Tag: Geopolitics
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The Quiet American: Vietnam War Lessons for Today
Introduction: A Quiet Death, Loud Lessons The Quiet American, in its various forms, is more than a war-era thriller. It is a meditation on intervention, journalism, and the fragile line between idealism and manipulation. As the Vietnam War’s first generation of observers moved into memory, Phillip Noyce’s adaptation (and Graham Greene’s original novel) challenged audiences…
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Iran Hosts Regional Talks on Afghanistan as Kabul Skips the Table
Overview: Regional Diplomacy in Tehran Iran-hosted talks brought together Afghanistan’s neighbors to discuss ongoing political, economic, and security challenges facing the country. The gathering underscored the region’s interest in a stable, connected, and economically viable Afghanistan, while highlighting a paradox: despite regional engagement, Kabul chose not to participate. The conference, held in Tehran, emphasized collaborative…
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Afghanistan Regional Talks: Iran Hosts Neighbors as Kabul Skips
Overview: Iran hosts regional talks on Afghanistan In a bid to chart a unified approach to Afghanistan’s enduring political, economic, and security challenges, Iran hosted a regional gathering of neighboring states. The meeting brought together officials from several countries with a stake in Afghanistan’s stability, signaling a push for deeper coordination to manage a region-wide…
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Delegitimization in Action: Turkey’s Campaign Against Israel Across Diplomacy, Courts, and Public Opinion
Overview: A Multifront Campaign In the wake of Hamas’s October 7 attacks and Israel’s subsequent military operations, Turkish-Israeli relations experienced a sharp downturn. Turkey’s response has spanned diplomatic channels, legal action, and broad public diplomacy efforts. This article examines how Ankara has integrated diplomacy, the judiciary, and media messaging to shape international opinion and domestic…
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Assad Family in Russian Luxury: A Glimpse into Elite Ties and Shadowed Privileges
Introduction: A Controversial Narrative of Privilege The Assad family has long dominated Syria’s political landscape, but in recent years, reports and investigations have drawn attention to an unexpected facet of their influence: a life of evident luxury in Russia. While Syria endures conflict and humanitarian crises, a parallel story has emerged about how elite ties…
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Assad Family in Russia: Bashar Assad, Ophthalmology, and Luxury Rumors
Overview: A Contested Narrative Around the Assad Family The Assad family’s activities beyond Syria’s borders have long attracted scrutiny and speculation. In recent years, various media reports and political analyses have discussed claims that members of Syria’s ruling family maintain residences or periods of residence in Russia, alongside a broader set of assertions about individual…
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How the European Union Plans to Counter China in Africa
Overview: Europe’s strategy in Africa amid China’s rise The European Union is recalibrating its approach to Africa to compete with China’s expanding footprint on the continent. With Beijing’s expansive infrastructure programs, trade networks, and financing often wrapped in a governance framework that differs from European norms, Brussels faces pressure to deliver a more coherent, credible,…
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Russia and ASEAN: Markets, Multilateralism, and a Third Way
Introduction: A shifting geopolitical landscape As the American and Chinese power dynamics continue to weave an unpredictable borderless chessboard, Southeast Asia finds itself navigating a delicate balance. Russia, keen to expand its influence beyond traditional pivots, is positioning itself as a practical partner for ASEAN—offering markets, energy, and a multilateralist frame that is less entangled…
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Timor-Leste Emerges as ASEAN’s Global Neutrality Anchor
Timor-Leste’s moment at the ASEAN summit When Timor-Leste joined ASEAN as the bloc’s 11th member, headlines highlighted a historic expansion. Behind the fanfare lay a strategic move that could redefine how Southeast Asia manages regional tensions and security challenges. Timor-Leste’s ascension is not just about membership; it signals a quiet but profound shift toward a…
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Iran Loses Control of Houthis: Fallout Across the Middle East
Overview: Tehran’s grip on the Houthis loosening Recent assessments from Iranian officials suggest that Tehran has lost much of its influence over the Yemeni rebels known as the Houthis, complicating what has long been described as an axis of resistance in the Middle East. The claim points to a broader shift in regional dynamics, where…