Tension between the US and Iran escalated after the assassination of Iranian military commander, General Qassim Soleimani by the Trump administration on January 3, 2020. Tehran launched a series of missile attacks on a military base that hosts American troops in Iraq. This is the first direct engagement between both the countries since the naval battle precipitating the Vincennes event on July 3, 1998.
The new government in Iraq is likely to face challenges in addressing the issues of political instability, economic crisis, inflation, unemployment, among others. It will also have to maintain a balance between the US, the Arab allies, Iran and Turkey, the main external actors active in Iraq.
The expected victory of a hardline, conservative candidate in the forthcoming Iranian presidential elections could become a hindrance to fulfilling the country’s economic agenda and lead to greater domestic instability.
Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms. Nagapushpa Devendra’s article ‘India-Qatar Defence Cooperation: The Road Ahead’ has been published in Diplomacy and Beyond, on March 23, 2021.
There is a need for sustained efforts, investment, greater synergy and coordination between India and Qatar. Scope in defence and security cooperation is immense, given the growing intent and burgeoning need on both the sides. Such areas can be explored for enhancing cooperation between India and Qatar, writes Ms. Devendra.
Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms. Nagapushpa Devendra’s article on Iran-China Strategic Partnership, titled ‘The Iran–China 25-years Deal: Where does it leave India?’, has been published by ‘The Rise’ on August 09, 2020.
Tehran is more confident about Chinese investment and support to the country at a time when India failed to provide such reassurance and resilience. Even if China does not bid a better deal as India, Iran will prefer Beijing for the development of Farzad B, writes Ms. Devendra.
China’s soft diplomacy in West Asia, particularly in times of pandemic, is a way to improve its global image and recast itself as a responsible actor at relatively low cost, rather than a sign of any deeper commitment towards the region.
The pandemic continues to amplify the crisis in West Asia, making it hard for governments to cope with it individually. In the absence of a coordinated effort at the regional level, the road to economic recovery will be long and uneven.
Research Analyst, IDSA Ms. Nagapushpa Devendra’s article on US-Iran tensions, titled ‘Baghdad assassination and unfolding Iran-US crisis in Iraq’ has been published in ‘The Kootneeti’ on January 11, 2020.
Research Analyst, IDSA, Ms Nagapushpa Devendra’s Peer reviewed article on Yemen civil war, titled ‘Brewing Yemen Civil War and Its Implication on International Maritime Security’ has been published in Vol 15 No 1 (2018) of the Journal of Maritime Research.
Yemen civil war has been brewing for a while now, but the news of Saleh’s death came like roll of thunder, reverberating across the region, writes Ms Devendra.
Research Analyst, IDSA, Ms Nagapushpa Devendra’s article on Turkish offensive in Syria, titled ‘What Turkey’s ‘Operation Peace Spring’ means for Syria?’ has been published in ‘The Kootneeti’ on October 15, 2019.
The article analyses the key point of the latest developments in Syria that reinforces the notion that ring-wing authoritarian leaders like Erdogan, Saudi Arabia Prince MBS, Netanyahu etc, can persuade Trump to act in their interest.
Iran Presidential Elections 2021
The expected victory of a hardline, conservative candidate in the forthcoming Iranian presidential elections could become a hindrance to fulfilling the country’s economic agenda and lead to greater domestic instability.