Opinion

Gold is making a comeback as geopolitical strains reveal weaknesses of global economic systems. As countries are hit by economic pressure from the West, they see precious metals as a safeguard against their frozen assets, and their reliance on western currencies. But there is a need to approach the issue of Gold Against Sanctions with more criticality. Gold can add …

The purchase of the first aircraft carrier is a milestone in maritime security in Southeast Asia, especially for Indonesia. The Italian ship Giuseppe Garibaldi is now part of the Indonesian navy as KRI Sriwijaya and represents Jakarta’s future ambitions.  Indonesia Aircraft Carrier Marks a Strategic Shift Indonesia’s high archipelagic area requires effective maritime surveillance, speedy deployment, and reliable maritime support. …

China’s growing PLA Navy is reshaping the strategic environment of the Indo-Pacific, and threatening the existing power dynamics. Beijing’s investment in aircraft carriers, advanced warships and naval technologies have come to reflect its ambitions. China’s growing presence has, however, raised concerns with its neighbours on maritime security and territorial disputes, together with the future of regional stability. View this post …

As manufacturing growth in China changes the global economic landscape, it will present a major economic problem for Europe. Chinese businesses are increasing their involvement in the EV industry, batteries, renewable energy and new technologies. In the meantime, European manufacturers are suffering from increased costs and competition. The actual issue is whether Europe will be able to shield its industries, …

The Georgian ruling Georgian Dream party has been actively shaping the political debate in Georgia with the so-called “Global War Party” as one of the elements. This story implies that some strong personalities are pushing Georgia toward war with Russia. The government’s claim that it is acting to protect “peace and sovereignty,” however, also deflects criticism of the domestic political …

Russia is hitting a tough balance in its South Asia policy to keep relations with the Taliban going at the same time it strives to keep relations with Pakistan. Both ties are important for Moscow in terms of regional security issues, especially when terrorism is becoming a concern and issues on borders and economic integration are growing. Russia’s Kabul Islamabad …

China and Russia are increasingly cooperating on the Northern Sea Route, making the Arctic a new platform for strategic competition. It used to be used as a mainly seasonal shipping route but more and more is frameworked as the expansion to a network of shipping, energy, satellite navigation, infrastructure and security interests. From Experimental Route to Commercial Corridor The NSR …

The little-known rare earths of Myanmar may have the potential to make the historic Stilwell Road strategic again, but it will take much more than reopening an old wartime road to make that happen. For my part, I believe that the strategic importance of Northeast India connectivity and supply-chain diversification coupled with critical minerals can make the corridor strategically significant …

India’s attempts to purchase Russian crude oil in the face of Washington’s pressure should be viewed less as a symbolic campaign against Russia and more as a tactic of the bargaining table. The threat of tariffs, the flexibility in enforcement, coupled with negotiations with New Delhi, implies more force than fines are being deployed to secure more extensive concessions. But …

The purpose behind the formation of the Pacific Islands Forum is to give Pacific countries a powerful voice as a collective unit, but its most recent summit in Koror, Palau, has brought into light the challenging situation complicating this goal in the context of the ongoing rivalry among significant powers. Taiwan’s role in the Pacific Islands Forum had revealed the …