Geeta's World

Last week witnessed a momentous occasion in Jakarta, Indonesia, as top diplomats from across the globe gathered for the 56th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers meeting. This high-level meeting centered on addressing pressing security concerns in the Asia-Pacific region. Distinguished foreign ministers from influential nations such as India, China, the United States, South Korea, Australia, and even North Korea participated in the discussions.

The core focus of the talks revolved around several critical issues affecting the region. Among them were North Korea's ballistic missile launches in the South China Sea, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the exacerbating food and energy crises, and the complex situation in Myanmar.

It is important to understand that ASEAN is a significant regional grouping aimed at fostering economic and security cooperation among its ten member countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Together, these nations boast a combined GDP of 3.2 trillion dollars and are home to 662 million people.

Despite its economic and demographic clout, ASEAN's effectiveness has faced scrutiny over the years, prompting questions about its credibility as a unified bloc. The recent meetings in Jakarta came amidst growing doubts about the grouping's ability to effectively address challenges, particularly the crisis in Myanmar.

In this episode, our host Anna Priyadarshini and foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network Geeta Mohan delve into the relevance of ASEAN on the global stage today, exploring why its credibility has come under question.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

So what seems like a never-ending tech war has now escalated, with some really pertinent developments recorded recently/ This is about the ongoing chip war between China and the US, and it wouldn't be wrong to say that it's indeed becoming the next oil war, or maybe even more important than it, owing to the fact that now China spends more money each year importing chips than it spends on oil.

And well, the ego battle between these two countries is not latent. So what really happened: Earlier this week, on July 3, China put curbs on the exports of germanium and gallium, two niche metals used in the manufacturing of semiconductors and electronics. And this was in response to the Netherlands having imposed, in consultation with the United States, new restrictions on the export of the Dutch manufacturer ASML’s advanced chips machinery to Beijing. After which, even Japan announced that it would impose export restrictions on 23 types of chipmaking technology, including advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

These semiconductors, which are also known as microchips or integrated circuits, are practically inside every essential product of the modern world — from household appliances to defence systems, mobile phones to cars.

So this explains its importance and the bid for its control by these biggest economies, and why it's important for a common individual to know, to understand this war. So, in this episode, our host Anna Priyadarshini and foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network Geeta Mohan look at what this war seems to be, who is winning and what will it its repercussions be, where India is in the picture, and what the future of semiconductors looks like. 

Recently, an Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika engaged in a controversial act by setting ablaze pages of The Holy Quran and desecrating it with a strip of bacon. But this was not a first, since earlier this year, a far-right politician Rasmus Paludan also burnt the Quran. While the refugee claimed his act wasn't against Muslims, the politician paired his act with an anti-immigrant speech.

So should these two Quran-burning incidents be examined together or in isolation?

And do these incidents forfeit and sabotage Sweden’s bid to join NATO?

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In a surprising development amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, internal strife emerged between the Russian military and the Wagner mercenary group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

So giving a brief as to what really ensued is that last week, Prigozhin openly accused Russia's military of attacking a Wagner camp, resulting in the deaths of a significant number of his men. He threatened retaliation and entered Russia's Rostov region, occupying key military installations in its capital, Rostov-on-Don.  And in response, President Putin addressed the nation, vowing to punish those involved in treason and armed rebellion, as they posed a deadly threat to the nation and jeopardized Russia's statehood.  

After which, Prigozhin ordered his fighters, who had been advancing towards Moscow, to turn back and return to their bases to prevent bloodshed. He revealed that his forces had covered 200 km (124 miles) in the past 24 hours.

In this episode, our host Anna Priyadarshini and foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network Geeta Mohan delve into the ongoing strife, examining the factors that have contributed to it. They explore the significance of Wagner Group, shedding light on its origins and operations, and also assess the potential impact of this internal strife on the war in Ukraine and whether it poses a threat to Putin's stronghold.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

PM Modi’s first state visit to the US, since his election in 2014, is an important chapter for India-US relations. But how does the timing of the meeting between Modi and Biden play a crucial role in terms of optics and its potential impact on “electoral prospects” back home? What are the challenges that both the countries face in working together currently, especially when it comes to India’s closeness with Russia or its riding influence in the Arab world?

We discuss this and more in Geeta's World!

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US’s ex-president Donald Trump has been charged with 37 counts of unauthorised possession of classified material, obstruction of justice, concealing documents and making false statements to law enforcement.

But the fact that despite facing a second indictment, Trump could potentially be elected president, what does he even stand to lose in this situation?

And given that Trump is the only former President to be indicted, and that Joe Biden is also facing investigation for not revealing classified documents, how much of this investigation is going to be genuine, and how much does it seem like political vendetta?

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Last week unrest broke out in China, seemingly in response to attempts by the Chinese authorities to dismantle parts of Najiaying mosque in Nagu, a town in Yunnan province. The province predominantly houses the Hui Muslims.

But on what grounds, has the Chinese government labelled these mosques as "illegal religious education"?

And like the Huis and Uighurs, the Ahmadis in Pakistan remain a persecuted community. How does the persecution of a religious minority in an Islamic country like Pakistan differ from persecution in a country like China that claims itself to be ‘athiest’?

Erdogan secured another re-election victory in Turkey amidst challenging economic conditions, maintaining his presidency for an unprecedented third decade. His consecutive triumphs in 11 elections reflect his enduring leadership in the country.

But what's the reason for his political longevity?

The press in Turkey is controlled by members of Erdogan's family, who barely gave his opponent Kılıçdaroğlu any airtime. Despite this, Erdogan managed to secure victory in a closely contested election.

Does this tell us that this election was far from fair, and that the Turkish society wanted a return to its secular roots but was cheated by someone who now sees himself as a rule of the modern-day Caliphate?

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Jammu and Kashmir is hosting the third tourism working group meeting of G20 countries in the capital city of Srinagar.

However, the event is marred with controversies, since several observers believe that the choice of Srinagar as the venue is a strategic move by the Modi government to further its party's electoral interests, by projecting that Kashmir is now peaceful and normal.

And India always maintained that Kashmir is its internal matter, But given major countries including Saudi Arabia, and Turkey giving the event a miss, have Pakistan and China succeeded in internationalising the Kashmir issue such that India is now facing the repercussions?

The recent arrest of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has only added to the already dire situation. In response, supporters of his political party PTI targeted the army and even attempted to storm the Army Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

But we’ve often heard that Pakistan’s economy remains in turmoil. So why hasn’t this sentiment against the Army developed earlier in Pakistan?

And several key commanders are believed to have advised General Asim against a showdown with Imran Khan. why is it that a faction within the army counsel against confronting Imran Khan?

And with what has ensued, what’s next for Imran Khan?