IDR Blog
An Empire and its Nervous Periphery
China has been expanding its boundaries to fulfil its dream of becoming the world’s most powerful nation. But the picture is not rosy. Resentment among the best of China’s friends is growing. Since the new Emperor sat on the throne in Beijing in 2012, the Middle Kingdom has steadily extended its influence in the periphery of the Empire....
Pakistan: The Army Rules while charade of Democracy Continues
In the course of history there are innumerable instances of political power being usurped through deceit. The world has seen proxy rulers, all powerful regents to monarchs, alternative power centers et al. In the modern context, where democracy and empowerment of the people has emerged as the most preferred and acceptable political choice, many...
China's Game Plan to Ease Out US- Suceeding?
China for decades has chafed at the overwhelming geopolitical and military predominance that the United States had superimposed in the Western Pacific at China’s doorsteps. China for decades has employed various geopolitical and military stratagems to prompt the exit of the United States from the Western Pacific. In 2018, China seems to be...
Dialogue a must to prevent escalations along volatile India-Pakistan border
The Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of Pakistan and India re-affirmed their commitment last month to follow the 2003 Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) ‘in letter and in spirit.’ This was a much desired outcome because there has been a manifold increase in ceasefire violations (CFVs) over the past few years. This ceasefire...
Follow the Party: But where are the Tibetans' Allegiance?
On July 4, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) Central Committee, called on the CPC members to implement “the Party’s organizational line for the new era and make the Party stronger.” Efforts were required to break new ground in “the great new project of Party building,” he said. Xi added: “In order to...