Vietnam’s 10th President, Nguyen Xuan Phuc resigned last week amid the ongoing anti-corruption drive. The Communist Party of Vietnam stated that Phuc resigned after the ruling party held him responsible for “violations and wrongdoings” done by the officials under his control while being Prime Minister.
Phuc started his political career in 1979 at the provincial level and took his first position in national government in 2006. He joined the Politburo and served as Prime Minister from 2016 to 2021 and later held the ceremonial position as President of Vietnam. The departure of President is highly unusual in communist Vietnam as only one President has stepped down from his position citing health concerns.
According to Central Party Committee, Phuc was blamed for offences committed by the officials including Deputy Prime Ministers Pham Binh Minh and Vu Duc Dam and three ministers since he was the Prime Minister from 2016 to 2021. According to media reports, the ruling party has reported that around 500 party members were prosecuted or “disciplined” for corruption and “deliberate wrongdoings”, including ministers, top officials and diplomats with many of corruption allegations relating to Vietnam covid response.
According to Vietnamese politics the “four pillars” are the core comprising President, Prime Minister, General Secretary and Chairman of National Assembly. The President holds substantial authority. It is the post of the General Secretary which is considered the most powerful out of the four posts.
The architect of anti-corruption drive is party General Secretary and one of the country’s powerful politician Nguyen Phu Trong whose term is due to expire in 2026. It is highlighted that former President’s resignation is linked to political infighting in a country where every political change is carefully maneuvered to give the impression of political stability in the country. According to Le Hong Heip, a fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore “It’s mainly related to corruption investigations but we cannot rule out the possibility that his political rivals also wanted to remove him from his position for political reasons.”
The communist country is strengthening its fight against corruption amid the concerns that this anti-corruption drive is bringing crackdown in routine transactions as officials are being brought under scanner. Being an export dependent economy, it is unlikely that overall trajectory will change, provided the emphasis is on encouraging foreign investments and steering diplomatic ties with US and China.
Oscar Micheauk’s quote “There is no barrier to success which diligence and perseverance cannot hurdle” holds pretty true for Anayatullah Khan of the Border Roads Organisation of the Indian Army whose being deaf and dumb by birth did not make him give up dreams of serving India, and who by the dint of his hard work and determination donned the uniform of the General Reserve Engineering Force (GREF) to serve in the toughest of the terrain smilingly and willingly.
Born on February 02, 1978 in Village Nilgrar in District Ganderbal in Jammu & Kashmir, India, Anayatullah at a very young age decided that his physical impairments will not hamper his desire of serving India and dreamt of a career in uniform.
His toil bore fruit and he got selected to work for GREF as a Casual Paid Operator (CP Optr). His joy knew no bounds on coming to know of his selection in GREF and he swore to himself to keep working hard and make his country proud.
Since his trade is CP Optr, Anayatullah kept on getting posted in various units of BRO which are located in far-flung areas where roads have to be made in virgin mountains. The task is hard and arduous but the ever-smiling Anayatullah has always performed outstandingly be it rain, snow, cold or landslides which are frequent in mountainous terrain.
Since 1996 Anayatullah has been deployed at Zojila Pass which is at a height of 11,575 feet and is the second highest pass on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway. He operates the leading dozer during snow clearance and with his immense experience finds and clears the road alignment which has earned him praise and commendation from the highest quarters of the country. He plays a pivotal role in the extended opening of the Zojila Pass. His being deaf and dumb and leading the team on such dangerous mission even motivates the other soldiers to perform beyond their capabilities.
Anayatullah Khan (second from left) with Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry, VSM, Director General Border Roads (centre) and other senior Officers of the Border Roads Organisation: source HQ DGBR
Zojila Pass is of immense strategic importance to India and serves as a vital life line to the civilians living in those areas, and hence the good work done by Anayatullah Khan affects millions of lives and helps keep India safe and secure.
For his immense devotion and dedication to duty, Anayatullah Khan has been awarded the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief’s Commendation Card in 2019. The Director General Border Roads during his visit to Zozila Pass on Feb 28, 2021 awarded him on the spot DGBR Commendation Card.
Anayatullah Khan is truly an asset to the BRO, the Indian Army and above all, to India. Our
salute and respect to Anayatullah Khan for his vim and vigour in serving India.
Byson Pulsifer rightly quoted “Dedication is belief transitioned into action which is transformed into change”.
About the Author
Lt Col JS Sodhi retired from the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army is an alumnus of NDA Khadakwasla and IIT Kanpur. He is a M.Tech in Structures and has also done MBA and LL.B and is a prolific writer and a public speaker. He features in the World Book of Records, London and the India Book of Records for his media contributions. He Tweets at @JassiSodhi24. The views expressed are personal.
As hot winds called loo in the local parlance, blew at 2 pm in an afternoon in the month of May 1971, a young three-year-old boy sitting behind his father on a sky-blue Chetak scooter, both of whom were passing by Tibri Military Station near Gurdaspur, told his father that he was thirsty and wanted to drink water. His father Shri Ajit Singh Walia, who was a teacher in Narot Jaimal Singh High School in Narot Jaimal, which is a quaint town 26 kilometres from Gurdaspur, and eventually would retire as the Principal of this school, stopped his scooter at the main gate of Tibri Military Station and requested the army soldier on duty for a glass of water for his son Kamaljit Singh. The sentry gave a glass of water to the young lad. As the young Kamaljit drank the water, his eyes were transfixed on the soldier as he was mesmerised by the uniform of the army soldier. The young Kamaljit Singh took a vow that day to join the Indian Army.
Since that day young Kamaljit would ask questions about the Indian Army to his parents and relatives. One day when Kamaljit was a student in Class V in the same school where his father taught, Kamaljit’s classmate brought a Punjabi newspaper which had the advertisement of entry to Sainik School Kapurthala, which is a residential school from Class VI onwards and prepares students for entry as a commissioned officer to the Indian Armed Forces. Kamaljit was unaware of this school and grew quite inquisitive and interested to know about this school more, as the advertisement also mentioned about preparing its students for the Indian Armed Forces.
A year later, the young Kamaljit joined Sainik School Kapurthala after clearing the tough entrance examination. In his school days, Kamaljit excelled in Cross country, basketball and volleyball and was in the school team of all the three sports.
On passing out from Sainik School Kapurthala, Kamaljit took admission in the L.LB course in Panjab University Chandigarh. On completing his graduation, Kamaljit cleared the Combined Defence Services examination and joined Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun on 20 July 1990 as part of the 89 Regular course, fulfilling the vow he had taken 19 years back as a 3-year-old boy.
Born on July 20, 1968 in Gurdaspur, Kamaljit Singh’s father was an educator and mother an home maker. He had a younger sister. And destiny made Kamaljit report to IMA on 20 July 1990, the same date on which he was born!
Kamaljit was allotted Keren Company in IMA. It was in IMA that his coursemates nicknamed him KJ. The legacy of being a good sportsman continued with KJ and KJ found a place in the Academy Teams of Basketball and Volleyball. In his second term, KJ as part of the IMA Basketball Team defeated National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla for the first time ever in Hexagonals held in NDA in April 1991. Hexagonals is an annual sports tournament comprising various sports in which the competing teams are NDA, IMA, Officers Training Academy, Chennai, Army Cadet College, Dehradun, Air Force Academy, Hyderabad and Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala. Till this time no team had defeated NDA in Basketball in NDA itself. KJ helped IMA break a 37-year-old record. For this feat KJ was awarded an IMA Blue, an honour bestowed on chosen few who are proficient in any sport.
Captain (Later Lt Col) KJ Singh being awarded the Sena Medal in an Indian Army Investiture Ceremony: source Mrs KJ Singh
On December 14, 1991, Second Lieutenant Kamaljit Singh was commissioned in Army Service Corps (ASC) and had to do a one year attachment with 27 Rajput, after an impressive Passing Out Parade which was attended by his parents. KJ’s parents pipped one star each on the epaulette of KJ.
After three weeks post commissioning leave, KJ reported to 27 Rajput on January 04, 1992 which was located in Binaguri. 27 Rajput was a newly raised infantry battalion which had been raised few years back in 1988. KJ lived up to the motto of 27 Rajput “Nothing but Excellence”, as the turn of events would unfold with time.
In January 1992, 27 Rajput got its move orders to Pattan, a highly insurgency prone town of the Kashmir Valley. It was to be 27 Rajput’s first deployment in a field area since raising. There was enthusiasm and excitement in the rank and file of 27 Rajput, as the litmus test of any army battalion or regiment is its performance in a field area.
The Commanding Officer of 27 Rajput appointed the newly commissioned KJ as the Ghatak Platoon Commander. The Ghatak Platoon is the nucleus of an Infantry Battalion in any operations in a field area. KJ grasped and appreciated what lay ahead and in right earnest started training his Ghatak Platoon.
On March 07, 1992 the Advance Party of 27 Rajput comprising KJ amongst others moved to Pattan. On reaching Pattan, KJ swung into action of intelligence gathering and understanding the nuances of the intense Counter Insurgency Operations that 27 Rajput was now to be baptised in. By the time the main body of 27 Rajput reached Pattan on April 04, 1992, KJ had done the operational ground work.
The one year ahead saw numerous operations conducted by 27 Rajput in their Area of Responsibility (AOR) which included Pattan, Sopore, Baramulla and Budgam. 27 Rajput killed 43 terrorists and captured over 211 weapons and KJ was the pivot in each of these operations, whether in planning or in execution.
Personally, KJ was part of 33 operations in which 22 terrorists were killed and 117 weapons were captured. In one such operation KJ entered the town of Sopore in a BMP, which is an armoured vehicle, taking the terrorists holed in there completely by surprise. KJ was nicknamed ‘Sher Singh” for his fearless personality and aura by the terrorist organisations in their radio communications, intercepts of which were obtained by the Indian intelligence agencies.
For his immense valour and bravery, KJ was awarded Sena Medal (Gallantry). It was also 27 Rajput’s first gallantry award since raising. 27 Rajput would go on to be awarded 130 more gallantry awards during its two-year tenure in the Kashmir Valley. The moment of reckoning came when 27 Rajput was awarded the Governor of Jammu & Kashmir’s Silver Salver in 1993 and the Chief of Army Staff’s Unit Citation in 1994.
Thus 27 Rajput had been successfully baptised and KJ played a pivotal role in it.
After his tenure with 27 Rajput, KJ was reverted back to his parent Army Service Corps where he held important command and staff appointments and was awarded Chief of Army Staff’s Commendation Card.
On January 20, 2014, Lieutenant Colonel KJ Singh, Sena Medal left us forever in Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi after battling an illness at an age of 46 years while he was still in harness.
KJ had truly lived the life of a legend and true to the famous quote of Captain R Subramanium, (Posthumous) “You have never lived until you have almost died, and for those who choose to fight, Life has a special flavour, the protected will never know”.
The Nation lost a bold and a brave Officer who will always be remembered for his service to the Nation. Our salute and respect to Lieutenant Colonel KJ Singh, Sena Medal and prayers for his Eternal Peace.
About the Author
Lt Col JS Sodhi retired from the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army and is an alumnus of NDA, Khadakwasla and IIT Kanpur. He is a M.Tech in Structures has also done MBA and LL.B and is a prolific writer and a public speaker. He features in the World Book of Records, London and the India Book of Records for his media work. He Tweets at @JassiSodhi24. The views expressed are personal.
Venezuela is a prime example of a petrostate. In 1960, Venezuela became a founding member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) joining Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Kuwait. In contrast to many other prosperous petroleum states around the globe, Venezuela experienced the greatest economic catastrophe in the world, which progressively diffused into proceeding political crisis.
The current political crisis in Venezuela bygones to 2013 when Mr. Nicolás Maduro won his first election in April 2013 (after the death of Mr. Hugo Chávez) and rose to power. His allegiance to socialist principles (like his predecessor), further exacerbated the existing problems, mainly due to years of inadequate infrastructure investment. Additionally, USA imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector as a result, the oil prices plunged from more than $100 per barrel in 2014 to under $30 per barrel in early 2016 thus plunging Venezuela into an economic and political spiral.
Unlike prolonged economic catastrophe, the 2018 Presidential elections unambiguously marked the political impasse in the state, in which Mr. Nicolás Maduro emerged victorious to take office for a second six-year term. On the contrary, the opposition accused that the election was rigged and wasn’t free or fair. This compelled the National Assembly, controlled by the opposition, to call Mr. Maduro a “despot” and contended that the Presidency was vacant.
By citing the article 233 of Constitution, Juan Guaidó, the head of the National Assembly, proclaimed himself interim president. However, this was a cyclical event that occurred in 2013 post the death of Mr. Havez, where the Article 233 states the president-elect is absolutely absent before taking office, a new election shall take place, while the president is elected and takes office, the interim president shall be the president of the National Assembly. Juan Guaidó’s move was recognised by 50 countries, including the US and several Latin American countries, where President Maduro was supported by Russia and China, among others. Despite his broad international support, Mr Guaidó does not wield much power in practical terms and that was substantiated by Mr Maduro remaining in the Presidential Palace with the loyal support of armed forces and also a firm grip on the electoral body and the Supreme Court.
Nonetheless, it is President Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chávez who are the target of much of the current grief. Meanwhile Maduro got an unexpected boost by the turn of events in Ukraine. The minute Russia invaded Ukraine disrupting the gas supply to Europe, Biden administration predicted that there would increase in the demand for oil from Europe and that could lead to higher demand for US oil and thus higher gas prices in America. This opened the channel for a secret visit to Venezuela by senior Biden administration officials, marking the first White House trip to the country in over two decades and lifting some of these sanctions. In an endeavour to take advantage of the situation, the Venezuelan administration has stated its willingness to resume talks with Juan Guaidó as a first step toward relief from US sanctions.
According to Jeffrey Sachs, a professor of economic development at Columbia University, the fundamental goal of government should be to responsibly use oil revenues “to finance expenditures on public goods that serve as the platform for private investment and long-term growth.”
American President Joe Biden, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau participated in the 10th edition of the North American Leaders Summit also called as the Three Amigos Meet, hosted by Mexico from 9th to 10th January 2023.
It is a trilateral summit held to increase communication and coordination between these nations and address issues of mutual interest. This continental-level dialogue promotes a common vision of North America along with that it ensures inclusive growth and prosperity. The summit also facilitates deepening economic ties, increased investment, innovation, competitiveness, and resilience.
Trade, security, migration, climate change, economic cooperation, and drugs were the main themes of this summit.
During the 10th North American Summit, the leaders signed a joint statement, Declaration of North America which is based on 6 pillars –
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Climate Change and the environment
Competitiveness
Migration and development
Health
Regional Security
Based on the first pillar the nations would work together to protect civil rights, promote social justice and protect the LGBTQIA+ community.
These countries would also coordinate towards rapid measures to tackle climate change by reducing methane emissions by 15% by 2030 from 2020 levels, under the USA’s Global Methane pledge. They together would also work for a joint transit decarbonization toolkit. A seamless EV charging experience would be provided to the people by installing EV chargers along international borders. They have also pledged to conserve 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030 and develop a clean hydrogen market.
A safe and humane migration would be ensured under the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection and also address the issue of illegal drug trafficking.
The North American countries would organize 1st trilateral semiconductor forum, it is a strategically significant industry as it is used in every electrical gadget, this forum would eventually reduce the dependence on Asia for eg- Taiwan, and would also develop a workforce for the semiconductor, ICT, and biomanufacturing industries.
To deal with the availability and reserves of critical minerals, trilateral geological surveys would be held. For the development of students, a public-private partnership model named the North American Student mobility project would be implemented as well. There would be an increase in humanitarian aid to help people around the globe, taking into consideration the current Russia-Ukraine war or the Haiti crisis.
Along with this summit, bilateral meetings were also arranged which lead to the adoption of the Canada- Mexico Action plan which would deal in areas such as investment, gender equality, indigenous reconciliation, etc.
A renewed roadmap for the US-Canada partnership was put forth which would deal with mutual issues such semiconductor industry, supply chain, and critical mineral reserves.
This trilateral summit also called the Three Amigos Summit showcased a united front despite having tensions on the issues of migration and drug trafficking. Establishing regional security by increasing maritime cooperation, addressing illegal migration, and strengthening border security. The Summit dealt with a wide range of issues and has helped to build mutual trust among these nations which would benefit the region, the nations, and its people.
Flag of China and Map of Thailand: source Internet
As Thailand gears up for its General Election in 2023 with parties switching and merging, the political crisis within Thailand becomes the fundamental factor that determines the country’s foreign relations. Thailand is centrally located in mainland Southeast Asia and established its diplomatic relations with China in 1975 surviving the Cold War with the American departure post-Vietnam War.
Thailand has remained strategically important for China because it serves as a gateway to ASEAN and holds a key position for its economic expansion and political supremacy.
The Belt and Road Initiative by China was introduced to advance “connectivity” between China and its neighbours and with places further afield, primarily through traditional infrastructure like roads and railways, seaports and airports, bridges and tunnels, and pipelines and canals. China “seeks greater synergy between their development strategies and jointly advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to deliver new results” as stressed by Beijing during talks between President Xi Jinping with Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha held during November 2022 in Bangkok. Thailand has signed both transportation and economic projects with China but they’ve not progressed much. Thai civil society has always projected a split verdict over initiatives standpoint in the kingdom. The Belt and Road Initiative might surge the Thailand’s high and rising trade deficit with China reflecting as to how China has taken over key assets in Laos in debt-equity swap building the scenic railway built on the mountain of Chinese debt.
Thailand is a constitutive part of the global value chain for manufacturing and has around $80 billion trade with China. Beijing aims to strengthen cooperation with Thailand into new fields such as the digital economy with helping the latter in Huawei’s 5G Network. Beijing’s influence can also be witnessed with China Tokamak donation to Thailand for enhancing cooperation in fusion energy research.
In 2014, the military set up a government, led by coup leader Gen Prayuth Chan-o-cha. The non-interference approach of China during 2014 coup resulted in Thai government leaning towards China, with Thailand cooperating on the rendition to China of Hong Kong dissident Gui Minhai in 2015. China has been supplying military related equipment and armaments at “friendship prices” to Thailand. According to South China Morning Post, China military ties with Thailand-a US treaty ally, has replaced the US as the top arms supplier to Thailand’s ruling military junta in recent years, providing it with equipment ranging from VT-4 main battle tanks to a Type 071E amphibious dock ship.
There have been reports that China has shown keen interest in investing in construction of Kra Canal. The construction of Kra Canal also known as Thai canal has been currently scrapped by Thai government. This could’ve been a potential game changer for China, allowing its navy to move freely in South China Sea and Indian Ocean and also putting the end to “Malacca Dilemma”.
Thailand has been the most visited international destination by Chinese travellers in 2019, welcoming around 11 million tourists. The tourism dependent economy was hit hard by Covid pandemic, leading to large scale unemployment has been again welcomed back with “arms wide open”. The return of Chinese tourists’ paves way to boost country’s economy and its tourism sector.
“China and Thailand are like one family” is often mentioned while describing Sino-Thai relations but the growing reliance on Beijing leaves restricted space for Thailand’s foreign policy to manoeuvre. The growing Chinese assertiveness in Southeast Asia has already concerned many ASEAN countries. China’s strategic cooperation with Thailand has the motive of “China’s Rise” which can be challenged by the Quad in the future.
In 1923 Turkey achieved its independence under the guidance of military leader Gazi Kemal Ataturk, and in 2023 will complete a hundred years of its liberation, a history of the nation that has been marred by military coups and attempts. The overpowering military junta has directly intervened in the political arena multiple times with the most recent coup attempt in 2016. With the Turkish army’s high degree of autonomy and hegemonic powers, it has successfully managed to carry out coups in 1960, 1971, 1980, and 1997. These coups speak of a turbulent past in Turkish history which has damaged the democratic spirit of the country and led the state to an authoritarian regime. In this article, we will be demonstrating the factors that make Turkey a military coup-prone state meaning a country that is highly susceptible to the rule of the military by overthrowing an elected government. There is a need to delve deep into the Turkish political, and historical context to realize the source of this autonomous power of the military which subsides the government.
The Turkish army sees itself as the custodian of the legacy of Kemalist ideology which propagates western style modernization and secularism in the Muslim-dominated state. It always considered itself the true defender of the unity and security of the country. Coups led by the army were not seen by them as disruptive but rather as a mechanism for them to protect secularism and keep the inharmonious forces like Islam, the Kurdish separatist movement, and sectarianism at bay. In other words, in the larger political system, the military was the symbol of nationhood built on traditional Turkish values which were ingrained in the army itself, as it laid the bricks of modernization during its initial years. This idea was instilled in the institution by Kemal himself, who stated, “Whenever the Turkish nation has wanted to take a step up, it has always looked to the army as the leader of the movements to achieve lofty national ideal. When speaking of the army, I am speaking of the intelligentsia of the Turkish nation who are the true owners of this country. Turkish nation considers its army the guardian of its ideal”. This highlights how the Turkish military was entrusted with the role of the savior in the political scenario which was to overlook the political activities and ensure the well-being of the state.
Back in 1960, the military carried out, its first coup to cool off a highly tense confrontation between the government led by Democrat Party and the opposition. The predicament took an ugly turn with the government toying with the idea of going back to a one-party authoritative regime and to rectify this situation and reemphasize democracy in the state the military intervened. From this moment it started playing a more active role in politics and reshaping it whenever it deemed necessary. For the military, the civilian rules have been polluted by corruption, low devotion to democracy, and the core values of Ataturk. By assuming the role of the watchdog, the army is an ever-present player in the political scene, waiting to restructure aspects according to its own will. The start of this was the new constitution devised by the military in 1961 which increased its political autonomy. Through legal channels, the Turkish military legalised its actions, which is evident in Article 35 of the Turkish Armed forces Internal Security law of the constitution which states “the duty of the armed forces is to watch and protect the Turkish homeland and the Republic of Turkey, which is established by the constitution.” The introduction of laws like these legitimized the authority of the military and its right to intervene in the political system at its own whims and fancies in the name of national security. This validated the responses of the army and put it on a political pedestal that gave it unhindered political freedom and undermined the democratic process in the country.
Under the garb of territorial integrity, the military legitimized its every step and with every escalating move gathered more power. The advent of the National Security Council (NSC) with the new constitution of 1961 enabled the government to wield authority over areas that were earlier controlled by civilian authorities. The forum was put in place for the military to state its opinions on issues of national security. This was initially seen as a joint venture between the civilian and military apparatus, but with every new coup, and new constitutional amendment the National Security Council (NSC) increased its legal powers and military members. This way the government took on a tutelary role within politics. The NSC started taking decisions on various matters such as the economy, the curriculum in schools, foreign policy, and abolishing the penal immunity of members of parliament from the (Kurdish) Democratic Party. Earlier the objective of the NSC was to provide the government with credible information however, this changed with the 1971 constitutional amendment which stated that now NSC will be ‘recommending’ it’s findings to the government. Article 118 in the 1982 constitution further expanded the power of the military apparatus as it stated that the government must give priority consideration and thoughts to the recommendations made by NSC. Over time, the army gained considerable executive power which superseded civilian authority and gave way to a dual executive system- civilian authority and military authority (NSC).
Another reason for its growing institutional power was that the General Chief of Army Staff appointed by the president has a higher stature than the minister of defence and many other elected officials in the government. During the war, under the 1982 constitution, the General Chief of Army Staff carries out the duties of commander-in-chief on behalf of the president. Additionally, the superior position of the General Chief of Army Staff is highlighted by its autonomy regarding matters concerning defence policy, military budget, production and procurement of weapons, and intelligence gathering. This speaks of how the Army Chief has a weighty role in influencing the politics of the nation. The army also has complete control over its military budget and the allocation of resources to different needs without much governmental interference. In addition, the military also has complete control over senior promotions and successive leaders in the army. This ensures that the military has complete control over keeping its loyalists at the top who align with their ideology and ensure the subservient stature of the government.
The recent interventions by the military were in 1997, 2007, and 2016. In 1997 the military overthrew the Islamist prime minister Necmettin Erbakan of the Welfare Party. In Turkish history, this event is referred to as a soft coup or a postmodern coup. The National Security Council issued a memorandum that was seen as the ultimatum to the welfare party. This was in response to the rising Islamist ideology according to NSC. This is a testimony to how the Turkish military considers itself the protector of the country against internal threats which are incongruent with the western style modernization that the country has adopted. Additionally, the most important element which makes the Turkish military successful in its endeavour is how earlier there was no public opposition to the military. There was no other actor in place who had the power of restructuring politics and how mostly the army was unopposed. The civilian forces did not question the power structure and the unrequired hegemony of the military junta.
However, this changed in 2016 when a coup attempt was planned by a certain section of the military junta from the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO). The Turkish military announced on its website that a coup has taken place and a curfew has been imposed all over the country. This faction referred to itself as the Peace at Home Council. The coup instigators blocked the Bosphorus bridge, took control of strategic locations in multiple cities, bombed the parliament in session, and attacked the hotel where President Erdogan was staying. According to coup plotters, they did this as they felt that democracy was eroding and Erdogan was taking the nation towards an Islamist and authoritative rule. However, this attempt was overturned by the public as they took to the streets and displayed their open defiance against the regime. Turkey saw the power of the people as they took to the streets and resisted the coup. It proves the resilience of the civilians against the authoritative rule of the army. On the night of the coup attempt, 300 deaths and 2100 casualties were reported many of which included civilians.
Here we can conclude that the reasons for the Turkish military intervening in the political sphere are deeply entrenched in historical, legal, and cultural reasons. With every successive military coup, the Turkish state has taken a hit causing a fragile democracy. However, the overturning of the coup in 2016 was a watershed event in Turkish history as it retained a moment in the nation’s history where the will of the people sustained the power of the barrel.
Afghanistan-centric geopolitical focus began soon after the 9/11 attacks in 2001 on USA which shook the entire world as for the first time a superpower had been attacked in such a mammoth manner.
The United States and the Taliban signed an agreement on the withdrawal of the forces from Afghanistan on February 29, 2020 for the Taliban to take over power in Afghanistan and form a government. During the course of the power shift in the hands of the Taliban, many nations including India engaged with the actors of the Taliban through the backchannel for the safety assurance of their citizens who decided to flee from Afghanistan. This was the first stepping footprint of Taliban government’s legitimacy in the international order. Though no nation recognises the Taliban government but invariably many are having relations with Afghanistan in some form or the other due to the change in geopolitics.
Taliban has found itself in a vulnerable and unstable position since rising to power with regard to significant economic developments. The Taliban-led government has managed to strike an oil deal with China that was signed on January 06, 2023 between the acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum Sheikh Shahabuddin and an official of Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum and Gas Co (CAPEIC), marking the first major public commodities extraction deal by the Taliban administration since coming to power in 2021.
The deal also paved the path for another Chinese state-owned company to engage with the Taliban-led administration over the operation of a copper mine (Mes Aynak) copper deposit near Kabul, following a $3 billion, 30-year agreement signed under the previous government in 2008. Similarly, the first-of-a-kind deal dates back to 2011 when the Hamid Karzai-led government signed a similar deal with CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation), that allowed CNPC to develop oil blocks in the Amu Darya basin, the basin could support up to 87 million barrels of crude oil at the time, and it was anticipated that Afghanistan could produce 25,000 barrels a day by the end of 2013.
In the foreground, the 2023 deal allows the Chinese company to access the oil from an area covering 4,500 square kilometres collectively in northern Sar-e-Pul, Jawzjan, and Faryab provinces and the provisions of the deal talks about Taliban administration to be a 20% partner. This share will increase to 75% and around 3,000 Afghans will get employment. The oil will be processed in Afghanistan and the deal will be terminated automatically if CAPEIC fails to meet its material obligations within a year. However, on the contrary, the company to invest US$150 million a year which would increase to US$ 540 million in three years for the 25-year contract.
The successful and smooth implementation of this deal could be a game changer for the Taliban-led government and could possibly attract many other states who vest their interest in the estimated untapped resources of more than US$ 1 trillion in Afghanistan, which could further open up a channel for diplomacy and to build their legitimacy.
And in case this deal fails then China will join the list of nations like USA, Russia and Pakistan who have experienced defeat in Afghanistan in any of their ventures or adventures.
