ISDP Voices

The International Day of Democracy is celebrated on September 15 each year, encouraging governments to strengthen and consolidate democracy. But, ‘democracy’ is a word that can have various meanings depending on which country or person you ask. For instance, in his book The End of History published after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Francis […]

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh was on a three-day visit to India from July 30 to August 1, 2024. It was after a decade that a prime ministerial-level visit from Vietnam to India took place. The visit marks a significant event in the bilateral ties, underscoring the increasing importance of both nations in the […]

The recent announcement by the South Korean government regarding changes in its senior security administration has sparked significant interest and speculation about potential shifts in policy and the security environment on the Korean Peninsula. On August 12, 2024, it was reported that the current Minister of Defense, Shin Won-shik, would be transitioning to the position […]

In the global shift toward more sustainable energy technologies, lithium has emerged as a crucial strategic resource. In this context, China has significantly increased its investments in Argentina, a country that holds some of the world’s largest lithium reserves. Beijing is leveraging these investments to enhance its presence and influence in the region, thereby securing […]

Taiwan has competed in the Olympic Games and other international sporting events under ‘Chinese Taipei’ since 1981. In the past few years, controversy over the nomenclature has been reported on by several international media. Awareness of the dispute between Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) and the People’s Republic of China (China) has been, again, raised due to […]

In the high-stakes world of global power rivalries, the towering peaks of the Himalayas are likely equal in importance to the tropical waters of the South China Sea. The mountainous Roof of the World holds the literal high ground leading to South and Central Asia and thus one of the fulcrums that can decisively tip […]

Elections are the bedrock of democracy, providing citizens with a vital mechanism to hold their leaders accountable. Beyond addressing domestic issues, the electoral process also plays a crucial role in shaping foreign policy decisions. A potential shift from a Democratic to a Republican leader in the U.S. elections could have significant repercussions in the Indo-Pacific […]

Israel has a long track record of eliminating key leaders and operatives of terrorist organizations that pose an imminent threat to its national security. The assassination of Hamas leaderIsmail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, marked the latest of these “targeted killings.” By targeting leaders and key operatives of terrorist organizations, Israel aims to disrupt […]

A two-day UN Conference called the “Doha Process” on Afghanistan took place on the June 30 and July 1 in Doha. This was the third meeting to discuss Afghanistan’s engagement with the international community, a process which UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres had initiated in May 2023. The de facto Taliban government participated for the […]

The South China Sea dispute has taken center stage once again with fissures between China and the Philippines increasing. The recent stand-offs and brazen statements have not only heightened tensions between the Philippines and China but also other important stakeholders including the United States, Japan, and India. The South China Sea dispute remains a roadblock […]