Manav Seth

Akin to the colonial era, even in the twenty-first century, the world is perceived from the standpoint of a handful of neo-imperialist hegemons who lay down dictates of conscience, designate the terrorist and the revolutionary, and predestine the Third World. Primarily, trade prospects stirred the Age of Exploration, and although diverse nations established relations with the European powers, the relations eventually came to be colonial subjugation far from bilateral. Political consciousness blended with utilitarian nationalist ideologues uprooted the colonialists post-war, limitless ambitions of whom fostered ingenuity, giving rise to multifarious indirect techniques, one of them multinational enterprises, to preserve dominance over weak governments. This continued economic domination of sovereign nations by their past colonial masters may be termed neo-colonialism. Simply put, colonialism, which earlier was spread through tanks, now comes through banks.  Multinational corporations,

Portrayed as a milestone in Libya’s freedom from tyranny, Gaddafi’s killing once again signified the United States’ best described as the “West Asian Insecurity” — another feather in the cap of neo-imperialists.  Libyans had expected, despite the post-invasion Iraqi democratic model being unambiguous, the National Transitional Council to secure recognition from those other than contributors in NATO bombing, which although was achieved yet the former’s control and authority still end with a question mark. The political landscape of the country, a decade after the illegal attack, remains chaotic. Scenario analogous to Chinese warlordism prevails with armed militias contesting for control, no central authority to keep order and rampant human rights violations, most horrifically the slave markets. Libya’s return to normalcy is distancing from reality and the once flourishing nation has entered the list of failed states much owed to the neo-liberal assault. Five decades earlier, amidst a cl

“War is not an option” is altogether an ironic statement by the Taiwanese leadership, perhaps because it is not in any position to exercise options and it has none. China’s threat to “smash” Taiwan plainly depicts its offensive realism and cross-strait tensions are at an all-time high as Taipei prepares its citizens against an impending attack from Beijing by conducting civilian drills and is in constant hope of external support from Washington, which over the years has remained somewhat inconsistent. This looming disaster in the Indo-Pacific is being largely overlooked, whilst the mainstream press continues to present one-sided narratives on the Ukrainian situation, which is capturing global attention. The People’s Republic of China (PRC), also known as mainland China recognized by the United Nations, to consolidate its influence over the region, has been pursuing an imperialist-expansionist policy that also upset Indian neutrality decades earlier. Now, its main objective is to integr

The recent declaration of a parallel government by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Pakistan has posed a new challenge to the sovereignty of the already turmoil-ridden nation. Despite Nehru’s anticipation that the inability of Pakistan to survive would compel it to merge with India soon after the borders were drawn, the nation did manage to pull through seven decades albeit declining. Characterized by the complete failure of political and administrative system, rampant corruption, misuse and mismanagement of power, separatistism and the economic crisis, the nation today stands failed in all aspects and may soon plunge into anarchy. Preceded by the fall of Imran Khan’s government, Shebaz Sharif’s hollow promises on entering the political scene proved not only his incompetence but strengthened the certainty of collapse of yet another nation in South Asia as it faces various serious challenges. That Pakistan’s political instability is of recent emergence seems incorrect consideri

With the war in Mexico and subsequent annexation of California, the antagonistic foreign policy of the United States became apparent to the globe. The Barbary Wars in the early nineteenth century had served as a precursor to the post second world war direct interventions by the “world policeman” in West Asia for the major reason — oil and hence termed as United States’ West Asian Insecurity. Excessive interferences, however, over time led to a rising sense of unrest among the populace and governments in the strategically significant region and plundering of nations as a whole. “Saddam is a dog, son of a dog,” some Iraqis shouted as the statue of the Iraqi strongman was toppled in the capital city. Others looked on, realizing the devastation that was to commence. Sixteen years ago today, on December 30th, Saddam Hussein al-Majid, who had ruled Iraq with an iron fist for twenty-four long years, was executed after a flawed three-year trial. As the war unfolded and the truth emerged, the U

Ukrainian casualties may skyrocket following the invasion by its gigantic neighbour. That the West continues to despise the intervention as part of Russian expansionism seems inappropriate, as it is the former that has put yet another nation on the verge of collapse and re-ignited global tensions. Ukraine has for long remained an integral part of Russia until 1991, when the USSR collapsed and the former gained independence. The main aim of the US and its European allies has since been to make it a Western stronghold in Europe. The US opposing Russian influence in Europe while at the same time having an incomparable record of foreign interventions remains completely unjustified. The issue began with various false assurances given to Soviet leaders regarding the non-expansion of NATO eastward and the preservation of Soviet (or Russian) security interests. On the contrary, NATO has expanded five times since then. Russia was left relatively weak, with the West facing no threat from it; nev