Raj Kumar Sharma writes: Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping became the first foreign leader to visit Iran after the Western sanctions were lifted from the country.
West Asia - 3. page
Shia-Sunni Tensions rise in West Asia
Raj Kumar Sharma writes: The terror charges notwithstanding, the real reason behind execution of Nimr seems to be geopolitical rivalry between Shia majority Iran and Sunni dominated Saudi Arabia in Middle East and their ambitions to lead the region.
Saudi Led Anti-Terror Alliance: A Reality Check
Raj Kumar Sharma writes: The project looks doubtful from the very beginning and their motive is under scanner. Two of the key countries, Pakistan and Lebanon have claimed that they had no clue they were in the coalition.
Russia-Turkey and the Syrian War
Raj Kumar Sharma writes: Dangers of Syria’s internationalised conflict have become manifest with the recent tensions between Russia and Turkey. Russia has decided to resort to economic warfare against Turkey after Ankara shot down a Russian SU-24 warplane operating in Syria over allegations of violating Turkish airspace.
The ISIS and a Nuclear Weapon in West Asia
The ISIS has claimed it is closer to buying a nuclear bomb from Pakistan and smuggling it into the US. In an article, titled the “The Perfect Storm” apparently penned by British hostage John Cantlie for the terror group’s magazine, Dabiq, they say that the scenario is ‘more possible today than it was just one year ago’. In this exclusive article for the USI, Colonel GG Pamidi states that while the risks of ISIS getting a nuclear bomb are small, they are not zero.
Will ISIS’ Caliphate Die with its ‘Big Daddy’?
Dr Adil Rasheed, Senior Research Fellow at the USI, writes: As there is no Hamlet without the Prince of Denmark, then perversely can there be an ISIS Caliphate without its Caliph Ibrahim? That is the question. As ISIS is losing ground in war and its interim head Abu Alaa Al Afri is said to favor close relations with Al-Qaeda, will ISIS think of foregoing its claim to a Caliphate. In order to come closer to its parent organization, ISIS may have to reconsider asking Al-Qaeda leaders to swear the mandatory allegiance to its new leader-cum-Caliph.