Agricultural Mismanagement Squeezing Egyptian Farmers
Although the Egyptian economy has largely recovered from the shocks of 2011, little has been done to address the creeping problems facing its agricultural sector. Meaningful and coherent reform must be made soon.
“Global Greening” Trend Indicates Greater Agricultural Productivity
While increased food production in India and China bodes well for future global food security, more efficient use of water and fertilisers, combined with the wider adoption of new agricultural technology, will also be necessary for future food productivity gains.
Australia-India Relations: Poised for Another Take-off?
The implementation of the Varghese Report will stimulate a new start in the Australia-India relationship. The report is underpinned by such other initiatives as the Indo-Pacific Endeavours activities and Foreign Minister Marise Payne’s speech at the Raisina Dialogue that elaborated on Australia’s intentions in the Indo-Pacific region. Upcoming general elections in both countries will delay, but not derail, a new start.
The Islamic Revolution’s Impact on Political Islam and the Middle East
The Islamic Revolution has had a profound impact on the Middle East: politically, socially, militarily, economically and culturally. In particular, it advanced the notion of Islamic activism as a potential force in governance by showing that participating in elections and governing (within limits), did not violate God’s rule. Although the fear of a foreign invasion and regime change has driven post-Revolutionary Iran to pursue active contacts with terrorist organisations, Tehran has also worked closely with Washington against al-Qaeda and in post-invasion Iraq. In the years ahead, more ways need to be found to better engage with Iran.
Sudan at a Dangerous Crossroads as Protests Continue
After years of economic mismanagement, protests erupted in December 2018, when the price of bread tripled. Whatever the outcome of the protests, there are few scenarios in which conditions for ordinary Sudanese will improve.
Turkey’s Push into South Asia – Target: 400 Million Muslims?
Erdoğan’s aim to foster closer ties with South Asia derives in equal part from his desire to be recognised as the leader of the Muslim world and from his nationalistic foreign policy.
Booming Call Centre Industry an Economic Bright Spot for Madagascar
If political stability can be maintained now that the presidential election is out of the way, there should be little to stop the continued growth of the business processing and outsourcing (BPO) industry in Madagascar.
Have Press Freedoms Improved Under Jokowi?
Despite promises made by the Jokowi Administration, media freedoms remain vulnerable to intervention and are hostage to the political interests of media tycoons.
China’s “Peaceful Development” Dream leads to Greater Internal and Foreign Anxiety about Water Security
Chinese development programmes in the western provinces have had mixed results. While the region is more integrated with the eastern provinces and the wider world, concerns about degraded environmental conditions have brought new causes of internal civil unrest and led to further anxiety about water conditions in neighbouring countries, especially India.
Evolving US Strategic Interests in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia and Iran
In considering the relationship of the United States with two countries of the Middle East – Saudi Arabia and Iran – the Saudi relationship, while remaining strong, continues to erode, while that with Iran is now significantly more hostile under the current US Administration than it was under the previous one. In tandem with regional fears of a reduced US interest in the Middle East, the strategic dynamics of the region are such that it will continue to have major consequences for future developments throughout the twenty-first century.