Vivekananda International Foundation | Seeking Harmony in Diversity

West Asia and North Africa Roundup 2019

Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, 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

Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, 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

The Arab Spring 2.0 in Full Swing

Amb Anil Trigunayat, Distinguished Fellow, VIF

The cinders of the Arab Spring of 2010-11 have been reignited after smouldering for a while given the mixed outcomes and unfulfilled promises and expectations. The countries starting with Tunisia, that underwent the revolutions, witnessed minor chang

November 11, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Commentary, Turmoil of protests in West Asia, Popular angst against regimes in Arab world, External meddling in Levant, Arab Spring 2.0

Narendra Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia

Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF

On 28 and 29 October 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to Saudi Arabia and met with King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud and the crown prince, Mohammed Bin Salman. The Indian Prime Minister also met with Saudi Environment, Water and

November 08, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Commentary, India, India-Saudi Arabia relations, Strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia

Iraq Protests and the Problem of Ethno-Sectarian Balancing

Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF

Iraq has been witnessing widespread protests that began in Baghdad on 1 October 2019 and spread throughout the state to express frustration about the deteriorating economic situation, corruption, unemployment, poverty, poor quality of services etc. T

October 25, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Article, Iraqi peoples’ woes, governance failures in Iraq

West Asia Round Up: September, 2019

Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF

Abstract

The Persian Gulf Crisis

The Middle East continued to worry the world especially in the wake of drone attacks on the two Saudi oil facilities that reduced the Saudi oil output by almost half. It displayed the vulnerabi

October 15, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Article, West Asia, Saudi-Iran initiative, Iran’s regional actions

The Attack on Saudi Oil: What Next?

Amb K P Fabian

The world learnt with tremendous shock, surprise, and a degree of distress about the attack on Saudi oil facilities at Abqaiq and Khurais, bringing down the Saudi oil giant Aramco’s oil production by 5.7 million barrels a day. The attack occurred o

September 30, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Article, Attack on Saudi oil, oil supply crisis, Iran-Houthi-Saudi tangle