December 2023 – Maj Gen Harsha Kakar (Retd.)

December 28, 2023

Wars in Ukraine and Gaza shaped 2023, but will they continue to un-make the world next year too First Post 28 Dec 2023

Wars in Ukraine and Gaza shaped 2023, but will they continue to un-make the world next year too First Post 28 Dec 2023 The world was largely peaceful till early 2022. There were small but controllable skirmishes between nations, political tensions, containing considered adversaries, increased terrorism but no wars involving nuclear powered nations. Feb 2022 witnessed the commencement of […]

December 28, 2023

Pakistan and the US The Excelsior 28 Dec 2023

Pakistan and the US The Excelsior 28 Dec 2023 Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, made his first US visit, after his appointment as army chief, last week. As the de-facto ruler of Pakistan all decisions in the country are cleared by him. The visit came at a time when relations between the two were stagnating. Pakistan no longer […]

December 27, 2023

Pakistan continues to back cross-border terrorism Is the US really serious about it India vs disinformation 27 Dec 2023

Pakistan continues to back cross-border terrorism: Is the US really serious about it? India vs disinformation 27 Dec 2023 Last week in a terrorist ambush in Poonch, India lost five soldiers. Pakistan’s hand in it was evident. A day later, an infiltration bid was foiled in the same region. It is assessed that Pakistan is attempting to recreate terrorism […]

December 26, 2023

World will see major shifts in the year of elections The Statesman 26 Dec 2023

World will see major shifts in the year of elections The Statesman 26 Dec 2023 Multiple nations have elections in 2024. In some cases, there could be a change in government implying a shift in policies, whereas in others it would strengthen current regimes. The outcome of elections could have a bearing on their immediate region or ongoing conflicts. […]

December 19, 2023

What is next in the Israel-Hamas war The Statesman 19 Dec 2023

What is next in the Israel-Hamas war The Statesman 19 Dec 2023 The Israel-Hamas war in Gaza continues unabated in its third month. All calls for a ceasefire have come to naught. The short five-day pause ended with both sides blaming the other for breaking it. While over 18000 Gazans are claimed to have died, majority being women and […]

December 19, 2023

Impact on the Article 370 verdict The Excelsior 19 Dec 2023

Impact on the Article 370 verdict The Excelsior 19 Dec 2023 The Supreme Court judgement has made Article 370 history. Years from now, the nation would have forgotten it even existed. It may only remain in history books as a has been. The verdict was received as expected within the nation. Indian political parties adopted their stand based on […]

December 13, 2023

Can the West avoid defining terrorism according to its own suitability India vs Disinformation 13 Dec 2023

Can the West avoid defining terrorism according to its own suitability? India vs Disinformation 13 Dec 2023 Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Delhi, Justin Trudeau, Canada’s PM stated, ‘Canada will always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience and freedom of peaceful protest and it is extremely important to us. At the same time, we […]

December 13, 2023

Dialogues elude current conflicts The Excelsior 13 Dec 2023

Dialogues elude current conflicts The Excelsior 13 Dec 2023 The truce between Israel and Hamas has ended for which both blame the other. Attempts to restart the same are ongoing. The US President, Joe Biden, had publicly commented that he hoped the ceasefire would continue. Hamas launched the initial assault, capturing Israelis as a bargaining chip for Palestinians in […]

December 12, 2023

Election results will resonate globally The Statesman 12 Dec 2023

Election results will resonate globally The Statesman 12 Dec 2023 The recently concluded elections in five states, where the BJP won in three, were being closely monitored across the globe. The ruling BJP and its arch-rival, Congress, fought on opposing strategies, in what was considered as a semi-final before next year’s national elections. For the world, a BJP defeat in […]

December 7, 2023

India announces probe into the Pannun case The Excelsior 07 Dec 2023

India announces probe into the Pannun case The Excelsior 07 Dec 2023 India announced a ‘high-level’ probe on claims of a plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, head of the supposed SFJ (Sikhs for Justice) demanding an independent Khalistan, and the US appeared satisfied. It was a plot, how effective or even if was ever meant to be implemented, […]