Editorial: Global Phenomena of Gen Z Protests
People called 2019 as the “year of the protest” as civil unrest flooded streets from Hong Kong to Egypt. Before that it was 2011, marked Occupy Wall Street and Arab Spring’s pro-democracy uprisings in Middle East. But now, with what are being called Gen Z protests spreading around the world, 2025 could steal that title. From Africa to Asia, Gen Z has emerged as a formidable force in global protests, challenging governments over issues ranging from economic inequality to digital rights. Armed with smartphones, social media, and an unflinching sense of purpose, young people are standing up to systems they believe have failed them. Wave of youth-led protests has hit streets in Nepal, Morocco, Madagascar, Philippines, Indonesia, all of them mobilizing support online, driven by frustration against government corruption or incompetence. Read More
Understanding the Impact of Israel’s Technological-Warfare in Gaza-Conflict for Global Anti-Terror Policies
The Israel-Gaza conflict is a case study of imbalance of power in terms of technology, intelligence, military might and endurance between state and non-state actors. The involvement of Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthi’s to some extent has allowed Israel to display its multi-spectrum warfare capacities in a broad domain involving their intelligence agencies which have coordinated with their military to deliver credible blows to their adversaries. Israel thus has demonstrated the capacity to engage and disable the capabilities of multi-front non-state threats. But do this technological warfare strategies herald a new beginning in the anti-terror policies all over the world? Two events from the Israel-Gaza conflict: the Lebanon’s pager explosions against Hezbollah members and accurate geolocation of Hezbollah’s chief are used as case studies in this paper to determine whether those tactics can act as credible measures for nations facing similar threats. Also, the global impact, scope, limitations and future improvements of these operations will also be scrutinized to understand whether these types of operations can be repeated in future in alternate theatres for other nations to generate effective deterrence against terrorist groups. Read More
Maritime Terrorism in the Indian Ocean Region
The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) poses a significant threat to international security and economic stability due to maritime terrorism. As a crucial route for global trade, the IOR encompasses vital Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) and strategic chokepoints. The threats of illegal activities like piracy, terrorism, smuggling etc. are increasing in the region day by day. Terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, have expanded their illegal operations to include violence via land, sea, air, and cyberspace, making the security landscape more and more complex. These terrorist groups exploit marine areas for illegal activities such as trafficking and smuggling of drugs and weapons. The connection between piracy and terrorism further complicates the situation, as pirates often collaborate with terrorist organizations. Read More
From Prohibition to Prevention: A 50-Year Retrospective on the Biological Weapons Convention and its Institutional Framework
Now 50 years down, the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) has gained prominence. It is basically the first multilateral disarmament treaty to ban an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. Since its inception the Convention has been a key component of the global disarmament regime, codifying a strong and long-standing norm that the use of biological weapons would be repugnant to the conscience of humanity. The total 188 countries’ adherence to the convention itself is a testimony to the importance and significance of the BWC as a safeguard to mankind. BWC has been put forth on the basis of Geneva Protocol, which was signed in 1925, to eliminate the threat of weapons of mass destruction. This research article provides the past and present of the convention and the ‘glimmers of hope’ from the Ninth Review Conference’ which was held in November 2022 to make thoughtful proposals for approaches to identify and respond to the potential challenges in the future. Read More
India’s strategic outreach to Maldives and its strategic connotation in the Indian Ocean
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Maldives has opened an important gambit in India’s strategic posturing towards the greater Indian Ocean. The warm welcome given to the Prime Minister during the country’s 60th Independence Day has increased India’s strategic radar towards the atoll nation generally and more specifically to the Western India Ocean. The trip and strategic significant of it is a continuation of India’s increased engagements with countries in the atoll nations and also develop its own military capabilities in its island outpost such as Lakshadweep which has got increased strategic interest from New Delhi. Further, India wishes to nullify China’s Island Strategy of encircling India’s immediate neighbourhood with Beijing’s military outpost. Further, the trip was a paradigm shift in India’s strategic outreach towards Maldives as previously Indian military personnel were asked to leave the atoll country following Maldivian President Muizzu taking power in 2024. In that regard, strategic observers within India note that the Indian Prime Minister visit to Maldives is a continuation of the neighborhood first policy developed the Modi government. The visit will amplify India’s strategic emphasis in the Indian Ocean as a part of its overall maritime security strategy in the wider Indo Pacific region. Read More
Analysing Status of Indo-USA Defence and Mutual National Security Agreements amidst the Tariff War
The Indo-American strategic partnership, once labeled as the breakthrough relationship of the 21st century, faces new trajectories in 2025, particularly after the United States imposed tariffs on Indian exports and witnessed Prime Minister Modi's political exchanges with Presidents Putin and Xi Jinping. This analysis will reflect on the state of defence agreements and national security partnerships between India and the United States amid the growing geopolitical tensions; and if the institutional mechanisms will withstand the impact of economic coercion and changing diplomatic dispositions. It also provides pragmatic policy recommendations for government on how to maintain vital security cooperation while recognizing legitimate national interests. Read More
The National Emergency in India (1975–1977): Constitutional Breakdown, Authoritarianism, and Democratic Redemption
Every nation is obligated to protect its own existence, and governments possess the right to employ extraordinary measures when ordinary powers prove insufficient. Threats such as war, armed rebellion, and economic crises cannot always be addressed within the framework of normal governance, which is why constitutional provisions for emergencies exist. The Constitution of India provides such powers under Part XVIII (Articles 352–360). Read More
Locating India and United States Relations: From Partners to Ally under the Dragon’s Shadow
India and the USA might ally with limitless potential. The countries are big on democratic rights and values which are the pillars of a free society. In the current world order, both countries have put the past behind them and are working together though not at a great speed for preserving the current rulesbased order under the Dragon’s shadow. With India's potential to be a major military power and advantageous geographic location, the United States can keep China's aspirations in check in the modern world. India also gains from this alliance as it gets closer to the advanced economies of the West and can take advantage of the advanced technologies that come with that proximity. India's strategic autonomy may be preserved while the USA and India's relationship is strengthened from partnership to alliance. Read More
Palestinian Refugees in the Trump World Order
As this is written, the contours of Trump administration’s “solution” to the Palestinian refugee problem with particular focus on Gaza are not clear except for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s condescending remarks in Washington DC on 7 July that US and Israel are working with other countries “who would give Palestinians a better future” suggesting that the Gaza residents could move to neighbouring countries. Read More
