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- Gaza and Re-Imagining International Order: Gaza conflict has highlighted the breakdown of international norms, the limits of American authority in the Middle East, and the growing West-Global South divide. The choice is stark: leaders must accept that today’s threats and challenges require different, more inclusive, and cooperative ways, or risk a more confrontational and anarchic world. (Bobo Lo, Lowy Institute)
- How The Israel-Hamas War Is Testing China’s Diplomatic Ambitions in The Middle East China is testing its diplomatic ambitions in the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war, aiming to differentiate itself from the West’s support for Israel and gain favor in the global south. The conflict has revealed China’s lack of political weight in the region and an opportunity for European engagement. Despite maintaining balanced relations with Iran, Israel, and the Arab states, China’s support of the Palestinian cause has remained mainly rhetorical. (Camille Lons, ECFR)
- Afghanistan Opium Cultivation in 2023 Declined 95 Per Cent Following Drug Ban: SinceTaliban banned opium poppy growing in April 2022, opium cultivation has dropped by 95% across Afghanistan, from 233,000 hectares to 10,800 hectares in 2023, according to New UNODC Survey. Farmers in the Farah, Hilmand, Kandahar, and Nangahar provinces have turned to cereal cultivation, but this generates much less income than opium. (Press Release, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
- Pakistan’s Long Journey Toward Sustainable Growth Requires Timely, Free, and Fair Elections Political and economic instability in Pakistan is rising, with inflation hovering at 30% and economic growth declining. Announcement of national elections on Feb 8, 2024, is promising. It is important for the military to be seen simply as a provider of security; hence should extract itself from both overt and covert electoral interference. So long as ongoing political instability remains, Pakistan’s economic and foreign policy will remain chaotic. (Uzair Younus, Atlantic Council)
- India’s Emerging Challenge in Bhutan: Bhutan’s first foreign minister, Tandi Dorji, visited China, bringing the two countries closer to ending their decades-old territorial dispute. This normalization signifies the normalization of diplomatic relations, influenced by Bhutan’s reservations about opening up to the world and great power politics. However, new challenges may arise as both Beijing and Bhutan move from dispute negotiation to border demarcation. (Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy and Harsh V. Pant, ORF)
