Chinese naval fleet in South China Sea

China’s Troubled Relations with its Maritime Neighbors: A Military Necessity or Violation of Classical Geopolitics?

This tactical aspect of nuclear counter-attack is perhaps the foremost reason why China reckons it needs absolute control over the South China Sea.  China’s troubled relations with its maritime neighbors are, from its perspective, a necessary cost it has to pay for its national security.

From Odesa to Oman: The Lethal Cost to Merchant Mariners

When dominant military powers prioritise the enforcement of economic blockades, the legalities of merchant shipping and the safety of non-combatant crews are treated as secondary operational variables. No country can fully insulate its civilian seafarers from these realities. 

The Changing Face of Warfare and the New Definition of Victory

In earlier conflicts, victory was often measured by territory captured, armies defeated, or governments forced to surrender. In modern warfare, however, the outcome is far more complex. A nation may achieve battlefield success yet suffer demographic, economic, and infrastructural losses that take decades to recover from. 

Growing Chinese Influence in Bangladesh Making India Uneasy: Dhaka's Autonomy is New Delhi's Challenge

Mongla matters because it represents more than a port. It reflects the erosion of inherited strategic privilege in South Asia. India can no longer assume automatic influence in Bangladesh, while Bangladesh cannot expect infrastructure agreements with China to be interpreted as purely economic.

More on Geopolitics and Strategic Affairs

Pakistani film attempts cinematic catharsis: Will it impress Bangladesh?

A Pakistani film looks at the 1971 war anew and wants Islamabad and Dhaka to bond, writes Mahendra Ved for South Asia Monitor 

Dolls as conduits of cultural expression: India’s autumn festivals and their enchanting celebration through dolls

In India, festivals have an interesting blend of representation through dolls, especially during the agricultural season of autumn, writes Dr. Lopamudra Maitra Bajpai for South Asia Monitor

Can Afghanistan reduce its economic dependence on Pakistan?

With Pakistan's built-in political dominance of Afghanistan, the economic control can only get stronger, writes Hamayun Khan for South Asia Monitor

SAARC must be revived as an intra-regional cooperation platform

Pakistan and India should work together to revive SAARC to maximize regional interests, writes Pathik Hasan for South Asia Monitor 

Pakistan in extremism's growing grip: Mishandling of TLP could lead to radical consolidation

Having adopted hardcore Islam over the years, and using it to enact terrorism as a state policy, the Pakistan government can hardly afford all-out confrontation with the TLP, writes Lt Gen P. C. Katoch (retd.) for South Asia Monitor

India, Bangladesh must cooperate to manage water resources to mitigate climate change effects

Conclusion of bilateral arrangements on sharing common water resources will banish a constant source of misunderstanding and mutual suspicion between India and Bangladesh, writes Amb Sarvajit Chakravarti (retd) for South Asia Monitor

Amid the Afghanistan crisis, Bangladesh's Rohingya refugee crisis should not be forgotten

The Rohingya crisis is the result of a long-smoldering problem that may become the catalyst for new sources of conflict in the region, writes Kazi Mohammad Jamshed for South Asia Monitor 

Why Bhutan quit the BBIN motor vehicle pact

Prime Minister Dasho Lotay Tshering has said that if Bhutan’s infrastructure, economy and trade improves, the country will undoubtedly want to be part of BBIN-MVA, writes Rinchen Kinznag for South Asia Monitor 

With Russian help, Bangladesh set to enter the age of nuclear power generation

The Roppur nuclear power plant is expected to be a model of clean energy in Bangladesh and provide affordable, reliable and quality electricity in the long run, writes Pathik Hasan for South Asia Monitor

Rhetoric and reality: Pakistan must wake up and smell the coffee

The coming weeks pose a serious challenge to the Pakistani government to deal with the TLP’s threats and increasing pressure, writes Shantanu Mukharji for South Asia Monitor

Are Japanese investors losing interest in India?

India's withdrawal from RCEP resulted in India losing out on the opportunity of re-shoring of Japanese investment from China, writes S. Majumder for South Asia Monitor

How climate change is linked to the continuing tragedy of Pakistani and Indian fishermen callously ignored by both nations

India and Pakistan’s toxic official relations continue to take a human toll and hold South Asia hostage even as the region deals with the crisis of climate change which includes fish migration patternswrites Beena Sarwar for South Asia Monitor

Bangladesh PM Hasina's meeting with Pakistani envoy has a message for India

China and Pakistan are always scouring for opportunities by utilizing any kind of strain in Bangladesh-India ties, and would obviously try to exploit the present regional political scenario, writes Pathik Hasan for South Asia Monitor

Afghan women - and not Western 'civilizing missions' - will lead the path to change and their emancipation

Being oblivious to the history and traditions of Afghanistan, misreading the local culture, or a sickening obsession with 'Islamic terrorism' has always clouded the reality for the West, writes Anondeeta Chakraborty for South Asia Monitor

With SAARC in limbo, BBIN governments should energize grouping for regional growth and development

The Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal  (BBIN) sub-regional group has the potential to multiply the prosperity of its members, writes Amb. Sarvajit Chakravarti (retd) for South Asia Monitor