoners
The Loya Jirga or the grand assembly in Afghanistan approved the release of 400 Taliban prisoners. Sources say that the process of releasing them has begun and around 80 of them have been released. The Loya Jirga recommended the need to monitor the movement of the released Taliban fighters, to ensure that they do not return to the battlefield once again. 
The release of these prisoners is a move to start the intra-Afghan talks scheduled to be held in Doha in the coming week. However, President Ghani warned that this was a very risky move and will pose more danger to the US and to the world. 

India and Pakistan: Both countries celebrate Independence Day
India and Pakistan celebrated their Independence Day in a low keynote due to the pandemic. However, the rhetoric was high on both sides. India, in a veiled attack, condemned China for its expansionist policies and the standoff at the LAC on the eastern front. PM Modi highlighted the need for self-reliance in all sectors, including key supply chains, pharmaceuticals and defence. On the other hand, Pakistan PM Imran Khan, in his address to the nation, spoke about the economic difficulties that the country has been facing. and also expressed solidarity with the people of Kashmir and vowed to support them in the wake of abrogation of the special status. 

Southeast and East Asia This Week
A protest movement in Thailand led by the youths is finding roots. It wants to make the Monarchy accountable
Early this week, there were protests led by the youths, mostly students. The demands have been expanding. A student activist was arrested on 14 August 2020, for taking part in "Free Youth" rally earlier in July 2020. The rally is considered to be one of the largest since the military coup in 2014. A note from the Human Rights Watch fears that there would be more arrests of the youth activists. 

The cause of the protests vary. From the influence of the military in the Schools and society to the role of the monarchy and its expenditure, the students have multiple demands. The latest demand includes the disappearance of dissidents in Thailand. The primary demand is on making the monarchy accountable, allow criticism and revoke Lèse-majesté laws in Thailand. According to the Thai Criminal Code, "Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years."

Europe and the Americas This Week
The United States: Trump wants to block further funds to the US Postal Service (USPS) and questions the process of Mail ballots
Postal voting in the US has been an election practice, which is legally acceptable across the States. The ballot paper is mailed to the registered voter by post and is returned via post. With the COVID situation continuing to wreak havoc across the States, more Americans are expected to use the postal voting for the forthcoming Presidential elections.

Trump and the Democrats are divided on the issue. The Democrats want to expand the process, and increase the funding for the USPS to ensure the mail-in ballot process is smooth and on time. Trump wants to undermine the process but blocking the funds to the USPS. He is also against the idea; The Washington Post has quoted him saying: ""If we don't make a deal, that means they don't get the money…That means they can't have universal mail-in voting. They just can't have it." 

This issue of the postal ballot is likely to snowball further and question the credibility of the process.

Belarus: The protests against President Alexander Lukashenko intensifies
During the last one week, the protests against the President have only got intensified further. The primary demand of the protestors is focussed on the recent elections, in which the President is re-elected with a 80 per cent voting. The protestors want a revote and the President to step down. The Opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who have lost the elections, has left to neighbouring Lithuania, fearing her safety. 

Later this week, the protests in the capital – Minsk got intensified and got one more demand – the brutal State response. One protestor was killed, and others were brutally attacked by the security forces. 
 
 On 13 August, the Presidents of Lithuania, Poland, Latvia and Estonia, who are the neighbours of Belarus (and the members of NATO and the EU) made an official statement, wanting "Belarus to be a stable, democratic, independent and prosperous country" have called upon the President of the Republic of Belarus to: "de-escalate the situation" and "terminate the use of force," stop violence, urgently release all detained protesters, and "immediately initiate a dialogue with the Belarusian people." The EU has held an emergency meeting, and is likely "initiate a process of sanctions against those responsible for the violence, arrests and fraud in connection with the election."

Russia, on the other hand, is likely to support Belarus.

Greece-Turkey standoff: France ready to deploy troops in Eastern Mediterranean 
President Emmanuel Macron on 12 August has ordered French forces to be deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean as the stakes are rising in the regional confrontation over energy explorations among Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt. France's decision follows Macron's visit to Beirut and also a series of aggressive exchanges of threats to Turkey over its involvement in Syria and Libya. 

Turkey has so far made claims on what Greece and Cyprus consider their own exclusive economic zones, and in the beginning of this week sent the Oruc Reis seismic exploration ship, accompanied by warships, into the contested area. 
 

Mr N Jayaram is a senior journalist. Dr Shreya Upadhyay is Nehru Fulbright scholar. Sourina Bej and Rashmi Ramesh are a Research Associated and PhD Scholar respectively in NIAS.


PREVIOUS COMMENTS

Conflict Weekly
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
CW Column
May 2026 | CWA # 2091

Brighty Ann Sarah

Conflicts in the Middle East:
Escalating Israeli Aggression in Lebanon I UAE’s Covert Manoeuvres 
CW Note
May 2026 | CWA # 2090

Brighty Ann Sarah

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

Nithin V

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

Aishal Hab Yousuf

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

Brighty Ann Sarah

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

Akshath Kaimal

Escalating Violence in Mali:
Between Ethnic Insurgencies, Jihadist Attacks, and Military Coups
CW Note
April 2026 | CWA # 2074

Brighty Ann Sarah

Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire:
Asymmetric Terms, Fragile Truce and Israeli Occupation
CW Note
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
Special Commentary
April 2026 | CWA # 2072

Anu Maria Joseph

Three Years of War in Sudan
Prolonged Stalemate, Humanitarian Cost, External Interventions and Regional Fallouts
Peace and Conflicts This Quarter (January–March 2026)
April 2026 | CWA # 2069

Padmashree Anandhan

The War in Ukraine
Expanding Drone Warfare, Russia's Strategic Patience and Ukraine's Diplomatic Outreach
Peace and Conflicts This Quarter (January–March 2026)
April 2026 | CWA # 2068

Femy Francis 

China-Japan Tensions
Escalating Defence Posturing and Economic Decoupling
Peace and Conflicts This Quarter (January–March 2026)
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
Peace and Conflicts This Quarter (January–March 2026)
April 2026 | CWA # 2066

Akshath Kaimal

The Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict
Recurrent Clashes, Defiant Taliban, Contesting Narratives and Emerging China’s Role
The World This Quarter 
April 2026 | CWA # 2065

Lakshmi Venugopal Menon

The Middle East (Jan–Mar 2026):
The US-Iran War, Israel-Hamas Conflict and their interconnected fallouts
The World This Quarter 
April 2026 | CWA # 2064

Anwesha Ghosh

Afghanistan (Jan–Mar 2026):
Gender Repression, Leadership Rifts, Regional Realignments and Clashes with Pakistan
The World This Quarter 
April 2026 | CWA # 2063

Ramya B

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

Himani Pant

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

S Shaji

Africa (Jan-Mar 2026)
Elections, Civil Wars, Militancy and Peace Initiatives
The World This Quarter 
April 2026 | CWA # 2059

Adarsh Vijay

India and the World (Jan-Mar 2026)
Maintaining Strategic Autonomy, Balancing the US relations and Resetting the China ties 
The World This Quarter 
April 2026 | CWA # 2058

Nishchal N Pandey  & Mahesh Raj Bhatta

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

Bibhu Prasad Routray

Myanmar (Jan-Mar 2026)
An Illegitimate Regime’s Consolidation Game
The World This Quarter
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
The World This Quarter 
April 2026 | CWA # 2055

Haans J Freddy

East Asia (Jan-Mar 2026)
China’s military operations near Taiwan, Japan-China tensions and South Korea’s security challenges
The World This Quarter
April 2026 | CWA # 2052

Shreya Upadhyay

The United States (Jan-Mar 2026)
Tariffs, Ukraine, Iran and Operationalization of Trump’s World Order
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
Global Politics Early Bird
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

China’s 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 EU’s energy dependence
Global Politics Early Bird
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
February 2026 | CWA # 1998

Anu Maria Joseph

Instability in Sudan
Response to the genocide call and the threats of a regional spillover
PR Commentary
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
Pakistan in 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1971

Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi

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

Aparna A Nair

Pakistan & China
Ten Years of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
PR Explainer
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 Starmer’s visit and the Recalibration of Economic, Strategic, and Domestic ties
TWTW Note
January 2026 | CWA # 1946

R Preetha

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

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025
State of Global Politics 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1924

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025
This Week in History
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
The World This Week
August 2025 | CWA # 1790

GP Team

The World This Week#323-324
The Trump-Putin meeting & the US-China tariff extension
TWTW note
August 2025 | CWA # 1780

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

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

GP Team

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

Lekshmi MK

28 July 1914
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, starting the First World War
Global Politics Explainer
July 2025 | CWA # 1770

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

Pakistan-Afghanistan relations:
Why the focus on terrorism, refugees, and Uzbekistan as the third partner?
The World This Week
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
Global Politics Explainer
July 2025 | CWA # 1762

Lekshmi MK

Ocean Darkening: 
What is the phenomenon? What are its effects? And who are more vulnerable?
Global Politics Explainer
July 2025 | CWA # 1749

R Preetha

Africa as the Hunger Epicenter
Of the 13 Global Hunger Hotspots, 8 are in Africa: Five reasons why
The World This Week
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
Global Politics Explainer
July 2025 | CWA # 1744

Chittrothu Vaihali

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

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly # 287-88
The 12 Day War and the Congo-Rwanda Peace Deal
Global Politics Explainer
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?
TWTW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1735

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025:
Trump making Europe great again
The World This Week
June 2025 | CWA # 1734

GP Team

The World This Week #317
NATO Summit 2025 and Russia-Mali bilateral agreements
Global Politics Explainer
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?
TWTW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1728

M Kejia

G7 Summit 2025:
The Focus on the Middle East and Trade negotiations
TWTW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1727

Aparna A Nair

Second China-Central Asia Summit:
China’s continuing search for regional partners, and the emphasis on the BRI
The World This Week
June 2025 | CWA # 1726

GP Team

The World This Week #316
China-Central Asia Summit in Kazakhstan, and the G7 Summit in Canada
Global Politics Explainer
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?
Conflict Weekly
June 2025 | CWA # 1724

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly #286
The Spiralling Israel-Iran Crisis, and the Dangerous Hunger Hotspots
Global Politics Explainer
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?
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1720

Lekshmi MK

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

J Yamini  

China’s EV Surge
What contributes to the rise of BYD
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1717

J Yamini

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

Femy Francis

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

GP Team

The World This Week #315
The UN Ocean Conference in France and the US-China Meeting in London
Conflict Weekly
June 2025 | CWA # 1709

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly #284-285
Cambodia-Thailand Border Tensions, Protests in the US, and the Indigenous MÄori question in New Zealand
The World This Week
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
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1703

M Kejia 

Sagarmatha Sambaad in Nepal
Kathmandu’s Global Agenda for the Himalayas
Global Politics Explainer
June 2025 | CWA # 1700

R Preetha

Ethiopia bans the TPLF
What does the TPLF ban mean for the Pretoria agreement? What next for Ethiopia?
TWTW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1694

Aashish Ganeshan

The US:
Harvard vs Trump Administration
The World This Week
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
The World This Week
May 2025 | CWA # 1690

GP Team

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

Padmashree Anandhan

Ukraine
Continuing Russia’s Aerial Attacks, despite exchange of prisoners
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1688

Ayan Datta

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

Aparna A Nair

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

Aashish Ganeshan

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

Aashish Ganeshan

US in the Middle Easr
Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1678

Gauri Gupta

China in Latin America
China-CELAC forum: Strengthening ties with Latin America and Caribbean
The World This Week
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
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1675

Lekshmi MK

Turkey:
PKK disbands after 40 years of armed insurgency
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1673

Padmashree Anandhan

Ukraine:
The Discussion in Turkiye and the Elusive Ceasefire
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1672

D Suba Chandran

India and Pakistan:
De-escalation and the “New Normal”
CW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1671

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

US, Ukraine and Russia:
Air attacks amidst a Minerals deal and Ceasefire Proposals
Global Politics Early Bird
May 2025 | CWA # 1670

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

Singapore Elections in 2025:
People’s Action Party (PAP) Wins, Again
TWTW Note
May 2025 | CWA # 1667

R Preetha and Brighty Ann Sarah

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

Padmashree Anandhan

The US-Ukraine
The mineral deal with the US
Conflict Weekly
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
Global Politics Early Bird
May 2025 | CWA # 1663

R Preetha

Canada Elections 2025:
What do the results convey? What next for Mark Carney?
NIAS Global Politics Database
March 2024 | CWA # 1251

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
NIAS Global Politics Database
February 2024 | CWA # 1226

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
The War in Ukraine
October 2023 | CWA # 1091

Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri

Issues for Europe
IPRI Quarterly Forecasts I Triggers, Trends, and Trajectories
July 2023 | CWA # 1012

Bibhu Prasad Routray

Myanmar continues to burn
2022: The World This Year
December 2022 | CWA # 879

Padmashree Anandhan

The Ukraine War
Europe: Heatwaves, Wildfires, Droughts, and Ice Melt in Alps
November 2022 | CWA # 838

Rishma Banerjee

Tracing Europe's droughts
NIAS Africa Weekly
March 2022 | CWA # 705

NIAS Africa Team

In Focus: Libya
The World This Week: 150th Issue
December 2021 | CWA # 630

GP Team

Europe in 2021
Pakistan Reader
October 2021 | CWA # 588

Abigail Miriam Fernandez

TLP is back again
NIAS Fortnightly on Science, Technology & International Relations
August 2021 | CWA # 528

STIR Team

Space Tourism
Science, Technology and International Relations
September 2019 | CWA # 162

Lakshman Chakravarthy N

5G: A Primer
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 71

Mahesh Bhatta

Nepal
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 70

Nasima Khatoon

The Maldives
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 69

Harini Madhusudan

India
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 68

Sourina Bej

Bangladesh
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 67

Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer

Afghanistan