Home Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF
COVID-19: Developments in North Africa
Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF

The North African region in relative terms has managed to contain the transmission of the pandemic and the number of confirmed cases until 31 March 2020 has remained under 1000 in all the five states. Egypt was the first African state and second in t

April 04, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, Africa, Article, North Africa, COVID-19, Algeria, Developments in North Africa
COVID-19: Developments in West Asia
Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF

The West Asian region is presently one of the worst affected regions hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The UAE was the first state in the region to report a positive case. Iran subsequently, emerged as a major hotspot for the transmission of the virus in

April 03, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Article, COVID-19, Global response, Developments in West Asia, West Asian region, G20 summit
West Asia Roundup– February 2020
Amb Anil Trigunayat, Distinguished Fellow, VIF

Abstract: US-Taliban After a weeklong trial halt in violence by Taliban against US or Afghan targets the Peace Agreement was signed between US and Taliban in Doha that seeks to end the 19 years old war and presence of US forces in Afghanistan

March 11, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Article, Israel, India, US, Saudi, Taliban, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Iranian elections, Qatar hosts peace agreement, Idlib conflict, Hosni Mubarak’s death
The Changing Trends in Libyan Civil War
Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF

The civil war in Libya has its roots in the 2011 Arab Spring protests against the regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. The protests began after Day of Rage was announced in Benghazi on 17 February 2011 and quickly spread to other parts of the state. Th

February 20, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Article, Muammar Gaddafi; Fayez al-Sarraj; General Khalifa Haftar; NTC; GNC, GNA; LNA; Berlin Conclusions; proxy war
West Asia Roundup - January 2020
Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF

Abstract: The year ended on a sombre note and 2020 woke up to more accentuated volatility in West Asia pursuant to the targeted killing of highly influential Iranian IRIGC General Qassem Soleimani by the US drone strikes in Iraq ( Jan 3) while rep

February 13, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Article, Berlin Conference, US-Iran tensions, The Demise of Sultan Qaboos of Oman, US drone strikes in Iraq
Exploring Iran’s Domestic Dynamics towards the US
Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF

The internal political dynamics in Iran are divided into three blocs namely the clergy, the technocracy and the military and security forces. The interplay between the three blocs into the clergy-military; military-technocrat and clergy-technocrat al

January 31, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, US, West Asia, Article, JCPOA, IRGC, Kataeb Hezbollah, Hassan Rouhani, Qassim Soleimani, Popular Mobilisation Forces, Iran-US tensions
Analysing Iran’s Counter Strikes
Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF

Iran on 8 January 2020 launched 22 surface-to-surface missiles at two US military bases in Ain al-Asad base in Anbar province and one facility in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.1 The operation called, “Shahid Soleimani” has been claimed by

January 17, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Article, IRGC, Operation Shahid Soleimani, Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), Kataeb Hezbollah, War Powers Resolution
West Asia Roundup - December 2019
Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, 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 consequent

January 16, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy, West Asia, Article, US, Iran, Qatar, Islamic Ummah, Developments in Algeria, Attack on Southern
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 2019. On

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

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