Tariff Turmoil: A New Path for India
Upcoming Free to Join Online Events
13 August 2025 @ 8:00 a.m. (GMT-7), Pacific Council, US
Turmoil to Transition: What South Korea’s Election Means for U.S. Foreign Policy
This event aims to analyze the political and strategic implications of South Korea’s 2025 presidential election, which brought Lee Jaemyung to power following Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment. Through insights from regional and policy experts, the discussion will explore how Lee’s expected approach toward China, North Korea, and Japan may influence the U.S.–South Korea alliance. It will also consider the election’s broader regional significance and address concerns over potential Chinese interference, offering perspectives on South Korea’s future domestic and foreign policy direction. For more information and to register, please visit [Pacific Council].
13 August 2025 @ 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. (GMT-4), Stimson Institute, US
Arakan Army Advances: Implications for Myanmar’s Civil War
This session will examine the Arakan Army’s (AA) dominant position in Myanmar’s Rakhine State and its expanding operations into juntacontrolled areas. As a key force in the country’s ongoing civil war, the AA’s strategies, alliances, and limitations will significantly influence the conflict’s direction. The discussion will explore the group’s current standing, potential future actions, and the broader implications of its advances for Myanmar’s political and military landscape, offering insights into how these developments may shape the war’s ultimate outcome. For more information, and to register for this online event, visit [Stimson Institute].
14 August 2025 @ 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (GMT-4), The Dialouge, US
After the Vote—What’s Next for Mexico’s Judiciary?
This event, hosted by the Inter-American Dialogue’s Mexico Program, will analyse the outcomes and implications of Mexico’s historic June 2 election, which for the first time allowed direct voting for federal judiciary members. As the new Supreme Court term begins September 1, the discussion will explore questions of judicial independence, legitimacy, and autonomy, as well as impacts on U.S.–Mexico relations. Panelists will assess potential effects on rule of law, democratic governance, investment, and the business climate, outlining risks and opportunities for Mexico’s judiciary. For more information, visit [TheDialouge].
14 August 2025 @ 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (GMT-5), The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, US
British Ambassador Peter Mandelson on Trade, Tech, and Transatlantic Relations
This event will explore how the United States and United Kingdom can strengthen their “special relationship” amid rising global competition, economic nationalism, and rapid technological change. Featuring British Ambassador Peter Mandelson, the discussion will address opportunities for bilateral collaboration on breakthrough technologies such as AI, strategies for navigating evolving trade dynamics, and approaches to regulation that preserve competitiveness. The session will consider how a revitalized US–UK partnership could drive innovation, bolster economic resilience, and meet the challenges of a rapidly transforming world. For more information and to register for this online event, visit [The Chicago Council on Global Affairs].
14 August 2025 @ 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (GMT-4), Center for a New American Security, US
Virtual Event | Policy Options on Afghanistan Four Years After the U.S. Withdrawal
This CNAS virtual panel, “Policy Options on Afghanistan Four Years After the U.S. Withdrawal,” will mark the anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover by assessing U.S. policy under President Trump’s second term. Featuring experts on human rights, defence, and Afghan policy, the discussion will address worsening humanitarian conditions, growing terrorism threats, and the sharp decline in rights for women and girls. Panelists will explore policy approaches balancing counterterrorism goals, humanitarian needs, and strategic interests amid reduced U.S. aid and international divisions over Afghanistan. For more information, and to register for this online event, visit [CNAS].
15 August 2025 @ 8:00 a.m. (GMT-4), Atlantic Council, US
US-Japan global partnership in Central Asia
This virtual event, hosted by the Atlantic Council’s Indo-Pacific Security Initiative and Eurasia Center with the Embassy of Japan, will examine how the United States and Japan can strengthen partnerships in Central Asia amid intensifying geopolitical competition with China and Russia. Featuring experts from the U.S., Japan, and Kazakhstan, the discussion will assess the region’s evolving security landscape, identify opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation, and address challenges to deeper engagement, highlighting strategies to diversify Central Asia’s partnerships beyond its traditional autocratic neighbours. For more information, visit [Atlantic Council].
15 August 2025 @ 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (GMT+1), The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, UK
Exploring the UK-Japan Relationship, 80 Years After VJ Day
This event commemorates VJ Day, marking Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II on 15 August 1945, while reflecting on its lasting impact. Panellists will examine how the war shaped UK and Japanese foreign and security policy and explore the evolution of bilateral ties from postwar reconciliation to today’s growing partnership. The discussion will highlight the enduring significance of UK–Japan relations, considering historical legacies alongside contemporary diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation between the two nations. For more information and to book this online event, visit [RUSI].
15 August 2025 @ 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. (GMT-4), Stimson Institute, US
Taliban Rule and Regional Realignments Four Years On
This event will assess Afghanistan’s geopolitical landscape four years after the Taliban’s return to power, examining the regime’s impact on South Asia’s security, diplomacy, and regional stability. Drawing on insights from the South Asian Voices series, the discussion will explore the Taliban’s regional relationships, its handling of terrorist groups, and the resulting tensions with neighbours and global powers. Panelists will also consider emerging opportunities for engagement stemming from Afghanistan’s relative stability, and how evolving Taliban priorities are influencing diplomatic strategies across the region. For more information, and to register for this online event, visit [Stimson Institute].
18 August 2025 @ 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (GMT+8), Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore
Harnessing Digital Transformation to Promote More Inclusive and Sustainable Development in Southeast Asia
This seminar will explore how Southeast Asia can align digital transformation with climate and inclusion goals to drive low-carbon, equitable growth. Drawing on the Asian Development Policy Report (ADPR) 2025, it will present new empirical research on the links between digitalisation, climate change, and inclusive development. Discussions will feature firm-level evidence on AI’s impact on employment and cross-country analysis of digitalisation’s relationship with energy consumption, highlighting policy frameworks needed to harness digital transformation for sustainable and inclusive regional development. For more information, visit [Yusof Ishak Institute].
19 August 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (GMT+10), Australian Institute of International Affairs, Australia
Cybersecurity as Part of National Security and Foreign Policy
This event will examine how cybersecurity has evolved from a technical challenge to a core pillar of national security and foreign policy, using Estonia’s response to the 2007 cyberattacks as a case study. It will explore how Estonia strengthened digital infrastructure, secured public services, and embedded cybersecurity across government, industry, and defense. Drawing lessons for Australia, the discussion will highlight the need to integrate cybersecurity into broader strategic planning to address increasingly complex and persistent threats at home and across the region. For more information and to register for this online event, visit [AIIA].
Recent Book Releases
Nikolina Bobic and Farzaneh Haghighi, The Routledge Handbook of Architecture, Urban Space and Politics, Volume II: Ecology, Social Participation and Marginalities, Routledge, 702 pages, published June 28, 2024. For a review, see [LSE].
Elyssa Faison and Alison Fields, Resisting the Nuclear: Art and Activism Across the Pacific, University of Washington Press, 321 pages, published January 16, 2024. For a review, see [LSE].
Suraj Milind Yengde, Caste: A Global Story, Oxford University Press, 360 pages, published June 30, 2025. For a review, see [Asian Review of Books].
Andrea Louise Campbell, Taxation and Resentment: Race, Party, and Class in American Tax Attitudes, Princeton University Press, 352 pages, published June 10, 2025. For a review, see [Los Angeles Review of Books].
Ruth Braunstein, My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America, Princeton University Press, 256 pages, published April 15, 2025. For a review, see [Los Angeles Review of Books].
🌍 Top Stories of the Week 6/8 - 11/8
6 August
⚔️ Pakistan violates border ceasefire, resorts to unprovoked firing; Army retaliates. [Source]
Russia is considering a limited air truce with Ukraine, halting drone and missile strikes as a gesture to Trump, while continuing the war. [Source] - this is mainly due to the pressure on trading partners: India, China, Brazil, etc.
First time after Galwan Valley Clash, PM Modi will visit China for SCO summit. Will have important discussions regarding BRICS and Trade war with US. Xi Jinping, Putin and various leaders will be present there. [Source]
Trump signs executive order imposing additional 25% tariff on India. 50% now.. highest in the world 😶. [Source]
For context, the main driver behind the imposition of Trump’s tariffs is the trade other countries engage with Russia. [Source]
Russia's Pipeline Gas Purchasers (2025):
European Union – 37%
China – 29%
Turkey – 27%
Buyers of Russia's Crude Oil (2025):
China – 47%
India – 38%
European Union – 6%
Buyers of Russia's LNG:
European Union – 50%
China – 21%
Japan – 19%
7 August
Switzerland's president is about to leave Washington without announcing any success in lowering the 39% tariff Donald Trump has put on her country. [Source]
8 August
Israeli Security Cabinet Approves Plan to Take Control of Gaza City. This move has drawn international criticism. UK, Germany, Spain, Sweden, UN etc have officially criticised this step. International collaboration in sight for the recognition of Palestinian statehood. [Source]
After 3 years of War, Russia-Ukraine might come to peace. US and Russia plan a truce deal to satisfy Putin’s gains in Ukraine. [Source]
9 August
Update from the US-Russia talks: Ceasefire if Ukraine gives up some territory from the East - Putin [Source]. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukrainians "will not give their land". Can Trump decide Ukriane’s fate without Ukrainian officials? [Source]
6 Pakistan Air force aircraft taken down during Operation Sindoor in May reported from the Indian Air Force Chief. [Source]
10 August
Trump: The $550 billion pledged by Japan is 'our money'. Trump is lying about investments? Japan stated that of the $550 billion, only 1-2% are actual investments. The remaining 98% are loans to the US at full market value. [Source]
Tens of thousands protest in Israel over plan to escalate war on Gaza. They want Netanyahu to END war in Gaza, make a deal to FREE the hostages and END the starvation. [Source]
White House is considering inviting Zelensky to Alaska. Trump set to meet Putin in Alaska to discuss ceasefire talks. [Source]
