Down The Line

Anatomy of a Diplomatic Failure: The 20-Point Gaza Plan

Anatomy of a Diplomatic Failure: The 20-Point Gaza Plan

A 20-point Gaza peace plan, initially hailed by a coalition of eight Muslim-majority nations, represented a rare moment of consensus in Middle East diplomacy. But this optimism was short-lived. Following a pivotal meeting between US and Israeli leaders, the plan was radically altered, transforming a multilateral framework into a security-centric arrangement that alienated its initial backers and triggered a crisis of trust. This is the story of how a potential breakthrough unraveled into a diplomatic failure.

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Between Security and Privacy: Contextualizing Amnesty’s Claims on Pakistan’s Surveillance

Between Security and Privacy: Contextualizing Amnesty’s Claims on Pakistan’s Surveillance

Amnesty International’s Shadows of Control paints a bleak picture of Pakistan’s digital surveillance. Yet by sidelining the country’s acute security challenges, dismissing existing legal safeguards, and overlooking its own credibility issues, the report offers a partial and misleading narrative. A more balanced approach requires situating surveillance within Pakistan’s counterterrorism imperatives and recognizing the global double standards at play.

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The End of Liberal Internationalism? America’s Retreat into Realism

The End of Liberal Internationalism? Trump’s New Realism

Donald Trump’s address to the UN General Assembly marked a sharp break from America’s seven-decade stewardship of the liberal international order. Rooted in realist principles, his speech rejected multilateralism, attacked the UN’s legitimacy, and reframed alliances as transactional bargains. From immigration and climate policy to NATO and Middle East conflicts, Trump outlined a vision of unilateral power and national sovereignty that directly challenges the institutional foundations of global governance.

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Recognition of Palestinian State: Symbolism or Real Change?

Recognition of Palestinian State: Symbolism or Real Change?

After more than 65,000 deaths and Gaza’s collapse into famine and ruin, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal have formally recognized Palestine. Their move breaks decades of Western policy consensus, signaling a potential turning point in the conflict, but with strict conditions and fierce Israeli opposition, the future remains deeply uncertain.

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Trump’s H1B Policy: Consequences for India

Trump’s H1B Policy: Consequences for India

A new Trump executive order imposing a $100,000 annual fee on H1B visas marks more than a shift in U.S. immigration policy, it is a geopolitical act with lasting consequences. While American firms may adapt, India faces structural damage.

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