Bill_Clinton,_Yitzhak_Rabin,_Yasser_Arafat_at_the_White_House_1993-09-13 Courtesy: The Atlantic
9 November 2023

Hamas’s Jihad vs. Arafat’s struggle

By blending Islam, Marxism-Leninism, Arab nationalism, and Third World radicalism during the 1960s, Yasser Arafat succeeded beyond expectations, in impactfully putting the Palestinian question forward for international attention. The spoiler was Hamas, with its jihadi calls for the cause of Palestine and rejection of peace initiatives.

us-returns-antiquities-to-india-in-stolen-art-investigation Courtesy: The Times of India
9 November 2023

Bringing home the Nataraja

This year, India recovered over 100 stolen antiquities from different countries, part of 324 brought back to the country over the decade. This is part of an increasing global effort to tackle art trafficking. India can use the momentum to strengthen its own legal and policy mechanisms for accelerated recovery, restitution, and conservation of its cultural heritage.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a news conference in Brussels on July 15, 2020, after a virtual summit with the Indian Prime Minister. (Photo by YVES HERMAN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by YVES HERMAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Courtesy: CSIS
9 November 2023

Europe’s Challenges in the Indo-Pacific

Europe's increased focus on the Indo-Pacific and the deepening economic and technological collaboration with India offer mutual benefits. However, the EU's ambivalent approach towards China, and the desire of most European states to maintain neutrality in the U.S.-China rivalry might not be sustainable in the long run.

Screenshot 2023-10-31 at 1.49.53 PM Courtesy: The Indian Express
2 November 2023

India’s SCO Challenge

At the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on October 26, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar stressed the importance of maintaining regional stability and enhancing economic cooperation in Central Asia. Achieving its economic and strategic objectives in the SCO will become a challenge for Indian diplomacy next year, when Pakistan takes on the chairmanship of the grouping.

education Courtesy: Mint
26 October 2023

India needs a student work visa

The National Education Policy (2020) has made internationalisation a key priority for Indian higher education. However, gaps remains because the NEP does not offer foreign students opportunities to gain work experience in India. An expanded provision of student work visas is necessary to amplify the advantages of the NEP and tap the demographic and financial potential of an internationalised higher education ecosystem.

107279673-1690872117337-gettyimages-1252505626-DSC_7492-10JPG (1) Courtesy: CNBC
26 October 2023

Myanmar, continuing darkness

Prolonged violence between the military and opposition forces in Myanmar has eroded political stability in the country and led to large-scale displacement within the country. Despite diplomatic efforts led by ASEAN and other nations to find effective solutions, Myanmar’s on-ground situation appears unlikely to see any significant improvement in the near future.

Screenshot 2023-10-26 at 2.00.04 PM Courtesy: Nikkei Asia
26 October 2023

The narrative is the war

The Israel-Hamas War has shown the devastating impact of disinformation as a strategy of unconventional warfare. This narrative-led approach begins before hostilities start and seeks to set the agenda for leaders, their militaries and geopolitics. Democratic societies like India must prepare for similarly coordinated strategies and build societal resilience to manipulation.

asiapng Courtesy: Verité Research
19 October 2023

Lessons from Sri Lanka’s Debt Default

The Sri Lankan economic crisis was the result of years of weak fiscal performance and lack of consistent development strategies. While economic recovery has picked up pace, addressing macroeconomics issues and implementing structural reforms to promote inclusive and sustainable growth is the key to its success

netanyahu-gallant Courtesy: The Jerusalem Post
19 October 2023

The unprecedented days of October

The October 7 intrusion of Hamas into Israel has exposed a respectable military institution and one of the most influential intelligence agencies, impacting their image in a contest where prestige is crucial. It weakens the Palestinian Authority internally and abroad, diminishes any peace processes, buries hope of a two-state solution, and marks the beginning of an unprecedented phase of war with repercussions far beyond the region.

GettyImages-1272675620 Courtesy: The Intercept
18 October 2023

West Asian quagmire

There are multiple threads running through the Israel-Hamas conflict, and multiple interests. The long-running cast of the Arab and Western worlds are on site, but now so is a newly-assertive Qatar. Two others are potential players: the expanded BRICS grouping and India, which will soon co-invest in the India-Middle East Europe Corridor. Will they be drawn into the West Asian quagmire?