Maritime piracy is one of the several grave security issues faced by today’s world. This problem, however, isn’t a new phenomenon, and nations have long-battled this issue. How did piracy manifest itself in the Indian Ocean in the 19th century, and what was the nature of counter-piracy efforts during that period?
The Arab uprisings show no sign of closure, and have become amorphous. While New Delhi has so far been immunised from the political and religious dimensions of the uprisings, the rise of political Islam, Islamic governance, and continuing instability will impact India.
India’s relations with Islamic nations, many of which are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have become even more prolific over the last decade. While India does not visualise becoming a member of a religious international body, many reasons militate against our formally joining the OIC.
Recently, Africa’s progressively improving economic statistics have fuelled a notion that the resource-rich continent is recovering from its woes and is headed towards development at a high pace. However, there are several reasons to believe otherwise.
Despite heavy opposition from several factions, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi’s propositions for altering the constitution have been approved. Although the alterations have democratic elements, the liberals and secularists bear responsibility in taking forward Egypt’s journey to complete democracy.
An artificial moral panic over the fate of Arab women runs the risk of reinstating gender and class markings in the Arab World. It’s therefore necessary to recognise the radical social shifts towards the genuine unorganised local groupings in these countries, to promote engagement with the global south.
Rivals Iran and Egypt have become the two most important powers in today’s West Asia. Yet, Iran is looking for neither a smooth victory nor a quick failure for Egypt’s rise. Tehran will remain the key regional player, while it’s too early to tell if Cairo is capable of overcoming Iran’s influence.
China and Nigeria have resources that could help address each other’s energy security challenges in the long term. How can a cooperation based on ‘oil-for-hydropower’ or ‘oil-for-energy infrastructure’ benefit the Sino-Nigerian relationship?
Countries in the Middle East and North Africa are home to some of the largest energy reserves in the world. However, even as these nations attempt to industrialise their economies, while recovering from the Arab Awakening, they will have to address significant energy security challenges.
The propensity of Africa’s leaders to seek medical treatment abroad illustrates the little faith they have in their own healthcare systems. Given how countless Africans don’t have the resources to follow their leaders’ steps, there should be increased political will to make affordable healthcare available at home.
