Strategic Issues

  G-20 Summit 2023: Geo-political Interest versus Economic –Cooperation as a Pressure Game Introduction   In September of 1999, the finance ministers and central bank governors representing the Group of Seven countries (commonly referred to as the G-7) articulated their intention to "broaden the dialogue on key economic and financial policy issues among systemically significant economies and promote co-operation to achieve stable and sustainable world economic growth." The G-20 was established with the mandate of influencing the global agenda, addressing economic and financial matters in areas lacking consensus, and setting a guiding example. This Group was particularly regarded as a crucial forum for deliberations on various strategies. Simultaneously, the global economy was experiencing heightened levels of integration. The escalation of cross-border trade has been notably marked in recent decades, a response to trade liberalization facilitated by the General Agreement on T...

  Iranian Air Defence and geo-political Aspirations:  An Assessment Iranian Defense Industry The Iranian Defense Industry refers to the collection of state-owned and private companies in Iran that are responsible for the development, production, and maintenance of military equipment and technology. This industry has been a significant focus for the Iranian government, particularly since the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), which exposed Iran's vulnerability in terms of military capabilities. Over the years, Iran has faced various arms embargoes and restrictions due to international concerns about its nuclear program and regional activities. As a result, Iran has heavily invested in building a domestic defense industry to reduce its reliance on foreign arms imports. Key components of the Iranian Defense Industry include:   Military Hardware:  Iran has developed a range of military hardware, including various types of tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, missiles, and naval ...