Viruses worm their way into living cells, change the structure of the host cells from within, take over the cells’ reproductive process, use the cells’ own machinery to make copies of themselves, and conquer and kill the host. Routine antibiotics do not work while fighting viruses. You need a molecule that prevents the process by which the virus duplicates itself, or you need a vaccine to make your cells vigilant to such viruses and treat it as a foreign object.
Afghan refugees have been a significant concern for Pakistan over the past several years, with their impact projected to intensify in the coming years. As these refugees flee conflict in their homeland, they are forming a large and growing population in Pakistan, particularly in the region of Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
China may have the opportunity to turn Russia into its vassal, but it has no compelling reason to do so. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia-China cooperation has grown in all directions. Moscow makes no bones about the fact that it is betting on China in the global confrontation with the West, seeing Beijing as an alternative center of power with similar interests and values to itself.
As stated clearly by Pakistani Ambassador to China, Moin Ul Haque, the China Pakistan Economic Corridor has withstood controversies, criticisms, censure and castigation to become a panacea for peace and stability within Pakistan and beyond.
Topped off by a curious ‘coup’ attempt in Russia, June was a fascinating month with new geopolitical economic developments, twists and turns on many fronts: As US President Biden wooed, wined and dined India’s Prime Minister Modi (who was once refused a visa to America), France’s Macron sought an invite from South African President Ramaphosa to the BRICS summit to be held in August though France is hardly an ‘emerging economy’.
The ongoing instability in Afghanistan has far-reaching implications not only for its neighboring countries but also for the global community. As the country grapples with political turmoil, security challenges, and social unrest, the repercussions of this instability reverberate across regional and international borders.
This article delves into the multifaceted nature of Afghanistan’s instability and explores the various ways it poses a threat to its neighbors and the wider global community. From the rise of extremist groups to the potential spillover of violence and the displacement of populations, the consequences of Afghanistan’s instability demand attention and concerted efforts to address the complex challenges it presents.
In recent years, the Chinese Yuan Renminbi (RMB) has emerged as a popular form of exchange on the foreign currency markets in the Middle East. This arose as a direct result of the current global events that have shattered economies all across the world.
This analysis provides a reassessment of dollar hegemony and power relations in the international monetary system.
Summary Despite renewed predictions that dollar hegemony has reached its peak, the greenback continues to dominate global trade, finance and the reserve portfolios of central bankers around the world. But can high inflation, geopolitical tensions and the sanctions levied on Russia by the US and its allies dent its global dominance? Focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the sanctions on Russia, and the ‘steep hike’ of interest rates by the Federal Reserve, this paper reassesses power relations in the international monetary system and analyses the state of dollar hegemony. It finds that, although the US dollar still reigns supreme, there are certain undercurrents that indicate the slow erosion of its global dominance and the gradual shift towards a multipolar currency order. To prevent, or at least slow down, the pace of further fragmentation, the West ought to re-evaluate the use of financial sanctions as a foreign policy tool and offer the Global South more voice in international monetary relations.
