Author: Joanne Serrieh

The rise of the Jokowi dynasty in Indonesia is a significant development in the country's political culture. Joko Widodo's presidency was seen as a milestone as he was the first president not from the political, military, or Islamic establishment. After one term, the foundations for his own political family were laid, with his son Gibran Rakabuming Raka being elected Mayor of Surakarta in 2021. However, unlike other political dynasties in Indonesia, the Widodo family does not have an exclusive political vehicle in the form of its own party. As a result, the family is dependent on decisions made by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) executive, namely Megawati Sukarnoputri. The first challenge for the Widodo family will be to secure incumbency for family members currentl...

Taken in context, China brokering a truce/peace between Saudi Arabia and Tehran may impact wider political geography, including India. If nothing else, it may ensure that much of West Asia/Middle East proclaims neutrality in any future geopolitical standoff between China and the US, and also between China and India. It may not be good from a historic Indian socio-political perspective, whatever be the geo-strategic benefits accruing from the relatively recent geostrategic overtures between India and the US, whose limitations the Ukraine War has already exposed. Going beyond the provocative American behaviour over the ‘Khashoggi affair’ in 2018, China’s twin Saudi-centric initiatives were waiting to happen. Unlike the US and its Western allies, China does not concern itself with human r

A recent report has revealed that China has been using a strategy to promote a pro-Beijing government in Canada. The strategy involves targeting politicians, media, and students to influence their opinion and gain support for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The report, conducted by the Canadian think tank Macdonald-Laurier Institute, highlights the tactics employed by the Chinese government to shape Canadian public opinion in its favor. According to the report, the Chinese government has been using tactics such as propaganda, intimidation, and coercion to advance its interests in Canada. The report notes that China's efforts to sway Canadian public opinion have been ongoing for several years. In particular, China has been targeting Canadian politicians and media outlets to influe...

China's President Xi Jinping has reportedly expressed his desire to pursue a new foreign policy approach, but this may not be possible unless the West extends an olive branch to China. According to a recent report, Xi's proposed foreign policy approach seeks to strengthen China's relations with its neighboring countries and other regions of the world. The report suggests that Xi's proposed approach is aimed at reducing China's reliance on the West and shifting its focus towards strengthening its ties with other countries. However, this may not be possible unless the West takes a more conciliatory approach towards China. The report notes that China's relationship with the West has been strained in recent years due to a range of issues, including trade disputes, human rights concerns,...

There is a Chinese proverb that says, “All things change, and we change with them.” None other than Beijing has robustly applied this axiom in its foreign policy domain and in particular, it is glaring in China’s relations with Pakistan. Days after Imran Khan was ousted from the prime ministerial office in the second week of April and Pakistan Muslim League leader Shehbaz Sharif was handed over reign of power, Pakistan Foreign Office received a diplomatic communication through Beijing-based Pakistan Ambassador Moin ul Haque. The diplomatic cable received by the Pakistan Foreign Office on June 10, said that China has offered to extend $2.3 billion at a much-reduced interest rate. Pakistani daily, The News International which leaked the communication between the Beijing-based Pakistan Am

In his battle with the army, ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan knows he has an upper hand and he intends to raise it to an unparalleled level by taking on the army full head on. No Prime Minister in Pakistan has really taken on the powerful Army and those dared, even a whiff, either got the gallows or exile. Imran Khan has a critical advantage, a large middle class support, which he intends to exploit in the days to come and push the Generals to give him his way. He has a second advantage--he has considerable support among the top leadership and lower rung officials in the military. This could be a tricky wicket to play. If he pushes too hard against the army, the army could clam up and so he would, in all likelihood, make his attacks specific. Imran Khan and his party’s social me