November 2019

The conflicts of Kashmir and Hong Kong A reminiscent of British imperialism Abdul Rasool Syed Presently, the world is witnessing two major conflicts in Asia; one is of Kashmir and the other Hong Kong. Both these conflicts have their roots back in the long-gone British Empire. The grubby legacy of British imperialism is still alive and kicking in these regions. …

The East’s Rise and the New Russian Foreign Policy Magazine Desk In recent years, the turn to the East, or pivot to Asia, has been one of the most popular topics in the Russian political and media discourse. Assessments of this process vary: some consider it a long-overdue necessity and a chance for Russia to increase its competitiveness in the …

Indian Ocean and Global Diplomacy Osama Rizvi Whether you are an aspiring civil servant or a policymaker in government, geopolitics never ceases to retain its charming relevance. Despite the recent communications revolution and of globalization as it turned the world into a “global village” blurring borders, both have not made any difference to the centuries-old idea from the realm of …

Growing Russia-China Bonhomie A new alliance in the making? Russia’s policy towards China has been one of adaptation and accommodation. Despite increasing asymmetry in power between the two states, Moscow and Beijing have reinforced cooperation and managed to overcome a number of challenges. These included Russia’s policy towards Ukraine, Moscow and Beijing’s competing regional projects in Eurasia and China’s growing …

China’s Belt and Road Initiative Debt Trap or Soft Power Catalyst? Shafqat Javed China is a powerful international actor as the world’s most populous country and its second-largest economy. The country also invests significantly in modernizing its military. With signs that the United States will retreat from a leadership role under the Trump administration, China has positioned itself as a …