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.
Research Analyst, IDSA, Ms Nagapushpa Devendra’s article on Saudi Prince, Mohammad Bin Salman attending the G20 Summit in Argentina, titled ‘Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS) Act of Retouch in the G20 Summit’ was published by the Centre for Land and Warfare Studies (CLAWS) on January 07, 2019.
The article analysis the visit in the wake of the ongoing tension between the Kingdom and the Western values and interests due to Khashoggi’s case.
Research Analyst, IDSA, Ms Nagapushpa Devendra’s article on Turkey-Syria discord, titled ‘Assad-Kurds alliance can resolve Turkey’s conundrum in Syria’ was published by Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) on November 09, 2018.
The article analyses Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to establish a ‘demilitarized zone’ in Idlib to forestall Syrian bombardment against rebels’ last stronghold.
Research Analyst, IDSA, Ms Nagapushpa Devendra’s article on the row between Turkey and Saudi Arabia over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, titled ‘The Turkey-Saudi Dispute over Khashoggi’s Disappearance’ was published in Globe Post, Turkey, on October 17, 2018.
If Khashoggi was indeed murdered by Saudi Arabia, it will be a sign that Prince Salman’s media crackdown is reaching a new level of apprehending critics at home, as well as abroad. Given that they have nabbed him in Turkey, the issue will go beyond just a missing writer, argues Ms Devendra.
Beijing’s Soft Diplomacy in West Asia in Times of COVID-19
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.