This Issue Brief analyses the structural limitations of the Gulf security framework in light of Israel’s unprecedented attack in Doha on 9 September, targeting Palestinian Hamas leadership. While the attack marked a dangerous escalation of Tel Aviv’s regional adventurism, it also exposed the enduring structural weaknesses of the Gulf’s security architecture which has been defined by entrenched dependency on the United States.
This issue brief explores whether Pakistan can evolve from a traditional “security contractor” into West Asia’s net security stabiliser. The September 17, 2025, Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement marks a pivotal moment, formalising decades of military cooperation between the two countries. Historically, Pakistan has trained Gulf forces, guarded monarchies, and provided military personnel, often in transactional arrangements....
The Jatiya Nagorik Party (JNP)— born out of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) movement, that steered the July 2024 uprising in Bangladesh— is seeking to break the decades-long dominance of the Awami League and BNP, and advocating for a Second Republic through constitutional reform and centrist, pluralist governance. As it navigates entrenched power structures and competing opposition forces, it faces both great promise and uncertain challenges in its quest to reshape the nation’s political future.
Dr. Khurshid analyses the emerging “credit war” surrounding the India–Pakistan ceasefire, questioning external claims of mediation and highlighting how great-power rivalry and narrative politics are shaping post-conflict discourse. The article reinforces India’s consistent position that the ceasefire resulted from direct military communication, while cautioning against opportunistic interventions by external actors seeking strategic visibility.
India-Qatar relations have come a long way since the two nations established diplomatic ties in 1973. Despite a slow start, relations between the two countries have improved significantly in recent years, driven by shared economic interests and increasing cooperation in areas such as energy, defence, and culture. This article examines the trajectory of India-Qatar relations and the factors that have shaped their development....
Dr. Khurshid highlights INSV Kaundinya’s historic voyage, showcasing India’s efforts to reclaim its ancient maritime heritage and challenge colonial-era narratives. The expedition retraces historic sea routes, emphasizing India’s longstanding role in Indian Ocean trade and cultural exchange, while reinforcing soft power and maritime partnerships.
The article analyses newly declassified U.S. archival records to examine international perceptions and strategic assessments of Pakistan’s nuclear programme. It highlights how successive U.S. administrations privately viewed proliferation risks in South Asia, often navigating tensions between non-proliferation commitments and broader geopolitical and strategic interests.....
This article explores how India is perceived differently across South Asia. It compares Bangladesh and Nepal to show how domestic politics shape foreign narratives. The piece argues that India is often blamed for internal failures in Bangladesh. It highlights how narrative-building, not policy alone, drives regional perceptions.
The article critically analyses the growing incoherence in U.S. Asia policy under President Donald Trump, highlighting how contradictory strategic choices are undermining Washington’s own objective of countering China. It argues that inconsistent U.S. engagement in South Asia—particularly involving Pakistan—risks weakening India’s regional position while enabling China’s expanding influence across the subcontinent.
Topic: “US under Trump 2.0: Issues, Challenges and Future Directions for India and the World”
Syed Eesar Mehdi's Article Published in Centre for Kashmir Analysis and Research (C-KAR) titled "Pakistan’s Social Media Disinformation Blitz: Orchestrated Propaganda Seeks to Twist Kashmir Narrative Amid Pahalgam Tragedy" on April 27, 2025.
The International Centre for Peace Studies (ICPS), New Delhi, proudly partnered with the Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (NMCPCR), Jamia Millia Islamia, for a one-day Graduate Conference titled “World Order in Disarray: Perspectives on Shifting Geopolitics”, held on April 25, 2025.
Syed Eesar Mehdi's Article Published in Centre for Kashmir Analysis and Research (C-KAR) titled "The Battle of Narratives and Perception: Will Pahalgam 2025 Mark the Change in Kashmir Forever?" on April 24, 2025
There was a time when Kashmir was a headline. A buzzword. A flashpoint used by talking heads and politicians far from the valley’s windswept apple orchards and snow-laced hills. It was spoken of in boardrooms, in war rooms, and in drawing rooms—anywhere but where the real people lived, where the real damage was done. But something has begun to shift, quietly but profoundly. And perhaps for the first time in decades, Kashmir is not being defined by those who seek to fragment it, but by those who have lived, endured, and are now choosing to rebuild it.
If Bangladesh continues to whitewash its past, it risks losing its national identity and the ideals that gave it independence
Given his past decisions—such as withdrawing the US from multilateral agreements like the Paris Climate Accord—Donald Trump may push to reshape the QUAD into a more security-centric framework
When the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in February 2022, much of the West viewed global responses through a binary lens, as usual—us versus them—defining countries as either supporters of Ukraine or allies of Russia. Western nations, particularly the United States and its European allies, presented this struggle in moralistic terms: democracy vs autocracy, good versus evil, the free world versus an expansionist dictatorships.
India and Bangladesh share a deep-rooted historical, civilizational, and geographical connection. As neighbours in South Asia, their relationship has been characterized by cooperation and mutual respect but has also faced occasional challenges due to differing perceptions, internal politics, historical reasons, and relative power dynamics.
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How a Potential Regime Change in Iran might affect Gilgit-Baltistan
Senge Sering
Potential regime change in Iran could reshape Gilgit‑Baltistan, weakening Shia networks, disrupting China–Pakistan strategies under CPEC, and intensifying regional contestation between Western influence, local identity, and strategic resource exploitation.
The NA-130 Verdict and the Rigged Reality of the Pakistani State
Mohammed Shoaib Raza
The NA 130 verdict exemplifies Pakistan’s hybrid system, where elections, courts, and constitutional amendments serve elite management. Imran Khan’s confinement underscores military dominance over civilian politics and managed democracy.
Ottoman Shadow in India’s Neighbourhood
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As part of Turkey’s ambition to emerge as a global Islamic leader, it is seeking to expand its influence in India’s neighbourhood. Its strategic ties with Pakistan and Bangladesh remain an area of concern for India.
A New Agenda for Maoists: Democracy
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Following significant surrenders in 2025, India’s Maoists face a pivotal shift from armed insurrection to possible democratic participation. This analysis explores their potential transition into a mainstream political force.