Security
Can Iran force Europe to defy US sanctions?
Iran has announced that it will enrich uranium beyond the limits mandated by the JCPOA (Iran deal). The announcement is an attempt to force the EU to deepen its efforts to alleviate the impact of biting US sanctions.
An Indian Space Odyssey: Security and Economy
Several ISRO initiatives concerning the Indian space programme have been conducted. These reflect India’s growing wealth and technological capability.
Australia-Japan alliance: A blueprint for something bigger?
Is the strengthening of bonds between Japan and Australia merely an attempt to balance China, or is it a sign of a more promising future?
The Sahel Uncertainty: Climate change and Insurgency
The Sahel is increasingly affected by underdevelopment, endemic poverty, criminality, and insurgency. Climate change has recently extrapolated these problems by making essential resources scarce.
Burkina Faso: Front-line against Jihadism in West Africa
Burkina Faso’s strategic geographical position makes it crucial in the fight against extremism in West Africa, but the country is failing to contain the threat. Despite coordinated efforts, national and regional forces have been unable to counter the expansion of jihadist groups towards the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Benin and Togo.
The Growing Risk of Saudi Arms Trade
Saudia Arabia is undergoing a difficult public relations crises after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, affecting its arms trade with allies.
Iran partially exits the nuclear deal: is war on the horizon?
President Trump’s most recent sanctions and deployment of an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf has raised fears about another US war in the Middle-East. Iran’s decision to cease compliance with key parts of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) intensifies anxieties.
Europe’ data security dilemma: the Huawei debate
Last month, Huawei offered an anti-spy agreement to Germany, in order to ease the data security concerns and be able to participate in the country’s 5G mobile networks. However, without the same level of guarantee from the Chinese government, it is unlikely that the concerns could be eliminated. What would be the next step for European countries on this matter?
Syria’s Idlib: Limited offensive to enforce Sochi Accord
Bashar al-Assad’s regime started an aerial assault against rebel-held areas in northwest Syria in late April. The purpose of the offensive is capturing the M4 and M5 highways from Aleppo to Hama and Lattakia, as agreed in Sochi.
India’s move towards collective security in the Indian Ocean
India continues to counter China’s regional influence by extending its coastal surveillance radar systems (CSRS) project to the Republic of Maldives, a country with key shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean. The extension of the initiative to the Maldives will build up regional maritime domain awareness, and strengthen the security and economic network of littoral countries.
