Policy Perspectives

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• In This Issue
• Pooling Regional Energy between China, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and Russia

  This paper assesses the energy requirements and potential of China, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and Turkey in the context of the geostrategic locations of these countries. It notes that the demand, potential, andactual supply of energy in these countries make a viable prospect for a framework, whereby these countries pool their energy together for the benefit of each country. While there are certain initiatives already in place, there is potential for more bilateral or regional energy-sharing initiatives. The current and proposed frameworks of energy-sharing have laid an infrastructure of pipelines or communication corridors. Based on these factors, the paper proposes an energy corridor between these countries, titled ‘Golden Ring Energy Corridor’ (GREC). This corridor will connect the ‘golden ring countries’ to enable energy trade through pipeline, land, and sea routes among these states. A strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of the proposed corridor takes account of the various internal and external factors that have the potential to contribute positively or negatively towards the completion and viability of this corridor. Some countermeasures have also been suggested so that the implementation of this corridor can be realized.

• Renewable Energy-Based Distributed Generation in Pakistan

  Renewable energy improves energy security, provides reliable power supply, and ensures fuel diversification. It also offers a solution to the problem of circular debt which has lately become a major concern for the power sector of Pakistan. At present, the share of renewable energy resources in the energy mix is significantly low and the Government of Pakistan (GoP) is urging the drivers and enablers to boost clean and green energy generation and distribution. The power sector, especially the distribution companies, are facing numerous issues in transmission and distribution of power, and recovery of losses. Distributed generation (DG) can play a vital role in overcoming these issues. The effectiveness of solar PV systems, the active role of the capital market, and environmental concerns are among the major factors that prompt the adoption of net-metered solar systems. Apart from traditional alternate energy sources through sunlight and wind, Pakistan has enormous potential for biomass fuel if it could develop proper facilities for biomass-based electrification. For issues related to grid coverage and technical losses in far-flung rural areas, mini-, and micro-hydro power-based distributed generation can serve the purpose. Distributed generation can play a vital role in steering the national power sector toward power sources that offer clean, green, and cheap energy. Huge opportunities for prosperity in rural areas can be also created through carbon-free atmosphere and a sustainable energy sector.

• Back Matter
• Strategic Posturing of China in IOR

  China has been working on a modernization plan for its military. Particularly, the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) has been the focus of modernization due to China’s seaward economic growth and development for protecting its maritime economic interests. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an example of strategic envisioning which has multiple facades besides dividends. Since China has a massive trade volume transiting Indian Ocean Region, PLAN has increased engagement in this region. Its modernization including its naval capabilities, surface and underwater vessels, unmanned maritime vehicles (UMVs), acoustic systems for information, and other technological advancements has made China’s strategic posture in IOR dynamic and is threatening India’s intrinsic naval supremacy in the region with certain implications over regional peace and stability. This is exploratory research conducted to determine the nature of naval competition and the resulting balance of power to identify implications for regional peace and stability.

• Sana Haroon, The Mosques of Colonial South Asia A Social and Legal History of Muslim Worship (London: I.B. Tauris, 2021), 238.

  Mosque architecture is the most representative symbol of Muslim material culture. Mosque architecture very early in its history acquired domes and minarets and spread across the globe. While local styles have an endless variety, a mosque even without a signboard can be identified anywhere on earth whether in Spain or Indonesia. Sana Haroon in her book The Mosques of Colonial South Asia: A Social and Legal History of Muslim Worship has thrown light on the social history of mosques while it was passing through the colonial tunnel of time.

• Front Matter
• Hindu Nationalism

  This article discusses fascism with a particular focus on Hindutva—the present day variety of fascism. It also touches upon various political fascist systems over the last 100 years and analyzes the conditions under which mass murder occurs. There is a huge outpouring of books on this subject, the vast majority of which is about the holocaust under Adolf Hitler, the German Der Führer. Jewish writings on this subject dominate this literature. Comparatively, there is a tiny number of books on the holocaust of the American Indians, despite the fact that somewhere between 50 to 90 million people died in roughly 100 years.

• Russia-Ukraine War: Harbinger of a Global Shift
• Dialogue at IPS

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