A year into its historic defence strategy overhaul, Japan is rapidly enhancing its Self-Defense Force (SDF), with defence spending increasing 50% above 2022 levels. Following a new security strategy that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s administration adopted a year ago, the 7.95 trillion yen ($56 billion) defence budget for the 2024 fiscal year represents the second year of a five-year military …

The resurgence of Shehbaz Sharif in Pakistan’s political arena marks a crucial juncture in the nation’s trajectory, where domestic politics intersect with international relations. As the torchbearer of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), his return injects renewed vigor into a landscape laden with complexities. It sparks discussions about political rejuvenation and intra-party democracy within the PML-N. While his experience as …

            Fromer president of Brazil, Jair Messias Bolsonaro had been a topic of many discussions and criticism in Brazil and the world. Before he stepped down after his defeat against his predecessor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the 2022 Brazilian presidential elections, Bolsonaro had been subjected to various criminal investigations involving corruption as well. During his presidency, Bolsonaro had always …

Although there is not a specific provision expressly granting the “right to asylum” in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Article 1 of the European Convention of Human Rights is unequivocal in stating that everyone is protected by its provisions regardless of their nationality and that no discrimination whatsoever is allowed. Moreover, all “high contracting parties” are under an obligation to …

Czechia is overly committed to standing next to Ukraine against Russia’s invasion, which started back in February 2022. Czechia presents itself as a trustworthy and genuine bastion of support. While the European Union (EU) and the United States’ Senate are struggling to meet the demands of Ukraine for further assistance against their adversary, Czechia stands ready to show pragmatic and …

Last week marked a significant milestone as Turkey and Somalia formalized a comprehensive defence and economic cooperation agreement spanning a decade. In this ten-year pact, Turkey has committed not only to safeguarding Somalia’s extensive coastline but also to actively contribute to the reconstruction of its naval forces. A spokesperson from the Turkish Defence Ministry highlighted Turkey’s dedication to assisting Somalia …

Demonstrating India’s enhanced geopolitical influence, Narendra Modi recently embarked on a noteworthy visit to the Middle East. Initiated on February 13th, this journey seamlessly intertwined critical elements—including business and security. The first step was the UAE, where Modi not only signed an investment treaty but also took centre stage at a rally attended by 40,000 Indian expatriates and inaugurated a …

After Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago, over three dozen nations, primarily led by Western powers, imposed extensive economic sanctions on Russia in an attempt to undermine its ability to sustain the ongoing war in the long-term. The sanctions covered different sectors including energy, commodities, finance, technology, travel, and shipping. However, as we have witnessed, Russia has been …

In the aftermath of the recent elections in Pakistan, the political landscape is marked by unexpected developments that have set the stage for complex negotiations. Despite the detention of former PM Imran Khan and the obstacles faced by his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), independent candidates aligned with the party secured an impressive 93 National Assembly seats, the highest among all parties. …

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has been a source of immense suffering for the people living in the region, as well as a cause for concern on the international stage. The lack of a lasting ceasefire can be attributed to a complex web of geopolitical, historical, and strategic interests that have, unfortunately, taken precedence over the immediate need for peace. …