The theory of offensive realism was defined by John J Mearsheimer. Cedric Garrido shows it limitations, as demonstrated by the case of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), among others, which apply a different form of realism based on the notion that security is indelible between regional neighbours. There is no security for any of them unless all are secure.

The cumulative effect of imperialist assertions by America may splinter the hitherto solid Anglo-American Unity and the NATO alliance led by Washington and intended to consolidate the liberal-democratic order of Europe. India mostly suffered from the traditional US approach to South Asia with few exceptions, whereas Pakistan derived many benefits from it and used it to nurture its ISI, armed forces, hardline mullahs and terror networks – all united by their common resolve to destroy the Indian State, says Sudhanshu Tripathi.

The Iran-Israel War of 2025 marks a historic rupture in Middle Eastern geopolitics, transitioning from covert proxy confrontations to overt state-to-state warfare. Zaid Mustafa Alavi and Sana Haider explain how the conflict has aggravated an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, especially in Gaza, while simultaneously exposing the erosion of international norms and institutions. The analysis critiques the selective application of international law, the impotence of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine, and the failure of institutions like the UN to uphold global justice. The authors critique simplistic frameworks such as Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations”, arguing instead for a nuanced understanding of the geopolitical, economic, and humanitarian ramifications of the war. 

Culture has been at the forefront in the liberation of peoples. Afghan culture has long been a potent force to unite the diverse tribes of Afghans against a common foe. The Taliban also utilised the culture as part of the strategy in their fight against the American forces inside Afghanistan. Yaqoob Ul Hassan describes the Taliban as a movement deeply rooted in Afghan cultural values, particularly Pashtunwali, and shows how these values—such as melmestia, nanawatai, nang, and badal—have been instrumental in their return to power. The author also considers how the Taliban capitalised on inter-Pashtun rivalries and the dominance of non-Pashtun entities to reassert their influence, positioning themselves as defenders of Pashtun identity and Islam.

The Kashmir issue has been the biggest bone of contention between India and Pakistan since their independence in 1947. As Pakistan joined the Western block and became a US confederate during the Cold War era, the United States formulated its Kashmir policy taking into account Cold War considerations. However, in the post-Cold War era Washington generally adopted a fairly pro-India policy on Kashmir. The first Trump Administration extended full support to India’s Kashmir policy. Unlike Trump, President Joe Biden formulated a Kashmir policy intended to please both India and Pakistan. Now that the Joe Biden presidency is over and the Democratic Party lost the 2024 elections, Santosh Singh discusses their policy on Kashmir.

The act of Genocide, which is characterised by a calculated effort to exterminate a targeted group of people based on their race, religion, ethnicity, or nationality is probably the most atrocious human rights violation in international law. World history has seen and condemned genocides like the Nazi Holocaust, the Rwandan massacre, and the Darfur crises. However, this overly simplistic and state-centric conception of genocide ignores totalitarian and colonial genocides that were carried out before the Holocaust. Vaishnavi Singh highlights these neglected genocides while further exploring the reasons for their removal or relegation to the bottom of the international community’s memory hole. 

India is recognised globally as a major economic power, yet it remains one of the most protectionist nations, with high import tariffs long predating former President Trump’s trade policies. Key industries such as agriculture, automotive, and electronics are shielded by even higher tariffs. This protectionist stance stems from India’s post-independence policy of economic self-sufficiency, rooted in concerns about foreign dominance and the need to protect local industries from large-scale global competitors. However, in today’s interconnected world, this approach may hinder India’s economic growth and competitiveness, suggesting that a reassessment of such policies is necessary according to Saurabh Singh, Bharti Chauhan and Shivani Pandey. 

Due to its strategic location, Myanmar is vital for China to successfully implement its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). For Myanmar, China provides diplomatic protection, economic assistance and military cooperation in the face of international isolation; its relationship with China has been characterised by warmth as well as mutual distrust. Shonyothem Ng provides an in-depth analysis of the ever-evolving nature, magnitude and characteristics of the relationship between Myanmar and China. The study employs a historical approach, taking into consideration the patterns of relationship between the two countries.