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US Sanctions, Hormuz Strait and Security in the Gulf
Amb D P Srivastava, Distinguished Fellow, VIF Commentary

The seizure of Stena Impero by Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on 19th July in the Hormuz Strait follows arrest of Grace 1 off Gibraltar by Royal Marines earlier. This represents an escalation. Incidents of attacks on tankers on 12th May an....

July 22, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Commentary , US-Iran spat , shipping in Persian Gulf , oil tanker seizure
पश्चिमी एशिया की समीक्षा- मई, 2019
Amb Anil Trigunayat, Distinguished Fellow, VIF Article

अमेरिका और ईरान
पवित्र रमजान का महीना मई, अमन बहाली के बजाय, मध्य-पूर्व में तनाव बढ़ने का गव....

July 16, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Article , ईरान पर अमेरिकी प्रतिबंध , मध्य-पूर्व तनाव , इस्राइल-फिलिस्तीन विवाद , सीरिया शांति प्रक्रिया
Losing Istanbul Twice: Erdogan’s Humbling Moment
Dr Yatharth Kachiar Article

Introduction
President Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (also known as AKP by its Turkish acronym) conceded a major defeat in the re-run of Istanbul mayoral elections on June 23 indicating a tectonic shift in Turkey’s po....

July 08, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Article , Turkish democracy , Istanbul shock , Erdogan’s dictatorial trends
West Asia Round up - June 2019
Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF Article

Abstract
June was a particularly hot month in so far as the developments in the Middle East are concerned. In the US-Iran imbroglio one witnessed a ‘hot & cold’ approach with the US continuing with its maximum pressure tactics whi....

July 05, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Article , US-Iran confrontation , Iran attacks US drone , Kushner’s Deal of the Century , Israel-Syria air attacks , Protests in Sudan
Iranian Nuclear Impasse: Perceptions, Political Posturing and Military Metaphors
Lt Gen Rameshwar Yadav, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Veteran) Article

Located on the cross roads of three continents and connectivity to the high seas, Persia has always been a perpetual conflict zone which speaks of martial legacy of its constituents. The resultant propensity for steadfast attitude has been an intrins....

July 04, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Article , Iran nuclear deal , US-Iran confrontation , Military situation in Iran
Escalating Tensions and Threat of Military Conflict in the Gulf Region: Who has the Edge?
Col Rajeev Agarwal Article

Introduction
The incident of Iranian military downing a US Drone flying over its airspace on 20 June 2019 evoked immediate and strong response from the US. Reports suggested the US President ordered retaliatory military strikes against Ir....

July 01, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Article , Confrontations in the Gulf , US-Iran conflict , Tension in West Asia
A Perilous Quadrangle: Iran, United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia
Amb K P Fabian Commentary

The world is witnessing with increasing alarm the escalating tension in West Asia. We do not know whether there will be a war. But we have reasons to fear that hostilities might break out if there is no de-escalation. We do not see, as yet, any signs....

June 19, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Commentary , Sanctions on Iran , Iran’s nuclear programme , Dangers of US-Iran confrontation
Contextualising the US-Iran Tensions
Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF Article

The recent stand-off between Iran and the United States (US) is rooted in US President Donald Trump’s announcement to withdraw from Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on 8 May 2018, arguing that Iran was violating the spirit of the deal by ....

June 18, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Article , Chabahar Port , US-Iran confrontation , withdrawal fro JCPOA , India’s oil imports
West Asia Review, May 2019
Amb Anil Trigunayat, Distinguished Fellow, VIF Article

US-Iran
May, the holy month of Ramadan, instead of ensuing peace, witnessed heightening of tensions in the Middle East region. On May 2, President Trump declared that no more waivers in purchase of oil will be allowed for the eight count....

June 10, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Article , West Asia developments , Confabulations in West Asia , Syria-India relation
Israel’s Dissolved Knesset
Hirak Jyoti Das, Senior Research Associate, VIF Article

On 9 April 2019, national election was held in Israel in which the incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assumed victory. The ruling party, Likud maintained its lead in the 120 members Israeli Parliament, Knesset with 35 seats. Likud’s allies....

June 07, 2019 International Relations and Diplomacy , West Asia , Article , Israel elections , Netanyahu’s political test , political dissonance in Israel
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