For any counter-terrorism expert, including practitioners and academic experts, the field of terror financing has been a subject of great interest from both academic and operational points of view. Eminent experts on terrorism have written several books and papers highlighting diverse aspects of terror financing; however, the Kashmir theatre has remained largely unexplored.
While efforts are being made to ensure freedom of navigation, the hotspots in the region, including in Gaza and Yemen and the civilian and humanitarian strife which can spiral out of control, need to be addressed on global priority. The Red Sea, with its strategic maritime routes, is an important artery for trade and sea borne traffic as well as for the choke points in the Bab-El Mandab which needs to be kept open.
While India has been consistent in its support for de-escalation of the situation and "humanitarian pauses" in Gaza, this is the first time it has backed calls for a "ceasefire"
As the US and the West are stuck in the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars, apart from the ongoing energy crisis and cuts, President Putin (on December 6) dashed to Abu Dhabi and Riyadh to meet and deliberate with UAE President Sheikh Zayed al-Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), then quickly back to Moscow to meet Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi (on December 7) overtly to discuss the deteriorating situation in Gaza. Putin is not too fond of travelling abroad let alone the current ICC warrant against him. Hence this visit acquires a special strategic significance in terms of symbolism and substance. A grand welcome also awaited him.
Two months of Israel-Hamas war — It appears that after the ongoing war is over, when the objective of Hamas being destroyed or decimated achieved by the IDF, Netanyahu might agree to convert Gaza into a ‘Zone D’. With this, IDF could exercise the ‘overriding , overarching military envelope ‘ as part of politico-security arrangement with the Palestinian Authority, writes former diplomat and a keen observer of international affairs, Amb. Anil Trigunayat.
Anil Trigunayat It has been a given that for their geo-political ends the major powers have always kept the extremists , terrorists and separatists as their pliant tool to subserve their interests . Regime change agenda has been a favourite…