International Institute for Global Strategic Analysis - IIGSA

Latest Opinion Article | Dimitris Symeonidis provides comprehensive insights on the energy crisis in Europe and considers various alternatives to fulfil the energy demands.

He analyzes if and how Turkmenistan can put an end to the energy shortage across EU. The article also highlights the uncertain geopolitical landscape and role of Anakara as a mediator to diffuse tensions

Read the full article at:
https://iigsa.org/ashgabat-the-answer-to-the-eu-energy-security-supply/

Ashgabat: The Answer to the EU Energy Security Supply The second half of July entailed a moment of significant importance for the relations of the EU with the post-Soviet space. Brussels moved forward with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Baku in an attempt to wean off the Russian natural gas imports. The MoU included the agreement to double th...

IIGSA E-Research | Infographics

This infographic gives a snapshot of some facts about Pakistan's Civil and Strategic Nuclear Program. It shows the adherence of Pakistan towards the IAEA programs and various multilateral agreements.

Moreover, it highlights the recognition of Pakistan's nuclear program by organizations, including the IAEA and NTI. In addition, it illustrates the comprehensive safety and security mechanism of Pakistan's nuclear weapons program.

Explore more of our infographics at:
https://iigsa.org/infographics/

Infographics Infographics

Latest Opinion Article | Marta Nuevo Falguera & Izza Aslam explain the transformation of South China Sea from a militarily active region to a nuclear flashpoint.

Noting Nancy Pelosi's recent visit, Beijing's increased incursions over Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and Washington's approval of weapons sales worth $1.1B to Taiwan, they argue that any direct or indirect intervention by the U.S. would plunge the region to a catastrophic war.

Read the full article at:
https://iigsa.org/us-strategy-over-on-going-taiwan-conflict-in-the-south-china-sea/

US strategy over on-going Taiwan Conflict in the South China Sea The South China Sea has become one of the world's most volatile regions and a nuclear flashpoint. With Chinese assertiveness and American activeness, the regional countries have become increasingly alarmed and feel threatened.

Latest Opinion Article | Neha Khan, our Student Researcher, explores how Emerging Disruptive Technologies (EDTs) are becoming a prominent component of arms race.

She particularly focuses on Indian focus on EDTs and highlights New Delhi’s new initiatives, dedicated defence budget for and adoption of EDTs in its military.

Read the full article at:
https://iigsa.org/indias-emerging-disruptive-technologies-fling/

India’s Emerging Disruptive Technologies Fling Disruptive technology is described as the formulation of innovative ideas that reshape existing norms. Historically, humans have consistently advanced and transformed living standards with new and progressive ideas that disrupt current practices.

Latest Opinion Article | Abdul Qadir Bodla, our Student Researcher, writes about the Missile Technology Control Regime and its effects on global security.

He states that despite the “no-undercut” policy, the regime has approved transfer of technology for many countries and at the same time sanctioned others.

Read the full article at:
https://iigsa.org/the-flipside-of-mtcr/

The Flipside of MTCR Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) – a voluntary political establishment working since April 1987, was formed by the G-7 industrialized states.

Latest Opinion Article | Omer Shahaab, Student Researcher at IIGSA, provides insights on the complex situation in Yemen.

He argues that the Yemen faces multifaceted challenges ranging from internal components to the involvement of foreign actors which induces tectonic shifts on social, political and religious domains.

Read the full article at:
https://lnkd.in/ddHzgGkP

No Way Out for Yemen After toppling the governments of Tunisia and Egypt, the plague of the Arab Spring next hit Yemen in early 2011.

IIGSA Research | Special Reports

Our latest publication, "Deterrence Stability in South Asia and Beyond", provides an in-depth analysis of the contemporary security dynamics in South Asia while considering China's role.

In doing so, this report evaluates the transformed deterrence stability in the region and analyzes how the delicate balance of power is shifting due to the latest military technology competition, arms race, doctrinal transformations and the involvement of extra-regional actors in South Asia.

Read full report at the following link:
https://iigsa.org/publications/deterrence-stability-in-south-asia-beyond/

International Institute for Global Strategic Analysis IIGSA is an independent non-partisan institute dedicated to conduct research on matters pertaining to global security, foreign policy, warfare and conflict.

IIGSA Research | Special Reports

One of our recent research projects on the security dynamics of South Asia has been concluded. The report discusses conventional and strategic stability in the region. It also analyzes the role of multiple extra-regional elements affecting the regional security architecture.

Soon available at our website.

Opinion Article | In their co-authored opinion article, Sarmad Ali Khan & Reshail Muzammil, argue that Indian opposition towards the expansion of CPEC into Afghanistan is based on its regional hegemonic ambitions.

New Delhi is applying a two-pronged strategy to develop working relationship with the Taliban parallel to undermining Islamabad & Beijing’s interest.

Read the full article at:
https://iigsa.org/indian-aversion-to-the-extension-of-cpec/

Indian Aversion to the Extension of CPEC Indian interest in Afghanistan is the product of its opposition to Pakistan. New Delhi never missed any chance to manipulate the image of its self-claimed arch-enemy at any level or forum. Its foreign policy goals are set to counter Pakistan’s influence and interests.

Opinion Article | Dimitris Symeonidis analyzes how the Ukraine crisis is associated with the discrepancies between Central Asia and Eastern European countries.

He states that the region is already tormented because of bilateral and multilateral conflicts and regional integration remains difficult to achieve.

Read the full article at:
https://iigsa.org/ukraine-war-the-central-asian-summit-disagreement/

Ukraine War & the Central Asian Summit Disagreement? On July 21, the Fourth Consultative Summit of the five presidents of the Central Asian states took place in the town of Cholpon-Ata by the Issyk-Kul lake. The summit's main objective entailed agreements over a series of generic topics, such as regional cooperation, interaction within multilateral fo...

Opinion Article | Raméz El-Shishy writes, “South Korea’s position on freezing Iran’s assets is connected to the fragile nature of the U.S.-Iran relationship.”

He discusses various variables including the Chinese support to North Korea, the Taiwan Crisis and regional political dynamics which compound for the tensions

Read the full article at:
https://iigsa.org/beyond-irans-frozen-assets-in-soeul/

Beyond Iran’s Frozen Assets in SOEUL In recent years, among Iranian policymakers and economists, one of the thorny topics associated with their foreign policies toward Asian democracies and the West, in general, has been the issue of releasing Iran's frozen assets in South Korea.

IIGSA E-Research | Infographics

A series of infographics showing the Afghan Taliban leadership which was exempted from travel restrictions by the UN. The restrictions were lifted to allow them to attend peace and stability discussions abroad.

Negotiations are still under-play to ensure the renewal of these exemptions as supported by China and Russia but opposed by the U.S.

Explore more of our infographics at:
https://iigsa.org/infographics/

Latest Opinion Article | Maysa Fouly, our Non-Resident Contributor, talks about the Middle Eastern security dynamics and analyzes whether the region needs an Arab NATO or not?

She discusses how different power poles in Middle East including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Israel etc. have attracted support from extra-regional countries which hints towards a new regional order.

Read the full article at:
https://iigsa.org/do-we-really-need-an-arab-nato/

Do We Really Need An “Arab-NATO”? Though Arab countries are aware of Tehran’s ambitions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, not all consider Tehran a real threat to their political and economic interests.

Latest Opinion Article | Power is the only important issue in the world of politics writes Dr. Mohammad Salami, our Non-Resident Research Associate, while he compares how the EU's policies are applied differently towards Palestine and Ukraine.

He states that although the nature of the two crises is similar, the Western countries have adopted a varied course of action towards them because of Israeli (and Zionist) lobbies influencing the decision-making processes.

Read the full article at:
https://iigsa.org/gaza-and-ukraine-eus-moral-dilemma/

Gaza and Ukraine EU’s Moral Dilemma Unparalleled Research & Analysis on Global Security & Geo-economics

Latest Opinion Article | Raméz El-Shishy, our Non-Resident Contributor, underlines how China’s peaceful rise has raised numerous questions about its political model compared to the U.S.-led international liberal model that emerged following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

He states that with increased weight of the Russian military, enhanced Chinese economic and political clout parallel to American declinism is giving rise to multipolarity and regional bloc politics. Will this be the beginning of a New World Order?

Read the full article at:
https://iigsa.org/will-be-there-a-new-world-order/

Will Be There A New World Order? After ending one of the most brutal fierce religious wars (the Thirty Years' War of 1618-1648) between the ruling families of the European continent at the time, the Catholic Habsburgs, and the Habsburgs' opponents who followed Protestantism, the Peace of Westphalia in the first half of the seventee...

Latest Opinion Article | A strategically timed and well-calculated military move to eliminate the operational head of Al-Qaeda, Ayman Al-Zawahiri, has stirred the circumstances in Afghanistan.

As Muhammad Hashim Zafar Wadhen notes, the killing of Al-Zawahiri has put the Afghan Taliban and Washington to odds. Moreover, the much anticipated outcome of Al-Qaeda becoming directionless might also not prove true as per many European analysts.

Read the full article at:
https://iigsa.org/the-surgeon-the-terrorist-and-the-spector/

The Surgeon, The Terrorist, and The Spector On July 31, 2022, downtown Kabul was shaken by the sound of a blast. Twitter users rushed to debate the nature and intensity of the blast. The common perception was that of some rocket or a conventional bomb.