Conflict Weekly 39

CWA # 358
Conflict Weekly 39
An Afghan woman nominated for the Nobel and a Dalit woman assaulted in India. External actors get involved in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

IPRI Team
8 October 2020
Photo Source: AlJazeera

IPRI Conflict Weekly, 08 October 2020, Vol.1, No.39

Fatemah Ghafori, Sourina Bej, Apoorva Sudhakar and Abigail Miriam Fernandez

Afghan woman politician nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
In the news
On 5 October Fawzia Koofi, the first woman Deputy Speaker of Afghanistan, was declared to be nominated for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize by the Nobel committee. The prize is due to be announced on 9 October. 

The Norwegian Peace Council, an umbrella NGO of 20 Norwegian Peace organizations in Oslo, released its list of five frontrunners for the Nobel Peace Prize, choosing Koofi as the top favourite, out of a total number of 318 candidates.

As a member of the team of delegates engaging with the Taliban, Fawzia remains one of the prominent faces, advocating women's rights in the talks in Doha. 

Issues at large
First, the role played by the women negotiators in the intra-Afghan talks. The Afghan government had appointed four women - Fatemah Gilani, Fawzia Koofi, Habibeh Sarabi, and Sharifa Zurmati as part of the negotiating team and all the four have vowed to push for women's rights in any deal with the Taliban. The four have become the beacon of hope for the Afghan women who see that this team would be a channel through which their voices would be heard.  

Second, Koofi represents the everyday struggle of the Afghan women. Koofi is a politician, women rights activist, leader of the "Wave of Transformation" party and served as a member of the Parliament in Afghanistan. Koofi had survived an attack by unidentified gunmen in August and also in March 2010, when she was the deputy speaker of the Parliament. She has also been targeted by the Taliban when she went to the eastern province of Nangarhar to commemorate women's day. During the Taliban's stay in power (1996-2001), her father and brother were killed. Life became more difficult when the Taliban imprisoned Fawzia Koofi's husband, who later died of tuberculosis while in prison. In honour of her husband, she never married again. Koofi, a victim of the war in Afghanistan, comes from among the people and feels the exact pain that each Afghan women feel today.  

Third, nomination is a step towards honouring women peacebuilders.  While women's participation in the peace process is among the most important issues, remembering and honouring women's struggles has an important message to the world. This nomination coveys the message of the world's support and honour of Afghan women activists and women's meaningful participation in the peace process and decision making. Koofi wrote in her Facebook "Most of this honour goes back to the common, long, and peaceful struggles of the Afghan people, especially the women of this country people who are both victims and have great forgiveness."

In perspective
The nomination of Koofi for the Nobel Peace Prize is a great honour and achievement for all women in Afghanistan and South Asia. Afghan women hope that Koofi wins the award, and are waiting for the announcement of the winner will be made in Oslo by the Norwegian Nobel Committee on 9 October. Her win will undoubtedly have a direct impact on stability and human rights in her Afghanistan. This would encourage women's meaningful presence in the long-term peace process, and their stand for human rights and democracy, which many women feel has been eroding in the talks with the Taliban. 

Even if she doesn't win, her nomination carries a symbolic achievement. 

 
Caught in caste, politics and apathy, India's soul bleeds with yet another brutal rape
In the news 
On 6 October in one of the most populous states in India, a gruesome rape of a 19-year-old woman saw the country's apex court, the federal government and several institutions get into a heated debate over how to keep the women in one of the largest democracies in the world safe. The state government in Uttar Pradesh sought Supreme Court-monitored time-bound CBI inquiry into the rape that has yet again shaken the conscious of the country. 

On 14 September, the victim, belonging to a lower caste, was assaulted and allegedly gang-raped by the high-caste men in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. Following the brutal assault, the young woman's body was mutilated, her tongue chopped off and choked with a cloth in an attempt to keep her from filing a police complaint. After her death, several attempts were made by the district administration and local police to cremate her body without the presence of her family hurriedly. Questions have been raised whether a rape has indeed occurred; reluctance deterred a timely lodging of a complaint and above all protests broke out across India when attempts to protect the higher caste accused unfolded. 
What started as a rape of a woman has now entered a public debate over caste, sexual violence and socio-political marginalization in India. 

Issues at large 
First, the convergence of gender, caste and poverty. The beginning of the rape does not start in the millet fields of Hathras, but in the discrimination, women like her have repeatedly faced on account of coming from a lower Dalit Valmiki caste. The rape of the women puts in focus the sexual violence faced by the Dalit women; many are yet to receive above primary education and face a "triple burden" of gender bias, caste discrimination and economic deprivation. The violation of a women's body has become preposterously easy when she comes from a lower caste. Rape then becomes a tool for higher-caste men to assert hegemony in one form or another. The turning point came in 2006 when four members of a Dalit family in Maharashtra were brutally murdered by upper caste men when police complaint was lodged by the mother against a land dispute. As more and more women become assertive, rape has become a tool of control; but if a woman has a marginalized caste identity, sexual violence is rampant.  

Second, the politicization of the caste identity. The rape of the women quickly unfolded into a singular narrative of caste domination in the State where caste politics dictate the everyday life of the people. Hathras is a reserved constituency and forms the bedrock of lower-caste votes. Besides, the administration and the police with high caste officers lacked the maturity and humanity to handle a volatile situation, thereby giving space for several political parties to politicize the issue.  

Third, memories from the 2012 Nirbhaya rape tragedy. The protests in the aftermath of the rape stoke memory from a similar outrage the country say in 2012 when four men in the capital city brutally raped a woman from Delhi. The cruel irony remains that the country's women have to sit for another candlelight vigil just six months after the hanging of the convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya tragedy. Asha Devi, the mother of Nirbhaya, has rightly said, "nothing has changed in these eight years." What changed has been the deteriorating state response to this rape tragedy. While the Delhi rape tragedy saw swift arrests, extreme public outcry, political pressure to change the law and after a long drawn legal battle punishment of the accused. In Hathras, the superintendent of police, the station house officer has been swiftly transferred after arresting the accused, and the village was cordoned off to stem the free flow of information. 

In perspective 
Since 2012, India had registered more rape cases, yet some incidents have the capacity to jolt the country of its slumber and ignorance towards its women's rights. The ghastly incident, which has led to a political slugfest, highlights the plight of women in the state and the country. Continuing caste-based discrimination, and lapses in administration make the fight for women safely difficult. When rape becomes a political power play, every woman in this country has ostensible reason to fear and not just the rape-victim. It becomes certain that the impunity of the crime shadows the lives of all women in this country. The tragedy in Hathras will become another forgotten story; can we afford that any more. 
 

Turkey, Russia and regional issues in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
In the news
On 5 October, Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service warned that escalation of conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region posed a threat of Islamist radicals to Moscow. Meanwhile, despite Russia, France, and the United States calling for an unconditional ceasefire, Turkey has come out in support of Azerbaijan and said that without a sustainable solution, a ceasefire is meaningless. 

On 27 September, clashes erupted between the two countries resulting in at least 300 deaths including civilians and declaration of martial law in both countries. 

Issues at large
First, Turkey's increasing assertiveness in the region. Armenia claims that Turkey has been sending fighters to the region, including from Syria and Libya. Though Turkey has denied claims of sending mercenaries to Azerbaijan, Erdogan has maintained that support for Azerbaijan is a part of Turkey's quest for its "deserved place in the world order." France and Syria have blamed Turkey for crossing the red line and stirring up the conflict. 

Second, Russia's hesitations to get involved in the conflict. Russia, which has enjoyed relations with both the former Soviet blocs, has sold arms to the two countries but Russia's defence pact guarantees security to Armenia. Moscow may, however, not extend the support in the conflicted region because it is internationally recognized as a part of Azerbaijan. Moreover, this is an opportunity for Russia to counter the current Armenian leadership's anti-Kremlin politics. 

Third, Iran as a balancing actor. Despite sharing a border with Azerbaijan and having a common Shia ethnicity, Iran has stayed away from getting involved in the conflict and has called for negotiations. However, in the past week, small demonstrations were held in support of Azerbaijan, including in Tehran and Tabriz. 

Fourth, Azerbaijan's role in Europe and Turkey's energy security. The Nagorno-Karabakh region is an important transit route for the supply of oil and natural gas to the European Union and Turkey from Azerbaijan which produces oil up to 800,000 barrels per day. The pipeline along this route delivered 9.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Turkey in 2019 and is due to start supplying Greece and Italy with up to 3 per cent of the EU's total supply next month. 

In perspective
On 5 October, NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg called for a ceasefire. However, Turkey's hardline stance on the conflict raises questions on NATO's effectiveness. Further, the Minsk Group, formed under the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), to mediate between the two countries over the 1992 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, has failed to address the conflict today. As the Group is headed by France, Russia and the US, the conflict would pave the way for Turkey to marginalize the Minsk Group. Azerbaijan, too, has said it has lost patience with the OSCE's failure to resolve the conflict and demands Turkey be included in any further negotiation. 

On 7 October, Iran warned if fighting between Azeri and ethnic Armenian forces in the South Caucasus prolongs, a regional war is inevitable. If so, the main external actors would be Russia and Turkey. Since the US role in the region has been decreasing, other powers like France and Iran may also enter the conflict which could lead to scenarios similar to those in Syria and Libya or the East Mediterranean.
 

Also, from around the world


Peace and Conflict in Southeast and East Asia
Hong Kong: Primary school educator struck off for "promoting Hong Kong independence"
On 6 October, Chief Executive Carrie Lam pledged to "weed out the bad apples" from the teaching profession, after a primary school educator was struck off for "promoting Hong Kong independence" in the classroom. She to extend support to the Education Bureau who deregister the school teacher from the professional register. Further, Lam emphasized that this is the first case of deregistering a teacher under the Education Ordinance on grounds other than criminal and sexual offences stating that this is a very "serious matter." Apart from the deregistration, the bureau has sent reprimands and warning letters to 33 teachers, who could also be disqualified if found guilty of misconduct.

Indonesia: Protests against the new labour law
On 6 October, thousands of workers and students protested peacefully at the start of a three-day national strike against President Joko Widodo's "omnibus" job creation bill, which was passed into law on 5 October. The Indonesian police have used water cannon and teargas to disperse protesters. Although the government says is vital to attract investment through the relaxation of rigid labour rules and streamlining of environmental rules and also create jobs, critics view it as too pro-business with its removal of labour protections and relaxation of environmental rules. Further, the bill has also been criticized by both environmental experts and some of the world's biggest investors, who expressed concern over its impact on the country's tropical forests.
 
Peace and Conflict in South Asia
Bangladesh: Protests over the rise of sexual assaults
On 5 October, protests erupted in Dhaka and other parts of the other to protest against the increasing number of sexual assaults. This comes after the incident of a woman being stripped naked and tortured in the southern district of Noakhali. The protesters mostly left-leaning activists, began the demonstrations in front of the National Museum with the banner, "Bondi Somoyer Chitkar," while people from different walks of life also joined the demonstration. Further, the protesters called for the resignation of the home minister for his failure to stop the incidents of rape and oppression of women across the country. According to the local human rights organization between January and September 2020 nearly 1,000 rape cases were reported, including 208 gang rapes.

Afghanistan: Eight killed after a car bomb attack targeted at Laghman provincial governor's convoy
On 5 October, a car bomb attack on the convoy of the governor of Afghanistan's Laghman province left eight people dead, including four of the governor's bodyguards, while the Governor and 40 left injured. This attack came as Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani arrived in Doha where he was to meet the Afghan team negotiating with the Taliban. No terrorist outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack. Later on, 6 October, four Afghan soldiers were killed in a car bomb attack against a security post of the National Army in Helmand, however, although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, spokesman for the provincial governor said that Taliban had carried out the attack.

Pakistan: Ahmadi professor killed in Peshawar
On 5 October, unidentified gunmen shot dead a professor in the Wazir Bagh area of Peshawar. The slain Dr Naeemuddin Khattak, who belonging to the Ahmadi community, is reported to have been killed following an argument over religion on the previous day. The police have registered cases against a relative Mubasir and Saad Farooq, a fellow professor. Both said to have argued with the slain professor and named by the deceased's family in the FIR. This attack comes two months after a Pakistani-American man who belonged to the Ahmadiya community was shot dead inside a court during his trial under Pakistan's blasphemy law. Further, Peshawar has witnessed an uptick in violence against Ahmadis recently. This is the third attack on an Ahmadi in the city since July 2020.

Peace and Conflict in Central Asia
Kyrgyzstan: PM and parliament speaker steps down amid election protests
On 6 October, Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Kubatbek Boronov and Speaker of the Parliament Dastan Dzhumabekov resigned on Tuesday amid protests in the country. However, on the same day, the deputies of the Kyrgyz Parliament elected a new speaker of the parliament and acting prime minister of the country. Further, protesters broke into Kyrgyzstan's government headquarters following clashes with police, with thousands taking to the streets over the results of a recent parliamentary election, which was marred by allegations of vote-buying. Demonstrators are said to have also freed former President Almazbek Atambayev from a jail cell in the country's national security committee building. This uprising comes amid the growing concerns of the people over rampant corruption and domination by certain powerful clans.

Peace and Conflict in the Middle East and Africa
Saudi Arabia-Turkey: Saudi escalated measures to ban Turkish goods
On 4 October, the head of the Saudi Council of Chambers of Commerce called for a boycott of Turkish products, tweeting, "Boycotting everything that is Turkish, whether on the level of import, investment or tourism, is the responsibility of every Saudi' merchant and consumer', in response to the continuing hostility of the Turkish government against our leadership, our country and our citizens." For many months, there have been talks of an official Saudi tightening to limit the arrival of Turkish goods to the country, by delaying trucks at crossings and customs and complicating import procedures, but the numbers have not significantly decreased, which explains the new government direction to raise the level of restrictions.

Mali: ECOWAS lifts post-coup sanctions
On 6 October, the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) said "heads of state and government have decided to lift sanctions" to "support" the handover to civilian rule. The regional bloc had imposed wide-ranging sanctions include a ban on commercial trade and financial flows, but not on basic necessities, drugs, equipment to fight the coronavirus pandemic, fuel or electricity. The regional bloc had issued a statement upholding sanctions imposed on Mali after the coup until a civilian prime minister was appointed. Further, this move came a day retired Colonel Bah Ndaw, who was sworn in last month, appointed a 25-strong government tasked with leading the country to elections.

Peace and Conflict from Europe and the Americas
Belarus: Lithuania, Poland recalling ambassadors from the country
On 6 October, the foreign ministries of Poland and Lithuania, who offer support to the Belarusian opposition, have said they were recalling their ambassadors from Minsk for consultations. Poland suggested ambassadors from some other European Union nations were also being recalled. The move came after an announcement by Belarus that it was recalling its ambassadors from the two countries and urging them to do the same. Belarus also demanded that Poland and Lithuania scale down their missions in the country because of their "destructive activity" and accuses the two neighbouring countries of meddling in its affairs by hosting exiled opposition leaders and refusing to recognize the victory of Alexander Lukashenko. Further, Poland and Lithuania are taking steps to win EU and international support for efforts toward a democratic Belarus.
 
USA: Trump rejects Democrats' COVID-19 aid offer
On 6 October, President Donald Trump abruptly put an end to months of negotiations over a COVID-19 relief package, rejecting the Democrats' latest offer and stating that he wanted to postpone negotiations until after the November election. In response to this, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said Trump had put his interests above the country's and said he was "unwilling to crush the virus." Further, this rejection and delay mean both parties head into a crucial election without more relief for Americans struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to high levels of unemployment and caused businesses to suffer as states impose social distancing measures.
 
USA: Facebook bans QAnon conspiracy theory accounts
On 6 October, Facebook said "Starting today, we will remove Facebook Pages, Groups and Instagram accounts," with the company banning all accounts linked to the QAnon conspiracy theory movement from its platforms. The company also stated that its staff had begun removing content and deleting groups and pages, however, the process would take time. Further, Facebook said it was updating measures implemented in August, which aimed to "disrupt the ability of QAnon" to organize through - and operate on - its networks. The move comes three years after the far-right conspiracy theory began and with Facebook's earlier decision to remove or restrict groups and accounts sharing and promoting QAnon material.
 

About the authors
Fatemah Ghafori is a UMISARC scholar from the Pondicherry University; Sourina Bej is a Project Associate; Apoorva Sudhakar and Abigail Miriam Fernandez are Research Assistants at NIAS.

 

 


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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
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 # 2054

Amrita Jash

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

Anand V

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

Shreya Upadhyay

Conflict Weekly
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
Global Politics Early Bird
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
The World This Week
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

PR Commentary
February 2026 | CWA # 1986

Preetha Renganarayanan

Focus on Trade, Defense, Energy and Regional Connectivity
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?
PR Explainer
November 2025 | CWA # 1967

R Preetha

Risks, Reforms and Trajectories
November 2025 | CWA # 1966

Lekshmi MK

Five Questions on Challenges, Capacity and Policies
The World This Week
February 2026 | CWA # 1962

Global Politics Team

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

Lekshmi MK

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

Global Politics Team

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

Brighty Ann Sarah

TWTW Note
January 2026 | CWA # 1946

Preetha Renganarayanan

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

Global Politics Team

Conflict Weekly Note
January 2026 | CWA # 1943

Anu Maria Joseph

CW Note
January 2026 | CWA # 1942

Lekshmi MK

CW Note
January 2026 | CWA # 1941

Brighty Ann Sarah

Conflict Weekly
January 2026 | CWA # 1940

IPRI Team

TWTW Note
January 2026 | CWA # 1939

Lekshmi MK

CW Note
January 2026 | CWA # 1937

Anu Maria Joseph

State of Global Politics 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1931

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025
State of Global Politics 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1930

Aparna A Nair

State of Global Politics 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1924

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025
State of Global Politics 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1914

Preetha Renganarayanan

State of Global Politics 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1913

Rohini Reenum

State of Global Politics 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1912

Lekshmi MK

State of Global Politics 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1911

Swati Sood

State of Global Politics 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1905

Femy Francis

State of Peace and Conflict 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1902

Brighty Ann Sarah

State of Peace and Conflict 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1893

Lekshmi MK

State of Peace and Conflict 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1889

Femy Francis

State of Peace and Conflict 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1881

Sunidhi Sampige

China Reader
December 2025 | CWA # 1864

Femy Francis

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

Femy Francis

China Reader
CW Column: The Conflicts in The Middle East
November 2025 | CWA # 1859

Brighty Ann Sarah

CW Column: The War in Ukraine
November 2025 | CWA # 1858

Padmashree Anandhan

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
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
CW Note
June 2025 | CWA # 1712

R Preetha

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 # 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?
Conflict Weekly 250th Issue
October 2024 | CWA # 1480

IPRI Team

This Week in History
July 2024 | CWA # 1413

Ramya B

Global Politics Early Bird
May 2024 | CWA # 1336

Femy Francis

This Week in History
April 2024 | CWA # 1275

Ramya B

NIAS Global Politics Database
March 2024 | CWA # 1251

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
This Week in History
March 2024 | CWA # 1246

Sivasubramanian K

NIAS Global Politics Database
February 2024 | CWA # 1226

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
The World This Week
November 2023 | CWA # 1148

GP Team

The War in Ukraine
October 2023 | CWA # 1091

Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri

Issues for Europe
NIAS Pakistan Weekly
October 2023 | CWA # 1087

PR Team

The World This Week
October 2023 | CWA # 1083

GP Team

Conflict Weekly
August 2023 | CWA # 1049

IPRI Team

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

Bibhu Prasad Routray

Myanmar continues to burn
The World This Week
July 2023 | CWA # 1009

GP Team

2022: The World This Year
December 2022 | CWA # 879

Padmashree Anandhan

The Ukraine War
2022: The World This Year
December 2022 | CWA # 872

Sapna Elsa Abraham

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
GLOBAL PROTEST MOVEMENTS
September 2020 | CWA # 337

Anju Annie Mammen

The FATF Meeting, February 2020
February 2020 | CWA # 235

Lakshmi V Menon

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
United States
July 2018 | CWA # 47

Rahul Arockiaraj

East Asia
June 2018 | CWA # 26

Siddhatti Mehta