Priyanka Choudhury

In the ever-sprouting landscape of international relations, few relationships have undergone as much transformation in recent years as that between Europe and China. From the initial warmth of diplomatic engagements to the current atmosphere of strategic recalibration, the past five years have witnessed a complex interplay of political, economic, and strategic factors that have reshaped the dynamics between these two formidable actors on the global stage. President Xi Jinping's recent visit to Europe serves as a poignant reflection of these changes, offering insights into the nuances and challenges of contemporary Euro-Chinese relations.

Future historians might look back on May 2024 as a pivotal moment in South Africa's post-apartheid history, marking a potential shift with both domestic and international implications. The elections held on May 29 signaled the end of the African National Congress's (ANC) era of political dominance, a significant change after six national ballots since 1994 where the ANC consistently secured more than 50% of the vote. This development suggests the beginning of a new era of co-governance, accompanied by new uncertainties.

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, the brainchild of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is a bold blueprint aimed at modernizing the Kingdom on multiple fronts. Among its numerous ambitious goals, one particularly stands out: the aim to build up the nation's defense industrial capability to meet at least half of its own defense needs within a few years. This objective is not only about self-reliance but also about transforming Saudi Arabia into a major player in global defense production. As the Middle East continues to experience geopolitical tensions, achieving these goals could dramatically alter the region's trade and defense landscape.

China's foreign trade in goods from January to May 2024 reached a total of 17.5 trillion yuan ($2.42 trillion), marking a significant year-on-year increase of 6.3 percent. This impressive growth underscores China's robust economic recovery and strong trade performance, which continues to align with market expectations. Data released by China's General Administration of Customs (

Bangladesh is witnessing a surge of multinational interest in its untapped oil and gas reserves in the Bay of Bengal. As Petrobangla, the national oil company of Bangladesh, prepares for crucial meetings with several multinational companies, the potential for significant foreign investment in the region's energy sector is becoming increasingly apparent. This article explores the latest developments, including upcoming bilateral meetings, multinational interest, and the strategic steps Bangladesh is taking to attract investment.

The global economic landscape has been marred by a series of challenges over the past few years, leading to significant shifts in foreign direct investment (FDI) trends. According to the latest report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), worldwide FDI fell for the second consecutive year in 2023. This decline, attributed to a myriad of factors including economic slowdowns, trade tensions, and geopolitical instability, has had a pronounced impact on both developed and developing economies.

2024 BRICS Games in Kazan, Russia, mark a significant moment in international sports, attracting participation from 90 countries and bringing together 4,700 athletes to compete in 27 diverse sports events. This iteration of the BRICS Games is the largest and most varied since its inception in 2017, reflecting both the growing importance of the event and its underlying geopolitical undertones.

Bangladesh has seen substantial development in its power sector over recent years, particularly under the leadership of the Awami League government. With several mega projects such as the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP), Matarbari Power Plant, and Cox's Bazar Wind Power Plant nearing completion, there is optimism about the country achieving self-sufficiency in power generation. Despite these strides, significant challenges remain, threatening the sustainability and efficiency of the power sector. A recent discussion organized by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) at BRAC in Mohakhali shed light on these issues, emphasizing the urgent need for policy reform and strategic planning.

In a landmark election, Sir Keir Starmer has led the Labour Party to a monumental victory, ending 14 years of Conservative governance with a sweeping 174-seat majority in the UK Parliament. As Starmer takes the helm as Prime Minister, the nation watches closely, eager to see how his promises to “rebuild Britain” will unfold amid the myriad challenges the country faces.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Russia for a bilateral summit with President Vladimir Putin has underscored the depth and resilience of India-Russia relations. This summit, the first foreign visit by Modi following his re-election, sent a potent signal to the international community about the importance India places on its ties with Russia. Despite the geopolitical turbulence marked by Western sanctions on Russia and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the bilateral ties between these two nations continue to flourish. This article delves into the key outcomes of the summit, the strategic messages conveyed, and the implications for global geopolitics.