Diplomacy
Is BRICS equipped to confront its challenges?
Russian President Vladimir Putin closed the BRICS summit, a bloc of developing economies, in the last week of October. Sanctions from the West have been aimed at cutting off Russia's economy from global markets. The conclave was the largest gathering of world leaders in Russia in decades. The 3-day summit attended by the highest officials of 36 countries was a testament to the West's failure of trying to isolate Russia and Putin globally.
Trump era sparks major changes in EU diplomacy
After losing to Joe Biden in the 2020 election, Donald Trump stirred controversy by rejecting the election results and inciting his supporters, leading to riots. Following lawsuits and criminal charges, many thought Trump’s political career was over. However, he surprised everyone by making a powerful comeback to the presidency, making history. In the 250-year history of the United States, such an event has occurred only once before. Former President Grover Cleveland lost the 1888 election after serving four years in office but returned to the White House by winning the 1892 election four years later. With Donald Trump's victory, the United States witnessed the repetition of that historic event after 132 years. Trump's win also set another record: he became the oldest person to be elected as President of the United States.
Why are the international conventions silent on genocide?
There is a long history of setting rules in human conflicts. However, before the modern era, no power had significant control over all countries, nor was there an alliance of allied nations to enforce or implement these desired rules. But by the mid-19th century, European countries began signing agreements among themselves, making it mandatory to follow international law. These European nations essentially agreed that based on these treaties, they had the authority to impose obligations on international law enforcement. In the middle of this century, these countries reached an agreement on maritime regulations, which became the first foundation of the laws of war. These laws gradually expanded during the 20th century, and some of them are still in force today. After the two world wars, the humanitarian aspects of these laws drew more attention, particularly in the context of eliminating human catastrophes and genocide.
Where is Trump's foreign policy headed?
Donald Trump is the 47th President of the United States. Presidential elections are pivotal in American politics, offering a reflection of voter sentiment toward various policies, economic programs, foreign relations, and global trade strategies. Without waiting for the final election updates, Trump announced himself as "President" in front of enthusiastic supporters in West Palm Beach, Florida. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris, who was also prepared to deliver a victory speech, refrained from doing so when it became apparent she wouldn’t win.
Why the US election matters to the world
A story from November 4. No, it's not a surreal or magical tale; it's a true story. I entered Karwan Bazar, the largest wholesale kitchen market in the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka, around noon. Along both sides of the street, a number of impoverished, underprivileged, uneducated, and working-class people were selling vegetables. Suddenly, I overheard one of them speaking in their regional dialect, saying, “This time, Trump will win.” My ears perked up. An interesting discussion! I stopped and stood still. I saw a man in a worn-out vest, a lungi (traditional cloth worn around the waist), and barefoot, selling red spinach and malabar spinach. Another vendor, in a similar condition, nodded in agreement to what the first one said.
Why a candidate with the most votes can lose in the US election
Citizens of the United States will vote to elect their next president on November 5. However, it is possible that the candidate who receives the most votes may not be declared the winner. The US democracy has some unique aspects that raise various questions. For a long time, the United States has portrayed its democracy as exemplary, particularly after achieving independence or removing autocratic leaders, serving as a model for countries rebuilding their democracies. Today, while Democrats embrace the idea of a multicultural democracy, Republicans are trying to revive the old white supremacy to make the country great again. As a result, the concepts of multicultural democracy and white supremacy are now at a conflicting juncture.
Attacks on Iran's oil facilities could trigger global economic shock
On October 1, Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles targeting Israel; according to Israeli statements, almost all missiles, except for one or two, were destroyed in the air. Meanwhile, Iran claims that 90 per cent of their missiles successfully hit their targets. There is some truth to Iran's statement; otherwise, Israel would not have been adding the US's most advanced missile defense system, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), to its defenses. Israel's air defense system, Iron Dome, was considered impenetrable against enemy-fired missiles, rockets, or warplanes. In addition to Iron Dome, Israel has long been using the US Patriot missile system, but this was deemed insufficient, leading to the addition of THAAD.
Kamala-Trump poll race and the future of Bangladesh politics
Trump fired off a post on the recent situation in Bangladesh on the X handle on October 31. In this post, he condemned the 'brutal violence' on religious minorities in Bangladesh. He also commented that a chaotic situation is prevailing in Bangladesh at present. The most important comment is 'It would have never happened on my watch'. The literal meaning of Trump's statement is that if he had the power of the United States, such an incident would not have happened in Bangladesh. Through this speech, Trump clarified the direct role of the United States in the recent politics in Bangladesh. This statement of the former US president about the political situation in Bangladesh carries a different meaning.
World is paying attention on November 5
Only a few days remain until the presidential election in the United States, the world's most powerful and influential country. There is intense excitement surrounding the event. All media outlets are reporting that a tough battle is shaping up. At this moment, both candidates and their campaign teams are diving into swing states—those states that could lean either way. To elaborate, the candidates are particularly focused on the states that helped Donald Trump win in 2016 but supported Joe Biden in 2020.
State of South Asian geopolitics in global competition
The geopolitical landscape in South Asia is shaped by the strategic rivalries and alliances among global and regional powers. China’s growing influence in the region, through economic and political ties with countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, is being countered by the United States, which seeks to minimize Beijing’s presence and control. At the heart of this complex geopolitical web is Bangladesh, a country with immense strategic value due to its geographical location and growing population. The political uncertainty in Bangladesh, including the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government due to external pressures from the US, adds another layer of complexity to the region's evolving dynamics.
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