Diplomacy
Why this reality persists even after 151, out of 193, UN member states recognised Palestine
In October 2023, Israel launched yet another indiscriminate attack on Gaza. Almost two years on, the death toll in Gaza has already exceeded 65,000. Nearly all of the 2.1 million residents of the besieged enclave have been displaced multiple times. Recently, Israel began a full-scale assault on Gaza City, the largest city in the territory. The objective is clear — to empty this densely populated city completely and seize control of it. In this situation, international pressure on the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Western countries to force Israel to end the war and genocide is steadily increasing.
Why Iran’s Chabahar Port has become new centre of geopolitics
To rein in Russia, US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods. Washington’s demand is that India stop buying oil from Russia. India buys crude from Russia, refines it and then exports it. The United States believes it is by selling oil to India that Russia is able to sustain its war in Ukraine. Now, to corner Iran, the US is moving with a new strategy. It wants to impose fines or sanctions on anyone using Iran’s Chabahar port. For India, Iran’s Chabahar seaport is extremely important, both commercially and strategically. At present, India is jointly running the port with Iran under a 10-year agreement.
Gen Z Movement in Nepal: The Coded Message
Nepal’s recent demonstration, daubed as ‘Gen Z Revolution’ took the world by surprise on several fronts. First, it emerged as a spontaneous uprising appealed through the social media, at a time when the media had been banned. Second, it started directly from the climax and reached its denouement in merely two days. It toppled a stubborn regime and threw away an old order. This happened without a leader, without any consorted call, without an announced charter for action, and without any centre to monitor the course of action. Amazing! Truly amazing!
Why are Trump’s threats losing effect
In that sense, these agreements are little more than signatures on paper. Put simply, confronting Trump does not mean submission; rather, identifying his weak spots and striking there will bring results. A far more effective strategy is to put maximum pressure on the US economy.
Why is Nepal’s political change being compared with Bangladesh
Nepal lies at the foothills of the Himalayas. Its size is similar to Bangladesh, with a population of just over 30 million. Though often referred to as a small country, in reality it cannot be called small. Yet the term is used due to the size of its economy. It is an economy mainly dependent on agriculture, remittances and tourism. However, Nepal’s geopolitical position is both significant and highly sensitive. On its two sides are China and India, the world’s most populous and major military powers. Nepal’s relationship with India has always been bittersweet. With each change of power in Nepal, its ties with India have also shifted. Relations with China, too, have fluctuated.
Why youths in Nepal suddenly erupted into bloody protest
Although Nepal, at the foot of the Himalayas, is well known for its geographical diversity, cultural heritage and rich history, its journey as a state has been far from smooth. Since independence the country has passed through many political experiments—sometimes monarchy, sometimes democratic rule, and at times military influence. After the abolition of the monarchy in 2008 and the transition to a republic, Nepalis hoped for a new future. People expected that after years of turmoil a democratic culture would be established, corruption would decrease, development would be for all, and governance would become transparent. Sadly, those expectations remain unfulfilled.
Rise of Myanmar’s ethnic alliance as border rulers
Almost two years ago, the Three Brotherhood Alliance (3BHA) seized a key stretch of the Myanmar-China border. They have since established themselves not only as a military force but also as an economic and political power.
Outcome of Ukraine war in Putin’s view
At the recent meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska, the focus of discussion was the Ukraine war and land swap. More than anything else, Putin clarified the ‘situation surrounding Ukraine’. Rather than ending a blood-soaked war of over three years, he repeated what he had earlier said about Russia’s lost status.
Trump–Putin meeting: Balance of success and failure
In the middle of the night on 15 August Bangladesh time, the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin took place in Alaska, United States. International media are reporting that there was no solution to the Ukraine war, no agreement, and that the Putin–Trump talks failed. Since the announcement of the meeting, the matter had been the talk of the world; but no one has clearly said what the agenda of the talks was, or what the aim was. Mainly, the discussion was about Ukraine; but there was no question of any agreement or treaty.
Why China and India choosing friendship over hostility
At the outset, it is relevant to mention a brief history of how India’s relationship with the United States turned from friendship to hostility, and how India is now having to consider China for a safe, close friendship.