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Conflict Weekly
Enshrining Abortion Rights in France's Constitution, Inuit Women's Demand for Justice, the State of Emergency in Haiti and the Elusive Ceasefire in Gaza
IPRI Team
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Conflict Weekly #218, 8 March 2024, Vol.5, No.10
An initiative by NIAS-IPRI
Padmashree Anandhan, Anu Maria Joseph, Navinan GV and Shamini Velayutham
France: First country to enshrine abortion rights in the Constitution
Padmashree Anandhan
In the news
On 4 March, the French parliament approved the bill with a three-fifth majority, constitutionalizing women's abortion rights. Article 34 would be amended to include the freedom of women to carry out abortions. President Emmanuel Macron called it a "universal message" to defend abortion rights. France becomes the first country to constitutionalize the right to terminate a pregnancy.
On 4 March, before the vote, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal stated: "We're sending a message to all women: your body belongs to you and no one can decide for you."
On 4 March, on the "Guaranteed freedom" for abortion, national co-president of Le Planning Familial(a French equivalent of Planned Parenthood), Sarah Durocher, said: "This will give birth to other things...For example, real policies so there is effective access to abortion."
On 26 February, the Senate approved the bill, including women's right to an abortion in the Constitution, with 267 votes in favour and 50 against. This follows the approval from the Assemblée Nationale in January.
Issues at large
First, the French society's historical efforts to secure abortion rights. In January 1975, France took the first step in decriminalizing abortion through the Veil Law, with a close majority among conservatives and liberals. It came after a series of protests, feminist movements, and public debates. Until 1974, 48 per cent of the French population was in favour of abortion, which increased to 75 per cent in 2014. Abortion was once considered taboo, especially among the conservative Christians. However, it is no longer viewed as "shame or silence." In 1993 and 2001, two laws were passed that decriminalized self-abortion and instituted the offence of obstructing the termination of pregnancy. The change became evident with the involvement of the progressive younger generation and social media, breaking the taboos. The legislations and the change in views revolutionized the perceptions of society and individuals except the evangelical population.
Second, reason to constitutionalize. Several constitutional democracies have come far from banning abortions to legalizing with a scope to provide options for women before deciding not to exclude the right of an unborn child. For France, clearance from the Senate and both houses were considered more of a formality. Making it a constitutional right ensures women additional protection to opt for abortion and makes it tough for politicians to reverse. However, debates within the Christian conservative population on protecting the life and rights of children do hinge on societal mentality. But such strong legal mandates can help improve the rights of women.
Third, the debate across Europe. The majority of women in Europe have access to abortions; however, legal restrictions are a major hurdle. A few examples include Austria and Germany, which regulate the right to exercise abortion under a criminal code. Hungary insists women hear the child's heartbeat before deciding on abortion. The free distribution of abortion pills in Austria and the law against harassment of women who had abortions in Spain were a few other major developments. However, there are constraints for individuals in bearing the cost of the abortion procedure and getting covered under health insurance. Besides, in catholic dominant and eastern European countries, including Andorra, Northern Ireland, Malta, Poland, and San Marino, under moral, religious, and legal grounds, either ban abortion or allow it under restricted circumstances.
In perspective
First, the importance of state intervention. In the 1940s, abortion was perceived as a crime against an unborn child. By the 1950s, feminist movements gained traction in France. Following the government support in 1975, the feminist movements have gone hand in hand with legislation transforming public opinion, with the exceptions being the conservative evangelicals. Since 1975, reforms to the Veil laws during the years 2014 to 2016 have helped transition the mentalities of society towards abortions, making it more liberal for women to choose.
Second, the role of the leadership. For France, not just the government but also the leadership mattered in shaping abortion rights and reducing the restrictions for women. In 1975, Minister of Health Simone Veil served as a pioneer for women's rights and pushed for abortion rights. She faced challenges from jurists and anti-abortion groups in clarifying the law before the healthcare professionals. This helped in passing the Veil law with a close majority. Although such obstacles were not present for Macron, questions over consent to perform the procedure among the doctors and objections of the conservative group persist. Storming through these obstacles amid a rising right-wing party indicates Macron's ability to anchor the rights into the Constitution.
Denmark: Greenlandic Inuit's call for colonial justice
Anu Maria Joseph
In the news
On 4 March, the Associated Press reported that 143 indigenous women belonging to the Inuit community in Greenland sued the Danish Ministry of Health for forcing them to be inserted with intra-uterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) during the 1960s and 70s. Besides, they have demanded USD 6.3 million in compensation for human rights violations against them. One of the women, Naja Lyberth, was stated to have told Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa (KNR), a Greenland-based media: "As long as we live, we want to regain our self-respect and respect for our wombs."
On 4 March, the lawyer representing the Inuit women, Mads Pramming, stated: "My clients believe they were subject to a human rights violation because they have had IUDs inserted against their will, and in most cases when they were children."
On 4 March, a case was filed against Denmark's Ministry of Health. The Minister of Health, Sophie Lohde, stated: "This is a deeply unfortunate case that we must get to the bottom of, and therefore an independent investigation has also been initiated."
Issues at large
First, a background to the Greenlandic Inuit community. Inuits are indigenous people from the Arctic regions of North America. They reside in Greenland, the US, Canada, Denmark and Russia. The Inuits of Greenland represent close to one third of the total 155,792 population worldwide. The Greenlandic Inuits or the Kalaallit constitute 89 per cent of Greenland's population. Greenland became a self-governing entity of Denmark in 1979. However, Denmark, its former colonial power, controls its foreign and defence affairs.
Second, the complaints against Denmark’s colonial policies. During the 1960s and 70s, the island's population was increasing due to its better living and health conditions. According to the Danish authorities, nearly 4,500 women and girls were subjected to the IUD implant. Several were under the age of 12, and many are still unaware of what had happened. In 2022, the Danish government launched an investigation that is due in 2025. In 2018, a group of Inuits, who were taken away from their families for a failed social experiment in 1951, demanded an apology from the Danish authorities. Then, as part of an experiment, around 22 children, now in their 70s, were removed from their families to be re-educated as model Danish citizens. A formal apology was given by Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, in 2022.
Third, the refusal and reconciliation. The Danish government refused to be a part of the Greenlandic Reconciliation Commission in 2013, investigating the legacy of colonialism in Greenland. The Danish authorities cited the reconciliation commission as an “insult” to Denmark. In retrospect, the then authorities sought a reconciliation, ignoring acknowledgement and apology. This refusal to take responsibility changed during the recent years. In 2022, Denmark, for the first time, accepted and apologised for its atrocity against the Inuits.
Fourth, the continuing marginalization of the Inuits. Although Greenland enjoys autonomy, it faces several economic, social, health and environmental challenges. The traditional life of the indigenous group has been threatened by forced urbanisation that started during the 1970s. It resulted in increased immigration of Danes and disruption of Inuit kinship. Meanwhile, climate change in the polar region with rising sea levels, rapid warming, melting ice and animal extinction have affected the community's livelihood. A rapid shift in their way of life accounted for multiple health issues. Besides, the presence of rare earths has attracted the investments of external actors including the US and China, which are initiated by the Danish government and marginally benefit the Inuits. In 2023, the UN recorded a lack of effective mechanisms to implement Inuit's rights to free, prior and informed consent in Greenland regarding "tourism concessions, implementing business projects and adopting legislative and administrative acts in Greenland."
In perspective
Denmark’s reconciliation with the Greenlandic Inuits needs more seriousness and a swift response. A slow acknowledgement, apology and reparation from the Danish authorities implies that an effective reconciliation is far from reality. Although the autonomy of Greenland from Denmark was hailed as the self-determination and preservation of the community, the continued influence of the Danish government against the interests of the Inuits implies that complete self-determination and preservation is far from reality. The Danish authorities would likely take another three years to accept its colonial atrocity against the women. However, the case of Greenlandic Inuits is an encouragement for indigenous communities across the world to fight for their rights and justice.
Haiti: State of Emergency as violence surges with gang leaders warning of civil war and genocide
Navinan GV
In the news
On 7 March, the government in Haiti extended the state of emergency for another month. On 3 March, after gangs stormed the country's two biggest jails and freed nearly 3,700 inmates, the Haitian government declared a 72-hour state of emergency and a night curfew.
On 6 March, Jimmy Cherizier, leader of the G9 gang, warned of a civil war and "genocide" if Haitian PM Ariel Henry did not step down. Al Jazeera quoted him to have stated: "If Ariel Henry doesn't resign, if the international community continues to support him, we'll be heading straight for a civil war that will lead to genocide." The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, described the situation in the country as "beyond untenable" and asked the international community to "act swiftly and decisively to prevent Haiti's further descent into chaos." A statement from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said, "Haiti is facing a complex humanitarian and protection crisis. Every time violence breaks out, thousands of people fall into precarious situations and need emergency aid. Humanitarian organizations need unhindered access to the most vulnerable populations. Beyond humanitarian aid, Haiti needs greater international solidarity at this crucial time."
On 5 March, Henry arrived in Puerto Rico after his flight was denied entry into Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Minister of Finance Patrick Boisvert has been acting as prime minister while Henry remained overseas to get support for a UN-backed mission to help control the situation in the country. Boisvert stated that the "police were ordered to use all legal means at their disposal to enforce the curfew and apprehend all offenders."
On 4 March, gangs attacked the airport to prevent Henry and a multinational force from entering the country.
On 1 March, Kenyan President William Ruto signed a "reciprocal" agreement with Haiti's PM Henry to deploy Kenyan police who would lead a UN-backed mission in Haiti. The two leaders "discussed the next steps to enable the fast-tracking of the deployment." On 26 February, the Bahamian Prime Minister, Philip Davis, stated that "Haiti is haemorrhaging" due to a "truly terrible" security situation. The Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, asserted that the world needed to "act quickly to alleviate the suffering" of the Haitians.
Issues at large
First, the gangs of Haiti. The emergence of gangs in Haiti dates back to the Tonton Macoute, a paramilitary force established by former Haitian President François Duvalier in the 1950s and 1960s. The Tonton Macoute was used to suppress political opposition and maintain Duvalier's power. Former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide created armed groups to protect his political interests. These groups later morphed into gangs that control much of Haiti today, including G-Pep and G9, which fight for control of the capital city, Port-au-Prince. The gangs have since expanded their territories; according to the UN, 200 gangs operate across Haiti, with around 95 in the capital alone. Recently, their control over the capital increased from 60 to 80 per cent, according to UN officials.
Second, the independence of the gangs and the weak state. The gangs have access to weapons and are financially independent, which seems to be the main source of their power. On 1 March, a UN report highlighted that a network of criminal actors, including some from Haiti, "often source firearms from across the US" and illegally smuggle them from the Dominican Republic. The gangs abduct civilians and demand ransom, making them financially independent and increasing their power. On the other hand, the police force is outnumbered and underfunded, resulting in fewer people and weapons. Gangs have become the source of authority in most parts of Haiti, increasing their presence and power.
Third, hesitant international response. Despite multiple calls from Haiti for international support, there needs to be more support to support the state and augment its ability to counter the gangs. At the regional level, in January 2024, a Kenyan High Court blocked the deployment of Kenyan police to Haiti by ruling it unconstitutional, further delaying the deployment of the multinational security support mission. On 28 February, a four-day regional summit of Caribbean leaders ended, wherein they stated that Henry had agreed to hold general elections by mid-2025. In February, the US government stated that to restore peace to Haiti, it was willing to supply money, equipment, and logistical support to a multinational force. According to Bahamian Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell, the international community had pledged more than USD 100 million for the Haiti mission, with the US contributing an additional USD 200 million; however, the UN claimed that less than USD 11 million was received as of 5 March.
In perspective
Haiti faces four challenges – political legitimacy, weak institutions, strong gangs and lack of international support. Unfortunately, there is no light at the end of the tunnel on all four challenges. Despite the US asking Prime Minister Henry to make the governance inclusive, he is less likely to pursue that option. Weak institutions and strong gangs in Haiti have created a negative loop that makes the former weaker and the latter stronger. Haiti needs immediate support from the region and the rest of the world; unfortunately, it is not likely to happen in the immediate future. This means further instability in Haiti.
The War in Gaza: The Elusive Search for a Ceasefire
Shamini Velayutham
In the news
On 7 March, the War in Gaza entered its seventh month. Referring to it, the US President, in his State of the Union address, said: "As we look to the future, the only real solution to the situation is a two-state solution over time." On 3 March, US Vice-President Kamala Harris said: "Let's get a ceasefire. Let's reunite the hostages with their families. And let's provide immediate relief to the people of Gaza." On 3 March, US Vice-President Kamala Harris said: "Let's get a ceasefire. Let's reunite the hostages with their families. And let's provide immediate relief to the people of Gaza." On the same day, US President Joe Biden stated that he is determined to secure a deal with the warring parties to secure the release of Israeli captives held by Hamas and to establish a six-week ceasefire. Meanwhile, Israel's war cabinet member and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political rival, Benny Gantz, met with US Vice President Kamala Harris and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
On 6 March, Hamas said: "We will continue to negotiate through our brotherly mediators to reach an agreement that fulfils the demands and interests of our people." The US formulated a revised draft of a proposed UNSC ceasefire resolution that calls for "an immediate ceasefire of roughly six weeks in Gaza together with the release of all hostages." The third revised text calls for a "temporary ceasefire."
On 5 March, three days after the ceasefire negotiations in Cairo, led by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, the talks ended without a breakthrough. The ceasefire negotiations stalled as the Israeli delegation did not show up in Cairo, citing that Hamas did not release the list of captives. Meanwhile, the US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, met Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, to discuss a six-week ceasefire and efforts to release hostages held by Hamas.
On 4 March, Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant stated that the war would not end until the Hamas were defeated. On the same day, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) chief, Volker Turk, during the council meeting in Geneva, stated that the war in Gaza is a "powder keg" that could engender a larger conflict, causing repercussions for the Middle East and other regions.
On 2 March, the US and Jordan carried out an airdrop of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The airdrop was carried out by three C-130 planes. Earlier, on 29 February, Israeli forces opened fire on aid seekers who gathered near the Nabulsi roundabout in the south-west of Gaza City, killing more than 100.
Issues at large
First, the elusive search for a ceasefire, since the November humanitarian pause. In November 2023, the US, Qatar, and Egypt succeeded in getting a temporary humanitarian pause, agreed by Israel and Hamas. From 22 November, the pause lasted seven days before collapsing amidst accusations and counteraccusations by Israel and Hamas. Under the agreement, 105 hostages were released by Hamas, which included 81 Israeli women and children, 23 Thai nationals and one Filipino. In exchange, Israel released nearly 240 Palestinian prisoners. Ever since, there have been numerous efforts and calls for a longer ceasefire; discussions have taken place in the region and at the UN with less success. The recent one in the series is the statement by the US President regarding a Ramadan ceasefire and the frantic efforts during the last two weeks to reach it.
Second, the focus on ceasefire and the multiple demands. Based on available information to the public, the demands for a ceasefire include the ceasing of military operations by Israel, the release of the hostages by Hamas, and allowing more humanitarian aid into Gaza, including medical supplies, tents and construction materials to rebuild. Hamas also want the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel in a specific proportion (400 Palestinian prisoners for 40 Israeli hostages).
Third, increasing American pressure on Israel and PM Benjamin Netanyahu. President Biden's reference to the "Two State Solution" in his State of the Union address is one of the latest statements aimed at pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The US airdrop of aid during the previous week in Gaza was a strong statement from Biden against Netanyahu. The US Vice President's statement on the aid and the White House hosting Benny Gantz, Netanyahu's rival in Israel, is a clear message to Netanyahu.
Fourth, the humanitarian situation in Gaza. In February, the UN warned that at least 576,000 people are "one step away from famine." There is a limited distribution of aid as Israel allows a minimum of trucks into Gaza. Despite pressure from the UN and US, Netanyahu remains stubborn in disallowing more aid to Gaza.
In perspective
A ceasefire before Ramadan and more aid into Gaza are the immediate requirements. Developments during the week highlight the complications in achieving both. Israel and Hamas seem unmoved in their position and unwilling to compromise.
Will the thinning of American patience with Netanyahu make the latter understand and make a compromise? Will the regional pressure be sufficient enough to force Hamas to take a positive step in releasing the hostages? These are two primary questions of the week. The answers look bleak on both.
Issues in Peace and Conflict This Week:
Regional Roundups
Akriti Sharma, Vetriselvi Baskaran, Akhil Ajith, Anu Maria Joseph, Femy Francis, Padmashree Anandhan, Dhriti Mukherjee, Shamini Velayutham, Narmatha S and Navinan GV
East and Southeast Asia
China: Envoy sent to Ukraine for an immediate political settlement
On 5 March, China sent its special envoy for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui, to Kyiv for a political settlement to the war in Ukraine. He began his trip to Russia on 2 March, followed by visits to Poland, Ukraine, Germany, France, and Belgium. This was his second trip to Europe after the war began. Li told Russia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mikhail Galuzin, that China is committed to promoting peace talks, mediation, and building consensus between the two sides. During his first trip to Kyiv in May 2023, Li stated that China would help Ukraine "within its ability."
China: Human rights violation in Xinjiang and Tibet, claims UN Human Rights Chief
On 4 March, United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Turk said that China is violating the fundamental rights of the people in Xinjiang and Tibet. He called on the Chinese authorities to correct its actions and implement recommendations given by human rights bodies "in relation to laws, policies and practices that violate fundamental human rights, including in the Xinjiang and Tibet regions." However, China has rejected the allegations and said that its vocational centres have helped combat extremism and enhance development. China's ambassador to the UN, Chen Xu, accused it of politicizing and weaponizing human rights issues.
China: Free military assistance agreement with Maldives
On 4 February, China and Maldives forged a defence cooperation agreement, offering "non-lethal" free military assistance. This is the first time China has signed a military cooperation deal with Maldives. Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu stated: "To obtain the different forms of training required by the Maldives' military and to be granted various non-lethal military equipment free of charge, that is what this agreement is about. This will increase the technical capacity of the defence forces." The agreement came weeks after the Maldivian President, Mohamed Muizzu, called for withdrawing Indian troops stationed there.
China: Collision with Philippines ship
On 5 February, the Philippines Coast Guards (PCG) accused Chinese ships of blocking their resupply mission in the South China Sea. PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela informed that the incident, which caused minor structural damage, happened near the Second Thomas Shoal. Tarriela stated: "The PCG vessels faced dangerous manoeuvres and blocking from Chinese Coast Guard vessels and Chinese Maritime Militia." He added that the reckless and illegal actions by the Chinese vessels led to the collision between the MRRV-4407 and China Coast Guard 21555. The Chinese Coast Guard responded that they took "regulatory action" against the Philippines and accused them of entering waters illegally.
Australia: Russia and China are overtaking the US and its allies in military innovation, says an official
On 4 March, Australia's Deputy Defence Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Industry, Hugh Jeffrey, stated that Russia and China are overtaking the US and its allies in military innovation. He commented that the current military architecture based on the Cold War is unsuited to address future challenges. He noted that Australia and the US need to be prepared against the growing threats in the Indo-Pacific region. He welcomed the Biden administration's efforts to clear the regulatory hurdles in implementing the AUKUS alliance. The West sees the AUKUS alliance as a strategy to contain the growing Chinese naval expansion, especially in the South China Sea. Despite the US's passing of the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA), pending legislative reforms and Australian concerns about complying with US standards remain a challenge to the alliance.
South Korea: Talks with the US on defence cost-sharing mechanism
On 5 March, South Korea and the US listed the names of the envoys, Lee Tae-woo and Linda Specht, respectively, to begin talks on sharing the cost of keeping US troops in South Korea. The deal, if signed, is expected to come into effect in 2026. Currently, there are 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea to deter North Korea.
South Korea: Police summons doctor against mass walkout protest
On 6 March, South Korean police questioned a doctor, summoned for the first time, concerning the mass walkout. The government had set a deadline on 29 February for the protesting doctors to return to work. Doctors across the country have been protesting against the government's recent proposal to increase medical school admissions to address the workforce shortage. On 6 March, President Yoon Suk Yeol stated that the doctor's walkouts were "illegal collective action that violates people's rights to life." Additionally, the police raided the offices of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), which has been supporting the protests. Besides, KMA's Director, Joo Soo-ho, is being accused of "aiding and abetting" the protestors.
South Asia
Sri Lanka: Protests against Indian fisherman for illegal fishing
On 3 March, Sri Lankan fishermen from the northern districts of Jaffna, Mullaitivu, and Mannar protested against the allegedly recurring illegal fishing by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters. They demanded swift action to prevent illegal poaching and swore to intensify protests if the issue was unresolved. Recently, there have been several protests against the Indian fisherman for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in Sri Lankan waters. In Jaffna, a protest was staged opposite the Indian consulate. In 2023, 240 Indian fishermen were arrested, and 35 trawlers were seized by the Sri Lankan Navy for poaching.
Nepal: Growing obesity and undernutrition
On 5 March, the Kathmandu Post cited a study by an NGO, Baliyo Nepal, that Nepal is grappling with obesity, which is impacting children, adolescents, and adults. Three per cent of children under the age of five are obese, exceeding the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2022 findings. Nepal faces a "double burden" of malnutrition, with undernutrition persisting alongside the rapid rise of obesity, particularly in urban areas. The Chief Executive Officer of Baliyo Nepal, Atul Upadhyay, stated: "What is concerning is that in Bagmati Province, the percentage of children of the said age group with obesity problems is higher compared to other provinces." Nepal is not the only country facing this problem, as a report published by The Lancet, an international medical journal, highlighted how the "total number of children, adolescents and adults worldwide living with obesity has surpassed one billion."
Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa
Israel: Continuing raids
On 4 March, according to Israel's emergency medical service, Magen David Adom (MDA), one person was killed and two others were injured after an anti-tank missile was fired towards Margaliot in northern Israel. An MDA paramedic, Walid Kezel, stated: "Together with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) medical personnel, we provided medical treatment and evacuated five wounded people who suffered from shrapnel injuries with Air Force helicopters." On the same day, the IDF completed its two-week raid on the Z2 neighbourhood of Gaza City, destroying nearly 100 operatives of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. On 2 March, 17 people were killed after Israeli fighter jets attacked a residential building in the Deir el-Balah region and the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.
Iraq: Targets power stations, Turkish drone attack kills two fighters
On 6 March, the Islamic Resistance stated that it targeted a power station at the Haifa Airport by using drones. The group said: "As part of the second phase of resistance operations against the occupation, in support of our people in Gaza, and response to the Zionist massacres against unarmed Palestinian civilians, the fighters of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, on the evening of Tuesday 5-3-2024, targeted the power station at Haifa Airport in our occupied lands using drones."
Algeria: Extends aid to Mozambique's fight against Jihadists
On 4 March, Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi ended his four-day visit to Algeria. The Algerian government vowed to extend its support to Mozambique's fight against Jihadist insurgency in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. Nyusi stated that Algeria has "promised immediate support for the Local Force, the one that is fighting terrorism."
Sudan: UN human rights chief warns of war crimes
On 1 March, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, stated that a deliberate attempt to disrupt access to humanitarian agencies in the war-torn Sudan would imply a war crime. He said: "Sudan has become a living nightmare. Almost half of the population – 25 million people – urgently need food and medical aid. Some 80 per cent of hospitals have been put out of service." The development came after aid supplies were looted, humanitarian workers were attacked, and humanitarian agencies complained about bureaucratic challenges to reach out to the conflict-hit regions. According to the UN, the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has killed at least 14,600 people and injured 26,000.
Sudan: Demand to reinstate AU membership before mediation
On 4 March, Sudan's military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan demanded reinstating the country's AU membership to consider the AU-led mediation to end the conflict. Al Burhan stated: "Sudan's confidence in the AU and the potential solutions it can provide to end the war, but only if the state regains its full membership and the organization treats it as such." Sudan was suspended from the AU following the military takeover on 25 October 2021. Later, in April 2023, the AU formed a special three-member panel to resolve the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Burkina Faso: Series of attacks kill hundreds
On 3 March, Al Jazeera reported that at least 170 people were killed in a series of attacks in three villages in northern Burkina Faso. The attacks are separate from the attacks on a mosque in Natiaboani and a church in Essakane that killed dozens. Currently, nearly half of the country is under the control of several armed groups.
Europe and the Americas
Ukraine: Russian patrol boat destroyed in a strike
On 5 March, Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) claimed to have destroyed a Russian military patrol boat close to the Crimean Peninsula. The strikes reportedly caused critical "damage to the stern, starboard and port sides." Military intelligence spokesperson Andriy Yusov said that the strike killed several crew members and left others wounded. The Ukrainian President's Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, stated that Russia's Black Sea Fleet "cannot be in Ukraine's Crimea" as it served as a "symbol of the occupation."
Europe: European Commission encourages spending on defence, unveils new programme worth EUR 1.5 billion
On 5 March, the European Commission revealed plans to boost the arms industry in light of the war in Ukraine. It proposed spending EUR 1.5 billion to incentivize countries to buy jointly from European firms. It would motivate the industry to raise capacity and develop technologies. Vice President of the Commission, Margrethe Vestager, pointed out that Europe has been "vividly confronted with the well-known structural fragmentation along national borders." The continent's defence industry has not had "sufficient production capacity to meet the sharp increase of demand," as EU members favoured orders with domestic companies, creating mistrust and preventing competition. Vestager claimed that while EUR 1.5 billion was "not a lot of money when it comes to the defence industry," it could encourage the EU members to work together.
Poland: Anti-tank weapon deal signed with Sweden
On 4 March, the Polish Minister of Defence, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, announced that the country had signed a deal to buy anti-tank grenade launchers from Saab, a Swedish aerospace and defence company, in a deal worth USD 1.63 billion. In 2024, Poland is set to spend four per cent of its GDP on defence to strengthen its armed forces following the war in Ukraine. The deal centres around the Carl-Gustaf M4 grenade launcher, intended to combat all modern combat vehicles. Kosiniak-Kamysz detailed that Poland would get several thousand grenade launchers and rounds of ammunition, along with infrastructure, training, and other elements required to use the weapon.
The UK: "Customs partnership" signed to track down small boat material shipment
On 4 March, the UK signed a "customs partnership" with the Calais Group, a group of northern European countries including France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and the European Commission, to prevent the supply of materials used in the small boats to France, from where they are launched. This follows Britain's attempts to prevent the flow of tens of thousands of migrants arriving on small boats from mainland Europe. The UK and France would lead the initiative, under which countries' customs agencies would share information about the shipment of materials used to make small boats.
Canada: Palestinian Canadians and lawyers sue government for supplying weapons to Israel
On 5 March, Palestinian Canadians and human rights lawyers sued Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly over the export of military equipment to Israel. Additionally, they demanded a federal court to order the Canadian government to stop issuing export permits. A board member of Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights (CLAIHR), Henry Off, explained that they wanted to "hold Canada to its own standards and to its international legal obligations" by preventing it from "contributing to the mass starvation and bombardment of Gaza." According to official figures, in 2022, Canadian arms exports to Israel accounted for USD 15 million. However, Maple News cited government data that Canada authorized at least USD 20.9 million in new military exports to Israel during the first two months of the war. In February 2024, government spokesperson Jean-Pierre Godbout stated that the permits granted since 7 October were for "the export of non-lethal equipment," adding that all permit applications are "reviewed on a case-by-case basis under Canada's risk assessment framework."
About the authors
Akriti Sharma is a PhD Scholar at NIAS. Padmashree Anandhan and Anu Maria Joseph are Research Associates at NIAS. Femy Francis, Dhriti Mukherjee, Akhil Ajith and Shamini Velayutham are Research Assistants at NIAS. Vetriselvi Baskaran, Narmatha S and Navinan GV are Postgraduate Students at the University of Madras.
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Nelson Mandela's South Africa: The dream and the reality
Ken B Varghese
South Africa’s 30 years of democracy
Pummy Lathigara
28 July 2005: IRA announces the end of its armed campaign
Nivetha B
29 July 1958: The US establishes NASA
Leivon Victor Lamkang
29 July 1957: IAEA comes into force
Pranesh Selvaraj
4 August 2007: The US launches Phoenix, a mission to Mars
Nandini Khandelwal
Saddam Hussein becomes the President of Iraq
Ronakk Tijoriwala
Five women organise the Women's Rights Convention in the US
Shreya Jagadeesan
23 July 2020: China Launches its First Mission to Mars
Rohit Paswan
24 July 1911: The Rediscovery of Machu Picchu
Neha Tresa George
South Africa: The Decline of the ANC
Shilpa Joseph
South Africa Elections 1996-2024: An Overview
Vetriselvi Baskaran
South Africa Election 2024: Course, Issues and Outcomes
Vetriselvi Baskaran
A surge in attacks on girl’s school in Pakistan
Dhriti Mukherjee
Growth and Investment in Pakistan: Four Takeaways
Dhriti Mukherjee
Pakistan: The decision to ban PTI
Shilpa Jospeh
Portugal: Democrats win over socialists by a thin margin
Govind Anoop
Hungary: Right Wing wins; Support shifts to Centre
Vetriselvi Baskaran
Belgium: Extremist parties see narrow win
Padmashree Anandhan
France: Rise of Far-right triggers political crisis
Karthik Manoharan
05 July 1962: The Algerian War comes to an end
Ayan Datta & Sayeka Ghosh
US Presidential Debate 2024: Trump exposes Biden’s weaknesses, promises stronger America
Vetriselvi Baskaran
One year of war in Sudan: Regional Implications
Anu Maria Joseph
Sudan: One Year of Civil War
Anu Maria Joseph
30 years after the Rwandan Genocide
Vetriselvi Baskaran
The 37th African Union Summit: Five takeaways
Anu Maria Joseph
Elections in Senegal: A democratic victory in Africa
Jerry Franklin A
South Africa Elections 2024: Five questions
Anu Maria Joseph
The Gambia: The genital cutting and the return of the FGM debate
Dhriti Mukherjee
Haiti: The UN backed Kenyan police force lands
Vetriselvi Baskaran
Punjab budget 2024-25: Prioritising Health and Initiatives
Dhriti Mukherjee
Sindh Provincial Budget 2024-25: Urban and Political
Padmashree Anandhan
European People’s Party (EPP) Leads with clear majority Country wise breakup
Neha Tresa George
EU elections - Part II: A profile of recent four elections (2004-2019)
Shilpa Joseph and Ken Varghese
Voting for the next MEPs
Femy Francis | Research Assistant at NIAS
06 May 1882: The US President signs the Chinese Exclusion Act, restricting immigration from China
Mugdha Chaturvedi
20 May 2002: East Timor becomes an independent country
Dhriti Mukherjee
Ten Years of CPEC-1 (Dasu Hydropower Project: A Profile)
By young scholars of NIAS Course on Global Politics: Contemporary World Order and Theories. Compiled by Sayeka Ghosh.
South Korea Elections 2024: An interview with Dr Sandip Mishra and Dr Vyjayanti Raghavan
By the NIAS-IPRI Course scholars on Contemporary Conflicts, Peace Processes, Theories and Thinkers. Compiled by Ayan Datta.
The War in Gaza: An Interview with Dr Stanly Johny
Mallika Joseph | Adjunct Professor, NIAS
21 May 1991: LTTE human bomb assassinates Rajiv Gandhi
Padmashree Anandhan
Putin-Xi Summit: Towards a Strategic transformation in Russia-China relations
Akhil Ajith
Chang’e 6 and China’s Lunar Exploration program
Femy Francis
Antony Blinken’s China Visit
Femy Francis
China in Mexico: What, How and Why
Dhriti Mukherjee
Lawyers’ protests in Lahore: Two Reasons Why
Rohini Reenum
Protests in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir: What and Why?
Dhriti Mukherjee
9 May Violence: One Event, Different Actors, Multiple Outlooks
D Suba Chandran
The Fog of 9 May: One year after the anti-Establishment violence
Rohini Reenum
Pakistan and Wheat: From a Crisis to a Scandal
NIAS South Asia Team
South Asia This Week (21 Apr- 27 Apr 2024)
NIAS South Asia Team
South Asia This Week (14 Apr -20 Apr 2024)
Devi Chandana M
Seychelles-India Relations: Five Areas of Partnership
D Suba Chandran
Karachi: Seven Shades of Violence
Rohini Reenum
Recurrent floods in Pakistan: What and Why
Dhriti Mukherjee
Pakistan's Position on the War in Gaza
Dhriti Mukherjee
Pakistan's narrow tax base: Failures so far, challenges ahead
Sayeka Ghosh
26 April 1986: Chernobyl nuclear accident
Dhriti Mukherjee
Profile: Street Crimes in Karachi
Femy Francis
Germany and China: It’s the economy, stupid
Arya Prasad
Elections in South Korea: Six Takeaways
Alka Bala
25 Years of Euro: What lies ahead?
GP Team
75 Years of NATO
NIAS South Asia Team
South Asia This Week (25 Mar- 01 Apr 2024)
Devi Chandana M
Rise in China’s Marriages
Padmashree Anandhan
Ireland: Four reasons why Prime Minister Leo Varadkar resigned
GP Team
Elections in Senegal
NIAS Africa Team
Africa This Week (16-22 March)
T C A Raghavan
March 1739: Nadir Shah invades Delhi
Karthik Manoharan
17 March 1992: The end of Apartheid in South Africa
Rosemary Kurian
18 March 2014: Russia annexes Crimea
NIAS Africa Team
Africa This Week
IPRI Team
Continuing Kidnappings in Nigeria
Sivasubramanian K
09 March 1776: Adam Smith publishes “The Wealth of Nations”
NIAS South Asia Team
South Asia This Week (2-9 Mar 2024)
NIAS South Asia Team
South Asia This Week (26 Feb-02 Mar 2024)
NIAS Africa Team
Africa This Week (1 March-7 March)
NIAS Africa Team
Africa This Week (24 February-29 February)
Asanga Abeyagoonasekera
Sri Lanka: The rise of ultra-nationalism and elections
IPRI Team
The Battle for Avdiivka in Ukraine
NIAS South Asia Team
South Asia This Week (11-17 Feb 2024)
NIAS Africa Team
Africa This Week
IPRI Team
Israel's Military Campaign in Rafah
NIAS Latin America Team
Latin America This Week (3-10 Feb 2024)
NIAS South Asia Team
South Asia This Week (3-10 Feb 2024)
NIAS Africa Team
Africa This Week (3-10 Feb 2024)
IPRI Team
Protests in Senegal
Jerry Franklin A
Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON): Five Questions
Padmashree Anandhan, Femy Francis, Rohini Reenum, Akriti Sharma, Akhil Ajith, Shamini Velayutham and Anu Maria Joseph
Expert Interview: Russia in the International Order
Bibhu Prasad Routray
Myanmar: Ethnic Armed Organizations, China’s Mediation and Continuing Fighting
Narmatha S and Anu Maria Jospeh
Ethiopia-Somalia tensions over Somaliland | Explained
CEAP Team
Taiwan elections
GP Team
Taiwan Election 2024
Femy Francis
Taiwan Election 2024: The return of DPP
IPRI Team
The War in Ukraine and Gaza
CEAP Team
NIAS- CEAP- China Reader | Daily Briefs
Padmashree Anandhan
The War in Ukraine: Drones, missiles and counterattacks
Anu Maria Joseph
Ethiopia and Sudan: Governance in deadlock
Hoimi Mukherjee | Hoimi Mukherjee is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science in Bankura Zilla Saradamani Mahila Mahavidyapith.
Chile in 2023: Crises of Constitutionality
Richa Chandola | Richa Chandola is an independent scholar.
Peru in 2023: Political Tensions, Civil Unrest, and Governance Issues
Aprajita Kashyap | Aprajita Kashyap is a faculty of Latin American Studies, School of International Studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi.
Haiti in 2023: The Humanitarian Crisis
Shreya Pandey | Shreya Pandey is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science, Xavier’s College, Ranchi. Her research interests include EU-India relations, and current trends in international relations.
Russian Invasion on Ukraine: An assessment of its impact upon unity, economy and enlargement of the EU
Binod Khanal | Binod Khanal is a Doctoral candidate at the Centre for European Studies, School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi.
The Baltic: Energy, Russia, NATO and China
Rishika Yadav | Rishika Yadav is a Research Assistant at NIAS.
Finland in 2023: Challenges at Russia's border
Padmashree Anandhan | Padmashree Anandhan is a Research Associate at the School of Conflict and Security Studies, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangaluru.
Germany in 2023: Defence, Economy and Energy Triangle
Anu Maria Joseph | Anu Maria Joseph is a Research Assistant at NIAS.
Ethiopia and Sudan in 2023: Governance in deadlock
Nuha Aamina | Nuha Aamina is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy, St Joseph's University.
Thailand: Economic stability despite political instability
Alka Bala | Alka Bala is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy, St Joseph's University.
Myanmar in 2023: Extended Emergency, Political Instability and State-led violence
Sayani Rana | Sayani Rana is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace, and Public Policy, St Joseph's University, Bangalore.
Australia in 2023: Challenges of Economy, Employment and Immigration
Ashok Alex Luke | Ashok Alex Luke is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science at CMS College, Kottayam.
China and South Asia in 2023: Advantage Beijing?
Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri | Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri is a postgraduate student at the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies at the University of Madras, Chennai.
China and East Asia
Femy Francis | Femy Francis is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies.
China in 2023: Cracks in the Great Wall
Amit Gupta | Dr Amit Gupta is an international security and economics analyst based in the USA
The US: The Year of Living Dangerously?
Kuri Sravan Kumar | Kuri Sravan Kumar is a PhD scholar at the Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi.
North Korea in 2023: Military buildups and Close Connections with Russia
Yogeshwari S | Yogeswari S is a postgraduate student at the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies at the University of Madras, Chennai.
South Korea in 2023: Addressing Climate Change and the Global Supply Chains
Abhishek Ranjan | Abhishek Ranjan is a PhD student at the Korean Studies, Centre for East Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
East Asia in 2023: Big Power Politics and New Defence Strategies
IPRI Team
Special Edition: Conflicts in 2023
NIAS Africa Team
NIAS Africa Weekly #92&93 | COP 28 and Africa
Nithyashree RB
COP28 and Africa: Priorities and Initiatives
NIAS Africa Team
NIAS Africa Weekly #91 | Failed coup in Sierra Leone
Anu Maria Joseph
Sierra Leone: A failed coup
GP Team
Henry Kissinger: A profile
NIAS Africa Team
NIAS Africa Weekly #90 | Floods in East Africa
Jerry Franklin A
Floods in East Africa
NIAS Africa Team
NIAS Africa Weekly #89 | Africa’s debate on colonial reparations
Sneha Surendran
Africa’s debate on colonial reparations
NIAS Africa Team
NIAS Africa Weekly #87&88 | Elusive Ceasefires in Sudan
Anu Maria Joseph
Sudan’s ceasefires remain elusive: Four reasons why
GP Team
UK’s AI Summit
Femy Francis
Ten years of BRI: Xi and the Beijing Summit
Femy Francis
The return of the South China Sea
Femy Francis
BRICS Summit poised as the Champion of Global South
Femy Francis
Japan-Australia's Reciprocal Access Agreement
CR Team | Avishka Ashok
China: Palestine Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ visit emphasizes hope for statehood
NIAS Africa Team
NIAS Africa Weekly #85&86 | Niger-France ties and Liberia elections
Nithyashree RB
Liberia elections: Explained
Jerry Franklin
France's increasing unpopularity in Niger
PR Team
The Snow Leopards of Pakistan
Padmashree Anandhan
Poland elections 2023: Reasons behind the shift
Padmashree Anandhan
Ukraine: The failure of the Black Sea Grain Initiative
Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri
Issues for Europe
Yogeswari S | CSIS
Poland’s engagement
Prof Joyati Bhattacharya
G20 Summit: India the Global Host
Anu Maria Joseph
Africa in the Indian Ocean region: Explained
Dhriti Mukherjee
Pakistan grapples with soaring electricity bills and free riders
Shamini Velayutham
Pakistan: Recent spike in Polio cases
Dhriti Mukherjee
Pakistan’s power predicament: Soaring bills and public discontent
Ankit Singh
Pakistan’s Economy: Three questions
Sneha Surendran
From Cargo to Canvas: The vibrant world of Pakistani Truck Art
Anu Maria Joseph
Taiwan in Africa: The Last Ally and the Lost Allies
Feben Itty | CSIS
NATO’s Challenge
Genesy B | abcnews
Russia’s Endgame
Sreeja JS
Ukraine’s Strategies and Endgame
NIAS Africa Team
Africa Weekly #79 | Africa Climate Summit
Sneha Surendran
Africa Climate Summit: Rising new leadership in climate action
Nithyashree RB
Coup in Gabon: Three questions
NIAS Africa Team
Africa Weekly #78 | Coup in Gabon
Sneha Surendran
Wildfires in Europe: Another year of devastation
Rishika Yadav
Floods in Europe: Impacts, and issues
Padmashree Anandhan
Return of the Heatwaves
Jerry Franklin A
A profile on Ethiopia's Oromo ethnic group
Sneha Surendran
A profile on Ethiopia’s Somali ethnic group
Nithyashree RB
A profile on Ethiopia’s Afar ethnic group
Anu Maria Joseph
Ethiopia’s Amhara problem
Jerry Franklin A
ECOWAS and Niger remain at an impasse, causing a prolonged standoff
Lakshmi Parimala H
Mural, Movie and the Map: Akhand Bharat mural and Adipurush
Rishika Yadav
The High Seas Treaty
Indrani Talukdar
Ukraine War and the International Order
Jerry Franklin A
Coup in Niger: Manifold national, regional and international stances
Sneha Surendran
Senegal's political crisis: Four questions
NIAS Africa Team
Africa Weekly #73&74 | Coup in Niger and Senegal’s political crisis
Himani Pant
Germany-Russia Relations: What Next?
D. Suba Chandran
Que Sara Sara: Pakistan, Two Months After 09 May
Sneha Surendran
Pakistan’s e-Sport Industry: A Profile
Ramya Balasubramanian
Russia and Europe: Understanding Moscow’s strategies
Bibhu Prasad Routray
Return of Violence in Manipur
Nithyashree RB
The UN in Africa: MINUSMA has failed. So did Mali
Bibhu Prasad Routray
Myanmar continues to burn
Anu Maria Joseph
The Wagner Group in Africa: Fallouts of the failed revolt in Russia
NIAS Africa Team
Africa Weekly #69-71 | The Wagner Group in Africa
Lakshmi Parimala
Hybrid Warfare in Ukraine
Padmashree Anandhan
Rise and fall of the Wagner Revolt: Four Takeaways
Sneha Surendran
The Wagner Revolt: A profile of Yevgeny Prigozhin
Padmashree Anandhan
The War in Ukraine: Four Issues to watch in 2023
Rishika Yadav, Sneha Surendran, Sandra D Costa, Ryan Marcus, Prerana P and Nithyashree RB
Global Gender Gap Report 2023: Regional Takeaways
Harini Madhusudan, Rishika Yada, Sneha Surendran, Prerana P, Sreeja JS and Padmashree Anandhan
Russia: Anatomy of Wagner Revolt, and its Fallouts
Anu Maria Joseph
Resurging insurgency in Uganda and insecurity in East Africa
Jerry Franklin
Eritrea: Back to the IGAD after 16 years
Bibhu Prasad Routray
India: Violence continues in Manipur
Jerry Franklin
Tunisia: A Political Profile
Jerry Franklin
Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis: Reasons for its continuation
Anu Maria Joseph
Ceasefires in Sudan: An uneasy trajectory
Rishika Yadav, Sreeja JS, Nithyashree RB, and Melvin George | Rishika Yadav is a Research Assistant in NIAS Europe Studies at NIAS. Nithyashree RB, Sreeja JS, and Melvin George are Research Interns in NIAS Europe Studies at NIAS.
The Battle for Bakhmut: Significance, Objectives, Course, and What Next
Nithyashree RB
Poland approves Russian Influence Law: Three Implications
Rishika Yadav | Research Assistant, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bangalore
Serbia: Mass shootings, protests and instability
Rishika Yadav and Nityashree RB | Research Assistant and Research Intern, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bangalore
Turkey’s Elections: Unravelling the Political Spectacle of 2023
Padmashree Anandhan | Research Associate National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore
Belgorod drone attacks: Who, What and Why?
NIAS Africa Team
In Focus | Japan in Africa
Devjyoti Saha
Japan in Africa: Renewed Efforts to Revitalise Relations
Indrani Talukdar
Russia's Position in the Arctic: New challenges
Lakshmi Parimala H
Bhutan's Gross National Happiness
Amit Gupta
The Trump Phenomenon: Why it Won’t Go
Rishika Yadav
Turkey’s Election: Issues, Actors and Outcomes
IPRI Team
The Armenia-Azerbaijan Stalemate
NIAS Africa Team
Droughts in East Africa: A climate disaster
NIAS Africa Team
Sudan: Intensifying political rivalry and expanding violence
NIAS Africa Team
Expanding Russia-South Africa relations
Padmashree Anandhan
Pentagon document leak: Russia-Ukraine Conflict From a Tactical Lens
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Tunisia: The question of undocumented migrants
Indrani Talukdar
Belarus’s endgame in Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Padmashree Anandhan
Russia: Drone attacks escalate the Ukraine war
Padmashree Anandhan
The UK: Conservative party put to test as worker strikes continue
Bhoomika Sesharaj
PR Explains: Pakistan’s power outage
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Pakistan’s Blue Helmets: A long-standing contribution
D Suba Chandran
Karachi: The race and new alignments for the Mayor
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Macron’s visit to Africa: Three Takeaways
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Nigeria elections: Ruling party wins; What is ahead?
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | M23 atrocities in DRC and upcoming Nigeria elections
NIAS Africa Team
Africa in 2023: Elections and conflicts
IPRI Team
The continuing crisis in Israel
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Chinese Foreign Minister's visit to Africa
IPRI Team
Protests in Spain, Sweden and Israel
Avishka Ashok
China: A complicated economic recovery
Padmashree Anandhan
Europe: An impending energy crisis and its economic fallouts
Ankit Singh
Defence: Towards a new cold war
Riya Itisha Ekka
Brazil: Managing Bolsonaro’s legacy
Apoorva Sudhakar
Africa: Despite the elections, democratic backslide will continue
Abigail Miriam Fernandez
Pakistan in 2023: Between elections, economic turmoil and climate crisis
Sethuraman Nadarajan
Sri Lanka in 2023: A troubling economy and an unstable polity
Avishka Ashok
Chinese Foreign Minister's visit to Africa
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | Bamako’s pardon of Ivorian soldiers
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | The relapse of ANC
Allen Joe Mathew, Sayani Rana, Joel Jacob
Newsmakers: From Putin to Rushdie
Sethuraman Nadarajan
Rest in Peace; Queen Elizabeth. Mikhail Gorbachev, Pelé...
Ankit Singh
Global economy in 2022: The year of cooling down
Bhoomika Sesharaj
Digital world: Elon Musk and the Twitter Chaos
Madhura Mahesh
The FTX Collapse: Depleting cryptocurrencies
Harini Madhusudan
The Space race: Scaling new technological feats
Avishka Ashok
G20: More challenges
Akriti Sharma
COP27: Hits and Misses
Padmashree Anandhan
The Ukraine War
Poulomi Mondal
French Exit from Mali: More questions than answers
Mohaimeen Khan
Yemen, Syria, and Sudan: Continuing humanitarian crises
Padmashree Anandhan
NATO and the Madrid Summit: Expanding defence frontiers
Padmashree Anandhan
Elections in France, Sweden, and Italy: The rise of the right
Janardhan G
North Korea: Missile Tests Galore
Avishka Ashok
The Taiwan Strait: Political and military assertions
Anu Maria Joseph
Ethiopia: Uncertainties despite ceasefire
Apoorva Sudhakar
Tunisia: The end of the Jasmine Revolution
Rashmi BR
Iraq: Deadlock and breakthrough
Kaviyadharshini A
Iran: Anti-government protests
Chrishari de Alwis Gunasekare
Sri Lanka: Political and Economic Crises
Aparupa Bhattacherjee
Myanmar: The coup and after
NIAS Africa Team
The US-Africa Leaders Summit
IPRI Team
Workers strike in the UK
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | End of Operation Barkhane
NIAS Africa Team
IN FOCUS | The ceasefire in Ethiopia
IPRI Team
Drone attacks in Russia
Vignesh Ram | Assistant Professor | Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
Malaysia’s recent Elections: More questions than answers
Vignesh Ram
Anwar Ibrahim: Malaysia's new Prime Minister
Harini Madhusudan, Rishma Banerjee, Padmashree Anandhan, Ashwin Immanuel Dhanabalan, and Avishka Ashok
What next for Russia, Ukraine, Europe, South Asia & India, and China
Padmashree Anandhan and Rishma Banerjee
UNGA 77: Who said what from Europe?
Rashmi BR and Akriti Sharma
COP27: Ten key takeaways
Rashmi Ramesh
Ice Melt in Alps in Europe: Three impacts
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