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Conflict Weekly
The Russia-Ukraine Drone Warfare, Violence in Kosovo, and a Separatists' Crisis in Cameroon
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IPRI Team
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Conflict Weekly #178, 01 June 2023, Vol.4, No.22
An initiative by NIAS-IPRI and India Office of the KAS
Padmashree Anandhan, Rishika Yadav, Jerry Franklin, Varsha K and Nithyashree RB
Russia and Ukraine: A New Drone Warfare
Padmashree Anandhan
In the news
On 28 May, The Guardian reported on the "biggest drone attack" launched by Russia into Kyiv. The Ukrainian military confirmed countering 52 out of 54 Shahed drones. It reported Russia to have used the eastern coast of the Azov Sea using unconventional routes. Kyiv's military administration head, Serhiy Popko, said: "The attack was carried out in several waves, and the air alert lasted more than five hours."
On 29 May, RT reported on Russia's defence ministry claim of launching "multiple high accuracies strikes" on Ukraine's military "airfields" during 28-29 May. According to the report, Ukraine's command posts, ammunition storage, and aircraft were attacked in the frontline across Luhansk, Donetsk, and Kharkiv districts.
On 30 May, drone attacks were reported in Moscow. According to Russia's Defence Ministry, eight drones hit Moscow. As per the report from Politico, the attacks were particularly launched in Western Moscow, which comprises the elite Russian community. According to one of the residents in the area, the attacks were "shocking and confusing."
On 31 May, The New York Times reported: "The dueling strikes reflected the dialed-up tension and shifting priorities ahead of Ukraine's expected counteroffensive. Ukraine has increasingly been reaching far into Russia-held territory, while Moscow has been adjusting its tactics in an effort to inflict significant damage on Kyiv." According to reports, the US is still collecting information on the Moscow attacks and denied supporting any strikes inside Ukraine.
Issues at large
First, the drone warfare in the Ukraine war theatre. Since the war began, drone attacks into Russian territory and Ukraine's West were sporadic. After 2023, the intensity gradually increased. This can be seen from the drone attacks in the airfields of the Ryazan and Saratov districts, which took place in December 2022, the Belgorod attacks (three to seven kilometres from the Ukraine border) that lasted for two days, and lastly in Moscow. Inside Ukraine, the attacks concentrated in the Donbas region have now changed to recurring attacks in the West, especially Kyiv and Lviv.
Second, the Bakhmut trigger. Despite the Bakhmut battle indicating strategic significance, it began to be perceived as a symbol of pride by Ukraine and Russia. It was to showcase who could fight long and still win the battle. The timing of the drone attacks can be equated with the Russian victory claims over the Bakhmut battle, as it despises Ukraine's ability to hold control.
Third, Ukraine's repeated demand to augment its airpower. Ukraine's demand for modern aviation and advanced air defence systems has been long waitlisted due to the concerns of the escalation of war across the transatlantic. The Council of Europe meeting in May was a breakpoint when the UK and Netherlands formed a coalition to train the Ukrainian soldiers for fighter jet training. Denmark and Portugal agreed to join the coalition, followed by the US agreeing to support Ukraine with fighter jets upon training. In response, Russia has criticized the move, stating that despite such support, Ukraine lacks a conducive environment and enough maintenance personnel. The larger strategy behind the surprise call to help Ukraine attain the capability remains unclear, while Ukraine's air defence is on track for a massive upgrade.
Fourth, the diplomatic offensive of Zelenskyy. The US, NATO, and Europe continue to support Ukraine through weapons, economic, and humanitarian aid, but it has never been fulfilling the demands of Ukraine. The Arab League and G7 Summit, which took place in May, allowed Ukraine to reach out to other international actors. Zelenskyy used it to gain diplomatic support from Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. South Korea agreeing to send artillery rounds and Japan agreeing to humanitarian aid has helped expand its diplomatic support.
In perspective
First, a possible escalation in two areas. At the ground level, the attack was concentrated in Donbas and Bakhmut. Since Russia's victory claim on Bakhmut, the attacks have expanded to further east of Russia and west of Ukraine, creating a risk for war escalation. In the case of weapon systems, Ukraine, which lags in the advanced air defence systems, the fighter jets coalition creates a possibility to strengthen it. In the case of Russia, the agreement to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus also equates to an escalation.
Second, a diplomatic escalation. South Korea and Japan are stepping in support of Ukraine. Similarly, Russia, Iran, Belarus, and China, as per the reports from the US intelligence, may lead to indirect help in the war.
Violence in Kosovo: Dangers of Escalation
Rishika Yadav
In the news
On 30 May, NATO's Joint Force Command Naples announced the deployment of reserve troops to reinforce the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR), a peacekeeping force in Kosovo. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed the deployment of 700 soldiers following unrest and the injury of 30 KFOR troops on 29 May. US Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Admiral Stuart B Munsch, emphasized the need for enhanced capabilities to maintain security according to the UN Security Council mandate. He stated: "An additional reserve battalion would also increase readiness for possible deployment and stop the unrest." The violence resulted in injuries to both protesters and KFOR soldiers. US Senator Chris Murphy urged an immediate end to the provocation.
On 27 May, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic placed the military on high alert and positioned units near the Kosovo border following clashes between police and Kosovo's Serb minority. Violent confrontations erupted when residents gathered outside government buildings in the Serb-majority town of Zvecan. The event took place after police attempted to install new ethnic Albanian mayors in Zvecan. The Chief of Staff of Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani, Blerim Vela, accused "illegal and criminal structures" in Serbia of escalating tensions.
Issues at large
First, the dispute with Kosovo over its independence and sovereignty. The Serbs living in the northern region of Kosovo, who identify with Belgrade as their capital, do not accept Kosovo's declaration of independence. Additionally, they are unwilling to work with the newly-elected ethnic Albanian mayor and want to create an association of majority-Serb municipalities operating with greater autonomy. Concerns were raised about Serbia's heightened readiness of its armed forces at the border.
Second, the discontent with the government in Kosovo. The Serb minority in Kosovo boycotted the April local elections in four municipalities in the north. The turnout was only 3.47 per cent of voting. When they protested and attempted to block an ethnic Albanian mayor from entering office, they were tear-gassed. Earlier, in December 2022, there was a confrontation over licence plates in northern Kosovo. Some ethnic Serbs do not recognize Kosovo's independence, causing residents in north Kosovo to reject Kosovan licence plates.
Meanwhile, in Serbia, protests and boycotts against Vucic's rule have been met with repression and intimidation. His stance on Kosovo has drawn criticism due to his contradictory statements, expressing willingness to compromise while maintaining nationalist rhetoric. On 27 May, following these events, Vucic announced his resignation as party leader and emphasized his role as President of all citizens.
Third, the setback to the West. The West tried to resolve the conflict for years, but progress has been slow. Serbia and Kosovo have made little progress since committing in 2013 to the EU-sponsored dialogue. The UK, France, Italy, Germany, and the US have jointly criticized Kosovo's decision to access municipal buildings in northern Kosovo forcefully. Germany and France have prioritized resolving the problems between Serbia and Kosovo in 2023; the proposed Franco-German agreement aims for mutual recognition between the two states and emphasizes fostering good neighbourly ties. Serbia's President Vučić, however, opposes the proposal, fearing it would require recognizing Kosovo's independence.
In perspective
Serbia and Kosovo have been unable to agree on major issues. The Serbian community demands the establishment of a Serbian municipality association, while ethnic Albanians fear it could lead to a pro-Serbian state. The conflict has led to tensions between the two sides and has the potential to escalate into violence.
Cameroon: Anglophone, Francophone and a Separatist Insurgency
Jerry Franklin
In the news
On 24 May, separatists in Cameroon's Northwest region kidnapped around 30 women in Big Babanki, a village near the Nigerian border. According to BBC report, the women were abducted for allegedly protesting against a curfew and taxes imposed by the separatists. AP news quoted the commander-in-chief of the separatist group, Ambazonia Defence Forces, Capo Daniel, that the women were being punished for “allowing themselves to be manipulated” by Cameroon's government. The Cameroonian military reported that they deployed troops to free the women.
Issues at large
First, long-standing clashes between Anglophone and Francophone Cameroonians. The difference dates back to colonial rule when the Northwest and Southwest regions were under British control while the other areas were under French control. Until now, the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon are dominated by the English-speaking population, and the French-speaking population dominates the rest of the country. The Francophone population constitutes the majority. The Anglophone crisis dates back to 2016 when the Francophone-dominated government repressed peaceful rallies and strikes demanding the protection of English-language educational and judicial systems in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon. The government's harsh response to the protests resulted in calls for secession and the rise of extremist groups that used violence and intimidation, intensifying the political crisis.
Second, the separatist insurgency. The historical marginalization led to calls for separatist movements. Many Anglophone separatist groups, including the Ambazonia Defense Forces, Ambazonia Self-Defense Council, and African People's Liberation Movement, comprise nearly 4,000 members supported by Cameroon's Anglophone diaspora. These groups seek independence for the Northwest and Southwest regions. The separatists regard the region as an independent state, calling it Ambazonia. Armed separatists have become increasingly violent, killing, kidnapping, and terrorizing populations while steadily asserting control over large parts of the Anglophone regions. On 1 May, at least 15 Anglophone separatists attacked a military post in the village of Matoukee. The rebels killed at least six people, including five Soldiers and one civilian and wounded several others.
Third, increasing violence and violations. The conflict between the government forces and armed separatist fighters has killed more than 6,000 people. The UN has been denouncing the government forces of committing “unlawful killings and widespread sexual and gender-based violence, burning Anglophone villages, and carrying out arbitrary detention, torture, and ill-treatment.” The separatists enforced a boycott on education that deprived children of their fundamental right to education. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that at least 628,000 people have been internally displaced.
Fourth, the inability of the government to resolve the issue. The government of Cameroon continues to deny the severity of the crisis, and has not taken any meaningful action. It granted a special status to the Northwest and Southwest regions in 2019, making the regional councils regional assemblies. However, the move failed to resolve the conflict as the government pushed the changes without consulting Anglophone leaders and separatists.
In perspective
Anglophone grievances run deep and have remained unaddressed for a long time. According to the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, the current crisis, which began as a political dispute, has evolved into a "multifaceted security crisis and humanitarian catastrophe." One of the reasons for the prolonged crisis is the degenerated armed separatist groups, and an increasingly disorganized and competing collection of groups, making the possible ways to peace highly challenging. After the special status provided by the government to the northwest and southwest regions to resolve the crisis went ineffective, it is evident that any efforts or negotiations to sustain it should be subjected to the popular will.
IPRI REPORT REVIEW
Hunger Hotspots:
Five Takeaways of FAO‑WFP report on food insecurity
Varsha K and Nithyashree RB
On 29 May 2023, World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) published a report titled "Hunger Hotspots: FAO-WFP early warnings on acute food Insecurity," June-November 2023 outlook. According to the report, acute food insecurity will likely deteriorate in 18 hunger hotspots comprising 22 countries in six regions. The countries are Afghanistan, Pakistan and Myanmar (Asia and the Pacific); Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (Latin America and the Caribbean); Central African Republic, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Mali (West Africa and the Sahel); Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan (East Africa); Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi (Southern Africa); and Lebanon, Sudan, Syria and Yemen (Northeast and North Africa).
According to the report, hotspots of highest concern are Afghanistan, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Yemen, Haiti, Sudan, Burkina Faso and Mali. Hotspots of very high concern are the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Pakistan, the Syrian Arab Republic and Myanmar.
The following are five takeaways.
1. Conflict is a primary driver of acute food insecurity
Asia and the Pacific: The duel between donor governments and de-facto authorities and social constraints in Afghanistan make it difficult to provide humanitarian aid to the vulnerable sections of the society. In Pakistan, acute food insecurity is likely to increase because of upcoming elections (October 2023), which can induce more political tensions and civil unrest. The dominating armed forces and further expansion of martial law in Myanmar resulted in movement restrictions, casualties and new displacement. In March 2023, around 5.33 million people were displaced.
Latin America and the Caribbean: In Haiti, the prevailing threat of armed forces associated with violence disrupts the market supplies, which affects agriculture activities. This eventually led to food insecurity in the region.
Africa: 12 out of 14 African countries mentioned in the report have conflict as a primary driver of acute food insecurity. Malawi and Lebanon are the exceptions. The presence of non-state armed groups in countries including Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo face high food prices. Providing humanitarian assistance and aid to conflict-prone areas is also challenging. The conflicts have triggered internal displacement; 3.1 million people have been internally displaced in northern Nigeria and 3.95 million in the Democratic Republic of Congo as of February 2023. Two million will be internally displaced in northeastern Burkina Faso and northern Mali by the end of 2023. Internal communal violence in South Sudan has displaced around 2.23 million as of December 2022. In Sudan, the conflict began in April and has displaced 730,000 people as of 5 May 2023. The displacement has led to the delay in agricultural activities. Restriction of people in non-state armed groups controlled areas restrains market activities.
2. Economic crisis leads to hike in food prices
Asia and the Pacific: The reduction of humanitarian funds and currency appreciation in Afghanistan restrict imports, and food inflation remains inaccessible to vulnerable sections. The shortage of foreign reserves in both Pakistan and Myanmar diminishes the ability to import essentials. Pakistan is expected to repay USD 77.5 billion between April 2023- June 2026, which burdens the economy further.
Latin America and the Caribbean: The impact of Covid-19 and the Ukraine war on Haiti and Central America threaten agricultural livelihoods. The report states that pre-existing food insecurity will likely increase in Latin America during June-November 2023.
Africa: Currency depreciation, fuel shortages, deteriorating economy, and lack of foreign investment and currency exacerbate the economic crisis, which leads to hikes in food prices, limiting the purchasing power of the people. The report says that the economic crisis will prolong in Yemen due to the political stability and insufficient external revenues that will hike the food prices. In Sudan, where acquiring basic services is difficult, strain in markets and supply chains will increase the price of commodities by 40 per cent in 2023.
3. Floods and droughts exacerbate the food crisis
Asia and the Pacific: In Afghanistan, the drought conditions are likely to increase and lead to further wheat deficits. The recent Moroccan locust outbreak affects food production increasing food insecurity in the region. The 2022 floods in Pakistan and cyclone Mocha in Myanmar (North Rakhine) drastically impacted lives and livelihoods, causing damage of USD 30 billion in the agriculture sector in Islamabad alone. The effects are likely to continue in upcoming months affecting food production.
Latin America and the Caribbean: Haiti is likely to experience average to slightly above-average hurricanes in June-November 2023, which can result in extensive flooding and crop damage. Meanwhile, inclining El-Niño in Central America can lead to dry conditions, reducing the food reserves and increasing market dependency for 1.9 million farmers. Further, flood-prone areas are likely to experience a hike in food prices because of changing rainfall patterns.
Africa: In drought-prone areas of the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, loss of livelihood, livestock, and crops are prevalent. In Ethiopia, the improved rate of rain and the past droughts did not contribute much to crop production. In Kenya, the three-year-long drought has driven a humanitarian crisis with poor harvests and acute malnutrition. The report forecasted that some areas in Kenya would be subjected to flash floods, further impacting crop production negatively. Somalia has faced six consecutive below-average rain seasons, which drove 43,000 deaths in 2022, where 2.8 million livestock died, and 1.3 million people were displaced. Flood-prone areas in the Central African Republic, South Sudan and Malawi have affected the agricultural lands. In Malawi, Cyclone Freddy, in March, killed 1.4 million livestock. The report predicts that the Lake Victoria basin in South Sudan, western areas in Nigeria, southern and central Mali, and Sahelian regions of Burkina Faso will flood in the rainy season 2023.
4. The statistics of acute food insecurity and malnutrition rate
Asia and the Pacific: In Afghanistan, approximately 18.1 million people are predicted to face acute food insecurity and over 11.7 million children and pregnant women are acutely malnourished between November 2022-April 2023. This shows the 10 per cent increase in Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) in the region. In Myanmar, 2.2 million children and women are acutely malnourished in 2023. Pakistan's condition is likely to deteriorate in the upcoming months, which affects more than 43 per cent of the people.
Latin America and the Caribbean: In Haiti, around 6.7 million people are likely to face acute food insecurity during March-June 2023, and over 2.59 million children need nutrition assistance. The rural poverty rate in Central America is likely to increase by at least 50 per cent due to dry conditions.
Africa: In West Africa and the Sahel-32.4 million, in East Africa-39.9 million, in Southern Africa-28.3 million, and in Northeast and Northern Africa- 2.3 million people are expected to face acute food insecurity. The report also provides statistics on how many people are expected to undergo malnutrition. In West Africa and the Sahel-4.5 million, in East Africa-15.7 million, in Southern Africa-5.4 million, and in Northeast and Northern Africa-8.9 million children and women are expected to be malnourished.
5. The anticipatory and emergency responses to face the crisis
The anticipatory responses include providing vegetable seeds, drought-tolerant seeds and ruminants to farmers, small gardening packages, cash-for-activities, and locust-control operations. Enhancing market and price-monitoring systems and allowing unconditional cash transfers in high-risk areas. Set up early warning information tools in flood-prone areas. Some emergency responses include immediate food assistance, humanitarian assistance and aid. To provide livelihood support to farmers, pastoralists, and agropastoralists. To control the malnutrition rate and nutrition surveillance, that has to be set up. School meal programs should be maintained and scaled up. Immediate treatment across risk zones is mandatory.
Issues in Peace and Conflict This Week:
Regional Roundups
Rishika Yadav, Taffy Tonia A, Lakshmi Parimala H, Nithyashree RB, Subiksha S, Sreeja JS, Varsha K, Jerry Franklin, and Immaculine Joy Paul
East and Southeast Asia
China: Pentagon releases video of aggressive Chinese jet manoeuvre
On 30 May, the US military accused a Chinese fighter jet of executing an "unnecessarily aggressive manoeuvre" during the interception of a US spy plane in international airspace over the South China Sea. The video, released by the Pentagon, captures the moment when a Chinese fighter jet approached within 121 metres of a US Air Force RC-135 surveillance plane in the South China Sea, causing the US plane to pass through the turbulence created by the Chinese jet. The US Indo-Pacific Command stated: "The RC-135 was conducting routine operations in international airspace." China's military responded by claiming that the US spy plane had "deliberately intruded" into their training area, rejecting the US's accusation of aggressive behaviour.
China: Clashes erupt over mosque demolition
On 30 May, The Strait Times reported that after clashes broke out over the proposed partial demolition of a mosque, China deployed numerous police officers and made arrests in Nagu, a predominantly Muslim town in Yunnan province. According to an anonymous resident, the town planned to demolish four minarets and the dome roof of the Najiaying Mosque. Videos circulating on social media showed dozens of officers with truncheons and riot shields confronting a crowd hurling objects at them outside the mosque. The Tonghai government investigated the incident, issuing a notice urging those involved to cease all illegal activities. The government promised leniency for those who surrendered before 6 June.
Taiwan: Chinese aircraft carrier sails through Taiwan Strait
On 27 May, the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defence reported that the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong sailed through the Taiwan Strait accompanied by two ships. The Shandong, commissioned in 2019, followed the median line of the strait, an unofficial boundary between the two sides while moving in a northerly direction. Taiwan's military closely monitored the group and responded using their ships and aircraft. The Chinese Ministry of National Defence hasn't yet responded to the Taiwanese statement. The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defence also reported that eight Chinese fighter jets crossed the strait's median line in the past 24 hours.
North Korea: Satellite launch ends in failure
On 31 May, The Strait Times quoted KCNA, the North Korean state media, that North Korea's satellite launch failed, with the rocket and payload falling into the sea. The rocket, named "Chollima-1," experienced instability in its engine and fuel system, resulting in an unsuccessful launch. The incident triggered emergency alerts and evacuation warnings in parts of South Korea and Japan, but no danger or damage was reported. The Seoul military initiated a salvage operation to recover parts of the space launch vehicle after sharing images of a cylindrical object floating in the sea. The US, Japan, and South Korea strongly condemned the launch. North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) stated that it will investigate the technical failures and aim for a second launch after addressing the defects.
Philippines: To conduct joint-maritime drills
On 29 May, Nikkei Asia reported that in a display of increased cooperation against China's assertive actions in the South China Sea, the coast guards of the Philippines, the US, and Japan are set to hold their first-ever joint maritime exercises from 1 to 7 June. The drills will involve around 400 personnel, including law enforcement exercises, search and rescue operations, and communication exercises. The Philippine coast guard clarified that the exercises are unrelated to the ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea. The joint drills come after aggressive tactics by Chinese vessels in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
Philippines: Prepares for Typhoon Mawar
On 29 May, Philippine authorities evacuated thousands of residents, closed schools and offices, and enforced a no-sail ban as typhoon Mawar approached the northern provinces. The typhoon is expected to spare the mountainous region a direct hit, potentially veering towards Taiwan or southern Japan. Despite projections indicating a slowdown, authorities have warned about tidal surges, flash floods, and landslides as the typhoon passes through Batanes province from 30 to 31 May. Classes, office work, flights, and vessel operations have been suspended in affected areas, while precautions like reinforcing houses have been implemented. The Philippines, prone to natural disasters, remains vigilant in its response to typhoons and other calamities.
South Asia
Pakistan: Pakistani American community organizes Capitol Hill meeting to address the political crisis
On 29 May, Dawn reported that the Pakistani American community is organizing a bipartisan meeting on Capitol Hill in June to address the deteriorating political situation in Pakistan. The purpose of the meeting is to raise awareness about the situation and push for action at the highest levels of government. Dr Asif Mahmood, a California Democrat, is spearheading the effort with the support of lawmakers Brad Sherman and Jim Costa. They have also initiated letters to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and plan to send another letter signed by prominent US Senators.
India: Union Home Minister appeals for 15-day peace in Manipur
On 30 May, Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealed for 15-day peace in Manipur during his meeting with Kuki civil society groups in Churchandpur district. Shah is on a three-day visit in Manipur that began on 29 May. Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) General Secretary, Muan Tombing, said that the union government is likely to announce a judicial inquiry commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to investigate the violence. Separate teams will visit Imphal and Churchandpur to assess the ground situation. In a meeting held between Shah and the State's Council of Ministers, decisions were taken on equally sharing compensation to the next of kin of each person killed in the violence. The home minister also met members of various civil society groups and women leaders from the Meitei community in Imphal and Kuki-Zo groups in Churchandpur. He stated: "They expressed their commitment to peace and assured that we would go together to contribute to paving the way to restore normalcy in Manipur."
Nepal: Government sends a diplomatic note on the US religious freedom report
On 27 May, in the meeting of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Renu Dahal said that the government had sent a diplomatic note to the US, seeking views on its latest religious freedom report. On 15 May, the US published the "Report on International Religious Freedom," calling out Russia, China, Iran, Afghanistan and India for religious freedom violations. The report alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the ruling party in India, has been providing funds to politicians from major parties in Nepal, such as the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), to speak in favour of a Hindu statehood.
Bhutan: 12th Expert Group Meeting held with China
On 27 May, Kuensel reported that the 12th Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on the Bhutan-China boundary issue was held in Thimphu from 24 to 25 May. In the meeting, the two countries reviewed the positive consensus reached in the previous meeting and held discussions to take forward the implementation of the Three-Step Roadmap. They also emphasized increasing the frequency of their meetings.
Bangladesh: Growing Chinese efforts in Rohingya repatriation
On 30 May, The Daily Star reported that China is appearing to be active in turning the Rohingya repatriation into a reality. On 27 May, during Bangladesh-China Foreign Office Consultation (FOC), the Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sun Weidong, stated that early repatriation would benefit Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the entire region. While the efforts from China and Myanmar towards repatriation are more active now, the Rohingyas still seem to lack trust and confidence in the junta. To build confidence and trust, visits by Myanmar officials to Rohingya camps and by the Rohingyas to Myanmar have been taking place. Recently, on 5 May, a 20-member Rohingya delegation visited a model village in Rakhine at the request of the Myanmar government.
Myanmar: Around 30 junta forces killed in resistance attacks
On 29 May, The Irrawaddy reported that at least 30 junta forces were killed in clashes between the People's Defense Forces (PDFs) and Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (EROs) on one side and the junta forces on the other in the past three days. The attacks were reported in Sagaing, Magwe, and Mandalay regions and the state of Karen. According to Black Wolf Army, at least two regime soldiers were killed in a drone attack conducted at the school of Hpone in the Bwet Village.
Central Asia, The Middle East, and Africa
Palestine: Israeli forces attack Qusaya, a Lebanese town
On 31 May, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command (PFLP-GC) official, Anwar Raja, alleged that Israeli forces attacked the Lebanese town of Qusayr where five Palestinians were killed. However, Israel did not make an official statement on the attack. One of the reports on the attack remarked that the blast resulted from an old rocket exploding in an arms depot while moving. Previously, the Israeli army killed a Palestinian and injured eight people during a Jenin refugee camp raid. The Israeli forces' near-nightly raids have been continuing resulting in multiple arrests.
Iran: Three killed in clashes between with Afghanistan over water rights
On 27 May, three people, including two Iranian border guards and one Taliban fighter were killed in an ongoing clash between Iran and Afghanistan over a water rights dispute. Iran's official IRNA news agency later said that two Iranian civilians were injured. The clashes came in the backdrop of Iran accusing the Taliban of violating a 1973 treaty by blocking the water flow from river Helmand to Iran's eastern regions. However, the Taliban has denied the allegations. Taliban Ministry of Defence spokesperson Enayatullah Khowarazmi stated: "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers dialogue and negotiation to be a reasonable way for any problem. Making excuses for war and negative actions is not in the interest of any of the parties." Meanwhile, Iran accuses Taliban forces of starting the fight by shooting first.
Mali: The US sanctions the head of the Wagner Group
On 26 May, the US Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on the head of Wagner Group, Ivan Aleksandrovich Maslov, for supporting Russia's war against Ukraine. The US accused the Wagner Group of trying to exploit the abundance of arms in Mali. The Treasury Department imposed sanctions by accusing Maslov of acquiring military equipment for the war in Ukraine through the operations of the Wagner Group in Mali. The US Treasury Department stated: "The Wagner Group's presence on the African continent is a destabilizing force for any country that allows for the deployment of the group's resources into their sovereign territory."
Sudan: Clashes continue despite the extension of the ceasefire
On 30 May, Al Jazeera reported that the intense clashes continued on the outskirts of Khartoum after military factions agreed to extend the ceasefire for an additional five days. The residents reported intense fighting in Khartoum, Omdurman, and Khartoum North hours before the ceasefire extension was signed and resumed on the outskirts of Khartoum. Army leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan stated that the army had agreed to the ceasefire extension to ease citizens' access to service. Additionally, he said: "The army hasn't used its full deadly power, but it will be forced to do so if the enemy does not obey or listen to the voice of reason."
Europe and the Americas
France expresses concerns over Iran's ballistic missile test; Ukraine sanctions Tehran
On 25 May, the French Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Anne-CLaire Legendre, said Iran's test-fire of ballistic missiles concerns its nuclear programme. The comment comes as a response to Iran's test firing of a 2000 kilometres range ballistic missile on 25 May. She accused Iran of violating the UN Security Council's 2231 resolution, which limits Iran from pursuing "any activity" relating to ballistic missiles with nuclear capability. Legendre stated: "Iran's activities pose serious and increased non-proliferation risks without any credible civilian justification." On 28 May, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced a bill to sanction Iran for 50 years in response to Tehran's weapon supplies to Moscow, says Zelenskyy's Chief of Staff. The bill would impose trade, financial and technology sanctions against Iran and its citizens. It would also stop the transit of Iranian goods through Ukraine and the use of its air space.
Netherlands: 1579 arrested in a protest organized by Extinction Rebellion
On 27 May, BBC reported that about 1579 climate protesters were arrested by police for blocking A12, a major motorway in Hague. The Extinction Rebellion organized the protest and demanded an end to fossil fuel subsidies. According to the police, most protesters were released except 40 people, who would be prosecuted. The Extinction Rebellion accused police of using water cannons; however, the police refuted by saying that the protestors were allowed to move before firing water cannons. It is the seventh time the Extinction Rebellion protestors are blocking A12, which is prohibited for protests under the new rules by the mayor.
Sweden: Russian spy whale spotted in Hunnbostrand
On 28 May, a beluga whale, accused of espionage, was spotted in Hunnbostrand in western Sweden. In 2019, the whale was found wearing a camera harness and "Equipment St Petersburg" was printed on the camera. The beluga whale was named Hvaldimir by the Norwegians. The biologists removed the harness. According to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, the whale escaped from the Russian training enclosure. The directorate added that it will go towards the ships as it was accustomed to the company of humans. According to OneWhale organization's Sebastian Strand, the whale is moving faster, which might be hormones or loneliness. The OneWhale reported that Hvaldimir had lost weight and is moving from the cold waters of Greenland and the Arctic, which it preferred.
Ukraine: Russia and Ukraine neglect to protect the Zaporizhzhia plant, IAEA Director General
On 30 May, the Director General of IAEA, Rafael Gross, accused Russia and Ukraine of not following the principles to protect the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the UN Security Council. The principles comprise no attack on or from the plant, and no heavy weapons, artillery systems and munitions, tanks and military personnel should be harboured in the plant. He also announced that off-site power to be provided to the plant. According to the Russian Ambassador to the UN, Vasily Alekseyevich Nebenzya, Russia is following the same. The Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN, Sergiy Olehovych Kyslytsya, called for the "demilitarization and deoccupation" of the power plant.
Russia: No lectures on nuclear weapon deployment, Russia to the United States
On 25 May, Russia dismissed criticism from US President Joe Biden over Moscow's deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Russia has been pushing ahead with the first deployment of tactical weapons outside its borders since 1991. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that the arms were already on the move. Biden had an "extremely negative" reaction to reports that Russia had moved ahead with weapon deployment in Belarus. Russia's embassy in the US called the US criticism of Moscow's deployment hypocritical. It also stated that the US had maintained a large arsenal of nuclear weapons in Europe for decades. Putin has warned that Russia will use all means to defend itself and stated that the US has hundred B61 tactical nuclear weapons deployed in Europe.
El Salvador: Former President Mauricio Funes given a 14-year prison term for dealing with gangs
On 29 May, the judge sentenced former El Salvador President Mauricio Funes to 14 years in prison for negotiating with gangs during his administration from 2009 to 2014. His former Security Minister, David Mungua Payés, was also sentenced to 18 years for his involvement in the negotiations. The Attorney General's Office (FGR) stated: "Former officials allowed the gangs to strengthen themselves economically and, in the territory, in exchange for reducing the homicide rate between 2011 and 2013, to benefit the government in power and favour it in the elections." Former President Mauricio Funes sought refuge in Nicaragua and was investigated for illicit enrichment, embezzlement, illegal negotiations, and influence peddling. He has been sentenced to eight years for illicit association and six years for failure to perform duties.
Canada: A new wildfire prompts a call for evacuation in Nova Scotia
On 30 May, Canadian emergency officials issued a mandatory evacuation order in parts of Bedford, Nova Scotia, due to a wildfire and the potential for an ammonia leak. A state of local emergency was declared in Halifax, Nova Scotia, after the wildfire caused evacuations and power outages, impacting 18,000 people. Forest fires led to the evacuations of about 400 homes in New Brunswick and Alberta.
The US: Nine people were injured in a shooting on Memorial Day in Florida
On 29 May, on Memorial Day, six adults and three children were injured when gunfire erupted at a beachside promenade in Hollywood, Florida. Yanet Obarrio Sanchez, a spokesperson for Memorial Healthcare System, stated that the victims were in stable condition. There were 20 mass shootings reported across the US on Memorial Day. Meanwhile, the police arrested an individual responsible for the shooting but have been looking for more suspects. There have been more than 260 mass shootings in the US this year, but Congress has been unable to pass substantial federal gun control.
About the authors
Padmashree Anandan is a Research Associate at NIAS. Rishika Yadav is a Research Intern at NIAS. Subiksha S, Taffy Tonia A, Lakshmi Parimala H and Nithyashree RB are Postgraduate Scholars at the Stella Maris College, Chennai. Sreeja JS, Varsha K, Immaculine Joy Paul and Jerry Franklin are Postgraduate Scholars at the Madras Christian College, Chennai.
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Rishma Banerjee
Tracing Europe's droughts
Padmashree Anandhan
Major causes behind Europe’s continuing heatwaves
Emmanuel Selva Royan
100 days of the Ukraine war: US Responses in the war
Padmashree Anandhan
100 days of the Ukraine war: What next for Europe?
Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan
100 days of the Ukraine war: More loss than gain for Russia
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Challenges to peace in Eastern Congo
Avishka Ashok | Research Associate | National Institute of Advanced Studies
20th Party Congress of the Communist Party of China: Major takaways
Angelin Archana | Assistant Professor, Women’s Christian College, Chennai
China's response to the Ukraine crisis: Shaped by its relationship with Russia and EU under the US Shadow
Shreya Upadhyay | Assistant Professor, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore
Transatlantic Ties in the Wake of Ukraine-Russia War
Uma Purushothaman | Assistant Professor, Central University of Kerala, Kerala
Ukraine and beyond: The US Strategies towards Russia
Debangana Chatterjee | Assistant Professor, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Bangalore
Lessons from Ukraine War: Effectiveness of Sanctions
Himani Pant | Research Fellow, ICWA, Delhi
Ukraine and beyond: What next for Russia and Europe?
Sethuraman Nadarajan
Israel-Lebanon Maritime Border Deal
Avishka Ashok
G20 Summit: Four takeaways from Bali
NIAS Africa Team
China-Africa relations: Looking back and looking ahead
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Chad's political crisis
Sourina Bej
Elections in Sweden
Padmashree Anandhan
Italy's far-right wins 2022 elections
Padmashree Anandhan
Putin’s address in the Valdai Discussion: Six takeaways
Devjyoti Saha
Solomon Islands’ China card: Three reasons why
NIAS Africa Team
Floods in West Africa: Nigeria and beyond
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Famine in Somalia
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Kenya Elections 2022
IPRI Team
Protests in Iran
IPRI Team
Clashes between Armenia-Azerbaijan
Padmashree Anandhan
Queen Elizabeth: End of an era
Padmashree Anandhan
Russia and Eastern Economic Forum 2022: A sturdy Far East
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | The reinvention of Al Shabab
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Lavrov's visit to Africa
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Macron's visit to Africa
GP Team
Floods and Emergency in Pakistan
IPRI Team
Six months of War in Ukraine
GP Team
Regional round-ups
Padmashree Anandhan
Who will be the next UK prime minister: Liss Truss v. Rishi Sunak
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Tunisia's political crisis
NIAS Africa Team
Tunisia’s political crisis: Five questions
NIAS Africa Team
Tribal conflict in Blue Nile: Causes and Implications
STIR Team
Geopolitics of Semiconductors
Padmashree Anandhan
France: Uber files leak, and Macron’s trouble
Emmanuel Selva Royan
Italy: Three factors about its current political instability
NIAS Africa Team
Sudan-Ethiopia border tensions and a profile of Blaise Compaoré
NIAS Africa Team
Africa’s continuing migration problem: Three issues
STIR Team
China in Space: Shenzhou-13 and Tiangong
NIAS Africa Team
Africa’s displacement crises: Three key drivers
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Into the Sixth Decade of African Unity
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Communal Tensions in Ethiopia
Padmashree Anandhan
What does Macron's victory mean for France and the EU
Rishma Banerjee
The rise of Marine Le Pen
Sourina Bej
Four challenges ahead for President Macron
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Mali ends defence ties with France
GP Team
New US assistance for Ukraine
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | UK-Rwanda asylum deal
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Africa, Russia, and the War in Ukraine
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Political Crisis in Tunisia
GP Team
Russia's gas ultimatum to Europe
IPRI Team
30 days of War in Ukraine
NIAS Africa Team
60 years of Algerian independence
IPRI Team
Sri Lanka’s worsening economic crisis
NIAS Africa Team
In Focus: Libya
IPRI Team
The end of Denmark’s Inuit experiment
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Europe and Africa: Will AU and EU be equal partners?
Anu Maria Joseph
Europe and Africa: Will AU and EU be equal partners?
Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan
Lecture report: Ukraine, Russia and Europe
Joeana Cera Matthews
Into History: Northern Ireland and Bloody Sunday, 50 years later
Nireekshan Bollimpalli
Africa’s slow COVID vaccination continues. Four reasons why
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS: Conflict over the Nile Dam
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS: Instability in Burkina Faso
Padmashree Anandhan
Munich Security Report: Six takeaways
Joeana Cera Matthews
Europe and Africa: An elusive search for an equal partnership
Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan
Femicides in Europe: The case of France
Padmashree Anandhan
Post Brexit: Three challenges in Northern Ireland
Porkkodi Ganeshpandian and Angkuran Dey
The return of the Left
Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan
Lithuania and China: Vilnius has become Beijing’s Achilles heel. Four reasons why
Mohamad Aseel Ummer
Africa: The anti-France sentiments in Mali and beyond
Shalini Balaiah
The Middle East in 2021: Never-ending wars and conflicts
Angelin Archana
Russia in 2021: Expanding boundaries
Prakash Panneerselvam
East Asia in 2021: New era of hegemonic competition
Apoorva Sudhakar
Coup in Burkina Faso: Five things to know
Joeana Cera Matthews
In Europe, abortion rights are "a privilege." Four reasons why
Padmashree Anandhan
Mapping COVID-19 protests in Europe: Who and Why
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Pakistan, US and Russia: Putin Online, Biden Offline
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The unrest in Kazakhstan: Look beyond the trigger
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Deepening Pakistan-Russia ties
D. Suba Chandran
Justice Ayesha: Breaking the Legal Ceiling
Ankit Singh
Pakistan's Judiciary in 2021
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Same Page Story: Civil-Military Relations in 2021
D. Suba Chandran
Pakistan's Foreign Policy in 2021
Ankit Singh
Pakistan’s economy in 2021: Major highlights
Ankit Singh
Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank
Apoorva Sudhakar
The PDM is back, again
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Qureshi’s visit to Brussels: Three takeaways
GP Team
The Complete Compendium for 2021
GP Team
The Americas in 2021
GP Team
Europe in 2021
GP Team
Middle East and Africa in 2021
GP Team
South Asia in 2021
Apoorva Sudhakar
Protests in Gwadar: Four major highlights
Ankit Singh
Mini budget, IMF and a contemporary puzzle.
Ankit Singh
Pappu Sain bids adieu to the world
Apoorva Sudhakar
Smog, pollution and more: Deteriorating air quality in Pakistan
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
PTI’s secret dealing with the TTP and TLP
Vaishnavi Iyer
France, Algeria, and the politics over an apology
Joeana Cera Matthews
NATO-Russia relationship: Looking beyond the suspensions and expulsions
D. Suba Chandran
PTI’s TLP flip-flop and a secret deal
Apoorva Sudhakar
The increasing curbs on digital media freedom in Pakistan
Padmashree Anandhan
Facebook's Metaverse: Why it matters to Europe
Joeana Cera Matthews
Poland, EU and PolExit. It is complicated, for three reasons
Harini Madhusudhan
Europe's Energy Crisis and Gazprom
D. Suba Chandran
TLP: The government caves in again
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
TLP is back again
Apoorva Sudhakar | Project Associate, School of Conflict and Security Studies, NIAS
Pakistan’s transgender community: The long road ahead
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Since January 2021: Why the US President has not called Pakistan’s Prime Minister so far?
Apoorva Sudhakar
No honour in honour killing
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The Military Reshuffle: A strategic or routine decision?
D. Suba Chandran
Dr AQ Khan: Between a national hero and a nuclear proliferator
Apoorva Sudhakar
Rising child abuse in Pakistan: Five reasons why
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Hazara Persecution in Pakistan: No end in sight
D. Suba Chandran
Protests in Gwadar: Who and Why
Chetna Vinay Bhora
Europe's Energy Crisis: It could get worse. Five reasons why
STIR Team
Cover Story: War against Malaria
Aswathy Koonampilly
Japan: New Prime Minister, Old party
GP Team
Europe's Energy Crisis
STIR Team
The Science and Politics of Materials
Sourina Bej
France: Paris Terror Trial
Harini Madhusudan
Belarus: Weaponization of the Migrant Crisis
Juan Mary Joseph
Attacks on Chinese Investments in Pakistan: Who, Where And Why?
Joeana Cera Matthews
Haiti: Two months after the assassination, the storm is still brewing
Joeana Cera Matthews
From Crimea to Navalny: Putin's calibrated Europe strategy
Joeana Cera Matthews
Nord Stream-2: Why is the region unhappy about the pipeline?
Lokendra Sharma
Two months of Cuban protests: Is the ‘revolution’ ending?
GP Team
The New Afghanistan
STIR Team
Climate Change and Energy Options
Apoorva Sudhakar
Digital Pakistan: Idea, Potential and Challenges
Anu Maria Joseph
South Africa: What is behind the pro-Zuma protests?
Dincy Adlakha
China and Russia in Myanmar: The interests that bind
Sarthak Jain
Nord Stream 2 is Russia’s geopolitical victory
Jeshil J Samuel
REvil is dead. Long live REvil
STIR Team
Space Tourism
Keerthana Rajesh Nambiar
The EU Summit 2021: Five Takeaways
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Impending famine in Tigray, should make Ethiopia everyone's problem
Anu Maria Joseph
Too late and too little is Ethiopia's international problem
Sankalp Gurjar
Africa's Ethiopia Problem
Apoorva Sudhakar
Ethiopia's Tigray problem is Tigray's Ethiopia problem
Lokendra Sharma
The future of nuclear energy looks bleak
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Five reasons why Afghanistan is closer to a civil war
Mohamad Aseel Ummer
Migration in Africa: Origin, Drivers and Destinations
Dincy Adlakha
The new three-child policy is two decades too late
Dincy Adlakha
Loud Echoes of the National Security Law in China
Joeana Cera Matthews
Farfetched goals on pandemic recovery, climate action and economic revival
STIR Team
Rare Earths and the Global Resource Race
SDP Scholar
The Rise and Reign of Ransomware
Gurpreet Singh
India and the geopolitics of supply chains
Chetna Vinay Bhora
Spain, Morocco and the rise of rightwing politics in Europe over immigration
Vibha Venugopal
The return of Taliban will be bad news for women
Udbhav Krishna P
Revisiting the recent violence: Three takeaways
Joeana Cera Matthews
For the Economist, Taiwan is the most dangerous place. The argument is complicated
Apoorva Sudhakar
15 of the 23 global hunger hotspots are in Africa. Three reasons why
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The US decision to withdraw is a call made too early. Three reasons why
Lokendra Sharma
Learning from Cuba's vaccine development efforts
V S Ramamurthy and Dinesh K Srivastava
An energy mix of renewables and nuclear is the most viable option
Lokendra Sharma
Deadly second wave spirals into a humanitarian disaster
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The US-Taliban Deal: One Year Later
Akriti Sharma
The Quad Plus and the search beyond the four countries
Apoorva Sudhakar
India's Endgames, Roles and Limitations in Quad
Sukanya Bali
Tracing the Quad's evolution in the last two decades
Apoorva Sudhakar
Ethiopia: Five fallouts of the military offensive in Tigray
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Afghanistan: The recent surge in targeted killing vs the troops withdrawal
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
In Honduras, a move towards a permanent ban on abortion laws
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Civilian protests vs military: Three factors will decide the outcome in Myanmar
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Trump’s Climate Change legacy: Disruption and Denial
Apoorva Sudhakar
Trump’s Iran legacy: Maximum pressure, minimum results
N Manoharan and Drorima Chatterjee
Five ways India can detangle the fishermen issue with Sri Lanka
IPRI Team
Coup in Myanmar and Protests in Russia
D Suba Chandran
The PDM differences, Gwadar fencing, and Lakhvi's arrest
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Nagorno-Karabakh: Rekindled fighting, Causalities and a Ceasefire
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Thailand: For the pro-democracy protests, it is a long march ahead
Harini Madhusudan
Brexit: A year of the UK-EU transition talks and finally, a Deal
Apoorva Sudhakar
Ethiopia: The conflict in Tigray and the regional fallouts
Aparaajita Pandey
The Americas: Top Five Developments
Teiborlang T Kharsyntiew
Europe: Top five developments
Sandip Kumar Mishra
East Asia: Top Five developments in 2020
Harini Madhusudan
Outer Space in 2020: Missions, Privatization, and the Artemis Accords
Sukanya Bali
5G, Huawei and TikTok: Four trends in 2020
Sumedha Chatterjee
COVID-19: How the world fought in 2020
Harini Madhusudan
The Vaccine Rush: Expectations vs Realities
Harini Madhusudan
Open Skies Treaty: The US should not have withdrawn, for five reasons
Savithri Sellapperumage
Kamala Harris makes history
Mallika Devi
China is against the Quad. Five reasons why
Srikumar Pullat
Space of Tomorrow: The Need for Space Security
Tamanna Khosla
Japan: New Prime Minister, Old Challenges
Vaishali Handique
Not just regime change: Women and protest movements in Sudan
Sneha Tadkal
Technology in contemporary global protest movements
Chavindi Weerawansha
Students as agents of change: Protest movements in Zimbabwe
Anju Annie Mammen
“Unveiling”: Women and protest movements in the Middle East
Harini Madhusudan
‘The Revolution of Our Times’: Protests in Hong Kong
Samreen Wani
Lebanon: Can Macron's visit prevent the unravelling?
Harini Madhusudan
The Legacy of Shinzo Abe. It is Complicated.
Boa Wang
Two Sessions in Beijing
Boa Wang
How China fought the COVID-19
N. Manoharan
Is COVID-19 a Bio-weapon from China?
Prof PM Soundar Rajan
Is there an overlap of 5G Networks and COVID hotspots?
Rashmi Ramesh
Will COVID-19 provide a new agenda to the NAM?
Harini Madhusudan
Iran's New Military Satellite: Does it violate the UNSC 2231?
Jenice Jean Goveas
Epidemics through History
Sanduni Atapattu
Preventing hatred and suspicion would be a bigger struggle
Chavindi Weerawansha
A majority in the minority community suffers, for the action of a few
Chrishari de Alwis Gunasekare
The Cardinal sermons for peace, with a message to forgive
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Who and Why of the Perpetrators
Natasha Fernando
In retrospect, where did we go wrong?
Ruwanthi Jayasekara
Build the power of Co-existence, Trust, Gender and Awareness
N Manoharan
New ethnic faultlines at macro and micro levels
Asanga Abeyagoonasekera
A year has gone, but the pain has not vanished
Jenice Jean Goveas
In India, the glass is half full for the women
Fatemah Ghafori
In Afghanistan, there is no going back for the women
Lakshmi V Menon
The decline in terrorism in Pakistan in 2019
Rashmi Ramesh
The EU and the Arctic: The interest is not mutual. Why?
Rashmi Ramesh
Iceland, Denmark and Norway: Small is Big in the Arctic
Harini Madhusudan
The Non-Arctic powers: Interests of Japan and South Korea
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Malaysia: New PM, Old Challenges
Lakshmi V Menon
Pakistan to remain “Grey”; North Korea and Iran in “Black”
Rashmi Ramesh
Trump's India Visit: Optics, Substance and Rhetoric
Kabi Adhikari
The controversial MCC Nepal Compact
Malini Sethuraman
ISIS post Baghdadi: Will there be another Caliphate in 2020?
Aarathi Srinivasan
Climate Change: The Economy of the Indian Ocean Region in 2020
Prathiksha Ravi
Israel and the Middle East: The New Alliance Plans in 2020
Padmini Anilkumar
Middle East: The Return of Russia in 2020
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Sudan and Algeria: Road to Democracy in 2020
Lakshmi V Menon
Syria: ISIS Decline, US Retreat and the Return of Russia in 2020
Harini Madhusudan
The US-China Trade Dispute: Towards further disruptions in 2020
Parikshith Pradeep
The US under Donald Trump: The Fall of an Empire in 2020
Vivek Mishra
After Soleimani assassination: Options for the US
Sukanya Bali
Iran, Iraq and the US: Who wants what?
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Old problems to persist with no solutions in the near term
Aashiyana Adhikari
Indian and Chinese investments in Nepal: Managing asymmetry
Shailesh Nayak | Director, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)
Blue Economy and India: An Introduction
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
North Africa in 2019: A year of protests, with some positive results
Sukanya Bali
Hong Kong in 2019: China's New Achilles Heel
Harini Madhusudan
The US-China Trade Dispute in 2019: Towards a thaw in 2020?
Parikshith Pradeep
The US in 2019: Trump rollsout a template for a global American retreat
Rashmi Ramesh
The Arctic Littorals: Iceland and Greenland
Harini Madhusudan
The Polar Silk Route: China's ambitious search in the Arctic
GP Team
Syria: Who wants what?
Harini Madhusudan
Violence in Hong Kong: Will the protests end?
Rashmi Ramesh
Is Catalonia Spain’s Hong Kong?
D. Suba Chandran
Why an Arctic foray is essential for India
Parikshith Pradeep
Russia's Polar Military Edge
Nidhi Dalal
Protests rock Chile, Bolivia and Haiti
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Will prosecuting Suu Kyi resolve the Rohingya problem?
Lakshman Chakravarthy N & Rashmi Ramesh
Climate Change: Four Actors, No Action
Sukanya Bali
Brexit: Preparing for the Worst Case
Lakshman Chakravarthy N
5G: A Primer
Rashmi Ramesh
From Okjökull to OK: Death of a Glacier in Iceland
Sukanya Bali
Challenges before Boris Johnson
Parikshith Pradeep
The Hong Kong Protests: Who wants what
Harini Madhusudan
The Hong Kong Protests: Re-defining mass mobilization
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
ASEAN Outlook on the Indo Pacific: Worth all the Hype?
Mahesh Bhatta
Monsoons first, Floods next and the Blame Games follow
Titsala Sangtam
Counting Citizens: Manipur charts its own NRC
Vivek Mishra
Can Hedging be India’s Strategy?
Lakshmi V Menon
Amidst the US-Iran standoff, Saudi Arabia should be cautious
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
For Russia, it was big power projection
Harini Madhusudan
For China, it was trade and a temporary truce
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
For Japan, it was commerce and climate change
Sourina Bej
For the US, it was trade, tariff and talks
Titsala Sangtam
Iran, US and the Nuclear deal: Europe in the middle?
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Modi's Colombo Visit: Four issues to watch
Raakhavee Ramesh
Higher than the Himalayas: Pakistan and China
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Across the Himalayas: Nepal and China
Mahath Mangal
The Russian Resurgence: Is the US supremacy waning?
Mahath Mangal
San Francisco wants to ban, Kashgar wants to expand
Jerin George
Espionage or Investigative Journalism?
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The Huawei Controversy: Five things you need to know
Mahath Mangal
Why the world needs to look at Yemen
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
The Central Asia Connector
Harini Madhusudan
An Under-represented East Asia
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
Africa Embraces the Belt and Road
Sourina Bej
It’s Europe vs EU on China
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Sudan: Between Democracy and another military rule
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
Responses and Inspiring Lessons
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Thailand: Between Elections and Instability
Sourina Bej
Two Sessions in 2019: Four Takeaways
Lakshmi V Menon
The End of ISIS Caliphate?
Harini Madhusudan
For China, its a sigh of relief
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
For Vietnam, its a big deal
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
For Japan, No Deal is Good Deal
Sourina Bej
For South Korea, a costly disappointment
Harini Madhusudan
No deal is better, but isn't it bad?
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
The Other Conflict in Rakhine State
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
Yemen: Will Sa'nna fall?
Harini Madhusudan
Sinicizing the Minorities
GP Team
US, South Korea and Thailand
Lakshmi V Menon
The Qatar Blockade: Eighteen Months Later
GP Team
Yemen, Venezuela and US-China
Sourina Bej
Maghreb: What makes al Shahab Resilient?
Harini Madhusudan
US-China Trade War: No Clear Winners
Abhishrut Singh
Trump’s Shutdown: Five Things to Know
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Myanmar: Will 2019 be better for the Rohingya?
D. Suba Chandran
Bangladesh: The Burden of Electoral History
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer
US and China: Between Confrontation and Competition
Mahesh Bhatta | Centre for South Asian Studies, Kathmandu
Nepal
Nasima Khatoon | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS
The Maldives
Harini Madhusudan | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS
India
Sourina Bej | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS
Bangladesh
Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS
Afghanistan
Harini Madhusudan
China and Japan: Renewing relations at the right time
Sourina Bej
The INF Treaty: US withdraws to balance China?
Harini Madhusudan
The Khashoggi Killing: Unanswered Questions
Lakshmi V Menon
US and Israel: Trump's Deal of the Century
Nasima Khatoon
The New Maldives: Advantage India?
Harini Madhusudhan
To NAFTA or Not: Trump, Mexico and Canada
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Malaysia’s China Moment: The Mahathir Gamble
Sourina Bej
BIMSTEC: A Bay of Good Hope?
Young Scholars Debate
India, Imran Khan and Indo-Pak Relations
Siddhatti Mehta
Does Brexit mean Brexit?
Oishee Majumdar
Factsheet: China’s Investments in Africa
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
The 8888 Uprising: Thirty Years Later
Harini Madhusudhan
The Tariff War: 'Stick of Hegemony' vs Vital Interests
Druta Bhatt
FactSheet: Shangri La Dialogue 2018
Rahul Arockiaraj
Immigrants as the “Other”: The Social and Economic Factors in the US
Divyabharathi E
Is Trump-Putin Summit a setback for the US?
Apoorva Sudhakar
India and Bangladesh: The Long Haul
Divyabharathi E
Quad as an alternative to the BRI: Three Main Challenges
Oishee Majumdar
FactSheet: India-Bangladesh Relations
D. Suba Chandran
Trump meets Putin; will it cost NATO?
Sourina Bej
Trump and the NATO: One Block, Different Views
Gayan Gowramma KC
Now, the United States withdraws from the UNHRC
Siddhatti Mehta
Will China be able to sustain its Dominance?
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Myanmar: Why won't they do anything for the Rohingya?
Harini Madhusudan
The Idea of an US Space Force: Strategic Calculations
Apoorva Sudhakar
Afghan Peace: Reality or Illusion?
Hely Desai
Looking beyond Trump: Is the US declining?
Manushi Kapadia
Is China using its soft power to become superpower?
Lakshmi. V. Menon
Middle East: Has Russia chosen Israel over Iran?
Miti Shah
G7: Why Trump wants Russia in?
Hely Desai
FactSheet: G7 Summit
Siddhatti Mehta
The Panmunjom Declaration: “Tip of the Iceberg”
Druta Bhatt
Iran N-Deal and the Trans-Atlantic Divide
Manushi Kapadia
US and China: Towards a Trade War
Miti Shah
Palestine: US triggers new tensions
Divyabharathi E
The "Indo-Pacific Command": What's in the name?
Harini Madhusudan
Trump’s Tariff Strategy: Targetting Adversaries and Allies
Hely Desai
Trump-Kim Summit: Three Likely Outcomes
Apoorva Sudhakar
The Lebanon Pawn: Will it change after elections?
Lakshmi V Menon
Israel, the Game Changer?
Samreen Wani
Deciphering Turkey's External Push
Divyabharathi E
China and Russia: The New Alignments
Ann Maria Shibu
Can India afford to lose Maldives to China?
Dhruv Ashok
Why Maldives is important to China?
Lakshmi V Menon
ISIS and the Yazidi victims: Why the World should stand up?
Harini Madhusudan
US- China Tariff Face-off : Five questions
Jamyang Dolma
Why is Free Tibet important for India
Divyabharathi E
Arctic: The Strategic Significance
Lakshmi V Menon
Do we need the Quad?
Samreen Wani
Why Trump’s Iran exit is a big mistake?
Jamyang Dolma
Inter Korean Summit: Will it work?
Dhruv Ashok
The Fishermen Issue between India and Sri Lanka
Apoorva Sudhakar
Bangladesh's Economy: Decoding a Success Story
Ann Maria Shibu
Why India should not pull out of the Indus water treaty?
Divyabharathi E