China and Pacific region

The Rise of AI and the Future of Geopolitical Inequality from Bangladesh’s Perspective

January 23, 2025January 23, 2025

Bangladesh’s economy stands at a junction where AI could become a game-changer. With targeted efforts in textiles, healthcare, defence, and agriculture, the country could unlock new efficiencies and innovations. Developing AI systems tailored to local languages and cultures would amplify these benefits, turning linguistic diversity into a geopolitical asset. However, infrastructure gaps, skill shortages, and limited R&D investments are roadblocks that cannot be ignored. Addressing ethical concerns, such as data privacy and algorithmic fairness, will also be key to ensuring that AI’s benefits are equitably distributed.

The Whispering Shelves in China and the Tale of Korean Peninsula

December 27, 2024

The older Ji-hoon spoke again. “Your alliances fractured. Your people divided. Americans left when the stakes got too high. The North took advantage, but they did not need to invade. South Korea imploded all on its own. Politicians too busy fighting each other to fight for the country. An economy that could not sustain itself. A population too old to rebuild. The median age in South Korea hit 44 in 2024, the highest in the OECD, and it is only going up. This is what is waiting if nothing changes.”

Categories: America / China and Pacific region / East Asia / Indo-Pacific regions

Can Sazia’s Winter Reverie Forge Bangladesh’s Path Beyond D8’s Broken Promises?

December 24, 2024

Despite these shortcomings, dismissing the D8 entirely would be shortsighted. The organisation serves as a platform for dialogue, fostering diplomatic goodwill among its members. Initiatives in food security and industrial collaboration, though limited in tangible outcomes, have at least sparked conversations about shared challenges. For Bangladesh, the D8 represents a symbolic connection to the global south and an affirmation of its aspirations to collaborate with peer nations.

Categories: Africa / China and Pacific region / East Asia / Indo-Pacific regions / South Asia

The Influence of Religious Prophecies on Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Geopolitics

December 11, 2024

In modern times, religious prophecies continue to influence geopolitics in profound ways. The belief in Christian Zionism, rooted in the idea that the return of Jews to Israel fulfils Biblical prophecy, has shaped U.S. foreign policy. Evangelical Christian groups view the establishment of Israel in 1948 as a necessary step toward the Second Coming of Christ, influencing American political support for Israel, especially under leaders such as Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. Similarly, in Iran, Shia eschatology played a pivotal role in the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Ayatollah Khomeini framed the revolution as a step toward the eventual return of the Mahdi and the establishment of a divinely guided Islamic state. This vision continues to shape Iran’s foreign policies and regional alliances, from its support for Hezbollah to its involvement in the Syrian Civil War.

Perils of Weaponizing Tariffs in Global Trade

December 11, 2024

Perhaps the most significant consequence of these tariffs is their potential to accelerate the decline of the rules-based global economic order. The WTO, already weakened by years of criticism and inaction, faces further marginalization as major economies resort to unilateral measures. This shift erodes the mechanisms that have historically provided stability and predictability in international trade, increasing the risk of disputes escalating into broader economic conflicts. In the absence of a strong multilateral framework, the global economy risks devolving into competing blocs, where power dynamics and economic leverage dictate outcomes.

Strategies for Countering Indian Media’s Information Warfare Against Bangladesh

December 6, 2024

While it is important to act quickly, the country must also focus on long-term resilience against future information warfare. Education and media literacy are key components in this strategy. Investing in educational initiatives that teach students how to critically engage with information will help build a future generation that is both media-savvy and resistant to the manipulative tactics of disinformation campaigns. Incorporating media literacy into school curricula, from primary schools to universities, will ensure that young people are equipped with the tools to discern between reliable and unreliable sources. Public awareness campaigns aimed at raising the population’s awareness of the dangers of misinformation could also be rolled out across multiple platforms, including radio, TV, and social media. These campaigns would educate the public on how disinformation harms society and how to protect oneself from it, fostering a more resilient population.

Bridging the Dragon and the Elephant: Strategic Implications of Sino-Indian Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific

October 27, 2024

However, the path toward deepened cooperation is not devoid of obstacles. Persistent gridlocks in their relationship continue to pose significant challenges. Historical mistrust, rooted in past conflicts and competing territorial claims, has fostered a climate of scepticism that cannot be dispelled overnight. The border resolutions, while promising, address only a fraction of the complex issues that beset their relations. Divergent strategic interests, such as India’s concerns over China’s Belt and Road Initiative and China’s apprehensions about India’s engagements with other regional powers, contribute to a delicate balance of competition and cooperation. Additionally, economic disparities and trade imbalances have engendered protectionist sentiments in both countries, complicating efforts to forge mutually beneficial agreements. Navigating these gridlocks requires sustained diplomatic efforts, confidence-building measures, and a willingness to reconcile divergent interests in pursuit of common goals.

Categories: America / China and Pacific region / Indo-Pacific regions / South Asia

Future of Multilateral Cooperation at the SCO Summit

October 20, 2024October 20, 2024

The timing of the summit is notable, occurring against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Russia-Ukraine war, and global struggles against climate change. Additionally, the rise of terrorism, a core focus of the SCO, continues to threaten peace across the region, including in Pakistan and other member states. As a multilateral organization, the SCO provides a platform to address these emerging challenges.

Founded in 2001, the SCO now comprises nine full member states, making it a unique multilateral group that spans nearly a quarter of the world’s landmass and includes 42.5% of its population. With permanent members such as China, Russia, Pakistan, India, and the Central Asian republics, along with strategic observers, the SCO has become a cornerstone of Eurasian diplomacy. Observer states like Mongolia and Afghanistan, alongside 14 dialogue partners including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, stand to benefit from the cooperative frameworks developed within the SCO.