GP Society-The Global Inquirer- Issue 1 Aug

NO.1 THE GLOBAL INQUIRER

Smoke plumes rise from a fuel depot in Odessa that was hit by Russian forces in April. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post) CONTENTS NO.1 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 NORMAL PEOPLE: EXPLORING NAVIGATING GEOPOLITICAL POLITICAL THEMES AND CHALLENGES AND GLOBAL SOCIETAL REFLECTIONS IN CRISES IN 2023: A YEAR OF SALLY ROONEY'S NOVEL AND UNCERTAINTY AND TODAY'S WORLD STRUCTURAL CHANGES Uswah Hassan Momina Rizvi PAGE 6 PAGE 8 HOW TO START WORLD WAR UNMASKING DOUBLE III WITHOUT EVEN TRYING STANDARDS: THE CONTRAVERSIAL COVERAGE Muhammad Siddiqui OF THR JERUSALEM HOLY SITE RAID PAGE 8 Daud Azfar THE CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS PAGE 9 WITHIN ISRAEL Rayaan Ahmed UKRAINE CONFLICT: SOUTH KOREA'S DILEMMA Rayaan Ahmed

NORMAL PEOPLE: EXPLORING POLITICAL THEMES AND SOCIETAL REFLECTIONS IN SALLY ROONEY'S NOVEL AND TODAY'S WORLD USWAH HASAN \"Normal People\" is a novel written by Irish author Sally Rooney, originally published in 2018. Recently, there has been a television series adaptation released in 2020. The plot follows the storyline of two teenagers, Marianne and Connell, and their oddly complex friendship/relationship as they learn to navigate their way through life from adolescence into adulthood. The novel doesn't necessarily have any political aim or stance; however, there are still certain underlying politically relevant themes throughout the narrative, such as social class, privilege, gender discrimination, and the political crisis that took place in Ireland in 2008. One of the key political themes is social class, which appears throughout the book from beginning to end. Marianne and Connell come from two different socio-economic backgrounds. Marianne's family is wealthy and upper class, whereas Connell's mother works as a cleaner in Marianne's house and earns minimum wage. This shapes the opportunities presented to both of them and the objectives they might be striving towards. For example, Marianne wanted to study English and philosophy at Trinity College, which she could afford to do considering her background. On the other hand, Connell wanted to pursue journalism but hesitated due to fear of failure, as he couldn't afford to fail like his privileged peers. This illustrates the unequal distribution of wealth in society and the power and privilege associated with being wealthy. Furthermore, the novel explores political issues such as gender discrimination and the conventional roles expected of women at that time. Marianne's character is unique in the sense that she strives to be independent and aspires to academic success beyond traditional gender expectations. The book also delves into the expectations of both men and women in society and traditional conservative gender roles, highlighting power dynamics evident in Marianne and Connell's evolving relationship as they grow older. Another political issue considered is the 2008 financial crisis in Ireland, as the novel takes place during the post-economic decline of 2011-2015. It portrays how the crisis impacted people and their economic struggles, serving as a commentary on the political view of the financial crisis and its aftermath. In conclusion, these issues can be reflected and related to today's society in Pakistan, considering its stratified social class system. There's a handful of upper-class citizens who live in an entirely different environment than the rest of the country, while a large population falls under the working middle class, and a significant amount faces poverty. Moreover, the current corrupt government favors itself and upper-class businessmen, neglecting to act philanthropically to help the country's economy or reduce poverty rates. Gender role discrimination in Pakistan remains disturbingly high, with a generally conservative society characterized by low female literacy rates, job wages, and limited political engagement. Lastly, the financial crisis and decline of the Pakistani Rupee are relevant as the country is at risk for sovereign default, and the socio-economic state is troubling PAGE THREE |POLITALERT

NAVIGATING GEOPOLITICAL CHALLENGES AND GLOBAL CRISES IN 2023: A YEAR OF UNCERTAINTY AND STRUCTURAL CHANGES MOMINA RIZVI The year 2023 is poised to present a plethora of challenges, both individual and collective in nature. These challenges include, but are not limited to, inflation, food security, the energy crisis, rising pressure on global supply chains, geopolitical competition, and the breakdown of international security and governance systems. The unexpected scenario of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 accelerated the erosion of the post-1945 order, and the true scope and depth of the war's global impact is only beginning to become clear. We are not only facing a crisis of enormous dimensions but a new process of structural change whose end remains unknowable. War-accelerated challenges are always, in a sense, intertwined and overlapped with one another; some are driven by necessity, whereas others via geopolitical logics. This is why this extended period of instability and insecurity ranges from the strategic disorientation of the West to inflation to the inability to protect common goods such as energy, food, and the climate. All of these combined put the world order in an extremely fragile position. The Ukraine war continues to be a critical factor influencing global power dynamics. The conflict has accelerated the schism between major global powers, particularly the United States and China. Arms have become an additional point of tension in their already contentious relationship, further complicating trade, technological, economic, and geostrategic competitions between the two giants. However, the geopolitical landscape is far from being neatly divided into two blocs. Instead, there is an ongoing full-scale reconfiguration of alliances, as other nations seek to position themselves amidst the changing dynamics of strategic competition. Many governments prefer not to pick sides in the US-China rivalry. Instead, they aim to maintain flexible relations with both superpowers within the liberal international order, taking advantage of emerging opportunities while safeguarding their national interests. India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, faces an assertive foreign policy year in 2023, as it chairs both the G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). With divergent objectives in these alliances, India finds itself at the crossroads of decision-making and international cooperation. As India attempts to renew Modi's third mandate in 2024, his diplomatic moves and alignments will be closely observed. PAGE FOUR | POLITALERT

Turkey, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, grapples with its unique position as both a NATO member and a country seeking to play a mediating role in the Ukrainian conflict, as it maintains close relations with Russia. The complex electoral year ahead raises questions about Turkey's future geopolitical direction and its implications for regional stability. Saudi Arabia is undergoing a significant foreign policy rethink, contemplating multiple paths in 2023. It could consider signing the Abraham Accords, further normalizing relations with Israel, while also exploring closer ties with the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). This potential expansion of BRICS could enhance Saudi Arabia's presence in the Global South. Amidst the evolving geopolitical shifts, the European Union faces the dilemma of filling the void if the US Various regions, including Ukraine, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, South reduces its support for Ukraine. This consideration will Sudan, and Yemen, are facing urgent humanitarian crises, with be crucial in determining the EU's role in the conflict and millions at risk of famine and displacement due to conflicts and its broader global positioning. extreme weather events. The violation of the right to food directly impacts other human rights, especially for women and girls, who Energy crises are playing a decisive role in geopolitical face increased gender violence and survival-based transactions. calculations. The international community's stance on countries like Iran and Venezuela, both oil and gas High energy prices are also hindering global development, causing producers, could undergo changes, with calls for a blackouts and protests in developing countries. Access to review of sanctions to alleviate energy market pressures. electricity has decreased for around 75 million people, and almost Beyond terrestrial geopolitics, strategic competitions 100 million may revert to using firewood for cooking, rather than cleaner energy solutions. The energy crisis tests the solidarity have expanded into new spaces and frontiers. The digital between EU countries, with tensions arising over joint measures to world and outer space, including satellites and space alleviate economic pressures, showcasing unequal capacity among stations, have become battlegrounds for influence and member states. control. Russia's scheduled departure from the International Space Station in 2024 marks a shift away 2023 marks significant anniversaries in human rights from cooperative space relations, reflecting the broader declarations, but universal access to basic goods, including COVID- fragmentation of the global order. Both Russia and China 19 vaccinations, remains unequal. Vaccination disparities are have expanded their presence in Latin America through particularly problematic in Africa, the eastern Mediterranean, and space collaboration agreements, raising concerns in the highly indebted countries in both the Global North and South. The United States about the dual-use potential of such US government's lack of funds for COVID-19 vaccines and initiatives. Along with the massive influence on the geopolitical treatments raises concerns, shifting the fight against the pandemic to the private market, impacting those who struggle to pay medical landscape, the war has also triggered crises of basic bills. goods; the war has exacerbated global issues with energy access, food, and drinking water. Geopolitical rivalries, Amidst these challenges, the United Nations emphasizes the need conflicts over natural resources, and weakened global for renewed consensus on global public goods and universal governance have contributed to a widespread food crisis,vaccination. Inequality persists, leading to millions of deaths each leading to record numbers of people suffering from year due to a lack of access to health services in resource- extreme hunger. The Middle East and North Africa, constrained regions. heavily dependent on wheat imports from Russia and Ukraine, face rising living costs and basic goods Overall, the year 2023 promises to be a pivotal period of intense shortages, triggering mass protests. Humanitarian aid geopolitical maneuvering, as various powers seek prominence, organizations' resources for handling famine are dwindling. navigate shifting alliances, and contend with new dimensions of competition on the global stage. The outcomes of diplomatic and strategic decisions made during this year are likely to shape the trajectory of international relations for years to come. PAGE FIVE | POLITALERT

HOW TO START WORLD WAR III WITHOUT EVEN TRYING MUHAMMAD SIDDIQUI In 1964, Stanley Kubrick was torn. On a rough pile of Dr. Strangelove (Peter Sellers), conversing with U.S yellow paper, Kubrick had been going over a range of President Merkin Muffley (also Peter Sellers), in Dr. titles for his seventh feature film; Dr. Doomsday or: How Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and to Start World War III Without Even Trying, Dr. Love the Bomb! Strangelove's Secret Uses of Uranus, Wonderful Bomb, and Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. However, it’s this last title, I suppose, that stuck to him the most. Dr. Strangelove was born out of the paranoia of the cold-war. Kubrick became infatuated by the subtle and paradoxical “balance of terror” that had emerged between competing nuclear power’s. An arms race had emerged from the ashes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and while the Japanese powers had surrendered, the bomb had left with it a path of destruction that would remain long after the dust had settled. A new reality began to emerge, as atom bombs turned to H-Bombs, it became increasingly obvious that even the smallest push of a button could disturb the delicate balance of power that had been cultivated. It’s this new reality, one of cold-war tensions and nuclear armament, that Kubrick seems so concerned with satirising. The film begins with General Jack D. Ripper, a trigger- heavy anxious veteran and commander of Burpelson Air Force Base, orders RAF exchange officer LIonel Mandrake, to issue ‘Wing Attack Plan R’, a plan which enables a senior officer to launch a retaliatory nuclear attack on the Soviets if the President and other superiors have been killed in a first strike on the United States. As a result, all American bomber’s are ordered to strike back and bomb key Soviet targets, starting humanity's first full out nuclear war. Section I or: How to Start World War III Without Even Trying Amidst the drama and chaos, it becomes increasingly obvious to Mandrake, that General Ripper, who seems to be fixated with a conspiratory plan by the Soviet’s to fluoridate American water supplies (to contaminate the “precious bodily fluids” of the American population), that General Ripper has fallen into a deep bout of lunacy. Yet, as a result of Plan R, all 12 U.S bomber’s have been configured to only accept radio communications that are preceded by a specific three-letter code, one which is known only to General Ripper (who kills himself by the middle of the film). Up in the skies and isolated from the rest of society, the bomber pilots, commanded by Major TJ Kong (who appears to possess the ability to look both sober and drunk at the same time), prepare for “nuclear combat, toe-to-toe with the Ruskies.” Minutes before these pilots had been face-deep in the pages of their Playboy magazine’s, and yet now they prepare for the start of a nuclear war. It’s here that Kubrick blends the fantastical with the dreadfully real. Two years prior, The Cuban Missile Crisis had already shown the world how easily a nuclear war could be started. Anything from something as harmless as a depth charge to the mumblings of a mad-man could be seen as the beginning of a nuclear attack. Even the complex balance of power seems fragile when compared to the spontaneity of humans. As the title suggests, the nuclear armament has made it shockingly easy to start the next potential World War. In the film's final images, Major Kong mounts on the bomb as it begins its descent to the ground. As he shuttles towards the earth, Kong frantically waves his cowboy hat in the air, plummeting to the ground with the enthusiasm of a 12 year old child. His cowboy hat, a stereotypical symbol of the true red-blooded American, calls to mind perhaps America’s most poignant obsession—violence. Why is that Truman deployed the atom bomb two times? Why did it have to ever be deployed at all? It harkens back to the era of Roosevelt (who Truman greatly admired) and of cowboy diplomacy. ace? PAGE SIX | POLITALERT

Section II or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Dr. Strangelove, the former Nazi scientist (with a penchant the Bomb. for calling the President 'Mein Fuhrer'), suggests that they build a nuclear shelter and repopulate, with a 10:1 ratio of In the War Room, a large concrete space whose design is women to men, and General Turgidson agrees. Cold-war era reminiscent of German expressionism, President Merkin policy meant that the US was for more concerned with Muffle decides what the next best course of action would be.perpetuating paranoia and encouraging the construction of The bomb seems almost pre-destined to hit its target in bunkers than with preventing nuclear war. Bunkers of this Russia, and it now falls on Muffle to ensure that this doesn’t size also alleviate the need for MAD, if they had been end in full on calamity. The interactions between General quicker when building these bunkers they would have Buck Turgidson, a red-blooded general whose loyalty leans survived a first strike and still had time to do a second. more towards General Ripper than his own president, and Soviet Ambassador Alexei de Sadeski are nothing short of Section III or: Wonderful Bomb perfect. These two men are enamoured with the caricature’s their country has created to vilify the other. Following the release of Dr. Strangelove, the US Air Force Turgidson, a true anti-intellectual, refers to Sadeksi as a produced a documentary film, SAC Command Post, which “degenerate atheistic Commie,” while Sadeski refuses a enforced its tight-control over nuclear weapons, and that a cigar not wanting to support Imperialist ideology. trigger-happy General like General Ripper could never Meanwhile, Muffle calls Soviet Premier Dimitri Kizsov, who incite a nuclear war without presidential approval. Years answers in a confused and drunken state, a perfect later however, due to the declassification of certain metaphor for Soviet-American relations, especially documents, it appears otherwise was true. following Turgidson and Sadeski's interactions. The humour, or I suppose terror of Dr. Strangelove comes It's here Kubrick plays with the concept of Mutually from the fact that it's all too true. The confused web of cold- Assured Destruction (MAD), in which both nuclear powers war politics and nuclear planning meant that humanity had are deterred from instigating nuclear conflict due to its repeatedly put itself far too close to the point of destruction. destructive consequences. However, when Sadeski informs We may not possess any doomsday machine but the Muffle of the existence of a Doomsday Machine, a bomb, the combined arsenal of either the US or Russia sure do get the concept of which was first proposed by military strategist job done. Most of these bombs, hopefully, will never be and former physicist Herman Kahn, powered by \"cobalt- detonated and so I ask why is it that we spend billions of thorium-G,\" which will be detonated the moment any dollars on them in the first place? nuclear bomb is detonated in the country, and effectively destroy the world. The bomb was just recently deployed and was set to be made public the next week, as a deterrent to nuclear violence. The doomsday machine, once switched on, cannot be turned off–unlike the bombs of before, this is designed to operate without any human intervention. Yet, in all its certainty, it fails to account for the possibility of human error. What good would a doomsday machine do to deter someone as trigger-happy as General Ripper? It's a Pandora's box. find the 10 hidden words!!! PAGE SEVEN | POLITALERT Answers on page 11

UNMASKING DOUBLE STANDARDS: THE CONTRAVERSIAL COVERAGE OF THR JERUSALEM HOLY SITE RAID DAUD AZFAR “Violence as Israeli police raid Jerusalem holy site” reads the new title of a BBC article covering the recent events that unfolded when the Al Aqsa compound was violently raided by Israeli forces. Previously, the title of the article read “Clashes erupt at al-Aqsa mosque”, but it seems it was changed due to immense backlash from around the world over the ridiculous assertion that a group of armed Israeli policemen storming a mosque, where people, including women and children had gathered to worship at night in the holy month of Ramadan was somehow a conflict, suggesting it was a two sided affair. Which, as is clearly evident, is far from the truth. This new title change however, does very title to mask the gross double standards of this particular article and Western media in general over the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine. From the looks of it, it is a carefully worded, unbiased article that gives you information from both sides. However, it fails to make clear the legality of the situation. The reality is, Israel has no business in this affair, with the responsibility of controlling and managing the mosque belonging to the Jerusalem Waqf which is under the control of Jordan as was agreed upon after the Six Days War. While control should belong with the Wafq, Israel’s direct power in the area means that they have kept tight control over the compound and have routinely illegally raided the mosque especially during Ramadan when large groups of worshipers gather to recite Qur’an and perform Taraweeh prayers. Which is why this makes this seemingly fairly written article plagued with double standards and a totally unfair representation of reality. If a group of terrorists were to carry out an attack on some European or American city, would it be just to write a neutral, totally objective article that criticizes the people involved for defending themselves against these terrorists. Of course not! And sadly, the situation in Al Aqsa and Palestine as a whole is far from distant from this parable. THE CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS WITHIN ISRAEL RAYAAN AHMED Tisha B'Av is the most dejected day in the Jewish calendar, a time for mourning and fasting as it marks the days the first and second temples in Jerusalem were destroyed. The commemoration began on the 26th of July, only two days after the government of Israel passed a law that substantially weakened the rule of the supreme court within the country. This news only provided more sorrow to the people of Israel during Tisha B'Av. After the vote on July 24th, it was confirmed that the supreme court would no longer be able to overturn decisions made by the government on the grounds of \"reasonableness.\" This, in itself, is preposterous as this provides room for corruption, improper treatment, wrongful appointments within parliament, and judicial meddling. The passing of this law was viewed negatively among many Israelis, resulting in numerous protests in West Jerusalem. The opposition to the reforms has seen the passing of this law as an act of self-destruction; hence they boycotted the final vote, causing further uproar within the country. Trade unions are arranging/discussing a general strike, along with many army reservists deciding not to turn up for their duty. By viewing the circumstances of the country, their closest ally, America, has called the state of the country \"unfortunate.\" The outrage continues and deepens, causing Israel to really consider and contemplate the fundamental characteristics of being a Jew within this country, as Tisha B'Av also occurred due to the infighting of Jews. In order to develop solutions to these issues, politicians must step back and search for a reform that demands broad support from the people of Israel. The prime minister of Israel (Mr. Netanyahu) is exhausted with handling the situation, as he attempts to prevent his legacy from plummeting along with his country. Through numerous attempts to delay voting and despite not believing that judicial reforms can become defining policy, none of this went according to his plan. After returning from heart surgery, he is faced with charges of corruption (which may be dismissed by the Supreme Court). PAGE EIGHT | POLITALERT

But him putting his political survival above all else, allowed for his far-right partners to make him cave and gain the upper hand. This has even led many harsh critics of the Israeli government to agree that reform is required to avoid further turmoil and self-destruction. The change suddenly adopted by the government has led many to fear that the far- right would go through anything (even changing the status of religion) to change Israel. Because the Knesset (Israeli House of Representatives) possesses only one chamber, the country may fall into the majoritarian rule, threatening secular Jews and other minorities. However, hope can be seen as the Knesset is going into summer recess, providing Mr. Netanyahu with two months to heal the country from its division. In order for him to proceed with this, he must place his political survival at risk unless he wants to be remembered as the prime minister that weakened Israel's democracy. Unless he figures out a way to create consensus amongst the politicians, the decision is up to the supreme court. However, this would lead to the future of the country being further placed in turmoil, hence it is not a viable option for the prime minister to take. By striking down this law, it would bring the constitutional crisis within Israel to a standstill. However, that leaves the preservation of the country's democracy back in the supreme court's hands. As Israel's founders were unable to create a constitution due to disagreeing principles, it provided/created several bigger problems for the last 75 years of their country. UKRAINE CONFLICT: SOUTH KOREA'S DILEMMA RAYAAN AHMAD The violence in Ukraine began in 2014, following the outbreak of armed interactions between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces. These issues began occurring more frequently while Russia was suspected of supplying/providing military and financial support to the separatists. These conflicts escalated earlier this year, in September 2021, as tensions between Russia and Ukraine began to surge at a rapid rate. Due to the conflict in Ukraine, NATO requested many nations in their arsenal to aid Ukraine in this desperate time of need. However, while nations began supplying Ukraine with aid, South Korea was reluctant to arm them. Since the beginning of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, South Korea was able to supply non-lethal aid, including gas masks and medical supplies. However, as NATO pleaded for them to arm Ukraine, the current acting president \"Yoon Suk-yeol\" faced multiple issues and hence was forced to refuse these pleas. Mr. Yoon first responded to NATO's pleas by stating that, according to their foreign trade act, South Korea is forbidden to export arms except for \"peaceful purposes.\" However, multiple NATO officials swiftly responded to this, stating that they had previously signed arms deals with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for the conflict occurring in Yemen. Additionally, several other countries, including Germany, Norway, and Sweden, have scrapped their foreign trade acts to supply arms to Ukraine. These reasons are more than enough for Mr. Yoon to want to supply arms to Ukraine; however, he is unable to do so. South Korea's parliament is controlled by an opposition leader, Lee Jae-Myung, who is hostile to Mr. Yoon, and as the economist suggests, \"at best lukewarm on matters regarding Ukraine.\" With an opposition leader in the way, it has become difficult to convince the parliament to change the law. The reason Mr. Lee has no intentions of aiding Ukraine is that he believes Zelensky (President of Ukraine) is to blame for the war; hence, he has no interest in helping Mr. Yoon by changing the law. Regardless of these tensions between leaders, a poll was cast, and only 15% of the parliament actively wanted to arm Ukraine. Many individuals within the parliament \"feared\" that supplying Ukraine with arms would enrage Russia, who has a major influence on the actions and behavior of North Korea. To further empower these fears, Vladimir Putin warned South Korea that sending weapons to Ukraine would \"destroy our relations.\" PAGE NINE | POLITALERT

Due to the conflict in Ukraine, NATO requested many nations in their arsenal to aid Ukraine in this desperate time of need. However, while nations began supplying Ukraine with aid, South Korea was reluctant to arm them. Since the beginning of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, South Korea was able to supply non-lethal aid, including gas masks and medical supplies. However, as NATO pleaded for them to arm Ukraine, the current acting president \"Yoon Suk-yeol\" faced multiple issues and hence was forced to refuse these pleas. Mr. Yoon first responded to NATO's pleas by stating that, according to their foreign trade act, South Korea is forbidden to export arms except for \"peaceful purposes.\" However, multiple NATO officials swiftly responded to this, stating that they had previously signed arms deals with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for the conflict occurring in Yemen. Additionally, several other countries, including Germany, Norway, and Sweden, have scrapped their foreign trade acts to supply arms to Ukraine. These reasons are more than enough for Mr. Yoon to want to supply arms to Ukraine; however, he is unable to do so. South Korea's parliament is controlled by an opposition leader, Lee Jae-Myung, who is hostile to Mr. Yoon, and as the economist suggests, \"at best lukewarm on matters regarding Ukraine.\" With an opposition leader in the way, it has become difficult to convince the parliament to change the law. The reason Mr. Lee has no intentions of aiding Ukraine is that he believes Zelensky (President of Ukraine) is to blame for the war; hence, he has no interest in helping Mr. Yoon by changing the law. Regardless of these tensions between leaders, a poll was cast, and only 15% of the parliament actively wanted to arm Ukraine. Many individuals within the parliament \"feared\" that supplying Ukraine with arms would enrage Russia, who has a major influence on the actions and behavior of North Korea. To further empower these fears, Vladimir Putin warned South Korea that sending weapons to Ukraine would \"destroy our relations.\" PAGE TEN | POLITALERT

THE GLOBAL INQUIRER AUGUST 2023 | VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 TNS GLOBAL POLITICS SOCIETY’S FLAGSHIP PUBLICATION EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alisha Amjad DEPUTY EDITOR/DESIGNER Momina Rizvi BEACONHOUSE TNS DEFENCE | DIPLOMA PROGRAM | GLOBAL POLITICS SOCIETY [email protected] PAGE ELEVEN | POLITALERT