It remains to be seen whether AL in its third term will be able to address the issue of rampant corruption that has deeply permeated the governance structure as well as the issue of free speech that many believe the ICT Act has impaired.
Soft power has become a new currency of power in international relations. It assumes more significance with countries that are sovereign equals but vulnerable to dominance and hegemonic actions by powerful states in international system. Especially in countries that are extremely sovereignty-sensitive, actions through soft power becomes more acceptable as a means of intervention whether it is economic or cultural investment Of dominant powers. American soft power is much more about the attractiveness of America as a liberal democracy.
Of late the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is receiving sincere attention from its member countries as an organisation that has the potential to transform the region’s political and economic future. This is because there are several bilateral and sub-regional ongoing projects that are seeking to connect the region and bind them together into one economic whole. Apart from this, after the cancellation of the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summit in 2017, many would see the BIMSTEC as an alternative to SAARC.
Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr Smruti Pattanaik’s article on BIMSTEC, titled ‘Turning Bimstec into a vehicle for regional cooperation’ was published in The Daily Star on August 31, 2018.
The article analyses BIMSTEC’s potential to transform the region. The organization will remain a vehicle for transforming eastern South Asia where the members share fairly good relations. With the right mixture of political will and direction, BIMSTEC can deliver in areas where SAARC has not been able to, reads the article.
Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr Smruti Pattanaik’s article on the recently concluded Pakistan elections, titled ‘The future of 'Naya Pakistan' was published in ‘The Daily Star’ on July 31, 2018.
The article spells out the challenges before the new government in delivering a corruption-free Pakistan which is sensitive to the expectations of the people.
Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr Smruti Pattanaik’s article on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), titled ‘Reshaping Asian politics’ has been published in The Dakha Tribune on June 13, 2018.
The article analyses how the SCO will play a crucial role in shaping politics in the Asian region.
Political instability in the wake of the arrest of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in a corruption case will not portend well for Bangladesh and the region.
Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr Smruti Pattanaik’s article on the Maldives crisis, titled ‘The unfolding political crisis in Maldives’ was published in ‘The Daily Star’ on February 12, 2018.
While the agreement remains controversial, China is likely to consolidate its presence and Sri Lanka likely to get deeper into the Chinese debt trap even though it has gained temporary relief through the equity for debt swap.
Research Fellow, IDSA, Dr Smruti Pattanaik’s article on political turbulence in Maldives, titled ‘Maldives: Political trouble in the nascent democracy’ was published in The Daily star on July 30, 2017.
Bangladesh General Elections 2018: What Next for the Opposition
It remains to be seen whether AL in its third term will be able to address the issue of rampant corruption that has deeply permeated the governance structure as well as the issue of free speech that many believe the ICT Act has impaired.