The Return of Trump: Shifting from Pax Americana to a New Global Order
Trump’s rhetoric is powerful, for those who fail to see how hollow it is; he will erode American greatness, and damage the rest of the world as well
Category International Relations and Strategic Studies
India’s Geoeconomic Strategy for Trump 2.0: Adapting to Trade Dynamics in 2025
As nations navigate significant disruptions and realignments, 2025 is a crucial year for global economics. The re-election of Donald Trump has brought a resurgence of global trade protectionism, creating substantial volatility in international markets. During his first term, Mr Trump focused on “America First” policies, implementing tariffs, trade restrictions, and stricter visa regulations that had a notable impact on sectors such as information technology (IT) services, textiles, and pharmaceuticals—key drivers of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employment. In fact, the prospect of tighter H-1B visa rules poses a serious challenge to the IT industry, which relies on US markets for nearly 60 per cent of its revenue.
Global Geopolitics and the TikTok Controversy: A Clash of Sovereignty, Security, and Influence
Even though China debarred global social internet sites like Google, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Yahoo, and others more than a decade ago, the issue of proscription of Chinese-owned TikTok by the United States government has raised a major controversy that threatens to engulf geopolitics, global power transition, data security, influence operations, perception management, personal freedom, and creativity.
India’s Evolving Engagement with the Taliban: Balancing Security, Regional Interests, and Humanitarian Concerns
ON JANUARY 8, Vikram Misri, the foreign secretary of India, held a meeting with the Taliban-led Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Dubai. Marking the most high-level meeting between India and representatives from the IEA, the very act of the senior-most Indian diplomat meeting a Taliban leader and its timing in the aftermath of Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan and India’s strongly worded statement in support of the latter led to debates about an apparent “pivot” and “shift” in how India is engaging with Afghanistan. Three-and-a-half years after the Taliban usurped power in Kabul and orchestrated the fall of the then republic government, New Delhi’s approach towards the country has indeed been evolving.
Trump’s Global Impact: Challenges and Strategic Realignments
Donald Trump has assumed office on the same day that the US celebrates Martin Luther King Jr’s birth anniversary. It is happenstance that the presidential handover day, Jan 20, falls on the third Monday of Jan when King Jr’s birthday is celebrated, although he was born on Jan 15. It is not a happy coincidence, however. Trump represents and champions the very opposite of the values for which the civil rights activist fought and was killed.
Trump Revives an Age of Power, Oppression, and Inequality
US president Donald Trump’s actions, including withdrawing from the World Health Organisation and the Paris Accord, have sent alarm bells across the world.
Rising Conflict in the China-US Tech Landscape
The year 2025 has begun on a bad note for Chinese tech companies with the United States (US) designating social media and gaming giant, Tencent, and battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) as military companies. Tencent's interests span the spheres of finance, cloud computing, media, messaging, video-streaming, and movie production. Under American law, a list of entities that may be aiding and furthering the Communist Party of China's military-civil fusion strategy, which aims to leverage private firms in improving technologies that have defense applications, must be maintained.