Policy Perspectives (Volume 19, Issue 1, 2022)
Editor-in-Chief: Khalid Rahman Download Contents |
About the Issue
The latest edition of IPS’ flagship journal Policy Perspectives includes reflections and contributions from seasoned academics and experts on current affairs that are intriguing the minds and shaping the immediate as well as distant future.
Russian invasion of Ukraine is one such event that has posed a number of questions ranging from strategic affairs to food security. In the current affairs section, the Journal has included perspectives from Russia and Ukraine to take into account the origins of this conflict, its development, and impact.
The first comment “The Conflict in Ukraine: Regional and Global Contexts” presents a perspective from Russia while analyzing the political context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. It deconstructs the three layers of the conflict, namely the crisis of Minsk Accords, NATO enlargement, and the world order which led to the crisis in Ukraine.
Author: Dr Ivan Safranchuk is director at the Center for Euro-Asian Studies, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) University, Moscow, Russia.
https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.19.1.ca1
The next comment brings the perspective from Kyiv on “Russia-Ukraine War: Harbinger of a Global Shift” and discusses the three phases of the Russian military campaign in Ukraine. It argues that bilateral security and peace are threatened with a major escalation in Ukraine. It suggests that the full-scale invasion would entail substantial military losses as well as economic implications for the global economy.
Author: Ilya Kusa is the author of various publications and an analyst of international relations, at the Ukrainian Institute for the Future, Kyiv, Ukraine.
https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.19.1.ca2
The current affairs section is followed by research articles. The first article titled “Strategic Posturing of China in IOR” deliberates upon the nature of naval competition and the resulting balance of power, peace, and stability in the region. It argues that the modernization of the Chinese Navy gives it a dynamic posture in IOR for protecting its economic and strategic interests. It is challenging India’s proclaimed naval supremacy in IOR.
Author: Dr Maliha Zeba Khan is an assistant professor at the Department of International Relations, National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad; non-resident fellow (NRF), Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad.
https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.19.1.ra1
The next paper highlights the significance for “Pooling Regional Energy between China, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, CARs, and Russia.” It assesses the energy requirements and potential of these countries in the context of their geostrategic locations. The demand, potential, and supply of energy in these countries are seen to make a viable prospect for a framework. Based on these factors, the paper proposes ‘Golden Ring Energy Corridor (GREC)’ to connect energy trade among these countries through pipeline, land, and sea routes.
Author: Moaz Altaf is energy auditor; PhD Scholar at the King Mongut University in Thonburi, Thailand; He is also a research fellow at the Golden Ring Economic Forum (GREF), Lahore, Pakistan.
https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.19.1.ra2
The third article titled “Renewable Energy Based Distributed Generation in Pakistan” contends that renewable energy (RE) is the agreed solution to improve energy security by the provision of reliable power supply and fuel diversification. However, the share of RE in Pakistan’s energy mix is significantly low. The paper recommends that distributed generation (DG) can solve problems faced by the power sector in transmission and distribution of power, and recovery of losses.
Authors: M Hamza Naeem is researcher and program lead, Energy, Water, and Climate Change Program at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad. Lubna Riaz is Assistant Program Coordinator, Energy, Water, and Climate Change Program at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad.
https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.19.1.ra3
The comment section of this issue includes commentaries on two important subjects. The brief analysis of “IMF Support Arrangement for Pakistan” looks back at Pakistan’s prolonged engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Successive Pakistani governments were forced by harsh domestic realities to opt for IMF support. This comment looks at the prospects of economic sustainability and balanced growth and is mainly based on actions and projections proposed in the arrangement as updated in the sixth review.
Author: Fasih Uddin is a senior IPS Associate and former Chief Economist, Planning Commission of Pakistan.
https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.19.1.cm1
The next comment on ‘Hindu Nationalism’ discusses fascism with a particular focus on Hindutva and considers it present day fascism. Touching upon various political fascist systems over the last 100 years and the conditions under which mass murders occur, it indicates the political selectivity in exposing and discussing the tragedies in different jurisdictions. Approaching Modi’s contemporary political movement in India, this comment seeks to analyze if it can lead to mass killing.
Author: Dr Roger van Zwanenberg is a renowned academician, publisher, and author. He is the founder of Zed Press, London, and Ollema Limited, London, UK. He is also the founder and chairman of Pluto Educational Trust, UK; and founder and managing director, Pluto Journals. Dr Zwanenberg is the author of numerous articles and books on the economic history of Eastern Africa, Palestinian affairs, colonialism, racism, and capitalism. Some of his books include Colonial Capitalism and Labour in Kenya 1919-1939 (East African Literature Bureau, 1975); An Economic History of Kenya and Uganda (London: Macmillan, 1977); and Wealth and Power: Global Transformation and Destruction Over 500 years, from 1500 to the Present Day (2020). Moreover, he is the publisher of over 1000 books.
https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.19.1.cm2
The book review section introduces a very critical discussion by Sana Haroon in her recent publication titled The Mosques of Colonial South Asia: A Social and Legal History of Muslim Worship. . The author discusses the social history of mosques while it was passing through the colonial tunnel of time.
Reviewer: Dr Muhammad Reza Kazimi is a historian, academic, and author of various publications. He is also the Editor of Journal of the Pakistan Historical Society (Historicus).
https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.19.1.br1
Finally, “Dialogue at IPS” brings various themes from some important discussions at the Institute of Policy Studies. These include: Afghanistan under the new regime; the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir; Pakistan’s relations with African countries; faith, society, and the current discourses; and issues of national development.
https://doi.org/10.13169/polipers.19.1.dia1
The full text of the articles can be accessed at: <https://www.scienceopen.com/search#collection/5059b558-e8e5-4f35-8766-593c996cbc72>
