Australia’s AUKUS Submarines: Turning the Screws on China
The nuclear submarine technology that Australia will acquire through the AUKUS alliance is only one element of a major recalibration of Australian and US strategies to counter China.
China Railway Group Nearing Completion of Bangladesh’s Padma Bridge
The six-kilometre-long Padma Bridge will greatly enhance connectivity across Bangladesh and exemplifies China’s expanding soft power.
Bahrain-Israel Links Grow as Normalisation Takes Off
New air and diplomatic links between Bahrain and Israel are coming into effect and, together with increased trade volumes, constitute the latest developments flowing from the Abraham Accords, which are beginning to bring demonstrable benefits.
The Role of Iran in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan
Iran’s role in Afghanistan is likely to be important, due to its geographic location and also because, while Tehran will seek to find common ground with other countries, including China, it is also likely to follow an independent policy driven by its own strategic interests, especially in the South Asian context.
Japan and Iran: Some Implications of Foreign Minister’s Visit to Tehran
While Motegi’s visit to Tehran will boost Iran-Japan ties, it will have a greater impact on other international issues, notably the Iran nuclear agreement and Afghanistan.
BRICS Bank Begins Global Expansion
In joining the New Development Bank (NDB), outward-looking Uruguay will conceivably feel very much at home among the countries of the Indo-Pacific. It will be looking to the NBD to help further those linkages as it continues to diversify its economy and further reduce its dependence on its large recession-prone neighbours.
The United Arab Emirates’ Reopening is Good News for South Asian Expats
The removal of restrictions will be a tremendous help to South Asian expats who would normally be employed in the UAE but who have been stranded outside its borders due to Covid-19, and for those who have business interests in the Emirates but who have been unable to travel there.
The United States Needs to Revisit Newton’s Third Law
Washington and its allies must realise that open-ended wars on terrorism are futile and that a successful counterterrorism policy must address the legitimate political grievances that al-Qaeda claims to champion.
What Path Taliban Diplomacy in the Post-US Afghanistan?
It remains to be seen whether the Taliban will depend only on China and Pakistan or if it will cultivate ties with other important actors in the region, such as Qatar, Iran, Russia and India.
Are We Out of Options on Myanmar?
Given the enduring and violent nature of the Tatmadaw’s crimes, it is left to international bodies like the International Court of Justice and the United Nations General Assembly to challenge and prosecute them.