COMMENTARIES
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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 diplomat...
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At the Edge of a State: Examining Rohingya Marginalisation in Myanmar
Fiona Raval · 08 Jan, 2025 · #5883 · Commentary
As the civil war in Myanmar intensifies, the long-standing brutalities committed against the Rohingya have also seen a surge. This escalation has prompted the UN to state that it fears a repeat of the excesses committed against the group in 2017 a...
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East Asia Compass
Yoon Suk-yeol and Martial Law in South Korea
Dr Sandip Kumar Mishra · 13 Dec, 2024 · #5882 · Commentary · Column
While South Korea’s economic, technological, and cultural prowess is very sophisticated, its political leaders are still immature and democratic institutions continue to be weak. That said, the South Korean public’s democracy spirit is indomit...
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East Asia Compass
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and the Future of Japanese Politics
Dr Sandip Kumar Mishra · 24 Oct, 2024 · #5881 · Commentary · Column
In Japan’s post-Shinzo Abe era, the old days of frequent changes in top leaders appears to have arrived again. This will have implications for the country’s domestic as well as its foreign policy. Japan needs continuity and credibility in its ...
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US, China, EU, and the Geopolitics of the Energy Transition
Tapan Bharadwaj. · 30 Aug, 2024 · #5880 · Commentary
The US and the EU have both recently announced punitive tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) and other clean energy equipment imports from China. Canada is set to follow suit. The West is clearly determined to challenge China's domination in clean e...
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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 · Column
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 Declaratio...
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Conflict Mediation with Chinese Characteristics: Evaluating Beijing’s Role as Peace-Broker
Fiona Raval · 15 Jul, 2024 · #5878 · Commentary
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy recently identified China as one of the few global actors with enough power and influence to help terminate the war with Russia. China’s peace proposals have garnered attention even in the Israel-Gaza conflict. With...
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East Asia Compass
Alliance-Making: The Meaning of Putin’s Visit to North Korea
Dr Sandip Kumar Mishra · 27 Jun, 2024 · #5877 · Commentary · Column
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea after a gap of 24 years, on 19 June 2024. On his last historic visit in 2000, Russia and North Korea signed a Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation, which was a version of t...
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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...
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East Asia Compass
South Korea: Interpreting the National Assembly Election Results
Dr Sandip Kumar Mishra · 29 Apr, 2024 · #5875 · Commentary · Column
The opposition Democratic Party maintained its majority in the elections to the South Korean National Assembly that took place on 10 April 2024. Overall, opposition parties in South Korea won a total of 192 seats in the 300-member National Assembl...
