Deng and Xi: Two faces of Chinese authoritarianism
“On August 22, Chinese media extensively covered Xi Jinping’s speech at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, marking the 120th anniversary of Deng Xiaoping’s birth. The ceremony was attended by top leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and government officials, including Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai...
CIR Comment: “Sri Lanka Elections: Tamil’s voice”
Sri Lanka’s newly elected President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, dissolved parliament to pave the way for a snap general election on November 14, 2024, aiming to secure a fresh mandate. Dissanayake, a left-leaning politician, was elected on 21st September amidst the country’s recovery from a severe economic crisis. While the election...
CIR comment: “War pushes us to re-define Europe”
The aggression against Ukraine stems from Putin’s speech as a re-founder czar. For at least fifteen years Putin has been theorizing the reconstruction of a great Slavic power dominated by Russia and based on order, hierarchy, illiberal ideology and contempt for the corrupt West. His rhetoric feeds on very different...
CIR comment “War in Europe. Ukraine fights for the West”
European peace and security we took for granted has been demolished. We are witnessing a war in the heart of Europe, and Ukraine is being murdered before our very eyes. We can see, however, that, contrary to Kremlin’s expectations, the West is united. The European Union and its Allies have...
CIR comment: “Russian invasion of Ukraine”
The invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign and independent country, by Russia has shaken the international community. It is unlike the NATO and American forces moving into Iraq, Syria or Afghanistan, where dictators and fundamentalists were torturing their own people – writes Dr. D.K. Giri in comment “Russian invasion of Ukraine”....
CIR Comment: “Lebanon. The diplomatic crisis in the heart of Middle East”
On October 29th, Saudi Arabia adopted a series of punitive measures against Lebanon. The kingdom was followed by Bahrain, its very close ally, then by Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. There is fear that Lebanon, in the midst of economic collapse, will be transformed into a ground of confrontation...
CIR Comment: “Vietnam. New authorities, old system”
Easter Monday in 2021 saw a change of government in Vietnam. The swearing in of the new “three pillars” of the party system was a formality, but indicated the direction the country wants to take. Vietnam – as one of the few countries in the world – can boast of...
CIR Comment: “Syria. 10 years later”
The initial civil unrest in the wave of the Arab Spring in Syria turned into the greatest humanitarian crisis of today’s world. Although ten years have passed since the war outbreak, the passing of time has in no way improved the situation of Syrians. Almost half a million citizens died...
CIR Comment: “America after the elections. The Biden era with Trump in the background”
Donald Trump was acquitted by the US Senate of responsibility for January’s riots and the storming of the Capitol by protesters. It was hard to imagine a different outcome since the Republicans – even the anti-Trumpist ones – feared a party split. Trump – the only president in US history...
CIR Comment: “Poland and Russia. Struggle on the periphery”
Attempt to poison the Russian oppositionist and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny, his treatment in Berlin, return to Moscow, arrest and subsequent protests sparked a renewed discussion in Europe about Russia. It influences the Polish debate on Eastern policy and the future of relations with our closest neighbor. Contrary to the...
CIR Comment: “Keeping an eye on Asia’s dynamic development”
There is no doubt that both the fight against the coronavirus and the US elections are crucial for the future of Europe. However, we should not forget to keep an eye on events in Asia. The future of not only China but also the rest of the world is being...
CIR Comment: “President Joe Biden. Europeans love him, will he love them back?”
The incoming American president Joe Biden has promised to work with allies, reinstate the Iran nuclear deal, recommit to NATO, take on Russia, and convince Europeans to get tough on China. Europe is happy. The European Union expects to go back to strong transatlantic relations and to “business as usual”...
CIR Comment: “Polexit? Two ways of Polish conservatism”
“Exit” does not mean leaving the European Union, but a complex process that may take many years. In this sense, polexit is already a reality. Walls instead of bridges are being built between Warsaw and Brussels. At the same time, Poles remain the most pro-European nation in the community (88%...
CIR Comment: “Turnaround in the Middle East”
The establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel, The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain has taken the world by surprise. But it shouldn’t. After all, economic and intelligence relations between the countries have been developing for at least a good few years. How is it possible that Israel – so far...
CIR Comment: “No place for fake news”
In these unprecedented times the role of the media – the fourth pillar of democracy – is very critical given its mandate to inform the citizens and public about what’s happening as well as help build public opinion – writes Sabine Inderjit in her comment No place for fake news....
Comment CIR “The Black Lives Matter and a New America in waiting”
The coronavirus pandemic has shaken the foundations of American exceptionalism. It has also demonstrated a widespread lack of confidence in the country around the world. The Black Lives Matter movement, however, has brought the much needed hope. And Presidential election in November will show if it materializes – writes dr...
Comment CIR “The COVID-19 pandemic and the future of multilateralism”
The crisis of multilateralism was present in the world system long before the US President Donald Trump took office, and before the advent of the pandemic. It has deep structural roots, and it coincides with the changing division of power in the industrialized world. But now, paradoxicaly, we need multilateralism...
CIR Comment: “India – China Relations and Emerging Geopolitical Dimension”
The positive atmospherics built by both India and China in the form of informal summit in 2018 at Wuhan after Doklam stand-off was perceived to be a new beginning in building mutual understanding on each other’s perspective on contentious issues. India reciprocated and welcomed President Xi Jinping at the second...
CIR Comment: “Should India be wary of Hungary?”
An International Study has identified 46 populist leaders in the world. What is of interest and some anxiety is that when the whole world is locked down in battling the coronavirus, the Hungarian Prime Minister did not want to waste this crisis to enlarge his powers. Populism goes with concentration...
CIR Comment: “EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement”
A landmark free trade agreement will enter into force in early August. It concerns the European Union and Vietnam, eliminates virtually all customs duties and thus creates excellent conditions for the reconstruction of enterprises after the coronavirus crisis. The reality, however, may turn out to be much more difficult than...