The Diplomatic Insight Weekly: 23rd Jan - 29th Jan


The Diplomatic Insight Weekly

The world changes within seconds; And it's been a week!

Hello Reader

This year's first month is just about to end. And many of us are still procrastinating on our new year's goals.

But national leaders and diplomats rarely get that luxury.

Just in January, we've seen high-profile visits between Canada-Europe and China, US intervention (in Venezuela, and threats to Iran), and trade deals that took years to negotiate.

As the US becomes more relentless in pursuit of its goals, the global south, Europe, and China are getting their diplomacy into turbo mode. In hopes to offset some of the pressure coming from the unpredictable superpower.

Here’s your weekly roundup of the week’s most important stories, news, and articles from The Diplomatic Insight.


Top Stories of the Week

A whole week of war-edging!
US carrier strike group has reached the Middle East, Iran holds live fire-drills near the Strait of Hormuz, KSA makes clear its airspace cannot be used to attack Iran,
while all in the command & control lose sleep once again.
London wants a “sophisticated relationship!"
4-day visit, the first in eight years and a remarkable business delegation buzzing China.
After Carney, Starmer seeks from China pretty much what other European countries eye; some stability, some predictability.
Another tragic crash in India!
Ajit Pawar, BJP-aligned & leading a split faction from the Congress Party, could not reach his home town for local elections campaign.
Plane crashes have become a haunting memory in the country, with several back-to-back incidents.
Took four years to bring the law in place!
EU will end imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) by the end of 2026 & pipeline gas by Sep 30, 2027.
No new gas supply contracts can be made now, and the existing ones must be terminated by the deadline.
Young suspect attackers, no embassy name disclosed!
One born in 2000, the other in 2005 - the attackers have been traced back to the Islamic State.
Far-reaching & with a unique modus operandi, the designated terrorist organization remains a major threat in Caucasus.

From DiploTV

Exclusive interview with Alexis Roig, CEO of SciTech DiploHub

Science diplomacy is a vital tool of global governance.

In this conversation, Diplo TV sits down with Professor Alexis Roig, researcher and Professor of Science Diplomacy, during his recent visit to Pakistan.

Fresh from engagements in World Economic Forum in Davos, Professor Roig reflects on the role of tech & innovation in diplomacy, cities as global diplomatic actors, and Pakistan's potential within global knowledge networks.

Watch the conversation here

video preview

A Deeper Look

Never Lost in Translation: The Eternity of Diplomatic Gifts

"living animals were among the earliest diplomatic gifts"

Starting from Qatar's flattering gift of a lavish plane to Trump, Catalina Bora tracks the history and importance of diplomatic gifts.

When Peace Becomes a Deal: The Board of Peace and the Politics of Brokerage

"The credibility of the Board of Peace will be... determined in Palestine.

For decades, Palestinian aspirations have been associated with international institutions... The brokerage political model claims to bypass this paralysis...

The question remains: bypass in whose favor?"

Abdul Momin Rasul

Kautilya’s Legacy and India’s Nuclear Age Foreign Policy

"India’s foreign policy continues to be described as Kautilyan theatre:

secret wars, double policies, ruthless alliances...

The reality is less about ancient wisdom than about modern dilemmas

Mian Masood Tariq

Winning Without Coercion: How Soft Power Is Rewriting the Rules of Global Diplomacy

"China’s contemporary diplomacy is also a creative example of how soft power has developed...

to encompass governance stories & messaging on international public goods"

Atiqullah Baig Mughul

Want to be featured in our Op-ed section?

Send your insights, opinions, and articles!

Pakistan-Focus

The US Mission in Pakistan launched its Freedom 250 Liberty Bell initiative, themed “Let Freedom Ring,” with a ceremonial unveiling at the Lincoln Corner in Islamabad.

Good news for Pakistani football enthusiasts.

FIFA's involvement can help Pakistan boost its football scene through infrastructure, training, and more participation in regional tournaments.

No need for a visa (only for those with a diplomatic pass).

The development comes after Pakistan forthright rejection of Israel's recognition of Somaliland and commitment to advocate Somalia's territorial integrity.

Pakistan and China's current mineral trade and potential became the focus of this week's bilateral mineral forum, where mineral businesses and policy-makers explored the high-value niche further.

Since India unilaterally pulled out of the Indus Waters Treaty, the environmental threat to Pakistan's agricultural economy has become ever more acute.

Pakistan and Rwanda double down on coffee trade at the Rwanda Coffee Festival in Islamabad.

Once the taste of Rwanda's coffee reaches the Pakistan's taste buds, there's no stopping the growing bilateral exchange.

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