Regions

Afghanistan: A Factory of Terrorism – A Deep Analysis
31Aug José Carlos PalmaBy José Carlos PalmaNo Comments
Study Office, Asia

Afghanistan: A Factory of Terrorism – A Deep Analysis

By José Carlos Palma* Introduction In the years since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the country has become a breeding ground for terrorism, posing a significant threat not only to its neighbors but also to global security. The rapid collapse of the Afghan government in August 2021 and the subsequent rise of the Taliban created a power vacuum that various extremist groups, most notably the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), have exploited to expand their operations. This analysis explores how Afghanistan has evolved into a "terrorism factory" and the implications for regional and global security. The Taliban's Reign: Fertile Ground for Extremism When the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, they inherited a country deeply scarred by decades of conflict, pove...
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The Information War in Kursk: A New Front in the Ukraine Conflict
29Aug José Carlos PalmaBy José Carlos PalmaNo Comments
Russia and Eurasia, Regions

The Information War in Kursk: A New Front in the Ukraine Conflict

By José Carlos Palma* As Ukraine's military operation in Kursk unfolds, it is clear that this battle is not only being fought on the ground but also in the realm of information. This new phase in the war has revealed significant shifts in the information front, where narratives are being contested reel by reel across the globe. Russia's Propaganda Machine Stumbles The rapid advance of Ukrainian forces in Kursk left Russia's propaganda apparatus in disarray. Initially, Russian state media struggled to maintain a consistent narrative. Some outlets downplayed the Ukrainian incursion as a minor skirmish, while others contradicted this by claiming that "thousands" of Ukrainian troops had been killed, despite earlier reports suggesting only 1,000 soldiers had crossed the border. The confusi...
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Analysis: Hamas Leader’s Assassination Puts Iran’s New President in a Tight Spot
31Jul José Carlos PalmaBy José Carlos PalmaNo Comments
Contributors, Middle East, Regions

Analysis: Hamas Leader’s Assassination Puts Iran’s New President in a Tight Spot

By José Carlos Palma* Tehran, July 31, 2024 — The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the prominent Hamas leader, in Tehran on the same day as the inauguration of Iran’s new President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, has thrown the Iranian administration into a complex and precarious situation. The killing, widely attributed to Israel, not only strikes at Haniyeh but also directly challenges the newly inaugurated Pezeshkian, who is now facing a critical test of his administration's capabilities and policies. Haniyeh's death comes at a significant moment: shortly after Pezeshkian, a moderate reformist, took office. The timing of the assassination appears to be a strategic move by Israel, aimed at creating a multifaceted dilemma for the new Iranian leadership. By targeting a key ally of Iran dramatica...
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Navigating the Geopolitical Landscape: The Indo-Pacific’s Democratic Dilemma
9May ISSGBy ISSGNo Comments
Asia, Regions

Navigating the Geopolitical Landscape: The Indo-Pacific’s Democratic Dilemma

By José Carlos Palma* In the realm of global geopolitics, the Indo-Pacific region emerges as a pivotal battleground where competing visions of governance—democracy versus autocracy—shape the trajectory of international relations. The rise of initiatives like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue underscores a collective aspiration for a "free and open" Indo-Pacific, predicated on the deepening of democratic governance. However, the feasibility of this vision amid shifting political landscapes demands careful examination. The Democratic-Authocracy Divide The Indo-Pacific region presents a complex mosaic of political systems, ranging from robust democracies to entrenched autocracies and emerging semi-democratic regimes. Current assessments and future projections reveal a nuanced landscape...
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China’s Strategic Influence on Africa’s Media Landscape: A Comprehensive Analysis
19Apr ISSGBy ISSGNo Comments
Africa, Regions

China’s Strategic Influence on Africa’s Media Landscape: A Comprehensive Analysis

By José Carlos Palma* China's burgeoning presence in Africa transcends traditional spheres of economic investment and infrastructure development; it extends to the realm of media, where Beijing is actively shaping narratives and exerting influence to advance its geopolitical interests. This comprehensive analysis delves deep into the multifaceted strategies employed by China to assert its dominance over Africa's media landscape, examining key events, initiatives, and their implications. 1. Expansion of Chinese State-Owned Media Outlets: China Global Television Network (CGTN), formerly known as CCTV Africa, stands as a towering symbol of China's media expansion on the African continent. With bureaus strategically positioned across Africa, CGTN produces news content specifically tailored t...
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Moscow and Tehran’s Role in the Middle East
15Apr ISSGBy ISSGNo Comments
Middle East, Geopolitics and International Security, Study Office

Moscow and Tehran’s Role in the Middle East

By José Carlos Palma* In recent years, the Middle East has become a battleground for geopolitical maneuvering, with Moscow and Tehran emerging as key players in shaping the region's dynamics. The evolving relationship between Russia and Israel, coupled with Iran's growing influence, underscores a complex interplay of interests and alliances that have far-reaching implications for regional stability and global security. Redefining Alliances The historic friendship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone significant strain in the face of shifting geopolitical realities. While once considered allies in the fight against terrorism, particularly in Syria, the relationship between Moscow and Jerusalem has cooled in recent years, dri...
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Iran’s Ring of Fire: A Strategic Analysis
15Apr ISSGBy ISSGNo Comments
Middle East, Geopolitics and International Security, Regions, Study Office

Iran’s Ring of Fire: A Strategic Analysis

By José Carlos Palma* In the ongoing geopolitical chess game between Iran and Israel, the Middle East has become a battleground where tactics are nuanced, and consequences dire. At the heart of Iran’s strategy lies a two-pronged approach: a military nuclear capability acting as a shield, and a network of proxy forces encircling Israel, known as the “Ring of Fire.” The Strategic Framework Iran’s ambition to establish itself as a dominant regional power has manifested in its development of a sophisticated strategy aimed at maintaining a safe distance from confrontation while exerting influence through proxies. The “Ring of Fire” strategy, orchestrated by the Islamic Republic, involves bolstering militant groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, and various m...
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Baltic Sea as a “NATO Lake” Signals Strategic Shift in Regional Dynamics
8Apr ISSGBy ISSGNo Comments
Europe

Baltic Sea as a “NATO Lake” Signals Strategic Shift in Regional Dynamics

  By José Carlos Palma* , April 8, 2024 The Baltic Sea, once a contested maritime domain at the intersection of Russian and NATO interests, is increasingly being referred to as a "NATO Lake," marking a significant shift in the region's strategic landscape. Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Baltic Sea region witnessed a palpable transformation as Sweden and Finland, long-standing neutral nations, joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This pivotal development has tilted the balance of power in favor of the Western alliance, reshaping the dynamics of security and cooperation in the area. The term "NATO Lake" underscores the newfound strategic advantage enjoyed by the alliance in the Baltic Sea. With Sweden and Finland's access...
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