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Losing Istanbul Twice: Erdogan’s Humbling Moment
Dr Yatharth Kachiar Article

Introduction
President Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (also known as AKP by its Turkish acronym) conceded a major defeat in the re-run of Istanbul mayoral elections on June 23 indicating a tectonic shift in Turkey’s po....

July 08, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Article , Turkish democracy , Istanbul shock , Erdogan’s dictatorial trends
West Asia Round up - June 2019
Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF Article

Abstract
June was a particularly hot month in so far as the developments in the Middle East are concerned. In the US-Iran imbroglio one witnessed a ‘hot & cold’ approach with the US continuing with its maximum pressure tactics whi....

July 05, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Article , US-Iran confrontation , Iran attacks US drone , Kushner’s Deal of the Century , Israel-Syria air attacks , Protests in Sudan
Iranian Nuclear Impasse: Perceptions, Political Posturing and Military Metaphors
Lt Gen Rameshwar Yadav, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Veteran) Article

Located on the cross roads of three continents and connectivity to the high seas, Persia has always been a perpetual conflict zone which speaks of martial legacy of its constituents. The resultant propensity for steadfast attitude has been an intrins....

July 04, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Article , Iran nuclear deal , US-Iran confrontation , Military situation in Iran
Escalating Tensions and Threat of Military Conflict in the Gulf Region: Who has the Edge?
Col Rajeev Agarwal Article

Introduction
The incident of Iranian military downing a US Drone flying over its airspace on 20 June 2019 evoked immediate and strong response from the US. Reports suggested the US President ordered retaliatory military strikes against Ir....

July 01, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Article , Confrontations in the Gulf , US-Iran conflict , Tension in West Asia
A Perilous Quadrangle: Iran, United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia
Amb K P Fabian Commentary

The world is witnessing with increasing alarm the escalating tension in West Asia. We do not know whether there will be a war. But we have reasons to fear that hostilities might break out if there is no de-escalation. We do not see, as yet, any signs....

June 19, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Commentary , Sanctions on Iran , Iran’s nuclear programme , Dangers of US-Iran confrontation
Contextualising the US-Iran Tensions
Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF Article

The recent stand-off between Iran and the United States (US) is rooted in US President Donald Trump’s announcement to withdraw from Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on 8 May 2018, arguing that Iran was violating the spirit of the deal by ....

June 18, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Article , Chabahar Port , US-Iran confrontation , withdrawal fro JCPOA , India’s oil imports
West Asia Review, May 2019
Amb Anil Trigunayat, Distinguished Fellow, VIF Article

US-Iran
May, the holy month of Ramadan, instead of ensuing peace, witnessed heightening of tensions in the Middle East region. On May 2, President Trump declared that no more waivers in purchase of oil will be allowed for the eight count....

June 10, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Article , West Asia developments , Confabulations in West Asia , Syria-India relation
Israel’s Dissolved Knesset
Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF Article

On 9 April 2019, national election was held in Israel in which the incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assumed victory. The ruling party, Likud maintained its lead in the 120 members Israeli Parliament, Knesset with 35 seats. Likud’s allies....

June 07, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Article , Israel elections , Netanyahu’s political test , political dissonance in Israel
US Sanctions, Iran’s Response and worsening Oil Situation
Amb D P Srivastava, Distinguished Fellow, VIF Commentary

President Rouhani in a nationally televised speech on 8th May announced that Iran would not be temporarily performing some of its obligations under the nuclear deal or Joint Comprehensive Action Plan (JCPOA). This is not withdrawal from th....

May 10, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Commentary , JCPOA , Iranian oil exports , India’s import bill
West Asia Round-up - April 2019
Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF Article

Libya Civil War
After eight years of Arab Spring the plight of the Libyans continues unabated. General Khalifa Haftar, debunking the proposed conference (power sharing agreement) that could have ushered in some stability through a dialog....

May 09, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Article
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