On Recent Developments in West Asia Politics – 2 Articles
“Trump Bends the Arc of History in West Asia”; and: “Russia-Iran Treaty Signifies a ‘Breakthrough’ in Ties”.
US-India: Diamonds Are Not Forever
There is a saying that our dreams ought to be what define our individuality. As the English poet and philosopher William Blake put it in sharper focus, ‘No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings’. But the Modi Government’s diplomacy leaps out of Kautilya’s Arthashastra.
Capitalism | Online Blog | USA
Death of Petrodollar Is a Biden Legacy
The Saudi royals never forget or forgive. They also have infinite patience and their own concept of time and space. And last Sunday, June 9, they struck. In great royal style, last Sunday, Riyadh simply let the 50-year-old petrodollar agreement between the US and Saudi Arabia to expire.
Online Blog | Russia | Ukraine | USA | World Politics
Countdown Begins for Russia’s Ukraine Offensive
The US and its G7 partners are in panic mode. They lack conviction about Ukraine’s capability to disrupt the momentum of a major Russian offensive that is widely expected in summer. There is even a sense of dark foreboding that the Ukrainian military may simply pack up in the coming months.
‘Swarming’ the US in West Asia, Until it Folds
The US is so deeply mired in an unwinnable battle from the Levant to the Persian Gulf that only its adversaries in China, Russia, and Iran can bail it out.
Decoding Iran’s Missile, Drone Strikes
The stunning missile and drone strikes on three countries — Syria, Iraq and Pakistan — over a period of 24 hours and Tehran announcing its responsibility for the attacks conveyed a very big message to Washington that its stratagem to create a coalition of terror groups in the region surrounding Iran will be resolutely countered.
India Gets a Rude Awakening in West Asia
Prescience is often lacking in India’s West Asia strategy. This is not a region for one-dimensional men. It has been a strategic mistake to be aligned to the US and its allies in the Indian Ocean under the rubric of ‘maritime security’.
India | Online Blog | USA
Diplomatic Blow to India as Biden Turns Down Invite
Since the Pannun case involves a major foreign power such as India, the indictment would have been vetted by the State Department and the White House. Unsurprisingly, Biden has regretted the Indian invitation to be the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day.
India’s BRICS Quandary Deepens
India is no longer enamoured of the BRICS as a vehicle challenging the US-dominated international institutions when Delhi is content with being a status quoist so long as Washington embraces it as its “indispensable partner”.
India, US are on Pathway to Contain China
The big picture is that after audaciously claiming the mantle of leadership of the Global South as recently as in September, in a span of over two months, India is gliding over to the American camp as the US’ indispensable ally, even aspiring to be a “global defence hub” with Pentagon’s help.