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Global Developments and Analysis: Weekly Monitor (12-18 February 2024)

Economic

China puts high expectations on ‘new productive forces’ in search for sustainable growth engines
In recent communications, China’s leaders and media have frequently used the phrase “new productive forces” wh....

February 27, 2024 NATO , Covid-19 International Daily Scan , Kim Yo Jong , Zelensky , recession , Prabowo Subianto , New Productive Forces , Vertical Corridor , Myanmar Conscription Law , TB
Neighborhood News Digest- 27 February 2024

Afghanistan
Afghanistan launches Polio Vaccination campaign- The Khama Press
The Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with international organizations, has initiated the second sub-national polio vaccination campaign fo....

February 27, 2024 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , China , Russia , Maldives , Iran , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Japan , India-Nepal , Bangladesh , Cyber Security , Inflation , UN , Parliamentary elections , PPP , Crypto , China-Bhutan , Maldives-India relations , Climate action , Ministry of Industry and Commerce , Maryam Nawaz , Foreign Fund , Shan , Thailand-Myanmar-India.
Changing Contours of Drone Warfare – Dawn of a New Reality
Sunil Yadav, Senior Fellow, VIF Article

Introduction
Military drones have become an indispensable tool in modern warfare, and stand poised to shape the contours of all future wars. Use of drones in warfare is not new, they were used in Vietnam, in the Kosovo war, Afghanistan, ....

February 27, 2024 National Security and Strategic Studies , Defence , Article , Drone swarms , Military drones , Male , FPV drones , Techno Guerrilla warfare , MQ-9 Reaper , Black Hornet , cardboard drones , loitering munitions , cost effectiveness , HALE , anti drone systems
Chinese President Xi Jinping Beset by Growing Popular Discontent
Jayadeva Ranade Article

Faced with increasing popular discontent, Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese leadership have since the 19th Party Congress in 2017 been focussed on trying to assert the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s pre-eminence in all sectors and ensur....

February 26, 2024 International Relations and Diplomacy , China , Article , Xi Jinping , CCP , Demonstrations , Strikes , MPS , HRIC , National Statistics Bureau , salary reduction
Neighborhood News Digest- 26 February 2024

Afghanistan
Islamic Emirate Political, Economic Delegation Travels to Turkmenistan-Tolo News
The acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has led a delegation to Turkmenistan following an official invitation of the foreign mi....

February 26, 2024 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , China , ASEAN , Maldives , Sri Lanka , India-Nepal , Punjab , Bangladesh , Turkmenistan , Doha , Tourism , World Bank , Islamic Emirate , PTI , PPP , Myanmar-Bangladesh , US-Bangladesh , Dosti Military Exercise , Maldives Economic Gateway Project , Sri Lankan Army , Political Prisoners , WSF , Bangladesh-Nepal , Myanmar-Sri Lanka , Myanmar-India.
As Russia-Ukraine conflict reaches two year mark, it is advantage Putin
Amb D.B. Venkatesh Varma, Distinguished Fellow, VIF Article

With the West locked into a semi-permanent conflict with Russia, and the fraying deterrence equations between the big powers, the consequent disequilibrium on the Eurasian continent is a matter of deep concern. It works primarily to China’s advanta....

February 24, 2024 International Relations and Diplomacy , Russia , Article , Russia , Putin , NATO , Ukraine Conflict
Ongoing Russia-Ukraine War 2022-2024: Battleground of Adaptations and Innovations
Lt Gen (Dr) Rakesh Sharma (Retd.), Distinguished Fellow, VIF Article

The war that commenced on 24 February 2022 between Ukraine and Russia, has limited parallels with the ongoing war! The sheer dynamism in adaptation, by initiative, ingenuity and vitality of the battleground and industrial interface, is a lesson by it....

February 23, 2024 International Relations and Diplomacy , Article , Russia , Ukraine , Drones , HIMARS , Decoys , End game , EW
Neighborhood News Digest- 23 February 2024

Afghanistan
Stanikzai: Foreign-Based Women Do Not Represent Afghan Women-Tolo News
The Deputy Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate said that female participants of international meetings on Afghanistan cannot represent Afgh....

February 23, 2024 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , Nepal , Maldives , Myanmar , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , Punjab , Bangladesh , Imran Khan , IMF , Durand Line , ECTA , BNP , India-Sri Lanka , US-Bangladesh , Xiang Yang Hong 03 , India- Bhutan , China Research Vessel , Weaving , Dosti Military Exercise
Recent Developments and Trends in South East Asia-An Update
Brig Vinod Anand, Senior Fellow, VIF Commentary

In the intertwined world of today it is axiomatic the developments at the international level will have impact on regional responses and outcomes. The year 2023 saw recovery of the SE Asian nations from the impact of Covid-19 and resultant improvemen....

February 22, 2024 International Relations and Diplomacy , Commentary , China , ASEAN , Myanmar , Philippines , Vietnam , COC , SCS
Neighborhood News Digest- 22 February 2024

Afghanistan
Construction Work on Second Phase of Qosh Tepa Canal Begins- Tolo News
The Islamic Emirate said that construction work on the second phase of the Qosh Tepa Canal which stretches from Dawlat Abad district of Balkh p....

February 22, 2024 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , US , Nepal , Maldives , Myanmar , Mizoram , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , Bangladesh , Doha , Inflation , PTI , NGO , Xiang Yang Hong 03 , International Court of Justice (ICJ) , MQM , China Research Vessel , U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) , Delhi-Dhaka ties , Sri Lanka-Iran , Islami Front
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