Articles for West Asia

Delhi looks to West, wins friends in Gulf
1 week, 1 day ago

Delhi looks to West, wins friends in Gulf

Hindustan Times  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Kuwait, currently the chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council, with which India has been negotiating a Free Trade Agreement for the past several years, was significant in the bilateral context and its broader regional connotations. Over 8.8 million Indian citizens employed in the Gulf countries send over $40 billion in remittances, contributing significantly …

India Defence Nuclear West Saudi Arabia West Asia Strategic
The View From India newsletter: Three global developments to watch out for in 2025
1 week, 4 days ago

The View From India newsletter: Three global developments to watch out for in 2025

The Hindu  

The year 2024 was a tumultuous one for the world. In November, after Mr. Trump, who had promised to bring the Ukraine war to an end, won the presidential election, outgoing President Joe Biden gave permission to Ukraine to fire U.S.-supplied long-range missiles at Russia. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has said that he is ready to discuss Ukraine with Mr. …

India China War Ukraine Russia Asia Bangladesh
2024 yearender: Rifts split wide open — old conflicts take centre stage
1 week, 4 days ago

2024 yearender: Rifts split wide open — old conflicts take centre stage

Hindustan Times  

During the election campaign, Donald Trump claimed that if he was in power, neither would Russia have attacked Ukraine nor would Hamas have attacked Israel. In 2024, the complexion and contours of the war in Ukraine and West Asia continued to change, influencing global geopolitics like never before. On Ukraine, from suggesting that he could end the war with just …

Europe War Ukraine Russia Asia Trump Iran
Why PM Narendra Modi’s Kuwait visit is special
3 weeks ago

Why PM Narendra Modi’s Kuwait visit is special

Firstpost  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heading for a two-day visit to Kuwait, starting today. The trip assumes importance as he is the first Indian premier to travel to the West Asian country in over four decades Narendra Modi is the first Indian PM to visit Kuwait in over four decades. PM Modi is travelling to the West Asian country at …

India Indian Country West West Asia Gaza Minister
Sunanda K. Datta-Ray | Many dangers in Mideast ahead; Syria up for grabs
3 weeks, 2 days ago

Sunanda K. Datta-Ray | Many dangers in Mideast ahead; Syria up for grabs

Deccan Chronicle  

Syria is up for grabs. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden’s description of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s fall as an “historic opportunity” recalls Richard M. Nixon exulting when the Soviet Union collapsed 33 years ago that the time had come for America to “reset its geopolitical compass”. The British military commentator and veteran of West Asian wars who wrote that while …

Syria Iraq West Asia Israel Muslim Russian Mr Trump
Invitation to Xi, Ukraine truce: 5 things Trump said in first presser since election victory
3 weeks, 4 days ago

Invitation to Xi, Ukraine truce: 5 things Trump said in first presser since election victory

Firstpost  

Donald Trump addressed a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. In his hour-long press conference, Trump talked about a host of things including keeping the polio vaccine available throughout his presidency, solving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, establishing West Asia as a “good place”, and if Chinese President Xi Jinping has been invited to his inauguration next month. “Starting on …

Ukraine Russia Trump Election Iowa Administration West
WATCH | Syria’s Interests are not Served by the Constant Israeli Attacks: Talmiz Ahmad
3 weeks, 4 days ago

WATCH | Syria’s Interests are not Served by the Constant Israeli Attacks: Talmiz Ahmad

The Hindu  

Published : Dec 17, 2024 15:15 IST - 1 MIN READ Former Indian Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad talks about how Syria changed forever in 2024. Speaking with journalist Amit Baruah, he breaks down how Syria’s power shift fits into bigger world events, including the war in Ukraine and growing tensions between the West and the Russia-China partnership. If you follow international …

Syria West Asia Israel
With Assad gone in Syria, is Russia turning to Libya for new base in West Asia & Africa?
3 weeks, 4 days ago

With Assad gone in Syria, is Russia turning to Libya for new base in West Asia & Africa?

Firstpost  

Following the fall of the Assad dynasty in Syria, there are increasing signs that Russia is looking at Libya as the next hub in West Asia and North Africa region This handout satellite image released by Maxar Technologies on Friday shows an Antonov An-124 heavy transport aircraft preparing to load equipment at Khmeimim airbase in Syria. While Russia cannot recreate …

Africa Syria West West Asia Syrian Base Libya
INTERVIEW | Syria Is Looking at a Long Period of Instability, says Ambassador and West Asia expert Talmiz Ahmad
3 weeks, 4 days ago

INTERVIEW | Syria Is Looking at a Long Period of Instability, says Ambassador and West Asia expert Talmiz Ahmad

The Hindu  

Published : Dec 16, 2024 18:52 IST - 18 MINS READ The spectacular victory of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria has shocked observers and sent shock waves throughout the world, as many parties, from the United States to Russia, are deeply embedded in this story. I would also like to point out that Syria’s interests are not served by the …

Europe China Military Ukraine Russia Asia Syria
Upheaval in Levant raises uncertainty around the world
3 weeks, 5 days ago

Upheaval in Levant raises uncertainty around the world

New Indian Express  

The geopolitical complexities of West Asia make it one of the hotbeds of conflict based upon territorial ambitions, political influence, economic considerations and ideological factors. The presence of this ambitious and highly ruthless transnational terrorist group helped complicate the strategic environment of West Asia by many notches. US military resources say “The number of attacks claimed by Daesh in Iraq …

Syria Iran West Asia Israel Syrian Daesh
EXCLUSIVE | Interview: Turkish Analyst Mehmet Öztürk on Kurdish Integration and Regional Politics
3 weeks, 6 days ago

EXCLUSIVE | Interview: Turkish Analyst Mehmet Öztürk on Kurdish Integration and Regional Politics

The Hindu  

Published : Dec 14, 2024 20:32 IST - 6 MINS READ Mehmet Öztürk is a distinguished Turkish journalist and analyst, renowned for his expertise in international relations, particularly in conflict and peace studies. He spoke to Frontline about the Kurdish identity, rights, and politics across West Asia, examining the historical context and current challenges in Türkiye, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. …

War Syria Party Iran Iraq West Asia Kurdish
Russia and Assad | Why did Kremlin back the Syrian autocrat and what does his fall mean
4 weeks ago

Russia and Assad | Why did Kremlin back the Syrian autocrat and what does his fall mean

The Hindu  

Story so far: Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was granted asylum by Moscow on Monday, mere hours after Syrian rebels overthrew his 24-year regime. Here’s a look at Russian backing of Assad regime and what his fall means Historic ties Russia and Syria established diplomatic relations in 1944 and Moscow has backed the country’s independence from French colonial in 1946. …

Military War Ukraine Iran West Asia Fall Israel
Fall of Damascus may not be good news for Syria, West Asia and also India
4 weeks, 2 days ago

Fall of Damascus may not be good news for Syria, West Asia and also India

Firstpost  

While the prevailing mood may be celebratory, unfortunately the deserts are full of mirages, and the world cannot afford to add Syria as another foothold for extremist, jihadi outfits After a decade of warfare, the conflict in Syria had settled into a violent, protracted stalemate. The astonishing sequence of events that allowed HTS to bring down the Syrian regime had …

India Russia Islamist Syria Turkey Mediterranean Country
After Kabul and Dhaka, the fall of Damascus will spark radicalisation in West Asia and beyond
4 weeks, 2 days ago

After Kabul and Dhaka, the fall of Damascus will spark radicalisation in West Asia and beyond

Hindustan Times  

The collapse of Alawite Basher al-Assad regime and rise of Islamist rebels once affiliated to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State in Syria has reopened the chapter of religious radicalization witnessed when Sunni Islamists under ISIS flag controlled swathes of territory in north Iraq and Syria a decade ago. The uprooting of the Assad regime by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group …

Pakistan Islamist Bangladesh Syria Indian Power West Asia
Trump says solving Ukraine crisis his top priority
4 weeks, 2 days ago

Trump says solving Ukraine crisis his top priority

The Hindu  

Donald Trump said solving the Ukraine crisis would be his top priority once he assumes office next month, describing West Asia as a "less difficult situation." "I think we have to solve the Ukraine problem with Russia," the U.S. President-elect told French magazine Paris Match in an interview recorded on Saturday and released on Wednesday. But I think that the …

Ukraine Russia Syria Trump West Asia His Top Priority
In post-Assad Syria, China and Turkey must choose: Competition or cooperation
1 month ago

In post-Assad Syria, China and Turkey must choose: Competition or cooperation

Firstpost  

As Syria transitions, China’s economic strategies and Turkey’s regional ambitions will determine whether cooperation or rivalry defines their future relationship The fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria is certainly going to reshape the balance of power in West Asia. Turkey’s soft power, based on shared Islamic values and historical ties, often resonates more strongly in Arab countries than China’s economic …

China Russia Asia Syria Turkey Power West
The fall of Assad: What it means for India's strategy in West Asia
1 month ago

The fall of Assad: What it means for India's strategy in West Asia

Live Mint  

The fall of Assad regime in Syria has thrust India into a delicate balancing act. Assad has long been a cornerstone of India’s West Asia strategy. New Delhi consistently backed a Syrian-led political process in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, reaffirming its commitment to Syria’s sovereignty, independence, and unity. More broadly, the fall of Assad threatens to undermine …

India Security Russia Asia Syria Power Iran
India calls for early ceasefire, release of hostages in West Asia conflict
1 month ago

India calls for early ceasefire, release of hostages in West Asia conflict

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: India calls for an early ceasefire and release of hostages in the ongoing conflict in West Asia, said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Manama. "West Asia is a region of deep strategic interest to India and certainly in recent times, it is a region where there is cause for deep concern particularly over the conflict in Gaza. …

India West Asia Jaishankar Early Ceasefire
Tunisia to Syria: Instability prevails in all Arab Spring countries
1 month ago

Tunisia to Syria: Instability prevails in all Arab Spring countries

Firstpost  

Even as Arab Spring sought democracy after removing dictators, long periods of political instability, Islamist violence, and rise of new autocrats followed in West Asian and North African nations where Arab Spring toppled regimes More than a decade after the Arab Spring began in Tunisia, the anti-establishment movement finally materialised in Syria over the weekend. One autocrat replaced another in …

Spring Military War Russia Syria Islamic State Opposition
How Syria has become a pawn in global power play
1 month ago

How Syria has become a pawn in global power play

Firstpost  

The shifting geopolitics due to the Iran-Israel conflict, the Russia-Ukraine war, and alleged support from Turkey helped Syrian rebels to succeed in their game plan; the future of Syria now remains uncertain and dependent on the interests of the regional powers With the fall of Damascus, the supposedly inalterable authoritarian Bashar al-Assad regime came to an end. The fall of …

Regime Change War Russia Asia Turkey Iran West
India backs peaceful, inclusive Syrian-led political process in Damascus
1 month ago

India backs peaceful, inclusive Syrian-led political process in Damascus

Hindustan Times  

NEW DELHI: India on Monday joined other countries in calling for stability in Syria after opposition forces overthrew the regime of Bashar al-Assad, and urged all stakeholders to preserve the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Rebel fighters stand on a tank, after rebels seized the capital and ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, on December 9 Assad fled …

India Russia Syria Indian West Asia Rebel Ministry
The Assad reign in Syria is over. Why this may be a worry for India
1 month ago

The Assad reign in Syria is over. Why this may be a worry for India

Firstpost  

The Bashar al-Assad reign in Syria has been ended by rebel fighters, led by the Hayat al-Tahrir al-Sham. This new development could be a concern for India, as it loses a key ally in the West Asian region A damaged portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad hangs in the city of Qamishli, as Syrian Kurds celebrate the fall of capital …

India Delhi Russia Kashmir West Asia Rebels New Delhi
The fall of Damascus: Iran loses its strategic depth, but Israel may still be walking cautiously
1 month ago

The fall of Damascus: Iran loses its strategic depth, but Israel may still be walking cautiously

Firstpost  

While Israel must be relieved with Bashar al-Assad’s fall, the composition of the rebel forces, comprising Sunni jihadis of different hues, is not an alliance that Tel Aviv would be comfortable with either A man steps on an image of Syria’s deposed president, Bashar al-Assad, as people enter his home in the Malki neighborhood of Damascus. Image: Omar Haj Kadour/AFP …

Islamist Syria West Asia Hezbollah Fall Gaza Israel
Iran, Israel tensions source of concern, says Jaishankar
1 month ago

Iran, Israel tensions source of concern, says Jaishankar

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi: The tensions between Israel and Iran are a “source of concern” and India's diplomatic efforts are focused on addressing this issue, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday. India has an interest in trying to mitigate the security situation arising from the conflict in West Asia because of its impact on trade, including the diversion of maritime …

India Iran West Asia Israel Jaishankar Bahrain Imec