Russia-CIS

Dr. Cherkaoui Roudani This observation by Steven Cook of the Council on Foreign Relations captures the profound metamorphosis of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. War has not disappeared; it has evolved into a system of governance, where violence is converted into a tool of calibrated adjustment. The October 2025 ceasefire between Israel …

Kamran Bokhari The Trump administration can build on its peace-deal momentum and push out Chinese influence in the Caucasus. From the US geopolitical perspective, Azerbaijan represents a pivotal strategic partner in Eurasia. Having played a key role in mediating a historic peace agreement between Azerbaijan and neighboring Armenia, …

Fatemeh Aman A limited return to Afghanistan would confer immense advantages to Washington while triggering second-order geopolitical repercussions among its rivals. President Donald Trump’s announcement that he intends to bring Bagram Air Base back under US control has set off fresh debate about America’s role in South and …

Dr. Shehab Al-Makahleh This is a summary of a paper I presented during a lecture at one of the leading global research centers, outlining my perspective on the similarities and differences between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin regarding domestic and foreign policy, and …

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have surged to their highest levels in decades, following deadly cross-border clashes that have pushed both nations to the brink of prolonged confrontation. At the centre of the crisis is Noor Wali Mehsud, leader of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), whom Islamabad blames for …

Dimitra Staikou Sun Tzu’s timeless maxim — “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting” — aptly captures China’s current approach to Taiwan. Rather than engaging in open warfare, Beijing is waging a multidimensional campaign of pressure and control — a hybrid war fought through cyberattacks, …

Pawan Deshpande Weakening America-India ties are not only a diplomatic error, they will likely prevent the country from doing well in the event of a new war. India’s deepening ties with Russia and China are more than a diplomatic setback. They strike at the heart of America’s ability …

Bushra Ikram The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), the only remaining bilateral arms control agreement between the United States (US) and Russia, is set to expire on February 5, 2026. The New START, which accounted for 90 percent of the world’s nuclear weapons, was signed in …

Shara A. Rondon Symbolism and Stagnation “BRICS in the international system: very relevant countries, but a group of limited importance.” (Viola, 2015) In 2009, BRICS held its first leaders’ summit in Yekaterinburg and since then has cultivated an oversized symbolic presence. BRICS promotes itself as the voice of …