Almost three years after Russia's military incursion into Ukraine, efforts by the United States and its allies to economically pressure Moscow have fallen short. Western sanctions and export controls have been significantly undermined by extensive sanctions evasion and Russia's growing economic relationships with China and India. While trade restrictions have undoubtedly had an impact on the Russian economy, it has shown resilience and continues to support the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
There is no denying that significant political shifts are taking place in the Middle East, as evidenced by recent developments such as China's growing influence in the region, certain Arab nations indirectly supporting Russia, Saudi Arabia's position on oil production cuts, hurdles in normalization talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel, the Saudi-Iran agreement, Iran's reconciliation attempts with Egypt, Syria's readmission to the Arab League, and the UAE's withdrawal from the US-led maritime security coalition.
In the latter decades of the 20th century, public opinion in Western European nations strongly questioned the strategy of nuclear deterrence, with widespread protests against the deployment of new nuclear weapons marking the period. This skepticism has persisted, as evidenced by multiple surveys indicating a significant preference among European citizens for the removal of nuclear weapons from the continent. A notable instance of this sentiment was captured in a NATO survey on nuclear weapons conducted in January 2020, prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as a 2019 YouGov poll for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), which showed a clear opposition to nuclear weapons in Belgium, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands—all host countries for US nuclear arms.
The Indo-Pacific region is facing increasing uncertainty due to the growing challenge posed by China. During a recent visit to India, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited INS Vikrant, India's newest aircraft carrier, and declared a strong strategic alignment between the two countries. The visit highlights the growing importance of the maritime dimension in Indo-Pacific geopolitics, as well as the strength of India's strategic ties with Australia. Defense and security have emerged as key pillars of Indo-Australian strategic partnership. Both countries participate in the Malabar naval exercises and are deepening military-to-military exchanges. Such joint exercises build interope
The Japanese government recently announced the establishment of the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework on April 5, 2023. This program is designed to assist the militaries and related organizations of friendly developing countries and is partially based on Tokyo's experience with Official Development Assistance (ODA). The National Security Strategy (NSS) paper, released on December 16, 2022, provides the basis for the new initiative. It states that OSA will enhance defense capabilities and security and deterrence capabilities of like-minded countries, preventing unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force, maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and creating a desirable security environment for Japan.
The NATO Heads of State and Government convened the Vilnius Summit on July 11-12, 2023, where they released an extensive communiqué. Unlike a typical summit declaration, this document serves as a strategic roadmap, outlining NATO's future direction in an ever-changing world order. The communiqué presents crucial policy directions and strategic initiatives, reflecting the collective vision of NATO members. This analysis will focus on key points that highlight a significant shift in NATO's role and strategic posture. A noteworthy observation from the document is the indication of the advent of a New Cold War, revealing a shift in global power dynamics, with NATO positioning itself against strateg
The Indo-Pacific region is facing increasing uncertainty due to the growing challenge posed by China. During a recent visit to India, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited INS Vikrant, India's newest aircraft carrier, and declared a strong strategic alignment between the two countries. The visit highlights the growing importance of the maritime dimension in Indo-Pacific geopolitics, as well as the strength of India's strategic ties with Australia. Defense and security have emerged as key pillars of Indo-Australian strategic partnership. Both countries participate in the Malabar naval exercises and are deepening military-to-military exchanges. Such joint exercises build interope
The Japanese government recently announced the establishment of the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework on April 5, 2023. This program is designed to assist the militaries and related organizations of friendly developing countries and is partially based on Tokyo's experience with Official Development Assistance (ODA). The National Security Strategy (NSS) paper, released on December 16, 2022, provides the basis for the new initiative. It states that OSA will enhance defense capabilities and security and deterrence capabilities of like-minded countries, preventing unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force, maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and creating a desirable security environment for Japan.
The NATO Heads of State and Government convened the Vilnius Summit on July 11-12, 2023, where they released an extensive communiqué. Unlike a typical summit declaration, this document serves as a strategic roadmap, outlining NATO's future direction in an ever-changing world order. The communiqué presents crucial policy directions and strategic initiatives, reflecting the collective vision of NATO members. This analysis will focus on key points that highlight a significant shift in NATO's role and strategic posture. A noteworthy observation from the document is the indication of the advent of a New Cold War, revealing a shift in global power dynamics, with NATO positioning itself against strateg
In the latter decades of the 20th century, public opinion in Western European nations strongly questioned the strategy of nuclear deterrence, with widespread protests against the deployment of new nuclear weapons marking the period. This skepticism has persisted, as evidenced by multiple surveys indicating a significant preference among European citizens for the removal of nuclear weapons from the continent. A notable instance of this sentiment was captured in a NATO survey on nuclear weapons conducted in January 2020, prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as a 2019 YouGov poll for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), which showed a clear opposition to nuclear weapons in Belgium, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands—all host countries for US nuclear arms.
The Japanese government recently announced the establishment of the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework on April 5, 2023. This program is designed to assist the militaries and related organizations of friendly developing countries and is partially based on Tokyo's experience with Official Development Assistance (ODA). The National Security Strategy (NSS) paper, released on December 16, 2022, provides the basis for the new initiative. It states that OSA will enhance defense capabilities and security and deterrence capabilities of like-minded countries, preventing unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force, maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and creating a desirable security environment for Japan.
The NATO Heads of State and Government convened the Vilnius Summit on July 11-12, 2023, where they released an extensive communiqué. Unlike a typical summit declaration, this document serves as a strategic roadmap, outlining NATO's future direction in an ever-changing world order. The communiqué presents crucial policy directions and strategic initiatives, reflecting the collective vision of NATO members. This analysis will focus on key points that highlight a significant shift in NATO's role and strategic posture. A noteworthy observation from the document is the indication of the advent of a New Cold War, revealing a shift in global power dynamics, with NATO positioning itself against strateg
The Japanese government recently announced the establishment of the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework on April 5, 2023. This program is designed to assist the militaries and related organizations of friendly developing countries and is partially based on Tokyo's experience with Official Development Assistance (ODA). The National Security Strategy (NSS) paper, released on December 16, 2022, provides the basis for the new initiative. It states that OSA will enhance defense capabilities and security and deterrence capabilities of like-minded countries, preventing unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force, maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and creating a desirable security environment for Japan.
The Japanese government recently announced the establishment of the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework on April 5, 2023. This program is designed to assist the militaries and related organizations of friendly developing countries and is partially based on Tokyo's experience with Official Development Assistance (ODA). The National Security Strategy (NSS) paper, released on December 16, 2022, provides the basis for the new initiative. It states that OSA will enhance defense capabilities and security and deterrence capabilities of like-minded countries, preventing unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force, maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and creating a desirable security environment for Japan.
The Japanese government recently announced the establishment of the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework on April 5, 2023. This program is designed to assist the militaries and related organizations of friendly developing countries and is partially based on Tokyo's experience with Official Development Assistance (ODA). The National Security Strategy (NSS) paper, released on December 16, 2022, provides the basis for the new initiative. It states that OSA will enhance defense capabilities and security and deterrence capabilities of like-minded countries, preventing unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force, maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and creating a desirable security environment for Japan.
The Japanese government recently announced the establishment of the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework on April 5, 2023. This program is designed to assist the militaries and related organizations of friendly developing countries and is partially based on Tokyo's experience with Official Development Assistance (ODA). The National Security Strategy (NSS) paper, released on December 16, 2022, provides the basis for the new initiative. It states that OSA will enhance defense capabilities and security and deterrence capabilities of like-minded countries, preventing unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force, maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and creating a desirable security environment for Japan.
The Japanese government recently announced the establishment of the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework on April 5, 2023. This program is designed to assist the militaries and related organizations of friendly developing countries and is partially based on Tokyo's experience with Official Development Assistance (ODA). The National Security Strategy (NSS) paper, released on December 16, 2022, provides the basis for the new initiative. It states that OSA will enhance defense capabilities and security and deterrence capabilities of like-minded countries, preventing unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force, maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and creating a desirable security environment for Japan.
The Japanese government recently announced the establishment of the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework on April 5, 2023. This program is designed to assist the militaries and related organizations of friendly developing countries and is partially based on Tokyo's experience with Official Development Assistance (ODA). The National Security Strategy (NSS) paper, released on December 16, 2022, provides the basis for the new initiative. It states that OSA will enhance defense capabilities and security and deterrence capabilities of like-minded countries, preventing unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force, maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and creating a desirable security environment for Japan.
Pakistan and Argentina have recently made significant shifts away from their traditional reliance on the US dollar in international transactions Pakistan has made its first government-to-government purchase of tons of Russian crude oil using the Chinese yuan instead of the US dollar This marks a departure from their usual practice of using the dollar for export payments Similarly Argentina has recently settled transactions worth a staggering billion with China using the yuan as the primary currency nbsp In April and May of Argentina's imports were settled in yuan a move that is expected to strengthen their foreign exchange reserves and
Pakistan and Argentina have recently made significant shifts away from their traditional reliance on the US dollar in international transactions Pakistan has made its first government-to-government purchase of tons of Russian crude oil using the Chinese yuan instead of the US dollar This marks a departure from their usual practice of using the dollar for export payments Similarly Argentina has recently settled transactions worth a staggering billion with China using the yuan as the primary currency nbsp In April and May of Argentina's imports were settled in yuan a move that is expected to strengthen their foreign exchange reserves and
Pakistan and Argentina have recently made significant shifts away from their traditional reliance on the US dollar in international transactions Pakistan has made its first government-to-government purchase of tons of Russian crude oil using the Chinese yuan instead of the US dollar This marks a departure from their usual practice of using the dollar for export payments Similarly Argentina has recently settled transactions worth a staggering billion with China using the yuan as the primary currency nbsp In April and May of Argentina's imports were settled in yuan a move that is expected to strengthen their foreign exchange reserves and
Ukraine officially became a candidate for European Union EU membership after a fast-track process triggered by Russia's invasion Currently Kyiv is on the brink of the negotiations stage anticipated to commence as indicated by EU officials Historically this stage has been the most prolonged technical and bureaucratic phase necessitating extensive reforms aligned with the Copenhagen criteria encompassing political legal and economic conditions for membership nbsp In June the European Commission recommended granting Ukraine candidate status with the understanding that Kyiv must fulfill seven measures to enhance anti-corruption efforts and uphold the rule of law Recently Kyiv stated its compliance with
The ethnic conflicts in Manipur an Indian state in the northeast have deep roots in a long-standing historical dispute between the Meitei community residing in the Imphal Valley and the hill tribes primarily the Kukis and Nagas A recent wave of violence erupted when the hill tribes organized a march in solidarity against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe ST status This demand has the potential to significantly change the political power distribution within the state nbsp The ongoing ethnic tensions and violence in Manipur present a significant challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration as it tests their
Asia has emerged as a significant player in global geoeconomics drawing attention from experts and observers The region's impact on the world is undeniable due to two primary factors Firstly Asia is home to over half of the world's population and it generates around two-thirds of global economic activity Consequently Asia serves as the driving force behind global economic growth nbsp However Asia is not a homogeneous landscape of peaceful actors Within its vast expanse it houses seven of the world's largest militaries creating a contested space filled with diverse nationalities and ethnicities Unlike in Europe where nationalism is often
Japan is often overlooked in discussions about contemporary great power politics which is not surprising given its discreet secondary and modest position in the decades following its defeat in World War Two However a closer look at Japan's geopolitical background historical trajectory and current situation reveals that it has the potential to play a significant role in the Pacific Basin and beyond nbsp nbsp Despite its prolonged period of inactivity and challenges such as demographic decline Japan is far from reaching its twilight and can reassert itself as a heavyweight In the following sections we will explore why and how
It is likely that a high oil price will continue for the next few years due to increased sanctions on the supply of Russian oil coal and petroleum products The ongoing war in Ukraine has also impacted the production and supply of wheat corn barley and edible oil from the country Looking at the long-term effects of the conflict it is clear that energy security and food insecurity will be heavily impacted if the conflict continues and spreads to other parts of Europe nbsp In the Indo-Pacific region tensions between China and the US and its allies over Iran Taiwan
All countries acknowledge the need to handle external pressures from other nations but Vietnam has a unique understanding of this due to its historical experiences with French colonialism the Second Indochina War with the United States and Chinese vessels violating its maritime waters nbsp Chinese coast guard vessels and fishing trawlers regularly enter Vietnam's exclusive economic zone EEZ despite strong opposition While many policy analysts might consider these acts as routine intimidation the Vietnamese citizens react strongly as they are well-acquainted with Chinese advances into their sovereign territory nbsp Recently a Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong accompanied by a
With the impending NATO summit in Vilnius Lithuania Ukraine's complex future within the alliance comes to the forefront once again Ukraine along with its supportive allies such as Poland the Baltic states and the UK emphasizes the need to avoid repeating the mistakes made at the Bucharest Summit During that summit NATO declared Ukraine and Georgia as future members without providing a clear roadmap or formal framework for their accession Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba recently criticized the empty promises made at Bucharest highlighting the detrimental impact of ambiguity which plays into Putin's hands nbsp Initial reports from the media
With the impending NATO summit in Vilnius Lithuania Ukraine's complex future within the alliance comes to the forefront once again Ukraine along with its supportive allies such as Poland the Baltic states and the UK emphasizes the need to avoid repeating the mistakes made at the Bucharest Summit During that summit NATO declared Ukraine and Georgia as future members without providing a clear roadmap or formal framework for their accession Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba recently criticized the empty promises made at Bucharest highlighting the detrimental impact of ambiguity which plays into Putin's hands nbsp Initial reports from the media
It is likely that a high oil price will continue for the next few years due to increased sanctions on the supply of Russian oil coal and petroleum products The ongoing war in Ukraine has also impacted the production and supply of wheat corn barley and edible oil from the country Looking at the long-term effects of the conflict it is clear that energy security and food insecurity will be heavily impacted if the conflict continues and spreads to other parts of Europe nbsp In the Indo-Pacific region tensions between China and the US and its allies over Iran Taiwan
Japan is often overlooked in discussions about contemporary great power politics which is not surprising given its discreet secondary and modest position in the decades following its defeat in World War Two However a closer look at Japan's geopolitical background historical trajectory and current situation reveals that it has the potential to play a significant role in the Pacific Basin and beyond nbsp nbsp Despite its prolonged period of inactivity and challenges such as demographic decline Japan is far from reaching its twilight and can reassert itself as a heavyweight In the following sections we will explore why and how
It is likely that a high oil price will continue for the next few years due to increased sanctions on the supply of Russian oil coal and petroleum products The ongoing war in Ukraine has also impacted the production and supply of wheat corn barley and edible oil from the country Looking at the long-term effects of the conflict it is clear that energy security and food insecurity will be heavily impacted if the conflict continues and spreads to other parts of Europe nbsp In the Indo-Pacific region tensions between China and the US and its allies over Iran Taiwan
All countries acknowledge the need to handle external pressures from other nations but Vietnam has a unique understanding of this due to its historical experiences with French colonialism the Second Indochina War with the United States and Chinese vessels violating its maritime waters nbsp Chinese coast guard vessels and fishing trawlers regularly enter Vietnam's exclusive economic zone EEZ despite strong opposition While many policy analysts might consider these acts as routine intimidation the Vietnamese citizens react strongly as they are well-acquainted with Chinese advances into their sovereign territory nbsp Recently a Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong accompanied by a
With the impending NATO summit in Vilnius Lithuania Ukraine's complex future within the alliance comes to the forefront once again Ukraine along with its supportive allies such as Poland the Baltic states and the UK emphasizes the need to avoid repeating the mistakes made at the Bucharest Summit During that summit NATO declared Ukraine and Georgia as future members without providing a clear roadmap or formal framework for their accession Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba recently criticized the empty promises made at Bucharest highlighting the detrimental impact of ambiguity which plays into Putin's hands nbsp Initial reports from the media
Ukraine officially became a candidate for European Union EU membership after a fast-track process triggered by Russia's invasion Currently Kyiv is on the brink of the negotiations stage anticipated to commence as indicated by EU officials Historically this stage has been the most prolonged technical and bureaucratic phase necessitating extensive reforms aligned with the Copenhagen criteria encompassing political legal and economic conditions for membership nbsp In June the European Commission recommended granting Ukraine candidate status with the understanding that Kyiv must fulfill seven measures to enhance anti-corruption efforts and uphold the rule of law Recently Kyiv stated its compliance with
Ukraine officially became a candidate for European Union EU membership after a fast-track process triggered by Russia's invasion Currently Kyiv is on the brink of the negotiations stage anticipated to commence as indicated by EU officials Historically this stage has been the most prolonged technical and bureaucratic phase necessitating extensive reforms aligned with the Copenhagen criteria encompassing political legal and economic conditions for membership nbsp In June the European Commission recommended granting Ukraine candidate status with the understanding that Kyiv must fulfill seven measures to enhance anti-corruption efforts and uphold the rule of law Recently Kyiv stated its compliance with
The ethnic conflicts in Manipur an Indian state in the northeast have deep roots in a long-standing historical dispute between the Meitei community residing in the Imphal Valley and the hill tribes primarily the Kukis and Nagas A recent wave of violence erupted when the hill tribes organized a march in solidarity against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe ST status This demand has the potential to significantly change the political power distribution within the state nbsp The ongoing ethnic tensions and violence in Manipur present a significant challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration as it tests their
Japan is often overlooked in discussions about contemporary great power politics which is not surprising given its discreet secondary and modest position in the decades following its defeat in World War Two However a closer look at Japan's geopolitical background historical trajectory and current situation reveals that it has the potential to play a significant role in the Pacific Basin and beyond nbsp nbsp Despite its prolonged period of inactivity and challenges such as demographic decline Japan is far from reaching its twilight and can reassert itself as a heavyweight In the following sections we will explore why and how
The International Seabed Authority (ISA), a UN-affiliated organization, has sparked renewed interest in deep-sea mining following its decision to accept applications in July. Although concerns remain over potential environmental impact and lack of scientific research, the growing demand for "battery metals" for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and clean energy infrastructure is driving momentum for deep-sea mining. Deep-sea mining involves extracting minerals from the ocean floor, specifically from poly-metallic nodules that have formed over millions of years.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine seems to be at an impasse, with the emergence of extremist groups on both sides further polarizing and antagonizing the two sides. A two-state solution is currently inconceivable, while a one-state solution would be equally problematic. What we are left with is an unbearably tense stand-off, with right-wing Israelis and extremist Palestinians goading each other.
Irrespective of the nomenclature, whether it be referred to as West Asia or the Middle East, the region can be characterized as an area where states share close historical, cultural, and geographical ties. It encompasses the Arab League states along with Iran and Egypt, some of which overlap between the regions. While Israel geographically belongs to West Asia and the Middle East, it exhibits stronger political and cultural
The Colombian government is strongly committed to expanding and diversifying its mining industry, with a particular focus on critical minerals like nickel. Currently, nickel mining is concentrated in the Cerro Matoso mine in the Cordoba department, which holds significant reserves of this valuable mineral. As global demand for nickel remains high, it presents a lucrative opportunity for Colombia's mining sector and overall economy. However, it is essential to address the negative aspects associated with nickel mining, such as environmental damage, health concerns for workers and
The 2004 Orange Revolution, marked by a series of protests in Kiev, was a significant event that led to the rise of a pro-Western government in Ukraine. This event is regarded as the first modern episode that eventually culminated in the ongoing Ukraine War. The West hailed this event as a victory for liberal democracy and a key milestone in the expansion of both NATO and the EU towards the East. However, this development was not well-received by the Kremlin, which had been seeking
The Western perception of Turkish and Azerbaijani Presidents, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ilham Aliyev, has been significantly flawed. Both Turkey and Azerbaijan are strong allies of Ukraine in the Greater Middle East region, unlike many Arab countries and Israel, which tend to adopt ambiguous positions or avoid involvement altogether. Turkey and Azerbaijan share a close military and political alliance, solidified after the 2020 Second Karabakh War. They both have critical stances towards Russia and align themselves with the pro-Western camp: Turkey as a NATO
The Colombian government is strongly committed to expanding and diversifying its mining industry, with a particular focus on critical minerals like nickel. Currently, nickel mining is concentrated in the Cerro Matoso mine in the Cordoba department, which holds significant reserves of this valuable mineral. As global demand for nickel remains high, it presents a lucrative opportunity for Colombia's mining sector and overall economy. However, it is essential to address the negative aspects associated with nickel mining, such as environmental damage, health concerns for workers and
The conflict between Israel and Palestine seems to be at an impasse, with the emergence of extremist groups on both sides further polarizing and antagonizing the two sides. A two-state solution is currently inconceivable, while a one-state solution would be equally problematic. What we are left with is an unbearably tense stand-off, with right-wing Israelis and extremist Palestinians goading each other.
Irrespective of the nomenclature, whether it be referred to as West Asia or the Middle East, the region can be characterized as an area where states share close historical, cultural, and geographical ties. It encompasses the Arab League states along with Iran and Egypt, some of which overlap between the regions. While Israel geographically belongs to West Asia and the Middle East, it exhibits stronger political and cultural
The Colombian government is strongly committed to expanding and diversifying its mining industry, with a particular focus on critical minerals like nickel. Currently, nickel mining is concentrated in the Cerro Matoso mine in the Cordoba department, which holds significant reserves of this valuable mineral. As global demand for nickel remains high, it presents a lucrative opportunity for Colombia's mining sector and overall economy. However, it is essential to address the negative aspects associated with nickel mining, such as environmental damage, health concerns for workers and
The 2004 Orange Revolution, marked by a series of protests in Kiev, was a significant event that led to the rise of a pro-Western government in Ukraine. This event is regarded as the first modern episode that eventually culminated in the ongoing Ukraine War. The West hailed this event as a victory for liberal democracy and a key milestone in the expansion of both NATO and the EU towards the East. However, this development was not well-received by the Kremlin, which had been seeking
The Western perception of Turkish and Azerbaijani Presidents, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ilham Aliyev, has been significantly flawed. Both Turkey and Azerbaijan are strong allies of Ukraine in the Greater Middle East region, unlike many Arab countries and Israel, which tend to adopt ambiguous positions or avoid involvement altogether. Turkey and Azerbaijan share a close military and political alliance, solidified after the 2020 Second Karabakh War. They both have critical stances towards Russia and align themselves with the pro-Western camp: Turkey as a NATO
