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The Voice of the Global South
Kanica Rakhra revisits the conception of 'Global South'. She writes that Joseph Nye raises a critical question- what is global south- in a recent article where he argues that the phrase is more geographic than political, and that there are too many conflicts among states in the Global South for the countries to have a unified voice. Besides, a Carnegie paper takes this point further, stating that the use of the term ‘Global South’ has exploded. It argues for the term to be retired, claiming it to be a ‘convenient shorthand’. In such a context, Kanica Rakhra argues that whether there is acceptance of the term or not, there is enough evidence to suggest that the term is here to stay. The question, however, remains, who speaks for the Global South? Read this piece by Kanica Rakhra here.
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India-Sweden Strategic Compass
How are India and Sweden positioning themselves in the year 2024? The year 2024 is historic in terms of elections being held throughout the world. About half of the world’s population is expected to vote, with more than 60 countries holding elections. This includes India (likely in April/May) and the EU (June) going for parliamentary elections. The US elections in November are eagerly awaited, too, not least because of the potential Joe Biden-Donald Trump contest. Read the SCSA-IPA’s bi-monthly Newsletter- India-Sweden Strategic Compass- to understand how India and Sweden are positioning themselves in 2024, and what prospect the year of 2024 hold for India-Sweden bilateral ties.
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Issues and Trends in U.S. Presidential Election 2024
Monish Tourangbam writes on the emerging issues and trends in the upcoming U.S. Presidential election. He writes that the U.S. presidential election, like national elections in most democracies, is mostly fought and won on domestic issues that have a direct bearing on the day-to-day lives of the American people. Foreign policy issues, while still significant for a global power like the United States, is largely peripheral and episodic in terms of influencing voting patterns. Nevertheless, more than any other election in the world, the process and result of the U.S. presidential election is keenly watched and has global repercussions. From the intra-party primaries to the presidential nominations, and then to the final verdict in November, candidates will have to grapple with a host of issues, based on which American voters will elect the next U.S. president. As the election season heats up, candidates will become more hyperbolic in asserting their best plans to save American democracy at home, and American leadership abroad. An assessment of the major domestic and foreign policy issues dominating the hearts and minds of American voters is, therefore, imperative, writes Tourangbam.
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Sweden Joins NATO: Implications for the Indo-Pacific
Jagannath Panda & Mahima Duggal writes how Sweden's entry into the NATO will influence the power politics in Indo-Pacific. They write that Sweden’s new status as a full-fledged NATO member has certainly bolstered the alliance in face of the Russian challenge; as Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO secretary general lauded, it will make “NATO stronger, Sweden safer, and the whole alliance more secure.” However, as NATO looks eastward with an eye on China and partnering with Indo-Pacific countries to uphold global norms, Sweden’s accession also has notable implications for the Indo-Pacific. They ask a few critical question, could NATO membership facilitate Sweden’s greater embrace of the Indo-Pacific construct, perhaps by issuing its very own strategy for the region in the future? Does the event foreshadow a strengthening of bipolarity? How will it impact India, if at all? Read this piece by Jagannath Panda & Mahima Duggal published in The Diplomat here.
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NATO Membership an Opportune Moment for a Swedish Indo-Pacific Strategy
William Winberg writes on how Sweden's entry into NATO signals its increasing alignment towards Indo-Pacific. He writes that while initially Sweden set itself on the path of non-alignment and neutrality following the end of the Napoleonic Wars, there are many aspects of modern Swedish foreign policy, especially after the Cold War that have led to doubts about any de facto neutrality in the Swedish case. Perhaps most notably, Sweden’s 1995 accession to the European Union (EU) but also through the country’s close relationship with NATO, exemplified by joint military exercises and an army that largely conforms to NATO standards in terms of equipment and command structures. This previous, in all but name, alignment allows Sweden to quickly adapt to the various practical needs and requirements that are expected of full-fledged NATO members. As such, entry into the Atlantic security network will prove to be a relatively smooth transition. Consequently, Sweden – as a country oftentimes ascribed with being able to punch above its weight in international politics – is presented with a window of opportunity. Despite fears of NATO membership limiting its ability to act, abandoning the notion of neutrality which in reality has eluded the country for a long time may prove to enhance the Swedish ability to influence the course of international affairs in a manner which the self-imposed neutrality had hitherto put the brakes on, writes William Winberg.
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The application period for our fall 2024 internships is now open!
Are you looking for work experience in the field of international security and development? Do you have a particular interest in Asia? Every semester, ISDP runs an internship program that is open to university students and recent graduates. The internship lasts between 4-6 months at the main office in Stockholm and the desired start date for the fall semester is from September. Now is the time to apply for our fall 2024 internships: Specifically, we are looking for interns interested in working with our Korea Center, Center for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs, and Taiwan Center. We look forward to receiving your application no later than April 7, 2024!
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The Voice of the Global South
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India-Sweden Strategic Compass
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Issues and Trends in U.S. Presidential Election 2024
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Sweden Joins NATO: Implications for the Indo-Pacific
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NATO Membership an Opportune Moment for a Swedish Indo-Pacific Strategy
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The application period for our fall 2024 internships is now open!
Latest Publications
India-Sweden Strategic Compass, Vol.3, No.1, January-February 2024
How are India and Sweden positioning themselves in the year 2024? The year 2024 is historic in terms of elections being held throughout the world. About half of the world’s […]
Issues and Trends in U.S. Presidential Election 2024
The U.S. presidential election, like national elections in most democracies, is mostly fought and won on domestic issues that have a direct bearing on the day-to-day lives of the American […]
Sweden Joins NATO: Implications for the Indo-Pacific
On March 7, almost two years after it first submitted its application and a year after Finland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Sweden officially became part of NATO’s […]
Books
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Towards a Sustainable Arctic: International Security, Climate Change and Green Shipping
The Arctic’s environment, economics, and politics are changing rapidly, and the conflicting interests among stakeholders mean that it lacks sustainable political and military cooperation. States bordering the Arctic — Russia, […]
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India-Japan-ASEAN Triangularity: Emergence of a Possible Indo-Pacific Axis?
This book focuses on the scope, potential and future of the India-Japan-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) trilateral. Through this book, contributors examine the strategic and global partnership between India […]
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Diogenes Issue on Global Ethics
“A Global Ethic has a fundamental role to play not only in defining basic values but also in reaching transcultural consensus about the meaning of key notions such as ‘well-being’ […]
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Quad Plus and Indo-Pacific: The Changing Profile of International Relations
This book explores how the Quad Plus mechanism is set to reshape the global multilateral economic and security co-operations between Quad partner countries and the rest of the world. With […]