My Republica

Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

The contributor for Republica.
surendrarawal@gmail.com

Prithvi Narayan Shah, an Astute Strategist

Published On: January 10, 2022 06:30 AM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

An insightful strategist knows how to juggle between ends, means, and ways. The outcome of Nepal's unification campaign demonstrates that King Prithvi Narayan Shah was a seasoned military leader and a veteran strategist. He had a clear 'end' in his mind, and, more importantly, the King had the necessary acumen to use the available means to achieve well-defined political goals through various ways, depending on the situation.

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Peacekeeping as a source of Nepal's soft power

Published On: November 24, 2021 06:30 AM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

The UN peacekeeping mission is a powerful platform for creating and maintaining soft power for Nepal. However, while soft power may seem less risky than economic and military power, it is difficult to use and easily lost without preservation. It requires time and effort to restore after being lost.

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Why don't they like us?

Published On: October 29, 2021 06:45 AM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

For sure, the Indians must worry about their country's security in their neighborhood, including Nepal. However, they should make sure if their worries are founded on the current reality. And they must also understand that only a sovereign and strong Nepal can deliver Indian security expectations, not an unstable and micromanaged one.

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United Nations Security Council Reform

Published On: October 21, 2021 06:00 AM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

The aim of UN Security Council reform should be the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the global body for delivering international peace and security – the very purpose of its formation.

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Can Buddhism contribute to International Relations theories?

Published On: August 26, 2021 07:30 AM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

Now appears to be the right time to look into the shortcomings of the existing model of IR, especially when the strategic pendulum has swung to the east and China and India are rising as prominent actors in the international system.

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The India-Nepal 'Special Relations' Myth

Published On: July 23, 2021 10:50 AM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

The very premise of the "special-relations" is flawed, and so are its futile implementation attempts by the Indian side. Undoubtedly, India wants Nepal to be a good neighbor. In that case, Indian policymakers should shun the mindset of 'special relations’ and focus on friendly and good neighborly relations between the two sovereign countries, putting all major bilateral issues -- including the inert 1950 Treaty -- on the table for renegotiation.

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Good and bad nationalism

Published On: July 10, 2021 12:59 PM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

In the Nepali language, the two terms deshbhakti (patriotism) and rastrabhakti (nationalism) have been used interchangeably, but people are slowly differentiating between them. Patriotism is the love of the land: a yearning for soil's sound, sight, and smell. When we feel nostalgic for our own patch of land, music, food, dress, and tradition, we are becoming patriotic. In contrast, nationalism is devotion to the state or polity and far more ideologically driven than patriotism.

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Covid-19 and the world order

Published On: May 26, 2021 03:35 PM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

In the overall context of anarchy, national interest, and self-help, Covid-19 might not be the sole determinant for creating a new world order. However, the pandemic will undoubtedly intensify the existing grievances and conflict between and among states and potentially create new challenges.

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Why should the US pay its dues to the UN?

Published On: May 2, 2021 07:00 AM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

Without any doubt, the tumultuous four years of the Trump presidency significantly damaged the US multilateral outlook and its relation to the UN. However, the US has not burnt its bridge completely.

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Can the Quad be a reasonable means for Indian strategy?

Published On: March 22, 2021 07:00 AM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

China remains the largest trading partner of all the Quad members, including India. Japan and Australia would not sacrifice their economic interests just for American or Indian interests.

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Do not bring Hinduism in politics

Published On: February 25, 2021 07:00 AM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

When we proclaim our country a Hindu state, we blatantly violate principle of democratic republicanism. One of the leading causes of the world's deadliest atrocities in the past is the politicization of religion.

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America needs a new strategy

Published On: February 1, 2021 08:00 AM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

Without allowing China to become a regional power, the US cannot maintain its leadership position. The US should persuade China to be responsible for international peace and security.

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Who crossed the Rubicon?

Published On: December 28, 2020 08:15 AM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

The central puzzle is whether the dissolution of parliament will mark the beginning of the end of Nepal’s republic system. Time will definitely lift the curtain.

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Is America returning to multilateralism?

Published On: November 30, 2020 08:00 AM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

Joe Biden is not expected to renounce all of the foreign policy approaches of President Trump. Yet, it is anticipated that multilateralism will steer American foreign policy again.

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The fault lines of Indian regionalism

Published On: October 23, 2020 10:10 AM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

Although India is competing with China by investing in connectivity in the region, it has not fully embraced economic openness. India's reluctance to provide vital air gateways for Nepal, for example, is the manifestation of that attitude.

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Understanding the Indo-China border tension

Published On: October 7, 2020 08:20 AM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

Current border clash between India and China is military manifestations of the domestic and international politics and strategic situation.

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In defense of the United Nations

Published On: September 21, 2020 01:22 PM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

September is known for the annual sessions of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. But this time, most of the activities are being conducted due to Covid-19.This year marks UN’s 75th anniversary, although the collective future of the organization is shrouded in unilateralism, nationalism and populism. The intergovernmental organization should have been the desirable multilateral forum for finding solutions to many of the world’s most pressing problems—from pandemic to nuclear weapons to disruptive technologies to devastating wildfires. That is not the case at the moment. Instead, the global body has been the prisoner of the politics of big powers.

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India at the crossroads

Published On: September 9, 2020 09:57 AM NPT By: Dr Surendra Singh Rawal

In this unprecedented time of international politics, when the strategic pendulum swings towards the Indo-Pacific region and the US emphasizes partnership with India, it wouldn’t be surprising if someone asks what India’s grand strategy is. Although some even doubt whether India actually has a grand strategy, as a rising power with almost 1.38 billion populations, the Indian grand strategy would be a matter of great interest not only to the small and big states in the region but also to great powers and the global community.

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