Category: Geopolitics

Boris Johnson’s recent appointment as the Prime Minister (PM) of the UK has caused the Scottish independence debate to gain significant traction. Scotland voted to remain in the EU in the 2016 referendum, and it is thus likely that the Johnson premiership and its leaning towards a no-deal Brexit will provide further momentum to the…

A British oil tanker and a British-owned Liberian-flagged ship were seized by the IRGC in the Strait of Hormuz. Is Iran leveraging its geostrategic advantage in the Strait of Hormuz as tensions with the US and its allies continue to rise?

With the Trump administration desperate for a quick and honourable exit from Afghanistan, the role of Pakistan is to facilitate it by bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table. Can the unique compulsions of the two countries put back on track what has been a dysfunctional marriage for the best part of the decade?

Amidst the ongoing tensions in the Persian Gulf and the blockade by the Saudi led coalition, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani visited Washington to discuss security in the Gulf and strengthening of economic ties. Can the relationship between the US and Qatar overcome uncertainty?

Japan will strengthen restrictions on exports of materials used in smartphone displays and chips to South Korea amidst a growing dispute over South Koreans forced to work for Japanese firms during World War Two. Have Seoul and Tokyo decided that their animosity is more meaningful than their affinity and how will it affect policies with…

Cash-strapped Pakistan has secured a bailout package of $3 billion from Qatar. Is Pakistan able to convince more lenders to bail itself out of this economic predicament? Would this mean broadening its strategic partnerships and moving entirely out of the Saudi US camp to engage countries like Qatar and Turkey?

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area and richest in terms of resources, is reeling under insurgency for more than 15 years. Is it not high time for the Government in Pakistan to move away from its much-touted alpha male military approach and begin the process of political dialogue to resolve the conflict?

The Chinese President Xi Jinping recently met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un just a few days ahead of scheduled talks with Donald Trump at the G20 Summit. What are the strategic implications of stronger ties between China and North Korea, amidst escalating tensions in the South China Sea?