FOCUS | THEMATIC | WEST ASIA & NORTH AFRICA
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Special Commentary
The War in West Asia: A Stress Test for India’s Multi-alignment?
Muneer Ahmed. · 12 Jun, 2026 · #5909 · Commentary
The ongoing US-Israel war on Iran has created one of the most stressful diplomatic scenarios India has dealt with in West Asia. Among others, it complicates India’s two most vital yet parallel relationships with the US and Russia. India is simultan ...
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The Challenges to Humanitarian Aid in Sudan
Angelina Jain. · 30 Jan, 2026 · #5903 · Commentary
Sudan is currently locked in a civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by Abdul Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, both fighting for control over the country. With fighting ongoing since ...
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Defining Trends from a Year of Conflict in West Asia
Muneer Ahmed. · 17 Jan, 2025 · #5884 · Commentary
Since October 2023, violence in West Asia, particularly between Israel and factions in Gaza and Lebanon, has seen substantial escalation. This conflict has significantly reshaped the region, impacting not only military strategies but also diplomatic ...
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East Asia Compass
The Dangers of China’s Approach to Peace Mediation
Dr Sandip Kumar Mishra. · 27 Aug, 2024 · #5879 · Commentary
China recently invited representatives from 14 Palestinian groups for reconciliation talks; the meeting was held on on 21-24 July in Beijing. These talks were meant to be for ‘peacemaking’ in West Asia. Participants signed a Beijing Declaration, ...
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Out of the Shadows: How Israel and Iran Benefit from Escalation
Muneer Ahmed & Siddharth Anil Nair. · 29 Apr, 2024 · #5876 · Commentary
While the spectre of inter-state conflict has loomed large over West Asia these past few months, it appears now to be at a defining moment. The international crisis—spanning three continents—triggered by Israel’s invasion of Gaza in response to ...
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What Explains the Decadal Upswing in India-UAE Relations?
Muneer Ahmed. · 31 Mar, 2024 · #5873 · Commentary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s seventh visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in February this year marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations. The visit saw an extensive review of the strategic partnership, with discussion on new areas ...
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Tiers of Motivation: Bilateral and Regional Drivers of the Iran-Pakistan Missile Strikes
Muneer Ahmed. · 30 Jan, 2024 · #5868 · Commentary
On 16 January, Iran launched highly
coordinated precision strikes in Pakistan’s Balochistan, while Pakistan retaliated on 18
January, after protesting diplomatically. These strikes were conducted across Goldsmid
line, which demarcates Pakistan†...
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Why the Conflict in West Asia is Complicating India’s Maritime Security
Siddharth Anil Nair. · 25 Jan, 2024 · #5866 · Commentary
India’s
fundamental maritime security objective is to deter conflict and coercion
from the sea. Recent developments in its regional security environment have
created new complications in this pursuit. The conflict in West Asia has
extended into ...
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The Strategist
Saudi Arabia’s Quest for the Ultimate Political Play-Off
Vice Admiral Vijay Shankar. · 28 Feb, 2023 · #5843 · Commentary
The Saudi strategic gambit
continues to face challenges. There are obstacles in the withdrawal of American
interests from the region and ramifications from the USS Quincy Memorandum, the resultant power vacuum, and
power play between states like C ...
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Why is China Interested in Africa’s Ports?
Rahul Karan Reddy. · 08 Oct, 2021 · #5790 · Commentary
Ports are
critical to the success of China’s Maritime Silk Road (MSR) initiative, linking
the mainland to large and untapped markets across the Indian Ocean. Beijing’s
extensive investments in Africa’s seaports are driven by a blend of lucra ...
