The World this Week

CWA # 364
The World this Week
Pakistan to stay in FATF's Grey List, Sudan to normalize relations with Israel, and Japan to push the Indo-Pacific with Indonesia and Vietnam

GP Team
25 October 2020
Photo Source: HariniMadhusudan

The World This Week # 90, 25 October 2020, Vol 2, No 42

Abigail Miriam Fernandez, Lakshmi V Menon and Minhaj Khan

Pakistan: To stay on the 'grey list' until February 2021. FATF wants Islamabad to do more
What happened?
On 23 October, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) announced that Pakistan would remain on the increased monitoring list, the so-called grey list for another four months. The Global watchdog stated, "to date, Pakistan has made progress across all action plan items and has now largely addressed 21 of the 27 action items. As all action plan deadlines have expired, the FATF strongly urges Pakistan to swiftly complete its full action plan by February 2021." Adding, "the FATF takes note of the significant progress made on several action plan items." Further, FATF president, Dr Marcus Pleyer, president of the FATF while appreciating the efforts made by the country said, "It needs to do more" adding, "Pakistan needs to complete six outstanding items" which are all very serious and that risks are not over until the government of Pakistan repairs all six outstanding items.
Pakistan welcomed the decision calling it is indicative of the "confidence of the FATF" on the efforts of taken by the government of Pakistan. The decision comes after the three-day virtual plenary FATF session, which started on 21 October. The next plenary is due on 21-26 February.

What is the background?
First, Pakistan has been under pressure since June 2018, following an unsatisfactory evaluation of its compliance with FATF's parameters. Since then, Pakistan made efforts to work with the FATF and the Asia Pacific Group (APG) to strengthen its Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime. 

Second, complying with the full FATF action plan has been challenging. Pakistan was to comply with a 27-point action plan as per the interim deadlines in January and May 2019, and a final deadline in October.  In June, Islamabad got an unexpected breather after the global watchdog temporarily postponed all mutual evaluations and follow-up deadlines due to the pandemic. In October 2020, the APG submitted a Mutual Evaluation report on Pakistan to the FATF, along with its own assessment of Islamabad's efforts, in which it stated that the efforts were inadequate. However, Pakistan believes that it had developed monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. Following the latest meeting, the FATF has strongly urged Pakistan to complete its full action plan. The October 2019 deadline was then extended to February 2020. Pakistan once again received a four-month grace period to complete its 27-point action plan. 

Third, Pakistan's efforts thus far have been substantial but not enough. Pakistan's political commitment has led to progress in several areas in its action plan, including taking action to identify and sanction illegal Money or Value Transfer Services, implementing cross-border currency and bearer negotiable instruments controls, improving international cooperation in terrorist financing cases, passing amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act to increase the sanctioning authority, financial institutions implementing targeted financial sanctions and applying sanctions for AML/CFT violations, and controlling facilities and services owned or controlled by designated persons and entities. 

Fourth, several crucial strategic deficiencies remain to be addressed. This includes the following:
to demonstrate that law enforcement agencies (LEAs) are identifying and investigating the widest range of TF (terrorist financing) activity;
to address TF prosecutions result with effective and proportionate sanctions;
to effectively implement financial sanctions against all designated terrorists;
and to look into enforcement against targeted financial sanctions (TFS) violations. 

What does it mean?
Exiting the FATF's 'grey list' has been the top priority for the Pakistan government. Continuation on the 'grey list' has made it increasingly difficult for the country to get financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European institutions. Given the dire economic situation and the current economic climate of the pandemic, Pakistan is keen to attract investments, and also desperately requires these funds.
Further, the PTI government has taken efforts with a series of FATF specific legislations. It appears, more efforts will have to be taken to complete the remaining items in line with its strategy by February 2021 and also establish mechanisms to maintain these commitments. 

Sudan: To normalize relations with Israel, following UAE and Bahrain
What happened?
On 24 October, the US President Donald Trump announced that the Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreeing to normalize relations. The joint communique issued by the three states read: "The leaders agreed to the normalization of relations between Sudan and Israel and to end the state of belligerence between their nations". After the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, Khartoum is the third Arab government to normalize ties with Israel in the last two months.

Palestinians called it a "new stab in the back". 

What is the background?
First, the US pressure and incentives. On 19 October, following months of negotiations between the US administration and the transitional Sudanese government, Trump in a tweet, menitioned about his decision to remove Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST). He wrote, "New government of Sudan, which is making great progress, agreed to pay $335 million to US terror victims and families. Once deposited, I will lift Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. At long last, Justice for the American people and a big step for Sudan!" Sudan's PM Hamdok responded by appreciating Trump's statement and said that Sudan was looking forward to Trump's "official notification to Congress rescinding the designation of Sudan as a state-sponsor of terrorism, which has cost Sudan too much." The US Congress is yet to approve any such move.

Second, Sudan's economic interests. The removal from the SST could help Sudan avail the much-required international investment that could address the country's spiralling inflation. As per Sudan's Central Bureau of Statistics, Sudan's annual inflation peaked to 212.29 per cent in September 2020 from 166.83 per cent in August. With the de-listing, Sudan will be relieved of its debts under the World Bank's and International Monetary Fund's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. 

What does it mean?
First Sudan has been internally skewed on the normalization, the de-listing and the economic gains mean much larger than the Palestinian cause for a country with rampant poverty, $60 billion in international debt and a crumbling economy. Moreover, the benefits will mollify the domestic criticism that could lead to the breakdown of Sudan's friable democratic transition.

Second, national interests and personal interests. For Israel, which has already approved the resumption of settlement construction, it means garnering more Arab support and furthering the interests of greater Israel. For Trump, it means a significant foreign policy score ahead of the upcoming US presidential elections. However, the nascent deal's success largely depends on the US Congress' decision. Thus, Sudan has insisted on holding the promised $335 million in victims' compensation in escrow until the Congress grants legal immunity.

Japan: Prime Minister Suga's State visits to Vietnam and Indonesia
What happened?
During 18-21 October, Japan's Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide undertook a four-day State visit to Vietnam and Indonesia—his first as Prime Minister. Japan and Vietnam agreed on a deal to allow Japan to export defence-related equipment and technology to Vietnam. Both also agreed on the movement of people to help reopen the two economies. While they emphasized on the necessity of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, both countries refrained from mentioning China in their opening statements. Twelve bilateral agreements were signed between the two countries relating to energy, infrastructure, environment, health, and innovation. Japan agreed to provide Vietnam equipment worth 300 million yen to 'combat terrorism', and a loan of 4 billion yen to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. At his speech at the Vietnam-Japan University, Suga emphasized on Japan's policy of relocating supply chains to ASEAN, the importance of ASEAN-Japan ties, and Japan's policy on opposing any form of instability in the South China Sea.

In Jakarta, Suga agreed to provide Indonesia with a loan of 50 million yen for disaster prevention measures. Suga asserted that Southeast Asia is essential in realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Japan and Indonesia agreed to have "two-plus-two" foreign and defence ministerial-level talk. Japan has such an arrangement only with India, Australia, and the US. Both countries have also agreed to work on the possibility of Japan exporting defence-related equipment and technology. Japan also agreed to provide Indonesia with a loan of 50 billion yen for the pandemic-hit economy. Further, Suga asserted in his press statement that he met with representatives of Japan's businesses in Jakarta and agreed that Japan would vehemently focus on its supply chains there.

What is the background?
First, Japan's pursuit of the Indo-Pacific and Southeast Asia. Tokyo promulgated the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" strategy in 2016; it envisions Japan's goals to have the Oceans in the Indo-Pacific open for uninterrupted commerce and freedom of navigation. Part of this policy envisions the South China Sea and the East China Sea free of conflict. ASEAN centrality is the cornerstone for this approach, thereby seeking close political, economic, and strategic links between Japan and ASEAN countries. 

Second, Japan has sought to use FOIP policy as a check and balance over China's rise in the region. This has led to measures recently such as Japan's proposal of moving supply chains away from China and into ASEAN, India, and Bangladesh by giving firms various economic incentives to do so.
Third, Japan has sought to expand its defence industry by revoking its arms export ban in 2014. So far, Japan has signed agreements with eleven countries, including Vietnam, as potential countries for exporting arms and defence-related technology. 

What does it mean?
Japan seeks to woo ASEAN countries into its existing security frameworks, such as the Quadrilateral security dialogue. Judging by Indonesia's interest and hitherto close ties with Japan's primary ally, the United States, it seems highly likely that Indonesia may soon show interest in expanding security cooperation with Japan.
However, Vietnam's extreme dependence on Chinese investments may restrict security cooperation with Japan only as far as its primary zone of contention lies - the South China Sea, where Vietnam controls a large part of the disputed territory. 

Also in the news…
by Harini Madhusudan, Rashmi Ramesh, and Abigail Miriam Fernandez

East Asia and Southeast Asia This Week
Australia: High Commissioner says, a 'mistake' to have walked out of Quad in 2008
On 23 October, Australian High Commissioner to India said, Australia should not have walked out of the Quad, and subsequently the Malabar exercises with India and was "delighted" at New Delhi's invitation in this year's naval exercises, in November. 2017. Since the revival of Quad in 2017, the Australian government has requested India to rejoin the exercises. "I can say that, with the benefit of hindsight, clearly that it [withdrawing from Malabar] was a mistake. I suspect earlier in the piece, that became a stumbling block, and that was not forgotten in terms of reassembling Australia as part of that exercise," he said in an interview to The Hindu. 

Thailand: Government withdraws the emergency decree
On 22 October, the Thailand government withdrew the emergency decree that was introduced in Bangkok the previous week. Emergency measures included a ban on political gatherings of five or more people or publishing news that could "affect security," and was announced with an intent to end months of protests against the government and monarchy. However, it served only to inflate the anger and draw tens of thousands of people onto the streets. An official statement said, "The current violent situation that led to the announcement of the severe situation has eased and ended to a situation in which government officials and state agencies can enforce the regular laws."

Malaysia: PM Yassin seeking to announce a state of emergency
On 23 October, the local media in Malaysia reported that Prime Minister Yassin is seeking to declare a state of emergency to suspend parliament and focus on battling the fresh coronavirus outbreak. Speculations of the same are said to have intensified after he held a special Cabinet meeting and sought an audience with the king. A new wave of coronavirus in Malaysia has put the confirmed cases tally at more than 24,000 in just three weeks. Simultaneously, the opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim had met the king the previous week to show that he has enough support from lawmakers to topple the Muhyiddin government, who has only a two-seat majority in the Parliament.

Brunei: Australia announces a resident defence advisor in Brunei
On 23 October, Australian Defence Minister Linda Reynolds announced that Brunei would permanently host an Australian defence adviser, as part of broader commitment to deepen regional cooperation, and appointed Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Hauser to this newly created role. The visit also coincided with the 75th anniversary of the Australian troops landing in Brunei as part of the Oboe VI landings during the final stages of World War II and Minister Reynolds paid her respects to the Australians who lost their lives. As a part of her broader tour of the Indo-Pacific, the minister is expected to visit Japan and Singapore following Brunei. 

South Asia This Week
Sri Lanka: Parliament passes 20th Amendment
On 22 October, the Sri Lankan Parliament passed the controversial 20th Amendment with a two-thirds majority, following a two-day debate over the concerns that were expressed from various corners. In the 225-member House, 156 members voted in favour of the Amendment, while 65 of them voted against it. Notably, eight MPs from the opposition parties voted in favour of the legislation, though their parties vehemently opposed it and challenged it in the Supreme Court.
The Amendment has been passed after the Supreme Court ruled that a two-thirds majority was sufficient in the House. However, four clauses need a referendum. It is not clear if the government will refer it to the public for their approval.

Nepal: PM uses the old map, indicates a softening stand
On 23 October, Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, while greeting the nation on the festival of 'Vijaya Dashami', used the old map of Nepal, instead of the new political map that included the disputed territories of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani. While it probably indicates a softening stance of Kathmandu towards India, the move drew criticism within Nepal. Opposition leaders demanded the use of the new map that was approved in the Parliament on 13 June 2020.

Bangladesh: International actors pledge $597 million for Rohingyas
On 22 October, the international community led by the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), UK, European Union and the US, pledged $597 million as humanitarian assistance for the Rohingyas. The Conference on Sustaining Support for the Rohingya Refugees Response was hosted by the four actors and saw the participation of 50 countries.
However, Bangladesh received less than half the budget that was planned for assisting the Rohingyas. The initial budget that was $877 million rose to $1 billion, due to the prevailing pandemic and its effects.

The Middle East and Africa This Week
Egypt, Greece and Cyprus: The Tripartite Summit
On 21 October, The Presidents of Cyprus and Egypt, and the Prime Minister of Greece held a tripartite summit. The summit focussed on cooperation and coordination on common issues, and follow-up on joint projects that are being implemented as part of the trilateral cooperation mechanism. The Egyptian President remarked that the three countries "have decided to counter acts of provocation and violations in the Middle East", targeting Turkey indirectly for committing violations, escalating conflicts and obstructing peace and stability in the region.

Iran and the US: Sanctions on Iranian groups for influencing elections
On 22 October, the US sanctioned five Iranian groups including the IRGC, IRGC's Quds Force, Bayan Rasaneh Gostar Institute, Iranian Islamic Radio and Television Union, and International Union of Virtual Media, accusing them of playing a role in the US elections scheduled to be held on 3 November. The US Department of the Treasury noted that these groups "have directly or indirectly engaged in, sponsored, concealed, or otherwise been complicit in foreign interference" in the election. The sanctions aim to freeze the assets of the five groups.

Iran: Tehran imposes sanctions on the US Envoy to Iraq
Iran has imposed sanctions on the US ambassador to Iraq, accusing him and two other American diplomats for resorting to acts of terror against Iran. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that the three diplomats "have effectively engaged in organizing, financing, leading and committing terrorist acts against the interests of the government or citizens." The primary accusation has been regarding their involvement in the killing of General Qassem Soleimani in January 2020. Tehran's move comes after Washington blacklisted its envoy to Iraq, for being a "close advisor" to Gen Soleimani.

Northern Cyprus: Rightwing and Turkey-backed Ersin Tatar sworn in as President
On 23 October, the rightwing leader Ersin Tatar was sworn in as the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. He was elected as the new leader on 18 October. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by the Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay and extended wishes on behalf of Ankara's leadership. Tatar is scheduled to visit Turkey on 26 October, his first state visit. Turkey is TRNC's guarantor power.

Libya: Rival parties announce a permanent ceasefire
On 23 October, the warring sides in Libya signed an agreement for a permanent ceasefire in Geneva, representing a step forward in diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. As per this new agreement facilitated by the UN, all foreign mercenaries and armed forces will have to withdraw within the next 90 days, and the parties also agreed that any violations in the ceasefire would be dealt by a joint military force, which will be under a unified command. The agreement has also established a Joint Police Operations room which will implement and propose special arrangements. Although many have expressed this deal being a 'ray of hope' which may help finally reach a lasting peace, some are scepticism over whether the truce will last, as previous truce deals over the years have failed to end the fighting.

Europe and the Americas This Week
Bolivia: Presidential elections give a landslide victory to the left
On 18 October, Luis Arce, Bolivia's progressive candidate from the Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) party retained its majorities in both houses of congress while beating his nearest rival by about 20 points. The primary reason for the Mas victory is being attributed to the popularity of its policies. The elections in Bolivia come almost a year after Evo Morales, was overthrown in a police-military coup in November 2019, that installed the rightwing evangelical Jeanine Áñez as Bolivia's president. The elections were made possible after the protests in Bolivia where large numbers of working-class participate in strikes and road blockades bringing Bolivia to face a combination of mass disruption, parliamentary pressure by Mas legislators and global scrutiny.

The US: Presidential Debate with a new format and a different moderator
On 22 October, candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden engaged in the second and final televised debate, 12 days ahead of the Presidential elections. With over 45 million already having voted, the discussions ranged between Trump's tax returns, the debate on race in America and with the Coronavirus situation taking majority space. The debate was marked for being more formal than the previous one with, both parties using respectful tones.

Europe: To cross 250,000 deaths amid the surge in cases 
On 24 October, according to a Reuters tally, Europe became the second region after Latin America to surpass 250,000 deaths. With record numbers of daily COVID-19 infections from the past two weeks, Europe reported 200,000 daily infections for the first time on 22 October. The United Kingdom, Italy, France, Russia, Belgium and Spain account for two-thirds of the 250,000 deaths registered from a total of 8 million cases across Europe. Europe accounts for nearly 19 percent of global deaths and about 22% of global cases. 

About the authors 
Abigail Miriam Fernandez is a Research Assistant at NIAS. Lakshmi V Menon is a Research Consultant at NIAS. Minhaj Khan is a PhD Scholar with the Centre for East Asia Studies, JNU. Harini Madhusudan and Rashmi Ramesh are PhD Scholars at the School of Conflict and Security Studies at NIAS. 
 


PREVIOUS COMMENTS

The World This Quarter 
April 2026 | CWA # 2064

Anwesha Ghosh

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

Ramya B

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

Himani Pant

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

S Shaji

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

Adarsh Vijay

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

Nishchal N Pandey  & Mahesh Raj Bhatta

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

Bibhu Prasad Routray

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

Ashik J Bonofer

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

Haans J Freddy

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

Shreya Upadhyay

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

Femy Francis

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

Akshath Kaimal

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

Mahesh Bhatta

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

Lekshmi MK

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

Femy Francis

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

Akshath Kaimal

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

Padmashree Anandhan

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

Mahesh Bhatta

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

Sreemaya Nair

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

Anu Maria Joseph

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

Abhimanyu Solanki

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

Anu Maria Joseph

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

Lekshmi MK

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

Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi

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

Aparna A Nair

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

Vani Vyshnavi Jupudi

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

Yesasvi Koganti

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

R Preetha

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

Padmashree Anandhan

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

Padmashree Anandhan

NATO Summit 2025
This Week in History
August 2025 | CWA # 1801

R Preetha

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

GP Team

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

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

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

GP Team

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

Lekshmi MK

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

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

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

GP Team

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

Lekshmi MK

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

R Preetha

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

GP Team

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

Chittrothu Vaihali

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

IPRI Team

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

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

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

Padmashree Anandhan

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

GP Team

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

Ananya Dinesh

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

M Kejia

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

Aparna A Nair

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

GP Team

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

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

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

IPRI Team

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

Rizwana Banu S and Santhiya M

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

Lekshmi MK

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

J Yamini  

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

J Yamini

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

Femy Francis

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

GP Team

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

IPRI Team

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

GP Team

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

M Kejia 

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

R Preetha

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

Aashish Ganeshan

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

GP Team

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

GP Team

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

Padmashree Anandhan

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

Ayan Datta

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

Aparna A Nair

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

Aashish Ganeshan

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

Aashish Ganeshan

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

Gauri Gupta

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

GP Team

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

Lekshmi MK

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

Padmashree Anandhan

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

D Suba Chandran

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

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

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

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

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

R Preetha and Brighty Ann Sarah

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

Padmashree Anandhan

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

R Preetha

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

NIAS Africa Team

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

NIAS Africa Team

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

Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri

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

Bibhu Prasad Routray

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

Padmashree Anandhan

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

Rishma Banerjee

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

NIAS Africa Team

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

GP Team

Europe in 2021
Pakistan Reader
October 2021 | CWA # 588

Abigail Miriam Fernandez

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

STIR Team

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

Lakshman Chakravarthy N

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

Mahesh Bhatta

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

Nasima Khatoon

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

Harini Madhusudan

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

Sourina Bej

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

Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer

Afghanistan