1. Israel’s Ground Offensive Faces Limitations in Destroying Hamas’ Tunnels, RAND Analysts
A study by Raphael S. Cohen of the RAND Corporation says that Israel’s ongoing ground offensive in Gaza is not strong enough to get through Hamas’s complex network of tunnels, even though it is seen as strategically important for both the US and Israel. Even though it might be possible for Israel to take over the Gaza Strip, experts warn that this might not lead to a more peaceful future because Hamas may still have power.
2. Israel-Hamas Conflict Triggers Global Crisis, ASPI Analysts
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict is escalating into a global crisis with far-reaching consequences surpassing regional boundaries, ASPI analysts, led by Mark Leonard, warn. While the immediate impacts are felt in the Middle East, the reverberations are predicted to affect global geopolitics, with Ukraine emerging as one of the major losers.
3. US-Saudi Relations in Question as Saudi Arabia Navigates the Shifting World Order, Carnegie Experts Suggest
The relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia has entered a complex phase, with the breakdown of the traditional oil-for-security agreement and shifting geopolitical dynamics, as analyzed by Christopher S. Chivvis of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Washington’s current focus on redirecting Saudi Arabia away from China might pose challenges, compelling the US to reassess the costs and benefits of this partnership.
4. India-Israel Ties Witness Strategic Shift Amidst Escalating Middle East Conflict, USIP Analysts Report
India’s response to the Israel-Hamas war signals a strategic shift, observed by Daniel Markey of the United States Institute of Peace. However, experts emphasize that this shift doesn’t imply complete alignment with any particular group in the Middle East. Instead, it reflects India’s nuanced approach, considering its own national identity and BJP thinking.
5. Iran-India Bilateral Trade Declines Amidst JCPOA Fallout, VIF Report Highlights
Bilateral trade between Iran and India has witnessed a decline following the fallout of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), emphasizing the centrality of energy trade in their relationship, according to a report by Sakshi Chaudhari from the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF).
6. Australia and India Bolster Military Presence in Indian Ocean to Counter Chinese Naval Expansion, FPRI Analysis Reveals
Australia and India are actively monitoring and countering Chinese naval activities in crucial waterways, such as the Malacca, Lombok, and Sunda Straits. This strategic response, emphasized in Felix K. Chang’s analysis for the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI), involves India establishing naval air stations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Australia strengthening military bases. These synchronized efforts indicate a strategic collaboration aimed at containing China amid escalating geopolitical tensions.