The World This Week

The World This Week
The Taiwanese local elections and the legacies of Jiang Zemin

GP Team
6 December 2022
Photo Source: South China Morning Post

TWTW#192, 04 December 2022, Vol. 4, No. 41

Avishka Ashok and Teshu Singh


Taiwan: Local elections present unanticipated outcomes 

What happened?
On 27 November, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson referred to the local elections in Taiwan and remarked that the island desires peace, stability and a better life after the Kuomintang Party (KMT) made a comeback in the national politics.
 
Chiang Kai-shek’s great-grandson Chiang Wan-an won the elections to become the youngest mayor of Taipei at the age of 43. As a result of the loss of two more cities and counties, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen resigned as the party head of the Democratic Progressive Party.

What is the background?
First, a recap of the election. The results of the local election hints at a growing unease amongst the Taiwanese people with regards to the DPP’s handling of the local issues such as the domestic political environment, economy, and the vaccine policy. The local elections is also closely connected to the Presidential election, scheduled for January 2024. Compared to the 2018 elections, the DPP has lost control over a majority of the cities and now only holds a majority in five out of 21 cities and counties. The KMT on the other hand has successfully gained control over 13 cities and counties and four out of six of Taiwan’s municipalities where 70 per cent of the population resides. 
 
Second, the KMT versus the DPP. Taiwan is a multiparty democratic system. But the KMT and the DPP are two of the most popular parties and have dominated the political landscape of the country ever since the founder Chiang Kai-shek relocated the KMT to Taiwan. While Chiang is attributed with being the KMT’s Director-General and leading the party’s fight during the Chinese civil war between 1927 and 1949, he is also blamed for his authoritarian rule and atrocities committed by the party under his command. The party has since evolved from being a authoritative, nationalist, anti-China party to being more moderate approach to dealing with the Chinese aggression in the Taiwan Straits. The DPP, on the other hand, is credited for bringing democratic reforms to the country when it first gained power in 1989. It passed the Civic Organization Law which enabled the formation of new political parties in the countries. The DPP is also known to have a stronger anti-China policy.
 
Third, Chiang Wan-an and his popularity. Chiang Wan-an was previously a lawyer in the US who was nominated as a candidate for Taipei’s Mayoral elections in May 2022. For the Kuomintang, the lack of support from the youth has been an issue. However, Chiang now represents the three per cent of youth in the Kuomintang Party and brings a youthful image to the party which had been losing its relevance in the popularity of the Democratic Progressive Party.

What does it mean?
First, even though the KMT has achieved a major win through the local elections, it does not guarantee a friendlier approach to dealing with China. The KMT will attempt to bridge the economic gaps with China, but it does not believe in reunification according to the Chinese ideals. The KMT is yet to come up with a plan on how it aims to maintain warmer ties with China while also sustaining its independence as the democratic China.
 
Second, the growing popularity of the KMT in Taiwan may signify an end to Tsai Ing-wen’s DPP. Unless the party regains the trust of the people by rectifying its errors, the Presidential race may not end up in the DPP’s favour. As President Tsai finishes her second term and resigns as the Party head, she does not hold any influence in choosing the upcoming President of Taiwan. The recent election loss will also lead to inter-party frictions between Tsai and other senior leaders in the DPP such as the Vice-President William Lai. Lai is considered to be at the forefront of the Presidential election, representing the DPP. However, as Tsai does not favour Lai, she may push for former vice-President Chen Chien-jen or Taoyuan’s Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan. For the KMT, the Party Chair Eric Chu is credited with the successful win of the local elections and thus, stands a chance to be nominated as the Presidential candidate. However, the New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih is also credited with winning the local elections with 4,50,000 more votes than the DPP candidate; which may win him the nomination.


Special Note
Jiang Zemin and his Legacies

Jiang Zemin: A brief political history
Born before the liberation of China, in 1926, Jiang Zemin served as the President of People’s Republic of China for two terms from 1993 to 2003. He was an electrical engineer from Shanghai Jian Tang University and had witnessed a Japanese invasion and a Communist revolution during his early life. He represented the core of the party’s third generation of Chinese leadership (one of the only four leader alongside, Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping and Xi Jinping). He was the chairman of the Central Military Commission in the post-Tiananmen period and gave up the position in 2004. He succeeded Deng Xiaoping as the President in the post-Tiananmen square event. Inadvertently, he had the task of rebuilding China’s international image and leading the economic growth of the country.
 
Jiang Zemin was from Shanghai faction and his close ally, former Vice President Zeng Qinghong, facilitated the rise of  Xi Jinping as the leader of the party. He had stacked China’s most powerful leadership body, the Politburo Standing Committee, with his own protégées. He had differences from then-President Hu Jintao’s factions (Chinese Communist Youth League) of officials. Hu Jintao wanted Li Keqiang while Jiang Zemin supported Xi Jinping.
 
Legacies of Jiang Zemin
1. Economic reform
Jiang Zemin has left behind a mixed legacy. His tenure is being looked at with nostalgia. Under his leadership, China actually started seeing an economic miracle. He took forward the Reform and Opening up started by Deng Xiaoping. His theory of Three Represents which was ratified in the 16thParty Congress in 2002 is documented in the Chinese Constitution. It implies that the Party can represent not only the working class but also the “development trends of advanced productive forces, the orientations of an advanced culture and the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people of China.” He was instrumental in transforming the Chinese economy and society by introducing the elements of a free market economy. He introduced sweeping financial reforms, independent central banks, use of interest rates to combat double-digit inflation. Overall, he was instrumental in leading China out of the post-Tiananmen Square isolation. After 12 years of negotiations, in 2001, China acceded to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) under his tenure. It is a landmark in China’s economic globalisation. It is perhaps Jiang’s most important legacy. He also started the “go out strategy of China” and appointed Zhu Rongji to implement the economic reforms, transformation of the state-owned enterprises (SOEs), real estate, and the banking sector reforms. The tenth five-year plan of China was started under him. The go-out strategy was initiated in 1999 by the Chinese government to encourage Chinese investments abroad. By 2002, China started coming out of the isolation and the economy had started to show an upward trajectory.

2. Military preparedness
Jiang Zemin's legacy goes beyond China’s economic miracle. In the sphere of the military, he preparedthe Chinese army for modernisation and ordered the PLA and the armed police to stop their commercial ventures.

3. The Taiwan Straits 
The third Taiwan crisis of 1995-96 took place under his rule and he gave a famous speech reinstating Taiwanese unification with China adding an eight-point proposal on the issues that have bearing on both sides. He reacted sharply to the Taiwanese President’s visit to the US and strongly supported Taiwan’s reunification issue. He banned the Falun Gong spiritual movement and jailed many human rights, labour, and pro-democracy people in China. Subsequently, there has been a decline in their numbers from 70 million in 1999 to only 2,000 in 2009.

4. Restoration of Hong Kong
The restoration of Hong Kong from the UK to the People's Republic of China was done under his supervision. He delivered a speech as the first Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This year also marks the 25 years of the handover. In addition, under his rule, China won the bid for the 2008 Olympics.
 
Conclusion
Jiang Zemin passed away on 30 November 2022 in Shanghai due to ill health. His remains were transferred to Beijing from Shanghai on a special flight. China is observing a mourning from 30 November till 7 December and the funeral will take place on 6 December 2022. A funeral committee had been formed under Xi Jinping. It consists of many senior leaders of China. Most of the Chinese Websites such as Xinhua net, People’s Daily and  CGTN turned to monochrome as a mark of respect to him. Notably, his demise has come up in at very delicate time when China itself is facing a series of protests. On the contrary, his departure also means the shrinking number of voices within the Chinese Communist Party who can speak opposing views to leader Xi Jinping. The ruling Communist Party declared Jiang Zemin a “great proletarian revolutionary” and “long-tested communist fighter” in a statement on his death. His tenure would definitely be remembered as the period of smooth transitions and under him, China managed a steady political and social course progress.


Also in the news...
Regional round-ups

East and Southeast Asia This Week
China: The US Defence Department reports an increase in nuclear arsenal
On 29 November, the US Department of Defence reported that China’s nuclear arsenal is prepared to triple in quantity by 2035 to 1500 units. The report also highlighted the heightening sophistication and efficiency of the Chinese air force; identifying China as the US’ top most challenge. The report said: “The Department of Defence estimates that (China’s) operational nuclear warheads stockpile has surpassed 400. If China continues the pace of its nuclear expansion, it will likely field a stockpile of about 1,500 warheads by 2035.” Furthermore, the Pentagon claimed that China was quickly modernising its ballistic missile that deliver nuclear payloads.
 
China: President Xi expresses intention to deepen energy cooperation with Russia
On 29 November, China’s state broadcaster CCTV publicised President Xi Jinping’s statements at the Fourth China-Russia energy forum. At the forum, Xi expressed China’s willingness to deepen its partnership with Russia on energy trade. The statements come at a time when the G7 members consider a price cap on Russian oil exports because of the war in Ukraine. Xi Jinping stressed on the need to ensure global energy security and said: “If China continues the pace of its nuclear expansion, it will likely field a stockpile of about 1,500 warheads.” The Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak reported that the country’s energy exports to China increased by 64 per cent in value and 10 per cent in volume, becoming the fourth biggest yuan trade centre.
 
Thailand: Saudi Arabia's Ambassador re-establishes bilateral ties
On 28 November, Saudi Arabia's Ambassador Abdurrahman bin Abdulaziz visited Thailand after Prince Mohammad bin Salman's visit to the APEC summit. Relations between Saudi Arabia and Thailand were officially restored in January this year and decided to appoint the Ambassador for the first time in over three decades. The visit by the Ambassador led way to the bilateral talks and exploring potential investment opportunities in light of the Kingdom's vision 2030 and the developmental priorities of Thailand. 
 
Malaysia: Joint military exercise with India aims to enhance interoperability
On 29 November, a joint military exercise involving troops of India and Malaysia began with an aim to enhance interoperability in the planning and execution of various operations in the region. The joint exercise, the Harimau Shakti -2022 began at Pulai, Malaysia extending till 12 December. Garhwal Riffles Regiment of the Indian Army and the Royal Malay Army of Malaysia are participating in the exercise. The scope of the exercise is to involve command planning at the battalion level and company level fielding on sub-conventional regions.

South Asia This Week 
Bhutan: South Asian and Southeast Asian countries sign agreement to increase distribution of climate resilient varieties
On 24 November, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam signed an agreement to bolster cross-country seed sharing and promote the country’s seed sector. The agreement, called ‘Seeds Without Borders’, looks to escalate the distribution of modern and “climate resilient” varieties of seeds across countries to support vulnerable farmers and to establish a “secure food supply.” Bhutan’s Agriculture Minister said that the agreement would help Bhutan’s “food system become self-reliant, productive, diverse and sustainable,” and appreciated the agreement’s intentions to add roots, tuber crops and fruit crops with other seeds, which includes cereals, rice, pulses and vegetables.
 
Bhutan: ISRO launches jointly developed PSLV-C54 rocket successfully
On 26 November, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C54 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Srihari Kota, in Andhra Pradesh. The launch of the satellite was attended by a high-level delegation from Bhutan, led by Bhutan’s information and communication minister Karma Donnen Wangdi. The satellite was jointly developed by India and Bhutan and was launched with eight other nanosatellites on an Indian rocket. The launch of the new satellite is part of India’s efforts to support Bhutan’s use of advanced technology. The India-Bhutan satellite shows high-resolution images of Bhutan for the management of the country’s natural resources.
 
Bangladesh: India calls on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to collaborate on curbing terrorism
On 30 November, India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma urged Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to “work together” to resist terrorism in the country. Verma said that the country gets “the highest priority”, and that Bangladesh is a “very good friend” of India. Responding to Verma’s comments, Prime Minister Hasina said that Bangladesh has “vowed” not to allow terrorists on “its soil” and that the government believes that terrorism has “no religion and boundaries.” Both agencies also discussed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to increase economic relations between the countries and spoke of mutual bilateral cooperation in all areas of trade. 
 
Sri Lanka: Prisons cross occupancy by 300 per cent
On 27 November, Sri Lanka’s Department of Prisons said that the number of prisoners arrested for various charges has constantly increased since January 2022, in every prison in the country. The Commissioner of Prisons Chandana Ekanayake said that every prison in total holds 26,000 prisoners so far, of which 16,000 are suspects. Ekanayake added that more than 50 per cent of people arrested in 2022 are related to drug-related charges. He added that the maximum number of inmates that the prisons can accommodate in the whole country is about 13,200. He said that the system is holding twice the capacity, and some prisons have exceeded capacity by 300 per cent.
 
Sri Lanka: France to contribute EUR 4,50,000 to develop renewable energy
On 3 December, The French Development Agency (AFD) with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Electricité de France (French electric utility) signed a grant agreement worth EUR 4,50,000 to aid the increase of intermittent renewable energies in Sri Lanka. Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka Jean-François Pactet said that France will continue to support Sri Lanka’s committed path towards 70 per cent of renewable energy by 2030. Pactet said that the program is an example of synergies resulting from years of knowledge sharing and close collaboration between Sri Lanka and France to achieve common goals in combating climate change. He said that in total, AFD had committed nearly EUR 80 million to support CEB to meet the growing energy demand and diversify Sri Lanka’s energy sector.
 
Maldives: India provides USD 100 million loan as budgetary aid
On 29 November, India granted a loan worth USD 100 million as budgetary support to the Maldives. The Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahawar issued a symbolic cheque to Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid at the Maldives Foreign Ministry. Mahawar said that financial assistance was made in response to a request made by Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih when he met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to India in August. Mahawar added that the assistance was unconditional and the Maldivian government was free to use the funds to restore the domestic economy in line with its priorities. Shahid thanked India for its help, and he said that the progress Maldives has made in diplomatic relations has not been achieved through isolation, but through fostering trust and relationships with bilateral partners.
 
Pakistan-Afghanistan: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and delegation visit Kabul
On 29 November, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar along with a high-level delegation met with Taliban leaders in Kabul, Afghanistan. During the visit, she held wide-ranging talks with Afghan Taliban leadership on security issues and economic cooperation. She met with the Taliban’s acting Foreign Minister, acting Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce. During the meetings, she discussed cooperation in education and health, bilateral trade, connectivity and people-to-people contacts and highlighted the importance of women’s role in society. Additionally, a Taliban official stated that both sides have agreed to introduce new mechanisms for bilateral relations as a measure to identify common opportunities and resolve issues through dialogue.

Afghanistan: US Special Representative to visit Japan, India and UAE to discuss the Afghan crisis
On 30 November, the US Department of State announced that Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West will travel to Japan, India, and the United Arab Emirates between 1-8 December. During the visit, West would meet with several partners and Afghans regarding the humanitarian and economic crises in Afghanistan, the protection of Afghans’ rights, and shared security concerns.  Additionally, he will interact with the Afghan diaspora, media heads and human rights activists to discuss possible measures to address the challenges faced by the Afghans.

Central Asia, Middle East and Africa This Week
Armenia-Hungary: Yerevan and Budapest agree to restore diplomatic relations after 10 years
On 1 December, Armenia and Hungary expressed their intention to reopen diplomatic relations after 10 years. The two sides decided to restore ties “based on mutual trust and respect for international law.” This comes after the two foreign ministers held a meeting in Poland within the framework of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSEC) Ministerial Forum. Previously, diplomatic relations between Armenia and Hungary were suspended in 2012 after Hungary extradited an Azerbaijani military who was convicted in Hungary for the murder of an Armenian officer in 2004 during NATO training courses.
 
South Africa: Panel submits report to Speaker on Ramaphosa’s farm scandal
On 30 November, an independent panel investigating a crime cover-up at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s private game farm submitted its findings to the National Assembly speaker. The panel, constituted in September, investigated the theft of USD four million at the game farm in 2020 and its cover-up through bribery; the findings place Ramaphosa at the risk of an impeachment. Ramaphosa acknowledged the theft but denied any role in covering it up. The panel’s findings said Ramaphosa violated his oath of office; however, he said: “I categorically deny that I have violated this oath in any way, and I similarly deny that I am guilty of any of the allegations made against me.” Meanwhile, on 1 December, the opposition party Democratic Alliance called for an early national election. 
 
Africa: South Korea to export the first batch of mpox vaccines
On 29 November, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) announced that South Korea would donate the first batch of mpox vaccines to Africa. The donation would take place under the MoU signed in April 2022 between the Africa CDC and Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on public health activities and expansion of global health security to enhance disease prevention in Africa. On 1 December, Al Jazeera reported that 50,000 doses of the mpox vaccine will be delivered under the scheme. On 28 November, the World Health Organization announced that the disease, previously called monkeypox, will henceforth be called mpox to avoid racist and stigmatised notions. 

Europe and The Americas This Week
Germany: Parliament approves the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
On 01 December, the German parliament approved the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement which is the free-trade pact between the EU and Canada. The Agreement was signed in 2016 but had to be approved by the parliaments of all 27 members to fully come into force. 559 German lawmakers voted for the agreement and 110 against the Agreement. The vote was delayed due to a pending court case regarding the Agreement at Germany’s apex court which rejected all the concerns and gave a clean chit to the Agreement back in March. Out of 27 member countries, only 16 EU members have approved the free trade agreement between Canada and the EU and 11 are yet to approve it.

Europe: EU introduces revised policies to reduce packaging waste
On 30 November, the European Commission put forth revised rules to decrease packaging waste. The revised rules propose to make packaging reusable and fully recyclable by 2023. It also proposes banning certain types of single-use packaging for beverages, food, fresh fruits and vegetables and also extends this ban to small packaging for hygiene products in hotels. The European Commission executive vice president Frans Timmermans said: “The way goods are packaged can and should be done a lot better." He added that overpackaging by hotels and restaurants is causing damage to the environment. Some of the newly revised rules include precise labelling of reusable packaging, compulsory return programmes for plastic bottles and aluminium cans and new required rates of recycled material in new plastic packaging. The Commission looks to decrease packaging waste by 15 per cent by 2040 in each EU member country based on population. 
 
Peru: Congress to start impeachment trials against President Pedro Castillo 
On 01 December, Peruvian Congress passed a motion to start impeachment trials against President Pedro Castillo. This comes after the opposition tabled the motion for the same and was passed with 73 votes for it, 32 against and six abstained. After the vote, Castillo was summoned to answer the accusations which will take place on 07 December. This is the third attempt by the opposition to impeach Castillo and they need 87 votes in the final vote to do so. 
 
Argentina: Inter-American Development Bank approves credit of USD 500 million
On 30 November, Argentina’s Economy Ministry announced that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a credit line worth USD 500 million to Argentina. This credit line will help Argentina fight and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The loan will be provided in a single payment in December and will go towards Argentina’s climate planning capacity, promoting green finance and promoting a circular economy.
 
Canada: Spanish NGO reports on Chinese police stations established in Ottawa
On 29 November, the Director-general of North Asia for Canada’s Foreign Ministry Weldon Epp told the Canada-China Committee that there were several arrangements between the Canadian federal government and China. Epp was referring to a report published by a Spanish NGO Safeguard Defenders, which claimed that there were over 54 Chinese police stations installed outside the Chinese mainland. The report prompted a police investigation in Germany, the Netherlands and Canada. The Chinese embassy in Canada acknowledged the presence of three stations and called them “service stations” that were put in place to help Chinese citizens with processing paperwork and obtaining a Chinese driver’s license.


About the Authors
Dr Teshu Singh is a Research Fellow at the Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi. Avishka Ashok, Abigail Miriam Fernandes, Apoorva Sudhakar, and Joel Jacob are Research Associates in the School of Conflict and Security Studies at the National Institute of Advanced Studies. Sethuraman Nadarajan, Bhoomika Sesharaj, and Madhura Mahesh Research Interns at NIAS.


PREVIOUS COMMENTS

April 2026 | CWA # 2065

Lakshmi Venugopal Menon

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

Anwesha Ghosh

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

Ramya B

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

Himani Pant

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

S Shaji

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

Adarsh Vijay

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

Nishchal N Pandey  & Mahesh Raj Bhatta

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

Bibhu Prasad Routray

Myanmar (Jan-Mar 2026)
An Illegitimate Regime’s Consolidation Game
April 2026 | CWA # 2056

Ashik J Bonofer

Southeast Asia (Jan-Mar 2026)
Deteriorating situation in Myanmar, Philippines as the ASEAN Chair, New government in Thailand, and Economic & Environmental challenges
April 2026 | CWA # 2055

Haans J Freddy

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

Shreya Upadhyay

The United States (Jan-Mar 2026)
Tariffs, Ukraine, Iran and Operationalization of Trump’s World Order
March 2026 | CWA # 2039

Femy Francis

Trump-Xi Meeting
Why did Trump reschedule it? What does that mean?
March 2026 | CWA # 2035

Akshath Kaimal

Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict
Broken ceasefire, Expanding military strikes and Worsening humanitarian situation
March 2026 | CWA # 2033

Mahesh Bhatta

Nepal after elections:
Five major challenges for the new government
March 2026 | CWA # 2024

Lekshmi MK

The UN and the Iran-US War
UNSC Resolution 2817 between “Clear and Unified Message” and “Manifest Injustice”
March 2026 | CWA # 2023

Femy Francis

China’s Two Sessions 2026
New Five-Year Plan, Ethnic Unity Law, and an Enhanced Defence Budget
March 2026 | CWA # 2019

Akshath Kaimal

Rising Violence in Nigeria
Limited State Capacity, Multiple Actors, and a Complex Security Environment
March 2026 | CWA # 2012

Padmashree Anandhan

The War in Ukraine
Long-range strikes, Defence adaptation and the EU’s energy dependence
March 2026 | CWA # 2010

Mahesh Bhatta

Nepal Elections 2026
The Rise of the “New” and the Fall of the “Old”
March 2026 | CWA # 2009

Sreemaya Nair

Nepal Elections 2026
Rise of a new leadership and Reset in political landscape
February 2026 | CWA # 1998

Anu Maria Joseph

Instability in Sudan
Response to the genocide call and the threats of a regional spillover
February 2026 | CWA # 1985

Abhimanyu Solanki

Basant in Pakistan
The return of Basant, and what it signifies
February 2026 | CWA # 1977

Anu Maria Joseph

Violence in Nigeria
US military deployment amidst worsening insurgency
February 2026 | CWA # 1976

Lekshmi MK

The War in Ukraine
The Geneva Talks and Growing Negotiation Asymmetry
December 2025 | CWA # 1971

Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi

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

Aparna A Nair

Pakistan & China
Ten Years of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
November 2025 | CWA # 1968

Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi

Pakistan and the US
A New opening, or another cycle?
February 2026 | CWA # 1959

Yesasvi Koganti

UK and China
PM Keir Starmer’s visit and the Recalibration of Economic, Strategic, and Domestic ties
January 2026 | CWA # 1946

R Preetha

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

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025
December 2025 | CWA # 1924

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025
August 2025 | CWA # 1801

R Preetha

28 August 1963
Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech and the Civil Rights Movement in the US
August 2025 | CWA # 1790

GP Team

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

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

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

GP Team

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

Lekshmi MK

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

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

Pakistan-Afghanistan relations:
Why the focus on terrorism, refugees, and Uzbekistan as the third partner?
July 2025 | CWA # 1769

GP Team

The World This Week#321
Indian PM Modi's visit to the Maldives I Elections to the Upper House in Japan
July 2025 | CWA # 1762

Lekshmi MK

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

R Preetha

Africa as the Hunger Epicenter
Of the 13 Global Hunger Hotspots, 8 are in Africa: Five reasons why
July 2025 | CWA # 1748

GP Team

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

Chittrothu Vaihali

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

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly # 287-88
The 12 Day War and the Congo-Rwanda Peace Deal
July 2025 | CWA # 1738

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

Thailand and Cambodia
What was the phone call between PM Shinawatra and President of Senate Hun Sen? What is the border dispute between the two? Why has this become an issue?
June 2025 | CWA # 1735

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025:
Trump making Europe great again
June 2025 | CWA # 1734

GP Team

The World This Week #317
NATO Summit 2025 and Russia-Mali bilateral agreements
June 2025 | CWA # 1733

Ananya Dinesh

China and the Pacific Islands 
What was the recent China-PIC joint statement about? What it says, and what it means?
June 2025 | CWA # 1728

M Kejia

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

Aparna A Nair

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

GP Team

The World This Week #316
China-Central Asia Summit in Kazakhstan, and the G7 Summit in Canada
June 2025 | CWA # 1725

Brighty Ann Sarah, R Preetha, Santhiya M, Aparna A Nair & M Kejia

Operation Midnight Hammer: US bombs three nuclear sites in Iran
What were the three Iranian nuclear sites that were targeted? What are the B2 Bombers and Bunker Buster Bombs? What do these attacks mean? What Next?
June 2025 | CWA # 1724

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly #286
The Spiralling Israel-Iran Crisis, and the Dangerous Hunger Hotspots
June 2025 | CWA # 1721

Rizwana Banu S and Santhiya M

Who are the Afrikaners?
Why is Trump interested in the Afrikaner question in South Africa?
June 2025 | CWA # 1720

Lekshmi MK

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

J Yamini  

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

J Yamini

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

Femy Francis

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

GP Team

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

IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly #284-285
Cambodia-Thailand Border Tensions, Protests in the US, and the Indigenous Māori question in New Zealand
June 2025 | CWA # 1705

GP Team

The World This Week #314
Elections in South Korea and Poland I China and the Pacific Island Countries I Bangladesh Election Announcement 2026
June 2025 | CWA # 1703

M Kejia 

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

R Preetha

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

Aashish Ganeshan

The US:
Harvard vs Trump Administration
June 2025 | CWA # 1691

GP Team

The World This Week #313
China-ASEAN-GCC Summit I President Macron's visit to South East Asia I Trump Vs Harvard
May 2025 | CWA # 1690

GP Team

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

Padmashree Anandhan

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

Ayan Datta

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

Aparna A Nair

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

Aashish Ganeshan

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

Aashish Ganeshan

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

Gauri Gupta

China in Latin America
China-CELAC forum: Strengthening ties with Latin America and Caribbean
May 2025 | CWA # 1677

GP Team

The World This Week #310-311
China in Latin America and the Carribbean I Trump's Middle East Visit I Denmark as the new Arctic Chair
May 2025 | CWA # 1675

Lekshmi MK

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

Padmashree Anandhan

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

D Suba Chandran

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

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

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

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

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

R Preetha and Brighty Ann Sarah

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

Padmashree Anandhan

The US-Ukraine
The mineral deal with the US
May 2025 | CWA # 1665
Conflict Weekly # 280-81
India-Pakistan De-escalation I Ukraine Discussion in Istanbul I The Battle over Port Sudan I Disbanding of PKK in Turkiye I France-Algeria Diplomatic Tensions
May 2025 | CWA # 1663

R Preetha

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

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
February 2024 | CWA # 1226

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
October 2023 | CWA # 1091

Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri

Issues for Europe
July 2023 | CWA # 1012

Bibhu Prasad Routray

Myanmar continues to burn
December 2022 | CWA # 879

Padmashree Anandhan

The Ukraine War
November 2022 | CWA # 838

Rishma Banerjee

Tracing Europe's droughts
March 2022 | CWA # 705

NIAS Africa Team

In Focus: Libya
December 2021 | CWA # 630

GP Team

Europe in 2021
October 2021 | CWA # 588

Abigail Miriam Fernandez

TLP is back again
August 2021 | CWA # 528

STIR Team

Space Tourism
September 2019 | CWA # 162

Lakshman Chakravarthy N

5G: A Primer
December 2018 | CWA # 71

Mahesh Bhatta

Nepal
December 2018 | CWA # 70

Nasima Khatoon

The Maldives
December 2018 | CWA # 69

Harini Madhusudan

India
December 2018 | CWA # 68

Sourina Bej

Bangladesh
December 2018 | CWA # 67

Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer

Afghanistan