(AFP)Sri Lanka on Thursday welcomed the first Russian travellers aboard a new flight service that was launched after the bankrupt nation urged Moscow to help revive its beleaguered economy by sending tourists. Russia was Sri Lanka’s biggest source of visitors at the start of the year but arrivals

By Dr Laksiri Fernando One mistake we normally make in analysing the situation or crisis in Sri Lanka is to do it in isolation. Sri Lanka is unfortunately only a part of a world system. Although this situation is valid to almost all other countries, smaller or weaker a country, larger are the effects of […]

Analysis by Matthew Brooker It was the year that the scales fell from Europe’s eyes on China. Heading into 2023, the clarity engendered by Beijing’s stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine is in danger of being lost. Leaders of a continent beset by soaring energy prices and economic hardship show signs of wanting to pick […]

Some countries, such as Algeria, Jordan, Morocco and Oman, offered concessions including constitutional changes, to stall protests. Ukraine’s famed ‘Maidan Protest,’ in 2013-14 led to the overthrow of pro-Russian dictator, Yanukovych. by HARSHA KAKAR The Arab Spring in 2010-11 challenged and overthrew authoritarian governments in the Middle East and North Africa. They commenced in Tunisia […...

By Shehab Al-Makahleh and Giorgio Cafiero Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Riyadh for a three-day trip, underscoring the constantly growing importance of Sino-Saudi relations, and a clear message from Saudi Arabia that it will not take diktats from the United States. Xi’s first trip to Saudi Arabia in six years gives Saudi Crown Prince […]

BY Ajeyo Basu New Delhi: Since its creation in 1947, Pakistan has based the very purpose of its existance on establishing Muslim rule over ‘Hindu’ India. However, the setbacks in the wars of 1965 and 1971 made the Pakistan Army – the actual rulers of the impoverished country – realise the futility of direct military confrontation […]

BY Lili Bayer At one end, China hawks like the U.S. are trying to converge NATO’s goals with their own desire to constrain Beijing. At the other are China softliners like Hungary who want to engage Beijing. Then there’s a vast and shifting middle: hawks that don’t want to overly antagonize Beijing; softliners that still […]

India and Indonesia think tanks – The Centre for Global Affairs and Public Policy (CGAPP) and Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) respectively, held a discussion on “G20 and Global Dynamics” and recognized the impact of close bilateral cooperation. Indonesia is all set to host the G20 summit at Bali from November 15-17. What is equally significant is that I...

The meet between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the run-up to the recent Bali summit of the G20 countries has almost overwhelmingly attracted world attention and this is only to be expected, considering the importance to the world of the principal issues in US-China relations. However, of equal importance ought […]

Bankrupt Sri Lanka is caught up in a China-US battle. The situation has been further complicated by India, Japan and Australia becoming part of the US-led military alliance meant to counter China. The US-led grouping is hell-bent on enhancing its influence in Colombo as both parties woo lawmakers. Recent declaration by the ruling party that […]

Support from China, Russia and India is enabling Myanmar’s military to sustain itself and carry out human rights abuses despite its failure to consolidate power following last year’s coup, a group of international legislators has said, according to Al Jazeera report datelined Nov 03.In a report published on Wednesday, the parliamentarians said this “steadfast and uncritical” support, [...

By Rebecca Bundhun India’s economy and equity markets are outperforming most of their global peers. Despite a slew of challenges including macroeconomic headwinds stemming from Russia’s war in Ukraine, elevated crude oil prices and tightening liquidity globally, the growth story of Asia

When Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev went to Peking on an official visit in July-August 1958, chairman Mao Zedong chose an unusual venue for one of their meetings―his private swimming pool. “You look after Europe, and leave Asia to us,” Mao told Khrushchev. The Soviet leader, however, was not impressed. “No one has authorised us to […]