A Bomb Attack on a Bus could Impact Sino-Pakistani Relations
The bomb that took the lives of Chinese personnel working on a China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project in Pakistan could have a much wider impact.
Nationalism, COVID-19 and the Tokyo Olympic Games
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s decision to persist with running the Olympic Games in 2021 is a political statement underpinned by nationalism.
India’s Decision to Negotiate with the Taliban Could Undermine its Efforts to Establish a Democratic Afghanistan
Although India disapproves of the Taliban in public, it has engaged secretly with its representatives, which will raise the Taliban’s confidence and jeopardise New Delhi’s goal of a democratic government in Afghanistan.
India’s Chinese Take-Away: A Two-Child Policy
The two-child policy announced by the state government of Uttar Pradesh likely has little to do with population control and more with political survival.
Violence Flares in South Africa as Ex-President Zuma Jailed
Now serving a 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court, the imprisonment of disgraced former president Jacob Zuma has triggered protests and opportunistic looting while perpetuating the division within the African National Congress government between his supporters and those loyal to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
China in a Post-US Afghanistan
China’s criticism of the US decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is likely due to a deterioration in security, which could negatively affect its investments and BRI-related projects.
Biden May Succeed Where His Predecessors Failed
President Biden may well succeed in forging an Israeli-Palestinian peace by restating in the strongest terms that a two-state solution remains the only viable option and working to create the conditions on the ground to that end.
The G7’s Alternative to China’s BRI
While the G7’s “Build Back Better World” (B3W) offers an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, it remains a nascent proposition that may not suit every government, especially not the more authoritarian ones.
Doklam Continued: India’s Renewed Focus on China
While India’s decision to move around 50,000 troops to its border with China stands to reason, much more needs to be done economically and politically.
Arsenic and the Ganges Delta: Water Crisis in Bangladesh
In the face of a water crisis started by arsenic poisoning of groundwater and further compounded by climate change-induced salinity, the Bangladeshi Government will need to act swiftly to prevent a future surge of climate refugees.