Mehwish's Blog

  A wildfire  erupted in different parts of Europe amid the heat wave creating havoc for people.   Scientists have linked wildfire to climate change which has become a major concern that is leading to extreme weather conditions. The scourging heat has contributed to increasing in wildfires that led to the excavation of people. The temperature is expected to reach 40 Celsius in different parts of Europe as per the health advisory issued by countries in Europe.     Portugal and Spain are the most affected countries by the recent wave of heat waves. The firefighters are fighting to extinguish the wildfire and rescue the operation of people stranded in the wildfire. Scientists have predicted more wildfires in the coming years. In Portugal, five regions were affected areas due to heat waves where the temperature rose to 47 Celsius.  Wildfires have destroyed 30,000 hectares of land in Portugal and 100 people have lost their lives due to wildfires. Portugal has re...

Cuba has expressed their concerns about relaxation after shifts in American policy regarding travel to the island and caps on family remittances. The change in policy was the result of a change of government in the US that replaced Trump with Joe Biden. The Trump era policies were dismantled particularly towards Cuba.   Biden has intentions of developing good terms with Cuba to improve the bilateral ties that created a trust deficit between them. US-Cuban relations have experienced bitter relations due to restrictive policies of the US over human rights violations and illegal immigration to the US.   Cuba maintains close ties with Russia which was a major reason for the disconnect between US and Cuba due to close ideological affinities with Russia.   Cuban leadership has reservations over the trade embargo that was imposed on them as a result of differences in their policies having an ideological basis. Cuban government pursued policies that widen the differences between ...

The recent inclination of Scandinavian countries towards the North Transatlantic Treaty (NATO) membership is due Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is debated by experts whether NATO will significant for European states that remained neutral in politics. They avoided taking part in alliances and shifted their focus to other aspects of development and the security element was less dominant in the politics of European states.    Security was not the only factor that gained significance in the major political debates in Europe. Since the Russian invasion, there is a shift in the policies of European states that previously invested more in the economy and development of their states.   The security umbrella of NATO came to rescue the European states to provide security and the growing influence of Russia particularly in Eastern Europe. The threat to the sovereignty of European states is not taken lightly by the security pundits in Europe. NATO provides security to its membe...

The truce between Russia and Ukraine over the future of Crimea and Donbas has been delayed for 15 years over the likely outcome of Crimea under Russia after annexation. A recent example is Ukraine where the uncertain situation has stirred up the world and opposition to the invasion of Russia through the United Nations by most of the states. The negotiations were held in Turkey between Russia and Ukraine delegates to discuss the framework for a peace settlement for the war in Ukraine.  The negotiation has not able to end the war and use of weapons in Ukraine, the meeting was held between representatives of Ukraine and Russia. Russian spokesperson Vladimir Medinsky has agreed to end an escalation in a two-step process of de-escalation. The hostility towards Chernihiv and Kyiv capital of Ukraine has decreased in the northern parts of Ukraine. The hostility increased due to Kyiv's intentions to get membership in NATO to avert potential threats emanating from Putin's aggressive poli...

Satellite images show the 1,200sq km (463sq miles) Conger Ice Shelf collapsed completely in March. According to studies by scientists, the large chunks of ice attached to the land acts as a buffer to prevent ice from melting and flowing into the ocean increasing the risk of submergence due to a rise in sea level on the land areas. The areas on coastlines are in danger of receding land areas due to the rise in sea levels. The temperature reaching 40C (70F) above normal in parts of East Antarctica, is unusual for the region during this time of the year. Scientists, consider the melting of ice in Antarctica is likely to increase the risk of flooding. The rapid pace of melting of ice has adverse effects on the land adjoining the ocean. Melting of ice is creating an effect Neff described as “a fire hose of moisture phenomenon. The rate of climate change is three times warmer in the Antarctic than in the Arctic Ocean. In the context of factors, first and foremost is the increase in greenhous...

Syria’s war continues since the talks between the Syrian government and the opposition proved to be futile. All the parties of the conflict failed to reach an agreement over the constitution development and provisions through the consensus of parties in the conflict. The differences over allocations of subsidiary powers to stakeholders in Syria. Despite efforts, negotiations are unable to reap desired results. The conditions for negotiations involve the sovereignty of Syria without any interference from external forces. The independence of Syria with territorial integrity is one of the key features of the Syrian Arab Republic. The negotiations to avert terrorism and extremism acts through keeping a check on the role of non-state actors in Syria. The actors that are involve in terror attacks on civilians and infrastructure within Syria. The matters concerning security and stability in Syria would be drafted with the help of the army, armed forces, and intelligence. Moreover, civil socie...

 Ukraine war would lead to the nuclearization of Japan? Japan being a major player in South East Asia threatened by the War in Ukraine. The repercussions of war may shift the focus of policymakers in Japan over acquiring nuclear arsenals to beef up their security. That’s a question that is under debate by analysts after the invasion of Ukraine and Russia have flexed their military muscle in Eastern Europe. The question is Japan considering the option of restoring its nuclear program? Ukraine will become a stimulus to shift the focus of its energy to nuclear energy to end its reliance on the import of hydrocarbons from Russia. The energy security of Japan relies on 9 percent of its gas supply from Russia. After the deal in 2006 Japan 210,000 tons of liquefied natural gas from Sakhalin every year from 2008 to 2028. The war in Ukraine will end their gas deal with Russia or they would explore other options to ensure their security. Japanese companies are reluctant to purchase LNG from ...

North Korea tested their intercontinental ballistic missile by their leader Kim Jong to increase their defense capability and make plans to engage in a long confrontation with the US. It was tested during the Ukraine invasion when the US and allies are helping Ukraine against Russia. The maximum altitude of an intercontinental ballistic missile was 6,248 km (3,880 miles) and can travel to a distance of 1,090 km (680 miles) in a 67-minute flight before falling into the Sea of Japan. The testing of new strategic weapons for the DPRK has sent a clear signal to the world through the intercontinental ballistic missile to assert their power and improve their defense capability in Korean Peninsula. The ballistic missile has the capability to carry a nuclear weapon. North Korea has tested a number of nuclear tests to increase its missile technology. The international atomic agency and United Nations have opposed the missile tests and threatened them to impose more sanctions over them to isolat...

The emergency meetings of NATO, the Group of Seven, and the European Union were held in Brussels to discuss the Ukraine war and its implications for Europe. President Joe Biden has attended the meetings to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the likely outcome of Russia’s invasion for world peace and stability. The European Council summit was attended leaders by leaders from Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece to deal with an energy crisis that they have to deal with after war in Ukraine. Most of the countries of Europe rely on oil and gas imports from Russia. Energy security was threatened after the invasion of Ukraine and Likely an increase in the price hike of fuel. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has denied any claims to boycott Russian energy supplies, in a statement by Chancellor that the distortion in blocking the import of hydrocarbon from Russia would cause significant loss to his country’s economy, during a meeting of the head of the European Union in Brussels. They hav...

Cold War analogy has been used to condemn the Ukraine war. The Post-Cold War era states in case of conflict adopt neutral policies to avoid becoming part of bloc politics to ensure their security and to minimize the spillage of war to disrupt the world order. In a multi-polar world, countries opt for independent policies. The countries support issues that collectively impact the stability of the world. The polarization was evident between the two blocs. The end of the Cold War after the disintegration former USSR led to the emergence of other powers particularly China has drastically changed the power equation. China opposed the polarization of the world and collaborates with other emerging powers to stabilize the world. China is apprehensive of one power or bloc dictating policies of global politics.  The US and Western alliance are using the diplomatic front to gain the support of emerging powers to limit Russian invasion. The talks are being held with world leaders to pressure R...

  The war in Ukraine has triggered the fissures in the security framework by exposing their differences. The Russian expansion in the region has increased, after the annexation of Crimea.   Ukraine has the backing of the US and NATO. The European countries have expressed their concern and opposed the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. They have protested through a ban on the import of oil gas from Russia. The focus of the policymakers of European countries has shifted from Russia towards the Gulf Countries for the energy sector. The question is would they able to contain the military escalations in Eastern Europe? The US has labeled Russia as Madman to oppose the Russian invasion in Ukraine, experts have questioned the US strategy. The tactics of Demonizing Putin and declaring him madman, would it work? They have been unable to prevent the invasion of Ukraine and block the oil and gas import from Russia. The failure of US policies in Afghanistan and the Middle East has earned them...

Germany has signed a gas pipeline deal with Qatar. The deal was made after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Germany in order to meet their energy supply has made a deal to avoid their reliance on the Russian supply of gas. Germany is one of the major importers of gas from Russia. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met Habeck on Sunday to further strengthen their relations with each other. They have exchanged numerous bilateral agreements to broaden their cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. The continuous supply of energy is necessary for the economic stability of any country. Both the leaders have shown willingness to increase their bilateral ties. They have made deals for LNG supply to boost their bilateral trade with each other. Habeck met Qatari Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad Sherida al-Kaabi in Doha, to increase cooperation with Qatar. War in Ukraine became the impetus for shifting energy reliance from Russia to the United Arab Emirates. The war threat...

Japan asked India to take tough measures against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Modi government has shown restraint in its reaction. India has close ties with Russia and depends on oil and gas imports from Russia. India has adopted a cautious approach to taking a stance over the Russian invasion. They have opposed the military action without naming Russia.  Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, have tried to win the support of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi over the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The US and Australia are in touch with India to put pressure on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. India has reservations over allying with global power against Russia. India depends on Russia for importing defense technology and arms. India has stayed on the defensive side. They choose not to openly opposed the Russian action in Ukraine. Since India, maintain close bilateral ties they are taking a calculated position over the Russian invasion. It could hamper their r...

Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to one of the world's most complicated systems of governance. It is divided among ethnic lines, that have loopholes in its constitution. Civil rights and other constitutional rights are not implemented due to differences. The constitution was adopted after the approval of the people of both units. Dayton peace accord was the basis of the constitutional changes. It was a result of the deprivation of rights of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is largely dominated by Serbs that have inclinations towards the Greater Serbia. The idea is based on making a Serb-dominated state. They have been accused of mass killings of their people. The international criminal court has convicted Radovan Karadzic Bosnian Serb for genocide and war crimes in Bosnia. The killings condemn my international human rights agencies and Radovan was imprisoned in Hague. The narrative of greater Serbia was used to kill people on ethnic lines in Herzegovina and Bosnia. The invasi...

 The abrupt change in the policy of the Madrid over disputed between Morocco and Polisario was taken as a shift in their policy over sub-Saharan policy. Algeria condemned and call it a u-turn by Western powers. The pro-independence group supports the right of self-autonomy for the disputed territory. Sub Saharan policy is based on giving autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty considered to be a more realistic and credible way to devolve the power to people who have grievances and have reservations over not having the autonomy to protect their rights. To end conflict giving autonomy under the Moroccan sovereignty. The Algeria-backed Polisario separatists use the armed conflict in the 1970s and till the deal in 1991 that ended with a ceasefire. The armed conflict led to the loss of lives and infrastructure losses that have increased the grievances of people and demand for autonomy has pressurized the authorities not to deprive them of their right of autonomy. The regional organization i...