Category: Asia

  • Netanyahu to Gain More Power by Dissolving War Cabinet

    Netanyahu to Gain More Power by Dissolving War Cabinet

    Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister for over 15 years, is a seasoned politician known for his strategic moves to tighten his grip on the administration. It is certain that someone who has been in power for this long will always crave more authority, and Netanyahu is now taking control by dissolving the war cabinet formed after the Hamas attack on Israel. This move reflects his increased confidence, which has risen along with his poll numbers since the departure of opposition leader Gantz from the war cabinet amidst disputes. The war cabinet had been a source of friction between Netanyahu and other members, particularly over the issue of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas and other groups. Now free from consulting with opposition leaders and those with differing political views, Netanyahu’s power is strengthened.

    Even though the war cabinet had functioned effectively, convening numerous times since Hamas’s surprise attack on southern Israel’s Gaza border communities on October 7, the move comes amid divisions of opinion between Netanyahu and senior Israel Defense Forces commanders. With the announcement of the dissolution to ministers, the Prime Minister stated that the war cabinet had been established as part of an agreement when the moderate politician Benny Gantz and his political party, the National Unity Party, joined an emergency coalition last year. This move managed the conflict in Gaza, blocked Netanyahu’s far-right allies attempts to secure seats, and seemingly consolidated his decision-making control over the fighting with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah across the Lebanese border.

    Netanyahu reportedly told ministers that the war cabinet was no longer needed following Benny Gantz’s resignation from the cabinet a week ago. Gantz, one of the members of the war cabinet, quit the coalition along with Gadi Eisenkot, one of the three observers in the body. David Mencer, a spokesperson for the prime minister’s office, said the war cabinet was a “Prerequisite” for Gantz, a former army chief and defense minister, to join a unity government. He added, “So with Mr. Gantz leaving the government, there is no need for the cabinet. War cabinet’s  duties will be taken over by the security cabinet”. This move appears to be a deliberate snub to Netanyahu’s far-right allies in the coalition, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who had been seeking a seat in the war cabinet since Gantz’s departure, and reportedly  recently threatening Netanyahu that they will resign if the ceasefire bring by Netanyhau with swap deal and had complained about being excluded from key decisions.

    Despite pressure from the Biden administration to keep the war cabinet intact, seen by some as a more moderate forum, Netanyahu’s decision to sideline Ben-Gvir and the finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, was interpreted by analysts as a way to uphold his intent to persevere with the conflict. The disbanding of the war cabinet was confirmed by Israeli officials amid mounting discontent over the conduct of the war in Gaza and calls from anti-government groups for a week of daily protests. There are also Netanyahu-supported opinion polls reporting support for his actions. Netanyahu is now expected to hold consultations about the Gaza war with a small group of ministers, including the defense minister, Yoav Gallant, and the strategic affairs minister, Ron Dermer, who had been in the war cabinet. Reports in the Israeli Hebrew-language media suggested that Netanyahu plans to make key decisions in meetings with his own advisers, excluding Ben-Gvir, before presenting them to the security cabinet. In the immediate aftermath of the war cabinet’s dissolution, the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth speculated that some key decisions would now be made by an expanded cabinet, sometimes including up to 50 participants, where more hawkish voices dominate, providing Netanyahu with greater political cover for the ongoing conflict.

    Despite Israel facing pressure from the Islamic world and the West, including the United States, to maintain its objective of making Gaza Hamas-free, the issue of Hamas holding hostages remains contentious in Israel. Opposition groups critical of Netanyahu’s leadership during the war have launched a week-long series of daily demonstrations, demanding a ceasefire, efforts to secure the release of hostages, and upcoming elections. The dissolution of the war cabinet is not expected to have a substantial impact on the conflict; decision-making will revert to the security cabinet. However, the political ramifications may be significant, and now the war will be more under Netanyahu’s control, with all the credit for the Hamas destruction project going to him.

  • How Beijing’s New Trespass Laws Will Affect the South China Sea?

    How Beijing’s New Trespass Laws Will Affect the South China Sea?

    The politics of the South China Sea are interesting to observe because we often witness numerous measures that appear to escalate towards war, only for tensions to suddenly diminish. This has been a frequent occurrence since the 2010s, during which China has re-emerged as a political and economic superpower. China harbors strong desires for control over Taiwan and the entire South China Sea but clearly fears direct conflict with the United States. Consequently, China introduces measures or claims to assert authority in these disputed areas, even though it cannot effectively implement or enforce them, merely to maintain its claims.

    However, the recent trespass laws, which allow foreigners accused of illegally entering Chinese waters to be detained for up to 60 days without trial, mark a further escalation in tensions in this fiercely contested waterway. The term “Chinese Water” is confusing. China’s Coast Guard Law, introduced in 2021 and serving as the basis for current regulations, applies to “maritime areas under Chinese jurisdiction” but lacks a clear definition. Maritime areas typically refer to the shores and economic zones of the country, but according to China, they encompass the entire South China Sea and the waters around Taiwan. This ambiguity creates significant confusion and tensions among neighboring countries and their fishing communities.

    As the law came into effect on Saturday, the neighboring Philippines, which strictly opposes China’s claim on the South China Sea, has stepped up patrols in the region ahead of the rollout of a new Chinese regulation empowering its coast guard to detain foreigners accused of trespassing. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has previously characterized the new Chinese regulations as concerning and an escalation of the situation. He has also stated that any deliberate killing of a Filipino citizen would be very close to “An Act of War”. There will be no doubts about that. Already, there are concerns that as maritime confrontations near the shores of the Philippines increase, so does the risk of a miscalculation that could inadvertently provoke conflict. There have been reports of Philippine vessels being humiliated by water cannons from the Chinese coast guard. Representatives of fishing groups, who are likely to be most affected by the recent regulation, have told Philippine media this week that they fear being detained at sea but have no option but to continue, as their livelihoods depend on it. This situation puts pressure on the Philippine government to enhance security measures in their waters. Other countries around the South China Sea are also observing the situation to understand China’s intentions behind the law.

    Even though there is much tension, the South China Sea remains devoid of disastrous war primarily due to the political stalemate unfolding in the region. China, the superpower seeking control over the entire region under Beijing’s authority, finds itself deadlocked by counter moves from the United States, which have strengthened neighboring countries along the coasts of the China Seas such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Countries like Indonesia and Vietnam, remaining neutral, would lean towards the US if a conflict were to arise. Incidents such as firing water cannons at Philippine vessels have prompted warnings from the US, which has affirmed it would defend the Philippines, a treaty ally, in the event of an armed attack on its public vessels, aircraft, armed forces, or Coast Guard in the South China Sea. Therefore, a full-scale war would ultimately be detrimental to China, a fact acknowledged by China itself. Thus, China attempts to maintain its objectives through laws and unsupported claims.

    As neighboring countries protest the trespass law, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, has stated that the trespass laws are intended “To standardize the administrative law-enforcement procedures of Coast Guard agencies and better uphold order at sea”, and reassured that “Individuals and entities have no need for concern as long as they have not done anything illicit”. However, they have not defined what constitutes illicit.

    Even though the chance of a full-scale war remains low in the current situation, it is certain that the new trespass law will open up a “Lawfare”. The implementation of the new law could also prompt the Philippines to advance its own legal challenges against China. The Philippines has previously indicated it is considering filing a new legal challenge against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, accusing it of environmental damage within the Philippine’s exclusive economic zone, the waters that stretch for 200 nautical miles (370 km) from a state’s coastline, where a country has special rights to exploit resources and build. Though From the Chinese perspective, the trespass laws are expected to maintain China’s aspirations alive.

  • South Korea Joins the Race for Minerals in Central Asia

    South Korea Joins the Race for Minerals in Central Asia

    Central Asia now resembles a woman whom everyone desires to engage with. As the curtains imposed by the Soviet Union and Russia are loosening, Central Asia is starting to expose itself to the world. More and more countries are making diplomatic efforts with Central Asian countries to secure valuable mineral resources, including lithium, which is considered the “Vibranium” of the electric vehicle era, to benefit their economies.

    While Russia dominated Central Asia for three decades after the region broke away from the Soviet Union, they did not put much effort into utilizing the mineral resources that could have brought wealth to these countries. Instead, Russia bound them with political influence, which damaged their relationships with the West and hindered investments that could have funded projects. As a result, these countries remained poor despite having valuable mineral resources.

    The entry of China, which has a voracious appetite for minerals as raw materials for its vast manufacturing hubs, marked a significant shift. By leveraging its friendship with Russia, China started to explore the potential of Central Asia. Their investment through the Belt and Road Initiative became a wake-up call for Central Asian countries to welcome parties other than Russia, leading to more opportunities.

    Following Russia’s war in Ukraine and its subsequent weakening, Central Asian countries are now eagerly looking to collaborate with multiple parties. The United States has launched efforts to facilitate integration with these countries, aiming to reduce Russia’s influence. Turkey, which already maintains emotional ties to Central Asia, and India, aspiring to become a superpower, are also setting up measures to explore opportunities in the region. Additionally, South Korea, a small resource-poor country with a large production sector highly reliant on mineral imports, is the latest entrant seeking opportunities in Central Asia.

    South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is currently on a trip to Central Asia, starting Monday, to hold talks on strengthening diplomatic ties and cooperating in areas such as energy and minerals. Yoon already visited Turkmenistan, a country largely isolated from the outside world but rich in important minerals, with the first lady for a state visit before heading to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. In Kazakhstan, Yoon discussed with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev measures to expand supply chain cooperation for critical minerals such as lithium and uranium, which are in high demand for the technology industry in South Korea. Yoon’s  office announced the signing of 35 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) in areas such as supply chain cooperation and lithium exploration and commercialization. The trip started in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat and will conclude in Uzbekistan.

    While for Central Asia, Korea is another important partner to invest in and improve infrastructure, Yoon’s trip to Central Asia represents Seoul’s latest global effort to expand diplomatic ties and partnerships, aiming to secure access to markets, energy supplies, and other resources. Yoon’s office announced plans to host a summit with leaders of five Central Asian countries next year in South Korea. It’s interesting that the United States, Seoul’s key ally, has assured a similar plan in Central Asia, aiming to create a bloc that can counter political and economic dependence on Russia. While the United States has made deals with Central Asia, the benefits will also naturally extend to Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, as they are key allies of the United States in Asia. However, South Korea has taken an additional step in its relationship; it represents the country, booming with electronics, batteries, and semiconductors, placing high value on its relationship with Central Asian countries.

    Many believe South Korea is counteracting China’s influence in the region. Like China, South Korea is warming diplomatic relationships and leading summits with countries that can contribute to its economy and where it can introduce its soft power. Before leaving for Central Asia, Yoon declared a policy vision, the “K-Silk Road,” which he said would combine South Korea’s technical expertise with Central Asia’s resource wealth. And it must be considered as the continuation of South Korea’s hosting of its first summit with the leaders of 48 African nations this month, during which it vowed to increase development aid for Africa to $10 billion over the next six years as it looks to tap the continent’s mineral resources and potential as an export market.

    South Korea’s entry is definitely a hopeful sign for Central Asia. The region, rich in resources but lacking the necessary investments and infrastructure, can benefit significantly from South Korea’s involvement and reduce its reliance on Chinese money, which has already created dependency. In return, resource-poor South Korea can gain an advantage in the global race for technology domination. However, South Korea has taken an additional step in its relationship; it represents the country, booming with electronics, batteries, and semiconductors, placing high value on its relationship with Central Asian countries.

    In recent years, South Korea has experienced shortages of key materials, including graphite and urea solution, when China decided to restrict exports. In both cases, authorities scrambled to find alternative sources to limit disruptions to businesses. Thus, it has become crucial for Korea to seek new sources, then why not untapped Central Asia?

  • What’s Happening Between Modi and the RSS?

    What’s Happening Between Modi and the RSS?

    India’s general election is completed, and Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)  have formed a government. However, the result is still causing wonder among political analysts in India. Everyone predicted a third Modi government, but no one expected BJP to fall below the majority. When we analyze the election results in India, we can understand that there was no significant anti-incumbency and the opposition was not strong enough to challenge Modi. Yet, Modi did not achieve a single-handed majority like his previous two terms. Indian media have been searching for reasons from the day of vote counting, and one interesting factor they found is that the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), the parent Hindu nationalist organization of BJP, did not cooperate with BJP as they did in previous terms. This is evident from the dipping vote percentages, the loss of votes in strongholds, and the failure of BJP candidates who were selected over RSS nominees.

    Narendra Modi entered the public space as an ordinary worker of the RSS, and the RSS supported him in attaining all the positions he got in his political career. He still works with the RSS’s agendas, no doubt about it. However, a strong, disciplined organization will never like individuals who grow larger than the organization itself. Over the last two terms, Modi has grown larger than the RSS, and of course, larger than the BJP. The last government was criticized for not being an NDA (Alliance led by BJP) government or a BJP government, but a Modi government. All decisions were taken single-handedly by Modi and his team. Modi was raised as an idol, and all the campaigns for the last general election were in the name of Modi, like “Modi ki Guarantee”, Some people started chanting his name with slogans for Hindu gods, like “Har Har Modi” instead of “Har Har Mahadev”, which definitely hurts a Hindu organization. This idolization became more evident when Modi took the priest role in the inauguration of the Ayodhya temple, the biggest election topic raised by the BJP. Modi himself even announced during the campaign that he is a representative of God. Further worsening the situation, during the campaign, the BJP chief and Modi supporter, JP Nadda, publicly stated that the BJP had grown to a level where they did not need assistance from the RSS. This was definitely a statement that could hurt RSS associates, who were already angry that Modi did not do enough with the RSS’s agendas, despite having a superior majority in Parliament. This resulted in dipping vote percentages and losses in the BJP’s secure seats.

    Many believe the tiff between BJP and RSS is a result of ego clashes among leaders of both organizations. Despite RSS maintaining calm during the election period and avoiding statements, after the results, they criticized the bitter campaigning by both the ruling party and the opposition in the recent general election. In a rare public comment on politics, though it included criticism of the opposition, it was clear the target was BJP. Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), also demanded urgent attention to be given to the strife-torn remote state of Manipur, a security failure during Modi’s rule that has often been reported as neglect by Modi. In his first comments after the election results last week, Bhagwat said the election should be viewed as a competition and not a war, and criticized parties for comments that stoked religious divisions. He stated on Monday in Nagpur that the kind of statements made in campaigns, the manner in which both sides criticized each other, and the lack of concern for social divisions resulting from their actions raised serious concerns about the country’s operation. “The opposition is not an opponent”, he said, in what appeared to be a dig at the BJP, which sharply criticized the opposition and even called “Congress Mukt Bharat ”, which means  the washing out of the main opposition party from Indian Politics. 

    Analysts believe that within BJP, a group has developed under the leadership of Modi and Shah, which is cornering the RSS leadership. Interestingly, RSS has not maintained the same level of firmness against the Indian National Congress in previous times. Therefore, if the relationship between RSS and BJP worsens, it will have a seismic impact on Indian politics, although the likelihood of this happening is low. Both parties know they need each other. Even though Modi garners neutral votes, there are not many other leaders in BJP who can cultivate the same popularity among the common people. Considering this is Modi’s last term according to BJP’s age limit program, BJP cannot sustain its machinery and leadership without RSS. Possibly, the successor of Modi will be decided by RSS. For RSS, if BJP is not in power, they will face challenges similar to those during the Indian National Congress’s time. Therefore, both RSS and BJP need each other, and despite any discontent between leaders, it is believed, they will ultimately cooperate with each other.

  • The Balloon War is Heating Up in Korea

    The Balloon War is Heating Up in Korea

    When considering one of the most tense borders, the border between the Koreas undoubtedly stands out. The democratic Republic of Korea, also known as South Korea, and the Communist Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, widely referred to as North Korea, epitomize the poignant saga of separated brethren, yet remain in an unyielding state of division. Both Koreas yearn for reunification, but they are adamant about maintaining their respective ruling systems, which presents a significant obstacle.

    Each Korea employs various tactics to influence people on the other side and aims for reunification. Previous military efforts in the 1950s culminated in the famous Korean War. Now, with both countries heavily armed and allied with powerful nations, war is not a viable option. Both sides understand that conflict would lead to regional collapse. Instead, they employ different strategies, one of which involves balloons. Yes, balloons are used as a weapon in a “Balloon War”, but not a lethal one. As air flows freely across both Koreas and balloons are used as a tool, South Koreans utilize them to convey information to North Koreans, who live under a tightly controlled regime that restricts access to external information sources. North Korea views this practice seriously, as it can heavily influence its people, and thus, they denounce this act as littering on their land. This tactic has undoubtedly heightened tensions between these two hostile neighbors or estranged brothers.

    The propaganda mission from South Korean activists turned into a “balloon war” when North Korea sent balloons back with waste, including litter and human waste. The balloon war is intensifying, according to the latest reports. According to South Korean media, last Thursday, the Free North Korea Movement, a group of North Korean defectors, declared that it had dispatched 10 large balloons filled with 200,000 leaflets criticizing the regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, along with US dollar bills and flash drives loaded with K-pop. The group further disclosed its dispatch of balloons loaded with approximately 2,000 USB flash drives containing songs by South Korean singer Lim Young-woong, along with other K-pop songs and K-dramas, into North Korea on May 10. This action potentially triggered the recent surge of garbage-filled balloons in the opposite direction.

    In retaliation, North Korea released almost 1,000 balloons containing rubbish, cigarette butts, and what appeared to be excrement to protest the groups in the South. There are reports that fears are growing that the North could resume its “Dirty” campaign in response to the activists actions. According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, North Korea was ready to dispatch “One hundred times the quantity of toilet paper and filth” it had previously used against the South.

    There was a brief period when South Koreans avoided the balloon mission after the South Korean government banned the process of disturbing their neighbor. However, the court later scrapped the ban, leading to further escalation of the balloon mission from the South. North Korea’s actions have only intensified the situation. The tit-for-tat balloon campaign or balloon war  has deteriorated bilateral relations, leading South Korea’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, to suspend a 2018 agreement aimed at easing cross-border tensions. Earlier reports suggested that North Korea agreed to temporarily halt balloon war following Seoul’s warning of “Unendurable” measures, such as the resumption of loud propaganda and pop music broadcasts via loudspeakers positioned along the demilitarized zone (DMZ), a strip of land dividing the peninsula since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. The latest decision by Yoon Suk Yeol means that the South could resume live-fire drills, as well as restarting anti-Kim broadcasts near the border. Restarting the broadcasts would enrage the North, which has previously threatened to destroy the loudspeakers using artillery if they were not turned off. South Korea says it will restart loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts into the North after Pyongyang sent hundreds more rubbish-filled balloons across the border. “We will install loudspeakers against North Korea today and carry out the broadcast”, the president’s office said in a statement on Sunday. Both sides blame each other and escalate measures to increase the suffering of the other.

    On Saturday, the Seoul city government, along with officials in the neighboring Gyeonggi Province, issued a text alert to residents, cautioning them about potential new balloon sightings. South Koreans are quite angry at North Korea, not only because Korean content is considered trash by the North. According to Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, “North Korea is making another low-class provocation with trash balloons against our civilian areas”. At the same time, Seoul’s military calmed down citizens by stating that there were no substances harmful to safety in the latest batch of balloons, which contained waste paper and plastic. However, it cautioned the public to keep their distance and promptly report any balloons to the authorities. All these actions by the “Balloon War” have caused ties between the two Koreas to dip to one of their lowest points in years, with diplomacy long stalled and Kim ramping up his weapons testing and development, while the South draws closer to major security allies Washington and Tokyo.

  • Third Modi Government Inaugurated With a Multitude of Ministers

    Third Modi Government Inaugurated With a Multitude of Ministers

    Narendra Modi commenced his third term in the Prime Minister’s office after completing two full terms, marking him as the first prime minister to achieve this since Jawaharlal Nehru, the founding Prime Minister of the Republic. The oath ceremony took place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President’s Palace, on the evening of June 9th. The Prime Ministers and Presidents of neighboring countries, including the Maldives President who has taken an anti-India stance, attended the ceremony. A large crowd, including politicians from different parties, movie stars, and businesspeople, witnessed the oath ceremony. An interesting fact is the inclusion of a mammoth 71 ministers in the third Modi government, which has many members from parties allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party. It’s clear that the third term will be more of an NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government, unlike the previous BJP-dominated NDA governments, where the BJP single-handedly had the majority.

    Modi’s new government retained key figures from the last government. Members from almost every alliance party, as well as BJP leaders from states where elections are scheduled in the upcoming months, were included. The ministries for senior ministers haven’t changed. Rajnath Singh, senior and former Home Minister, took the oath after Modi and is expected to be the second person in Modi’s ministry, continuing in the Defense Ministry.

    Modi’s right-hand man Amit Shah, the RSS (the BJP’s parental organization) nominee Nitin Gadkari, the female face of Modi’s government Nirmala Sitharaman, and bureaucrat-turned-politician Subramanian Jaishankar are all included in the new ministry with the same roles they held in the last Modi government. Other important inclusions are Shivraj Singh Chauhan, who ruled the state of Madhya Pradesh for 15 years and achieved repeated victories but was forced out from the role of Chief Minister; he is now included in Modi’s ministry. The leader, who was once expected to become Prime Minister, was awarded the important Agriculture Ministry. Other former Chief Ministers who were removed from power by the BJP Central body, like Manohar Lal Khattar from Haryana and Sarbananda Sonowal from Assam, are also included in the Cabinet. Former Chief Ministers from alliance parties, such as HD Kumaraswamy from Karnataka and Jitan Ram Manjhi from Bihar, have been awarded cabinet ranks. Another important inclusion is the current BJP President JP Nadda, who is expected to step down from his post and has been given the Health Ministry.

    Modi’s third government ensures participation from almost all states. Out of the 71 total ministers, 30 will be in cabinet rank and 41 will be Ministers of State (MoS), with 5 of those having independent charges. Among the 72 ministers, 7 will be women. As in previous terms, women are underrepresented. Modi has ensured representation of almost all major communities, including Dalits, Brahmins, Christians, Sikhs, etc., but there are no Muslims.

    Despite significant pressure from major alliance parties, the BJP has retained all important ministries. However, they were forced to scrap the decision to reduce the number of ministries and cut costs. It is expected that, as in the previous Modi government, there will be a reshuffle before state assembly elections, including ministers from the states approaching elections. So far, apart from the NCP, which was not given cabinet rank ministers, there have been no significant objections, suggesting that Modi and his team have successfully managed the demands of their alliance partners.

    Modi’s third term will be interesting as they cannot push the Hindu nationalist agendas as aggressively as in the previous term, but it’s hard to imagine a Modi rule without promoting Hindu agendas. For the most part, India’s next five years will be governed under a common minimum program, with consultation from all parties in the NDA. Political observers are predicting more horse-trading of MPs to increase the number of BJP MPs. Some believe that if Modi can’t rule independently, he might resign, and there could be another prime minister within these five years. However, it is certain that Modi will not be awarded another term because he will exceed the age limit set by the BJP. As all the potential successors, except Yogi Adityanath, are in the cabinet, the performance of these ministers will be closely monitored. In short, an important five years is impending for Indian politics.

  • How Much Has the Taliban Changed Afghanistan?

    How Much Has the Taliban Changed Afghanistan?

    The West abandoned Afghanistan, which is now ruled by the extreme Islamist organization, the Taliban, and is entering another year under outdated and inhuman laws. The land, long controlled by various foreign powers from Indian rulers to the United States, now has its own leaders, although influenced by foreign philosophies. News from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is no longer making front-page headlines and is almost being neglected by the world media. This may be due to the perception that nothing more than expected is happening, and the repetition of such news has become mundane. The suppression of women, brutal punishments, and enforced dress codes are all nothing new. Some analysts previously believed that the new Taliban, allowed to take control of Afghanistan by the United States, would be different from the previous regime and that Afghanistan might adopt more relaxed Islamic laws, after two years, Afghanistan remains a strictly Islamic and regressive state.

    Even though it may seem planned or scripted, The new era of Taliban rule commenced shortly after NATO troops began their withdrawal. The Taliban swiftly launched an offensive against the Afghan government, making rapid advances as Afghan government forces collapsed. In August 2021, the Taliban seized the capital city of Kabul after regaining control over the vast majority of Afghanistan. Though the state of war in the country officially ended in 2021 with the reestablishment of an Islamic state, armed conflict persists in some regions due to fighting between the Taliban and the local branch of Islamic terrorist organizations, as well as an anti-Taliban republican insurgency.

    The Taliban government, which mostly resembles the Islamic Republic of Iran government, albeit the Sunni version, is led by Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and Acting Prime Minister Hasan Akhund, both inaugurated in September 2021. Akhund is among the four founders of the Taliban and formerly served as a deputy prime minister of the previous emirate. His appointment was perceived as a compromise between moderates and hardliners. A new, all-male cabinet was formed by obeying Islamic Laws. The United Nations did not recognize the Taliban government and chose to work with the then government-in-exile instead. However, more countries, including Russia, are now seeking diplomatic relationships with the central Asian country due to its crucial location. Despite having sustained almost two years, the country’s economic and social conditions are reported to be worsening.

    After the NATO withdrawal, the country experienced a steep decline in its financial condition. Subsequently, following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, Western nations suspended most of their humanitarian aid to the country. Furthermore, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund halted their payments. Reports of food shortages and famine, along with expected news of banning females from education and public life, were common at the time of the takeover and in the following months. The help from Islamic countries like Qatar is now the backbone of the country’s economy. And addressing the economic reality, The Taliban is slowly promoting tourism now. 

    Afghanistan has high potential for tourism, but it was disturbed by the Islamic resurgence in the 1990s. Kabul was one of the favorite destinations for Indians and Europeans. The country’s most sought-after tourist destination is the Mountainous Bamiyan, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the remains of two giant Buddha statues that were blown up by the Taliban during their previous rule in 2001. Since taking over Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have pledged to restore security and have encouraged a small but growing number of tourists to trickle back into the country. They sold tickets to visit the site of the destroyed Buddha statues. However, the threat from Islamists continues, jeopardizing Afghanistan’s chances. Just recently, an attack by the Islamic State killed three Spanish tourists. Previously, the Islamic State had claimed responsibility for an attack that injured Chinese citizens at a hotel popular with Chinese business people in Kabul in 2022.

    Social conditions are also a significant concern about the country. Despite promises of a more moderate rule, the Taliban began carrying out severe punishments in public, executions, floggings, and stoning, shortly after returning to power in 2021. These punishments resemble those witnessed during the Taliban’s previous rule in the late 1990s. Last week, the Taliban conducted public floggings of more than 60 people, including over a dozen women, in the northern Sari Pul province.

    At least 63 people were lashed on Tuesday by Afghanistan’s de facto authorities, as confirmed by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan in a statement. The mission denounced corporal punishment and urged adherence to international human rights obligations. The Taliban’s supreme court also confirmed the public flogging of 63 individuals, including 14 women accused of crimes such as sodomy, theft, and immoral relations. They were subjected to flogging at a sports stadium. Separate statements by the supreme court reported that a man and a woman, convicted of adultery and attempting to flee from home, were flogged in northern Panjshir province on Wednesday. Earlier this year, the Taliban publicly executed a man convicted of murder, with thousands watching at a stadium in northern Jawzjan province. This incident marked the fifth public execution since the Taliban seized power.

    The disastrous fate and misery of the beautiful Asian country continues. Unlike their previous emirate, The Taliban is now more mild. they don’t intervene in terrorism in other countries, and they are not considered a threat even by neighbors. However, life in Afghanistan does not vary significantly from the previous term. Strict Islamic laws continue, with women already ousted from public places, and outdated punishments described in Islamic rules still persist. Therefore, changes are evident in Afghanistan, but only in a regressive manner.

  • Maldives to Worsen Relations with Israel

    Maldives to Worsen Relations with Israel

    Maldives, an Islamic Republic archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean, sustains its economy with tourism. The country, which boasts a comparatively higher living standards in South Asia and attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world, is making headlines with its strong reactions against Israel’s Gaza attack. Unlike government-level actions in the past, the Maldives has now decided to close its doors to Israeli citizens by implementing passport controls. Such action from the ruling Muizzu government, as a result of increased protests against Israel and as part of global Muslim solidarity, may worsen the country’s relationship with the West and thereby affect its economy.

    President Mohamed Muizzu has decided to impose a ban on Israeli passports without providing details on when the new law will take effect. Israelis love to visit the coral islands and luxurious resorts of the Maldives, but the Maldivian government does not share this interest. The offering of direct flights was denied by the Maldivian Transport Ministry. However, nearly 11,000 Israelis visited the Maldives in 2023. Official data showed that the number of Israelis visiting the Maldives dropped to 528 in the first four months of this year amid the tensions, down 88% compared to the same period last year.

    As a country with Islamic fundamentalism, the Maldives has always sought to uphold its Islamic character. Although they welcomed tourists from Western countries and India in large numbers due to a lack of other sources of income. And tourism has significantly improved the country’s income and quality of life. However, in recent years, both inside and outside parliament, there have been numerous events emphasizing its Islamic importance, which could impact the tourism sector. Hatred towards Israeli tourists and Jews is prevalent in the government and society, which advocates for Palestine. Last year, Maldivians held protests to stop Israeli tourism in the Maldives, showing solidarity with Palestinians. Maldivian MP Saud Hussain submitted a resolution to parliament to ban Israeli passport holders from entering the country, and Maldivians increasingly called for a boycott of Israel-linked companies. Opposition parties and government allies in the Maldives have been pressuring Muizzu to ban Israelis as a protest against the Gaza war. Following these events, in 2024, Maldivian MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem submitted a bill to parliament calling for a ban on entry for Israeli passport holders, which was promptly accepted, and the country has started implementing that law. The president’s office announced on Sunday that the cabinet decided to change the laws to prevent Israeli passport holders from entering the country and to establish a subcommittee to oversee the process. Muizzu also introduced a national fundraising campaign named ‘Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine’.

    The Maldives has a complex relationship with Israel. The Maldives had lifted a previous ban on Israeli tourists in the early 1990s and moved to restore relations in the 2010s. According to the rulers of the country, this decision will change. The countries had good diplomatic relations from 1965 to 1974. From 2012 to 2017, they maintained cooperation agreements but did not restore full diplomatic relations. There were reports during the time of Mohammed Nasheed, who overthrew long-ruling Gayoom, that there were attempts at normalization. However, normalization attempts were scuttled after the toppling of then-president Mohamed Nasheed in February 2012. While Gulf countries normalized relationships, there were also talks, but the ruling politicians denied it. The Maldives maintains its stance in international venues too. The Maldives condemned the Israeli attacks on Rafah and called on Israel to abide by the International Court of Justice’s ruling.

    Israel’s foreign ministry urged Israeli citizens on Sunday to refrain from traveling to the Maldives. The ministry clarified that this advisory extended to Israelis with dual citizenship. “For Israeli citizens already in the country, it is recommended to consider leaving, because if they find themselves in distress for any reason, it will be difficult for us to assist”, the ministry said in a statement. And if Israel raises safety concerns, it will influence other western countries. 

    The travel ban to the islands will not matter much for Israel but is a self-destructive move for the Maldives. The country’s erratic politicians have already deterred Indian tourists by making silly comments about the nation, including racist remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The immature political decisions have worsened tourist’s interest in the country, even though the country aims to attract more Chinese and Islamic tourists. Recent actions, such as the ban on Israelis, will undoubtedly damage the country’s reputation among the western population. Ultimately it’s all affecting the already strained economy, burdened by Chinese debt. It appears that politicians excel at triggering self-destructive outcomes.

  • Is Taiwan’s Democracy Under Threat?

    Is Taiwan’s Democracy Under Threat?

    Taiwan, or the Republic of China, is the “Model China” for the West, mainly because of two reasons: one is hatred towards communism, and the other is democracy. Even though the country was founded under the authoritarian leader Chiang Kai-shek, Taiwan is included in the category of full democracy and ranked 10th globally in the Economist Democracy Index, indicating that the country has one of the best democratic systems. However, the introduction of PRC-like controversial reform bills is raising concerns about democracy in the state. Inside and outside the parliament, protests are intensifying, and experts believe that, in the name of protecting the island from mainland China’s interests, and crackdown of corruption, Taiwan is becoming increasingly authoritarian.

    Taiwan’s opposition-controlled parliament has passed a controversial reform bill despite heavy protests. The bill seeks to expand the legislature’s power to call on and question officials, military figures, and citizens, as well as demand documents. It is perceived as an attempt to establish complete control over people, reminiscent of the Chinese Communist Party’s laws. After days of hostile debate and physical fights between MPs inside, and mass protests by citizens outside, the bill passed in the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan’s parliament. The bill passed 58 votes to 45, after a third reading on Tuesday evening in Taipei, during which there were further scuffles and members of the ruling party threw paper planes and hurled garbage bags at the opposition.

    The bills were driven by the two major opposition parties, the nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) and the populist Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), which together hold a majority in parliament after gaining ground over the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in January’s elections. The KMT-TPP legislative majority coalition is seeking to introduce a set of powers for improved institutional checks and balances, legislative strengthening, and democratic consolidation. These powers include the power to investigate, the power of inquiry, contempt resolutions, a normalized presidential address to the legislature, and the power to confirm appointments.

     When the final votes were tallied, triumphant KMT and TPP legislators waved small balloons shaped like suns. Proponents say legislative reform is needed in Taiwan for greater accountability and argue that these bills are similar to some that the ruling DPP attempted to introduce when they had a legislative majority. Remnants of over a week of hostilities and late-night deliberations, such as placards, flowers, and stacks of furniture, encircled the parliamentarians, while tens of thousands of protesters gathered outside. After the bill passed, KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi announced that the opposition would create a special task force to investigate alleged corruption within the DPP.

    The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) told the media it would reject the new bill and the President will send it back for review, seeking a legal ruling on its constitutionality. Despite having worked on similar bills when they held a majority in parliament, Caucus Whip Ker Chien-ming stated that the bill’s content was “Absolutely Unconstitutional” and questioned the legality of the voting process. The DPP accused the opposition of using the reforms to undermine President Lai Ching-te’s administration, which was formally inaugurated last Monday. The DPP and its supporters claim that the opposition is undermining Taiwan’s democratic processes to push the bill through, Contending that the proposed law could be readily exploited to target political adversaries and disrupt the operations of Lai’s administration.

    The protests are the largest Taiwan has seen since the 2014 Sunflower Movement, a time that many protesters this week referenced and drew inspiration from. Outside the building, tens of thousands of individuals congregated to protest against the bills for the third time in a week. The protest movement was named the Bluebird Movement, a name orthographically similar to Qingdao East Road, where the main protests took place. The rallies featured a full day of speakers and musical acts. Crowds surged as work and school concluded, coinciding with the passage of the bill.

    With the president and the ruling party at odds with the opposition-majority parliament, ongoing conflicts are expected to persist, posing a significant challenge for newly inaugurated President Lai. He must navigate political adversaries in the parliament while also addressing China’s threats to annex Taiwan. However, it is evident that such bills, whether proposed by the DPP or the opposition alliance, will weaken Taiwan’s democratic system. Without a robust democracy, there will be little difference between Taiwan and Mainland China.

  • What’s Behind North Korea’s Waste-Filled Balloons?

    What’s Behind North Korea’s Waste-Filled Balloons?

    The use of propaganda balloons has long been a source of tension between North Korea and South Korea, two nations locked  in conflict since the 1950s. South Korea is an expert in this tactic, frequently sending propaganda-filled balloons to the North, which disturbed the communist government. They continued This practice until recently. However, South Korea ceased this action, While North Korea is reported to be sending balloons filled with human feces and rubbish.

    This “new way” for the authoritarian communist country to humiliate South Korea has quickly become a trending topic in the political sphere. On Wednesday, the South Korean military released photographs depicting inflated balloons tethered to plastic bags. Other images appeared to show trash strewn around collapsed balloons, with the word “Excrement” written on a bag in one photograph. This method, sending rubbish and feces, noted since the Scythian period, is a classic and ancient way to humiliate enemies. Considering North Korea’s large missile collection, one might wonder why they resort to such tactics. Nevertheless, North Korea’s inhumane and vulgar actions have sparked fury in South Korea.

    According to reports from South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, citing military sources, more than 150 balloons had been detected. Some of the balloons landed on the ground, while others were still in the air. Some of the balloons had traveled long distances, reaching as far as the southeastern province of South Gyeongsang, a province close to Japan. The fallen balloons appeared to have been carrying various items of rubbish, including plastic bottles, batteries, shoe parts, and what is believed to be manure, an official of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. South Korea has issued a warning to residents living near the border with North Korea to remain vigilant. The South Korean military reported that unidentified objects believed to be from North Korea had been spotted near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the heavily fortified border separating the two Koreas.

    The balloons arrived after Kim Kang-il, a North Korean defense vice-minister, warned that the regime would retaliate in response to anti-North Korean leaflets flown across the border in the opposite direction. For years, South Korean activists and North Korean defectors have launched balloons to North Korea containing leaflets that critique the regime and encourage North Koreans to challenge the longstanding rule of the Kim dynasty in the name of Communism. Additionally, they have transported USB memory sticks containing K-pop music videos, prohibited in the North. The North Korean leader dismisses this material as rubbish.

    Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, activists in the South released helium-filled balloons across the border. The balloons reportedly contained masks, over-the-counter painkillers, and vitamin C tablets, as well as booklets celebrating life in the wealthy, democratic South. The packages also included hundreds of USB sticks containing videos of US Congress members denouncing North Korea’s human rights record. Even though it may seem acceptable to the rest of the world, for North Korea, which claims not to have cases, it is considered humiliation. This is the same humiliation they are now inflicting on South Korea, sending a clear message that the material they send to the North is just rubbish, equivalent to feces, to them.

    While balloons were mostly used by human rights activists and Korean unification supporters in South Korea, the South Korean government didn’t intervene much in this. However, in 2020, the South Korean government, led by the liberal president Moon Jae-in, drew an angry response from human rights activists after it took action against two defector organizations that routinely released propaganda balloons, accusing them of unnecessarily provoking the North and hampering efforts to improve cross-border ties. The government rescinded the permits of the groups when they consistently disregarded official requests to cease the flights.. 

    For the regime in Pyongyang, the balloons represent a potential existential threat since they challenge the carefully crafted narrative surrounding the Kim dynasty and the people blocked from outside the world. The regime routinely describes their contents as “Dirty Waste” and claims that they were responsible for spreading the coronavirus through the balloon packages.

    The cross-border balloon activity was reduced during Moon’s administration, which criminalized leafleting campaigns in a law introduced in early 2021, six months after Pyongyang expressed its anger over the leaflets by blowing up an inter-Korean liaison office in the North Korean border town of Kaesong. However, after two years, South Korea’s constitutional court nullified the contentious leafleting law, deeming it an undue restriction on free speech. With the court’s grant and North Korea’s move to send waste to South Korea through balloons, more balloon launches are expected to be prompted. The mutual humiliations are not expected to escalate to a military level.