Nawaz Sharif’s Fall from the Pinnacle
In the Panama Case verdict, the House of Sharif, Pakistan’s first family, has been ousted from the power-equation. This is a major blow to Nawaz Sharif’s 35-year political career and legacy.
Politics,Central Asia,South Asia
Crisis Governance in Afghanistan and Need for Devolution
The stilted evolution of democracy in Afghanistan has been further affected by the existence and proliferation of competing centers of power outside the scope of the constitution. Parallel structures of governance have impacted the overall democratic structure adversely.
Politics,South Asia
Iraqi Foreign Minister Visits India to Reinvigorate Bilateral Ties
Politics,East Asia,South Asia
India-Japan Ties: The China Factor and Beyond
Politics,South Asia
Politics,South Asia
Will Panamagate Politically Paralyze Pakistan?
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been entangled in the Panamagate scandal revealed on April 3, 2016. The eight offshore companies listed in the Panama Papers are linked to his family members, including a daughter, two sons, and the in-laws of his brother.
Politics,China,Southeast Asia
Singapore’s Foreign Policy: Hard Choices for a Small State
As a small state, Singapore’s foreign policy is largely premised on a realist approach to international relations. At the same time, the question as to whether realism can be harmonized with a principled approach to the practice of diplomacy is worth pondering.
Politics,China,Southeast Asia
The Challenges Facing Cambodian Foreign Policy
Cambodia has recently become much closer to China in almost every respect, leading some scholars to label Cambodia-China relations as a client-patron relationship. Meanwhile, Cambodia’s bilateral relations with the US have been getting worse.
Politics,China,Southeast Asia
Cambodia’s Growing Defense Ties with China: What about the US?
Currently, Cambodia’s foreign policy faces significant challenges amid great power rivalry for regional influence. The high-level official defense visits between China and Cambodia highlight the strong cooperation which is widely seen to be at the expense of the US.
Politics,South Asia
Pakistan’s Middle East Predicament
In recent years, the downward spiral in Saudi-Iran relations, the worsening Syrian conflict, the Saudi-led war in Yemen, and the rise of new diplomatic rivalries between the Sunni Arab states have created new complications for Pakistan.
Politics,East Asia
American Tianxia: A Chinese Term for American Power
Contemporary East Asia seems to resemble much more an American tianxia than a Chinese one. And not just East Asia. America’s NATO allies are tightly integrated into US-centered security institutions, and the European Union is in effect controlled by NATO countries.
Politics,Hotspots
US FONOPs in the South China Sea: Q&A
The first FONOP under the Trump administration occurred in late May 2017, when the USS Dewey made a non-innocent passage within 12 nm of Mischief Reef. It raised questions as to the purpose and effectiveness of US FONOPs in the South China Sea.
Politics,South Asia
Modi’s Visit to Israel and Indian-Israeli Relations
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel in July 2017, in a year which marks the 25th anniversary of Indian-Israeli ties, is probably amongst his most important so far. The India-Israel FTA may move forward during Modi’s visit.
