Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

The media as well as some scholars refer to “Iran-U.S. confrontation” giving the wrong impression that both sides are equally responsible for the genesis of the current crisis in their relations, a crisis that brought the world to the brink of di

January 16, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, US, West Asia, Article, China, Russia, JCPOA, Soleimani, Hague Convention, Ukrainian plane crash

West Asia Roundup - December 2019

Dr Hirak Jyoti Das

Abstract:

Year 2019, in keeping with the ongoing trend of conflicts and hotspots in the region, ended in heightening tensions between US and Iran which does not portend well for 2020. Iraq has been facing series of demonstrations and co

January 16, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Article, US, Iran, Qatar, Islamic Ummah, Developments in Algeria, Attack on Southern

Trends in Central Asia in 2019

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF

In 2019, a major highlight of political trends in Central Asia was the steady development of intraregional relations, driven primarily by Uzbek President Shawkat Mirziyoyev’s neighbourhood-first initiative. There were several other socio-economic

January 14, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, Central Asia, Article, SCO, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Power transition in Kazakhstan, political rift in Kyrgyzstan, IS threats, Economic reforms in Uzbekistan, India- Central Asia Dialogue

Complicated 2019 for the International Oil Market and Trade

Aayush Mohanty

Introduction

The effects of the United States of America’s (U.S) pulling out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) in early 2018 had an impact on the global oil trade, which continued in 2019. The renewed unilateral sanction

January 13, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Article, US, Iran, energy, Oil

US and Iran in an Uneasy Calm

Amb Anil Trigunayat, Distinguished Fellow, VIF

President Trump has the uncanny habit of surprising the world by his unique and often contentious tweets on foreign policy issues. But this time it pleased many. “All is Well” tweeted President Trump after 20 odd Iranian missiles apparently targe

January 10, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, US, West Asia, Commentary, JCPOA, Trump, Arab Spring, Soleimani, Javad Jarief, missiles attack, unconditional talks

Assassination of General Soleimani and geo-political tensions in the Gulf

Amb D P Srivastava, Distinguished Fellow, VIF

Assassination of Major General Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Al Quds Forces in an American strike at Baghdad airport in the early hours of 3rd January sent shock waves in the region. Iran declared 3 days mourning and flags are being flown at half

January 09, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, US, West Asia, Article, Quds Force, IRGC, Soleimani, Mashad, Kitaib-Hizbullah, oil price

Chinese President Xi Jinping Faces Difficult Times Ahead

Jayadeva Ranade

There are clear indications that popular dissatisfaction and discontent with Chinese President Xi Jinping inside China continues to simmer just below the surface. The economic slowdown, unemployment and rising cost of living have contributed to the d

January 08, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, China, Commentary, Protests, BRI, China's universities, surveillance, leaks

The Soleimani Assassination : Taking it from There

Lt General S A Hasnain, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM (Bar), VSM (Bar) (Retd.), Distinguished Fellow, VIF

Since he kept a comparatively low profile as the commander of a strategic force designed to act clandestinely not many realized that Qasem Soleimani was virtually Number 2 in Iran’s effective hierarchy. That is why people are surprised by the asses

January 07, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Commentary, Kata'ib Hezbollah, Quds Force, Solemani, IRGC, Iraqi militias

Developments in the Indo-Pacific in 2019

Amruta Karambelkar

The Indo-Pacific as a geo-political idea has been in the currency since the last couple of years. In the year 2019 the idea seems to have gained more acceptance. In some measures, the stakeholders are working towards giving shape to this idea. Some

January 07, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, Indo-Pacific, Article, US, South China Sea, Bay of Bengal, Geo-political

West Asia and North Africa Roundup 2019

Dr Hirak Jyoti Das

A Year of Protests

In 2019, protests emerged in Algeria against the decision of the 82-year-old incumbent President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to contest in the presidential election for a fifth term which was originally scheduled on 18 April

January 06, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Article, Syria, West Asia, Libya, Yemen, Israel-Palestine Conflict, Election Review