ISDP Voices

Each year on July 28, the world pauses to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, a group of diseases still claiming millions of lives. The day commemorates Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed its vaccine. This year’s theme, “Let’s Break It Down,” is a powerful call to dismantle the financial, social, […]

India, France, and the United Arab Emirates (IFU) formalized a trilateral cooperation partnership in February 2023. The three countries share a host of commonalities and strategic interests, of which, defense cooperation is a significant one. Under the aegis of the IFU trilateral, the three sides are committed to furthering their defense cooperation by promoting ‘compatibility, […]

The current Dalai Lama’s exile from Tibet after China annexed it decades ago has made his succession a highly contentious issue.  The 14th Dalai Lama–Tenzin Gyatso–has now confirmed that he will have a successor after his death, ending years of uncertainty. In the long-awaited announcement, he said a trust created by him will be the […]

In February, The Financial Times reported that senior White House official Peter Navarro called for Canada to be removed from the Five Eyes intelligence network. Navarro has denied the allegations, telling The Financial Times, “We would never ever jeopardise our national security . . . with allies like Canada.” His use of the word allies, especially in reference to […]

In April this year, The Financial Times exposed that He Wei Dong was under investigation for alleged corruption. As a vice-national-level leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee, he held the highest military rank, 上将 (upper commander/ General), within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Due to his extraordinarily high rank, his absence from […]

Introduction  The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)’s cuts to national cybersecurity in recent months risk compromising situational awareness, incident response and analysis. Combined with the department’s controversies, and more broadly, the second Trump administration’s negative posture towards globally shared norms, these reductions can seriously erode trust in the U.S.-Japan cyber intelligence-sharing relationship, which relies […]

South Korea’s democratic system is being dramatically reshaped by the intricate dance between law and politics. The judicialization of politics, and in reverse, the politicization of the judiciary has blurred the lines between rightful accountability and political vengeance. With 30 impeachment motions, the ousting of a sitting president, and an upcoming court ruling involving a […]

Introduction With an estimated 600 million cases of foodborne diseases and 420,000 deaths, with children under the age of five constituting 33  percent of deaths, food safety represents one of the most critical health challenges. It is also estimated that annually, low- and middle-income countries lose an estimated US$110 billion in productivity and healthcare costs […]

India’s engagement in the Middle East has often been characterized by a balancing act, navigating complex regional dynamics while pursuing its strategic, economic, and security interests. India in recent years has expanded its cooperation with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries while exercising a cautious approach towards Iran. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to […]

The Northern Trade Corridor, beginning in China’s north-east and traversing the Russian landmass to Europe, had long been a staple of east-west trade. However, with the strict sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union (EU), China has had to rely on alternative means to transport its goods to the lucrative European market. This has […]