Geopolitics

The “New Washington Consensus” is not really new as the greatly magnified role and influence of the huge transnational corporations, especially the military–industrial complex that drives both the economics and foreign policy of the United States, remains untouched. Further, there is no consensus on its anti-China thrust either as the majority of countries searching for strategic autonomy, including many of the US’s own allies, would not risk breaking economic relations with China.

Sri Lanka faces an uncertain path to obtaining bailout funding from the International Monetary Fund, while the existing terms of the agreement itself will exacerbate the ongoing economic crisis. Moreover, Sri Lanka’s difficulty in securing the consent of bilateral and private creditors amid great power rivalry reflects the unravelling of the global order. Is there an alternative to austerity in this conjuncture, including possibilities for self-sufficiency?

The right of “self-determination of the people” is a double-edged sword. It has been used by postcolonial nations to reclaim their territories and economy. The idea has also been exploited by the powerful countries to divide the world on ethnic and religious lines to advance their hegemony through humanitarian interventions.

The Pacific Rim region is a dynamic geoeconomic space of great power competition where many trade agreements and economic blocs have evolved over the last few decades. This article evaluates the insertion of the four economies of the United States, China, India, and the European Union to understand the evolving architecture of trade relations in this region.

India can only wait patiently and watch the situation in Afghanistan before initiating any action.