The Coming Peace in Afghanistan

[Yead Mirza]
USA's growing desperation to end the Afghan war – driven by the understanding of 'costs versus benefits' of the longdrawn conflict –  would bring about a positive result for achieving peace in not-so-distant future.

Trump Administration’s Mideast Policy

[John Bruton]
Trump Administration's Middle East policy is increasing the risk of unintended conflict between the US forces and Iranian forces & loyal militias. The policy is also making a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict impossible and a one-state solution more inevitable.

America: the ‘Shining City on a Hill’ or the ‘Dark Village in a Valley’?

[Michael Curtin] In the 18 months of the Trump presidency, the bedrock principles – upon which the US democracy was founded – have been torn asunder. The dual mantras of "America First" and "Make America Great Again" are simply code names for isolationism. The dismantling of the liberal international order – which has served the US's interests quite well for the better part of the past 70 years – is being witnessed in real time.

Inside Putin’s Head

[Cynthia M. Lardner] Russian President Vladimir Putin tries to legitimize his disregard of the 'rule of law' by claiming that all former territories dating back to the Byzantine Era and native Russian speakers must be protected by “Mother Russia”. However, the reality is: these territories give Russia access to warm water ports necessary to ship its oil and weapons.

Xi Jinping, the Revered

[Felix Imonti] During the National People’s Congress (NPC) in October of 2017, Xi's failure to mention his successor was an implied hint to his intention to remain the chairman of the Communist Party for as long as he chooses; and the NPC has granted him a limitless reign.

Indo-US Strategic Relations: Strengths and Limits

[Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra] Strategic relations between the US and India evolved steadily and were steered by multiple factors like size and population of India, impact of Indian soft power on US's leaders and people, relative stability of Indian political and economic system necessary for bilateral trade-and-investment and the alignment of interests of these two countries in containing a militarily assertive and muscular China. However, the Indo-US strategic relations may not be as promising as some leaders and scholars from both sides epitomize such as natural allies or defining partners, but the history suggests that the relations will not decline rather will witness a steady rise.

The Necessity of Multilateralism

[Cynthia M. Lardner] It is not just multilateral relations between countries that are suffering, it is also the institutions created through multilateral treaties, especially those tied to the Rome Statue, that are failing their essential purpose. Even the stability of the EU has been threatened by nationalism, including Brexit.