Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

West Asia Roundup - December 2019

Dr Hirak Jyoti Das, Associate Fellow, VIF

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

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

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

West Asia and North Africa Roundup 2019

Dr Hirak Jyoti Das, Associate Fellow, VIF

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

As the Killing of Top Iran General marks a Tipping Point in the Crisis in the Middle East, Who has the Most to Fear

Col Rajeev Agarwal

In the early hours of 03 January, Iran's most powerful military commander, General Qasem Soleimani was killed by an air strike at Baghdad airport in a precision strike carried out by the US. The attack, based on specific intelligence, was carried out

January 06, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Article, India, Iran, Trump, Kata'ib Hezbollah, Quds Force, Nancy Pelosy, Ali Khameini

Role of Civilizational Dialogue in Countering Terrorism and Radicalisation

Amb Anil Trigunayat, Distinguished Fellow, VIF

Since the latter half of 20th century radicalisation and acts of terrorism have become a global challenge. Non-state actors often supported by “Evil” states cause an incalculable damage on the civilised and peace-loving societies. Political ends

December 17, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy, Featured, West Asia, Article, Radicalisation, Countering Terrorism, ME Security Forum

West Asia Round-up - November 2019

Dr Hirak Jyoti Das, Associate Fellow, VIF

Overview

Efforts are underway to de-escalate tensions between Iran on the one side and the US and Saudi Arabia on the other. Oman’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi had met Secretary Pompeo in Washington and

December 06, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Article, Iran protests, Iraq demonstrations, Gaza strikes, West Bank settlement

West Asia Round-Up: October 2019

Amb Anil Trigunayat, Distinguished Fellow, VIF

Abstract

Arab Spring 2.0 is in full view. The Middle East continued to reverberate with protests and demonstrations against regimes in several countries leading to the exit or resignations of the leaders in Lebanon and Iraq in the same

November 13, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Article, Arab Spring 2.0, leadership crisis in Arabia, Turkey’s attack on Kurds