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Technology"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":""},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.indrastra.com\/feeds\/posts\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1461303524738926686\/posts\/default\/-\/Opinion?alt=json-in-script\u0026max-results=8"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.indrastra.com\/search\/label\/Opinion"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1461303524738926686\/posts\/default\/-\/Opinion\/-\/Opinion?alt=json-in-script\u0026start-index=9\u0026max-results=8"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"IndraStra 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Shipbuilding"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EBy\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ECdr S. Shrikumar (Retd.), Indian Navy\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-KcFZWNBdB_Q\/YR824tGpnEI\/AAAAAAAAICQ\/AVpW8VDiRdENn7aI-CAJKW_gC0uUXMveQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1600\/IndraStra-Global-MAIN%2B%25281%2529.png\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Engineering Services Outsourcing in Shipbuilding\" border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"900\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-KcFZWNBdB_Q\/YR824tGpnEI\/AAAAAAAAICQ\/AVpW8VDiRdENn7aI-CAJKW_gC0uUXMveQCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h360\/IndraStra-Global-MAIN%2B%25281%2529.png\" title=\"Engineering Services Outsourcing in Shipbuilding\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EIncreasingly, equipment manufacturers are integrating advanced technology into the design of most products. Even everyday kitchen appliances come engineered with built-in IT that helps connect the appliance with a smart device via which to operate the appliance and gather data to enable predictive and preventive maintenance.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EIn the case of more complex equipment - in the aerospace industry for example - the integration of advanced technology during equipment engineering, makes it a complex and expensive activity. It becomes extremely difficult for firms designing and manufacturing aerospace equipment to gather the required technical talent and simultaneously also manage cost pressures. Firms manufacturing aerospace equipment, therefore, buy a wide range of engineering services, through outsourcing, to gain cost-effective access to skills and capacity.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe trigger for outsourcing engineering services to India was first provided by global automotive majors who outsourced several non-core engineering activities to local Engineering Service Providers (ESPs).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe initial Engineering Services Outsourcing (ESO) contracts were tactical and structured as renewable Time \u0026amp; Materials (T\u0026amp;M) arrangements. Gradually, T\u0026amp;M arrangements as a basis for buying external services began declining and were steadily replaced by ‘pay-per-service and ‘work package’ arrangements. Under the work package approach, ESO firms make upfront commitments on pricing, on-time delivery, service quality, etc and payment to the ESO firms is made on their meeting these goals.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe work package approach enables firms to achieve the two most important objectives for buying ESO services - (a) improvements in efficiency \u0026amp; productivity and, (b) effective management of production costs. Additional benefits such as quicker time-to-market, better management of talent\/lack of resources, and efficient compliance to offset requirements also accrue to the firms.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EOf late, a new trend increasingly seen in the ESO industry, enabled by industrial automation, robotics, and 3D printing is the integration of even the manufacturing function as an additional field of expertise.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EOver the last two decades, ESO activity, in the aerospace domain in India, has gained significant traction, exhibited steady growth, and attained impressive maturity.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe Indian aerospace ESO ecosystem comprises a mix of Global Engineering Centres (GECs) set up by parent aerospace firms and local Engineering Service Providers (ESPs).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ENearly every major global aerospace firm has an engineering facility in India. Global aerospace majors are drawn to India due to the ready availability of quality technical talent in software, modeling, simulation, and electronics.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThis trend is reflective of the increasing willingness of aerospace firms to use specialist external engineering services as a means of tapping into scarce high-end engineering skills \u0026amp; talent that are difficult to attract, retain and develop internally. This rising acceptance of outsourced high-end specialist services contrasts starkly with the initial practice of viewing outsourcing only as a means to reduce costs of low-value, high-volume back-office processes.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ch3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe parallels between the aerospace and marine sectors\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe shipbuilding industry, in several respects, very closely resembles the aerospace industry. Aircraft and ships are fitted with nearly identical equipment - for power generation, propulsion, navigation, communication, control systems, etc. For example, aircraft and shipborne Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) are very similar in design - with only minor differences in system hardware\/software. The accelerometers that help the INSs determine speed and position on aircraft \u0026amp; ships are identical. The only difference being - accelerometers on ship-installed INSs are more sensitive to enable detection of the lower speeds\/rates of turn of ships.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EAlso, the design requirements for equipment fitted on aircraft and ships are very similar. This is borne out by the fact that many of the leading global equipment manufacturers, supply equipment for both aircraft \u0026amp; ships (examples - Raytheon and Safran supply navigation equipment for both aircraft \u0026amp; ships and Rolls Royce supplies engines for both aircraft and ships).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EFurther, the foundational design principles for aircraft and ships, are analogous. This is not surprising - only the mediums in which aircraft\/ships operate (air\/water) are different - the underlying principles of aerodynamics\/hydrodynamics that govern their operation are analogous. Many constraints that govern aircraft design - of space, ruggedness, operating environment, security, etc also apply to ship\/submarine design.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EHowever, despite the many similarities, the marine industry is yet to fully open up to and embrace the many benefits that ESO affords.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe marine industry has begun outsourcing some traditional engineering services - drafting, modeling, and MRO to ESPs. However, unlike in the aerospace industry, advanced tasks such as designing, prototyping, simulation, testing, and system engineering of marine structures, mechanical equipment, and electronics are yet not being entrusted to the ESPs.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ch3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EWhy outsource marine engineering services?\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ECurrently, shipyards in China, South Korea, and Japan dominate global shipbuilding by completed gross tonnage. Shipyards in Europe and the USA once dominated global shipbuilding - till they lost work to Japan in the 1960s. Subsequently, since the late 1990s, the bulk of the shipbuilding activity shifted to China and S Korea. Established shipbuilders in Europe such as Fincantieri, Navantia, Naval Group, BAE Systems, Thyssen Krupp, Saab Kockums, and the Russian shipyards now only construct specialty and military ships\/ submarines. In the US, the Jones Act (that mandates that ships used for moving domestic cargo need to be US-built and owned) has enabled limited merchant shipbuilding.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe world shipbuilding industry is characterized by over-capacity, depressed prices, low-profit margins, and widespread subsidization. ESO, as it has done for the aerospace industry, could help the shipbuilding industry raise profit margins by lowering production costs besides helping meet any offset obligations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe aerospace firms started out, initially, by outsourcing only low-value, low-skill back-office activities to Indian ESPs. With time, both parties gained confidence in the efficacy of the arrangement. Soon, more and more higher-skill activities such as system\/concept\/ detailed design, engineering studies \u0026amp; analyses, manufacturing engineering and design for maintainability, etc began to be outsourced.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EESO for shipbuilding will require to go through a similar cycle of evolution. However, although ESO in the aerospace industry took 2-3 decades to attain its current level of maturity, the marine industry will benefit from the experience gained by the aerospace industry and attain maturity faster.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EGiven the correspondence of design principles, equipment technologies, and operating environments of aerospace and marine platforms\/equipment, it will not be difficult for experienced resources in the aerospace ESPs, to quickly adapt to the work requirements in the marine sector and also help new talent come up to speed on essential skills.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe feasibility of easy transfer of skills, the potential for expanding the scope and volume of work for ESPs, and the benefit from the resulting economies of scale that will follow are strong incentives for the OEMs and the ESPs to enthusiastically pursue ESO for ship\/ submarine construction.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ch3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EFactors influencing the outsourcing decision\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ESome of the concerns that the aerospace industry was faced with (concerns that have now largely been overcome) when initially contemplating outsourcing were related to:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EConfidentiality\/IP protection\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EImpact on quality\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ELoss of control, Loss of operational capabilities\/competencies Flexibility for fluctuating demand\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EHidden costs (e.g. transition, IT)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe complexity of the sourcing process (management, governance, contracting)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ELack of skills availability\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EImpact on the time to market\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReadiness of the company in terms of processes and organization\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECultural\/ language issues\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EDespite the growing confidence in the capabilities of the ESPs, the aerospace firms still keep their very highest-level and core business-critical engineering functions\/skills in-house. The ESPs are gradually winning the aerospace firms over with appropriate responses - mainly by investing in acquiring the required higher-order skills \u0026amp; competencies. The future growth of ESPs will depend on their willingness to put their skin in the game through shared investments in process and product innovations. The positive experience of aerospace OEMs in outsourcing business-critical activities to ESPs will help hasten the pace of the evolution of outsourcing in other sectors, including shipbuilding.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ch3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe prospects for marine engineering services outsourcing in India\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EShipyards in China, S Korea, and Japan outsource engineering services - but only locally. Although Russia allows licensed production of aircraft in India and other countries, Russia’s aerospace firms do not outsource any engineering activity. Almost certainly, Russian shipyards too will not readily outsource any engineering activity. Ship construction activity in the European and US shipyards - merchant and military - is largely to meet domestic demand and the shipyards already have an established network of Tier-I\/II firms that provide the required engineering support.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EIn such a scenario, for Indian engineering services firms to win outsourcing contracts for shipbuilding will undoubtedly be an uphill task. Global shipyards are operating under fierce competitive and cost pressures. It makes sense for them to focus on their core competencies and offshore\/outsource their engineering, aftermarket, and MRO services to low-cost countries such as India to relieve cost pressures. India’s location - in close proximity to the centers of global shipbuilding in east Asia, shared cultural affinities, and India’s proven capabilities in providing a variety of quality, high-end engineering services bolster its case.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EModern shipbuilding makes considerable use of the ‘Block Construction’ approach. Aircraft construction too follows a similar approach. In block construction, entire multi-deck segments of ships are built in the shop floors of the yard, pre-installed with equipment, pipes, and cables, and then transported to the building dock and welded together. This approach minimizes the effort required to assemble or install equipment deep within the hull once it is welded together. The block construction approach is inherently well suited to benefit from outsourcing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EIndian shipyards, state-owned and private, have begun outsourcing their drawing, modeling, and documentation work to local ESPs. Several of the leading Indian IT majors are doing CAD\/CAE, CFD analysis, documentation, system engineering, and modeling work for the shipbuilding industry on a limited scale.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe aerospace sector has demonstrated that global firms and their Indian ESPs can work together to deliver greater efficiencies and derive mutual benefit. Building an ecosystem of global shipyards, their GECs, and Indian shipyards \u0026amp; ESPs, for outsourcing\/offshoring engineering services, holds the promise of delivering the same business impact, for the shipbuilding industry, that it has done for the aerospace industry.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAbout the Author:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/poseidonsks?originalSubdomain=in\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECdr S. Shrikumar (Retd.), Indian Navy\u003C\/a\u003E \/\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E(ORCID: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6698-4231\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E0000-0001-6698-4231\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E) is an accomplished professional with rich experience in the Defence\/Aerospace sector specializing in Operations, Technology Management, Technology collaborations\/JVs, Defence Procurements\/Defence Offsets, and Government regulatory\/policy requirements. A former submariner with the Indian Navy and an alumnus of the London Business School, the United Kingdom.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIndraStra Global\u003C\/b\u003E is now available on \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/apple.news\/Tbvq4-R3hQ5izxn0b9mqG9Q\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EApple News\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMNbQ3gow9aLWAQ?hl=en-IN\u0026amp;gl=IN\u0026amp;ceid=IN:en\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGoogle News\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/flipboard.com\/@indrastra\/indrastra-global-ctkeo059z\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFlipboard\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca 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Shipbuilding"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-KcFZWNBdB_Q\/YR824tGpnEI\/AAAAAAAAICQ\/AVpW8VDiRdENn7aI-CAJKW_gC0uUXMveQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h360-c\/IndraStra-Global-MAIN%2B%25281%2529.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Bengaluru, Karnataka, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"12.9715987 77.5945627"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-15.338635136178846 42.4383127 41.281832536178847 112.7508127"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1461303524738926686.post-4289518256377417165"},"published":{"$t":"2021-08-16T00:27:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-08-16T00:27:16.233-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Geo Politics"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Iran"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Opinion"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"The Middle East"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Iran, Ebrahim Raisi and Geopolitical Implications of a Preordained Hardline President"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ci\u003EBy\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EArushi Singh\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EManipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal India\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-qwSDbfM_O8w\/YRnkFKdirXI\/AAAAAAAAIBA\/IE5LHzMSxqgt9NxUCR47dtmgEL1Yq6L_wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s650\/jn0c08no_ebrahim-raisi-650_625x300_19_June_21.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"400\" data-original-width=\"650\" height=\"394\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-qwSDbfM_O8w\/YRnkFKdirXI\/AAAAAAAAIBA\/IE5LHzMSxqgt9NxUCR47dtmgEL1Yq6L_wCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h394\/jn0c08no_ebrahim-raisi-650_625x300_19_June_21.jpeg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EImage Attribute: The file photo of\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EAyatollah Dr.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ESeyyed Ebrahim Raisolsadati, the current\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EPresident of the Islamic Republic of Iran\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EOn August 5, 2021, 60-year-old Ayatollah Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisolsadati has ascended to the office of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This was his second run in an election where five out of the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.newyorker.com\/news\/our-columnists\/iran-moves-toward-a-one-party-state\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eseven approved candidates\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E were hard-liners who were intensely antagonistic towards the US and openly referred to those pursuing relations with the West as \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.voanews.com\/middle-east\/final-presidential-debate-shows-irans-political-fissures\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\"infiltrators\"\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. Raisi, as the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/international\/explainer-whos-ebrahim-raisi-irans-next-president\/article34858821.ece\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EConservative Chief of the Judiciary of Iran\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, will also be the first Iranian president to have been \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2021\/6\/19\/raisi-wins-irans-presidential-election-amid-low-turnout\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Esanctione\u003C\/b\u003Ed\u003C\/a\u003E by the US before his inauguration.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThe election comes at a momentous in Iranian history as Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader and a previous President of the country himself seeks a successor who could be in power for decades. Subsequently, the subdued turnout at the election has raised concerns as well with only 48.8 percent of eligible voters participating in the election which is the lowest for a presidential election \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/world-middle-east-57552639\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Esince the 1979 revolution\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. At the same time, experts posit that the Supreme Leader is working to bring about transformational changes and to that end, has been working to secure a pliant President and a pliant parliament to ensure the longevity of the Republic. These assertions have been cemented by Raisi's statements regarding his foreign policy which will be \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.tehrantimes.com\/news\/462182\/Who-is-Iran-s-elected-president\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ein accordance with the Leader’s guidelines\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. Some scholars have also promulgated that the hardline or Iran's\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/donald-trump-joe-biden-middle-east-iran-government-and-politics-8d8f70767a80decd8a12eb0c54241ccf\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\"principlist\"\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E political faction’s power grab in Tehran on the US maximum pressure campaign and Israel offensive actions.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ETo inoculate itself from future US pressure tactics and to hedge against another \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.indrastra.com\/2018\/05\/United-States-Pulls-Out-of-JCPoA-004-05-2018-0011.html\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eabnegation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA)\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E by a different administration in the US, Tehran has \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/economy\/2021\/8\/2\/iran-president-raisi-fix-economy\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eto reach strategic alliances\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E with regional countries in the form of 15 years long-term trade agreements. To that end, Iran has been focusing on its \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.tehrantimes.com\/news\/462223\/Saudis-may-see-opportunity-in-Raisi-win-to-mend-ties-with-Iran\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/b\u003E to enhance ties with regional countries and address their concerns. Consequently, Iran’s current hardline victory has been compared to the rise of Ali Khamenei which led to the ceasefire in the 1980s between Iran and Iraq. This is in line with Raisi’s advocacy for the\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.middleeasteye.net\/news\/iran-saudi-arabia-ebrahim-raisi-no-obstacles-restoring-ties\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Erestoration of diplomatic relations\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E with Saudi Arabia cut off in 2016 after the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. Additionally, talks are being conducted between the two countries which are being \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofisrael.com\/saudi-iran-talks-could-move-to-oman-an-intriguing-shift-for-israel\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Emediated\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E by Iraq focusing on Yemen and by Oman on issues of larger mutual regional concerns while engaging in \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.orfonline.org\/research\/iran-under-ebrahim-raisi-the-view-from-india\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eproxy battles with Israe\u003C\/b\u003El\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EThese initiatives are sure to receive greater consideration under Raisi. Raisi boasts an impressive profile with having studied in the seminary in Qom and served in the judiciary throughout the country including in Tehran which provided him with the opportunity to be a member of the Supreme National Security Council. Raisi began his career in earnest at the age of 20 in the city of Karaj as its Prosecutor General, a career which brought him to the notice of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. He has \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.tehrantimes.com\/news\/462182\/Who-is-Iran-s-elected-president\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eserved\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E in the Assembly of Experts tasked to \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.tehrantimes.com\/news\/460977\/Prominent-candidates-introduced\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Emonitor\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E the performance of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, the Center to Combat Economic Fraud, and as the Chairman of the Monitoring Council on the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. He also dons a \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2021\/6\/19\/raisi-wins-irans-presidential-election-amid-low-turnout\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eblack turban\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, the color of the \"Sayyid\", that portrays one to be a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. Furthermore, he was appointed as the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/news\/defence\/ebrahim-raisi-as-irans-new-president-implications-for-india-and-the-world\/articleshow\/83747336.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest\u0026amp;utm_medium=text\u0026amp;utm_campaign=cppst\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ecustodian\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E of the Astan-e Quds Razavi, an important shrine of Imam Reza and one which allowed Raisi to supervise billions of dollars in assets. Raisi also has links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and strategic analysts expound that the election is bound to render \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-who-is-ebrahim-raisi-the-hard-line-cleric-set-to-be-irans-next-president-7366492\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ethe policies of Iran to become more radicalized\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ENotably, during the presidential debates, Raisi said that he will \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/06\/19\/world\/middleeast\/iran-election-president-raisi.html\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eadher\u003C\/b\u003Ee\u003C\/a\u003E to the JCPoA while forming a \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2021\/6\/19\/raisi-wins-irans-presidential-election-amid-low-turnout\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E“strong”\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E government to guide the accord in the correct course. He also stated that the US must return to its \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2021\/6\/21\/irans-president-elect-raisi-addresses-links-with-mass-executions\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ecommitments\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and start by lifting unilateral sanctions that were imposed after the US withdrew from the JCPOA. The current President’s Rouhani’s chief of staff has elucidated that the US has agreed to lift \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/oilprice.whotrades.com\/blog\/43183045985\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E“all insurance, oil and shipping sanctions,\u003C\/a\u003E”\u003C\/b\u003E to restore JCPoA. However, Raisi would have to focus on the lifting of secondary sanctions to encourage foreign direct investment and much which is likely to be inadequate due to the risk-averse nature of most companies midst the current volatility in the Republic. There are 1,040 Trump-era sanctions or 700 sanctions outside of the JCPoA which have been planned to halt Iran’s economy and chasten its leadership.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EOn the other hand, Raisi’s campaign promises have sought to address practical concerns such as Iran’s economy that is subject to US sanctions and the infrastructural problems due to caused due to provincial negligence and aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Particularly, Raisi will have to address protests that began in oil-rich \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.gzeromedia.com\/iran-s-opposition-in-exile-goes-on-offense\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIran's southwest over water shortages\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E and have spread to other parts of the country and have been described as the continuation of four nationwide uprisings in 2017.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EHowever, the economic transformation would necessitate political reforms to enhance the credibility of the government which is likely to impact or result in an approach commanding a reorientation in Iran’s foreign policy including greater focusing on trade and cooperation. This path would, however, require taking on the entrenched crème de la crème of the regime including \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/opinions\/2021\/6\/22\/iran-at-a-crossroads-three-scenarios\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Einfluential clerical elites and Revolutionary Guards\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;for \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/nationalinterest.org\/blog\/buzz\/west-must-expect-strategic-continuity-ebrahim-raisi%E2%80%99s-iran-189790\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ecentralizing and securitizing\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E the Republic. Decision-makers may also connect with adversary nations devoid of dread of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2021\/6\/15\/five-reasons-why-irans-election-matters-to-europe\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Einternal factionalism\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E undermining different endeavors. Foreign policy will be, nevertheless, determined by how wide the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticcouncil.org\/blogs\/iransource\/with-a-raisi-presidency-would-the-iran-nuclear-deal-remain-on-the-table\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIranian leadership defines Iran’s national interests\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003ERaisi may take a middle path and could prioritize maintaining the\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/opinions\/2021\/6\/22\/iran-at-a-crossroads-three-scenarios\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003Estatus quo\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E by being dependent on the returns from hydrocarbons and better foreign investments to take full advantage of the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/2017\/12\/18\/iran-in-transition-implications-of-islamic-republic-s-changing-demographics-pub-75042\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Edemographic window of opportunity\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E while creating economic interdependence ensuring the revitalization of the JCPoA. Raisi will also have the opportunity to forge linkages with its neighbors and European countries based on \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/obamawhitehouse.archives.gov\/blog\/2009\/11\/04\/irans-choice\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E“mutual respect and mutual interest”\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/b\u003E A litmus test for any path taken by the new president in Iran’s engagement in Afghanistan including with the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/rusi.org\/explore-our-research\/publications\/commentary\/turkey-gambit-afghanistan\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETurkish foray\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E into the country. Concomitantly, relations with the US may initially be contentious and may take longer to normalize especially after considering the US sanctions on Raisi for human rights violations along with his \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/themedialine.org\/mideast-daily-news\/raisi-makes-first-remarks-since-election\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Efirst public comments since the election\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E wherein he disallowed for a crucial Biden area of expanding on the JCPoA. Raisi has also refused to meet President Joe Biden.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003EOne of the most consequential outcomes of the election would be Iran’s return to its\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ispionline.it\/it\/pubblicazione\/beyond-irans-elections-making-sense-raisis-islamic-republic-30939\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E“Look to the East” strategy\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E as the fundamental alignment of Iran’s foreign policy strategy of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ispionline.it\/it\/pubblicazione\/beyond-irans-elections-making-sense-raisis-islamic-republic-30939\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ean erstwhile dynami\u003C\/b\u003Ec\u003C\/a\u003E. Raisi is \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ispionline.it\/it\/pubblicazione\/beyond-irans-elections-making-sense-raisis-islamic-republic-30939\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eslated\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State in mid-September in-person to forge closer linkages with countries from the “East” that are part of SCO. In a similar vein, traditionally, conservatives have been predisposed to assume a swing towards the East including China and Russia as compared \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ispionline.it\/it\/pubblicazione\/beyond-irans-elections-making-sense-raisis-islamic-republic-30939\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eto moderates and reformists\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E who are conventionally more cautious. Raisi is also on his way to implement a comprehensive partnership with China and Vladimir Putin was the first world leader to send a laudatory note to Raisi who has previously met Tatarstan’s President Rustam Minnikhanov, a crucial stand-in for \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.tehrantimes.com\/news\/463534\/Ambassador-Iran-Russia-ties-will-become-stronger-during-Raisi\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPutin’s foreign policy in the Islamic world\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. These linkages could also lead to additional apprehension in Iran’s ties with countries in Europe including the UK which has festering frictions with Russia across a wide gamut of subjects. Debates and deliberations likewise emphasize Tehran’s national security two-sided strategy of regional de-escalation with neighboring nations and attaining consistency in its engagement with Western powers.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIndraStra Global\u003C\/b\u003E is now available on \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/apple.news\/Tbvq4-R3hQ5izxn0b9mqG9Q\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EApple News\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMNbQ3gow9aLWAQ?hl=en-IN\u0026amp;gl=IN\u0026amp;ceid=IN:en\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGoogle News\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/flipboard.com\/@indrastra\/indrastra-global-ctkeo059z\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFlipboard\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/IndrastraGlobal\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFeedburner\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/b\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/indrastraglobal\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETelegram\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EDISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this insight piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the IndraStra Global.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003ECOPYRIGHT: This article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EREPUBLISH: Republish our articles online or in print for free if you follow these guidelines. https:\/\/www.indrastra.com\/p\/republish-us.html\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003E\u003Cscript async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-c6-3y+3v+0+c6\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7609865815468089\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"3607324678\"\u003E\u003C\/ins\u003E\n\u003Cscript\u003E\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1461303524738926686\/posts\/default\/4289518256377417165"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1461303524738926686\/posts\/default\/4289518256377417165"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.indrastra.com\/2021\/08\/Iran-Ebrahim-Raisi-Geopolitical-Implications.html","title":"Iran, Ebrahim Raisi and Geopolitical Implications of a Preordained Hardline President"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-qwSDbfM_O8w\/YRnkFKdirXI\/AAAAAAAAIBA\/IE5LHzMSxqgt9NxUCR47dtmgEL1Yq6L_wCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h394-c\/jn0c08no_ebrahim-raisi-650_625x300_19_June_21.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Manipal, Karnataka, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"13.352384 74.7867838"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-19.697538113623843 39.630533799999995 46.402306113623844 109.9430338"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1461303524738926686.post-9193030189455956280"},"published":{"$t":"2021-08-12T23:59:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-08-12T23:59:17.932-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Housing"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Opinion"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"United States"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"As Housing Prices Rise, Affordability Squeeze is Coming"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EBy Zillow\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1nUsuUbyZCE\/YRXt5sbBUQI\/AAAAAAAAH_g\/LhTTxHQGR9A1hKpgJKbGaQO_0ElloWpnwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1920\/house-1836070_1920.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Image by Pexels from Pixabay\" border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1279\" data-original-width=\"1920\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1nUsuUbyZCE\/YRXt5sbBUQI\/AAAAAAAAH_g\/LhTTxHQGR9A1hKpgJKbGaQO_0ElloWpnwCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h426\/house-1836070_1920.jpg\" title=\"Image by Pexels from Pixabay\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EHousing affordability improvements brought on by historically low mortgage rates and dampened rent growth are quickly evaporating as housing costs rise faster than incomes. A\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cu style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.zillow.com\/research\/housing-affordability-forecast-2021-29944\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Enew Zillow® analysis\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;finds this affordability[1] issues are expected to worsen by the end of the year and are likely to leave millions of newly housing cost-burdened.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EInterest rates play a major role in determining monthly payments, a key component of affordability. For the average U.S. home buyer, rates that began dropping in late 2018 and fell to record lows in January 2021 have kept mortgage payments[2] as a share of income lower than their previous peak in late 2018. But that's about to change.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EMortgage payments as a percent of income reached 19.4% in June -- the most current observed data -- and are forecast to surpass 2018 levels in August. Assuming home values grow in line with Zillow forecasts, that burden could rise to more than 23.1% by the end of the year, depending on the path of mortgage rates going forward.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\"Strong demand and rising prices for homes are overwhelming the ability of low mortgage rates to keep monthly payments down,\" \u003C\/i\u003Esaid Nicole Bachaud, Zillow economic data analyst. \u003Ci\u003E\"As prices continue to outpace income gains, affordability constraints will start to slow home price growth.\u003C\/i\u003E\"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EAustin in particular has seen monthly payments for new mortgages rising faster than income growth, a trend that has pushed the Sun Belt standout six spots down the affordability ranks over the past year. As of June 2021, Austin is more affordable than eight major U.S. metros. But by December, it should surpass Seattle, Miami, and New York, leaving only expensive California metros beyond it: San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Riverside. Keep in mind, though, that typical home values and sale prices in Austin are still less than half of those in San Francisco and San Jose.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ENew home buyers in Austin in June 2020 spent 19.7% of their income on monthly mortgage payments, but by June 2021, that number had risen to 25.3%. If mortgage rates stay at just under 3%, Austin will see new home buyers' share of income spent on mortgage bills rise to 30.1% by December, beyond the 30% threshold generally considered to be housing burdened.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EIf rates rise above 3% over the next few months, monthly payments for new mortgages will go up as well, and the change is more pronounced for costly houses. In the nation's most expensive markets, San Jose and San Francisco, an increase in interest rates to 3.5% by December could cost homeowners an extra $378 and $334 more per month in mortgage payments, respectively. If interest rates rise to 4%, those increases stand at $751 and $663, respectively.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cstrong style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThe Cost of Rising Rents\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cstrong style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ERent payments as a portion of income are forecast to rise from 29.96% in June to 30.2% by December. That will push U.S. rents beyond the 30% threshold for renters being housing burdened, leaving less money left over for groceries, bills, and other expenses. The pandemic's impact was felt more keenly by renters, who were more likely to report a loss of income and\/or job loss than homeowners, according to a\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003Erecent Zillow survey\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E, and homeowners typically earn more than renters do.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EPrevious research found that when rent affordability reaches above 32% housing costs can lead to a\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003Erapid rise in homelessness\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E. As of June, 10 of the 50 largest U.S. metros have rent burdens beyond 32%, and Denver is expected to join that list by December.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ESome metros are forecasted to take a dramatic step down in rent affordability, while others (13 of the top-50) are predicted to improve. Buffalo, NY is expected to drop from 23rd most affordable in June to 35th among the 50 largest metros, while red-hot Phoenix will drop from 29th to 38th. But, in Cleveland, where the for-sale market has been red-hot, renters can expect to save about $23 on rent per month between now and 2022, while Providence, RI moved up five spots on the rental affordability charts, from 31st to 26th.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\"Increasing the available supply of homes -- especially more dense, affordable housing types like townhomes and condos -- will help balance the market and give renters and prospective home buyers opportunities to seek relief from being burdened by housing costs,\"\u003C\/i\u003E Bachaud said.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EEndnotes:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;\"\u003E[1] The rent and mortgage affordability metrics used in this report were produced using the Nowcasting methodology explained in this\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.zillow.com\/research\/pandemic-rent-affordability-methodology-28608\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Edocument\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;\"\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E[2] Monthly mortgage payments include principal, interest, property taxes, and insurance.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIndraStra Global\u003C\/b\u003E is now available on \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/apple.news\/Tbvq4-R3hQ5izxn0b9mqG9Q\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EApple News\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMNbQ3gow9aLWAQ?hl=en-IN\u0026amp;gl=IN\u0026amp;ceid=IN:en\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGoogle News\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/flipboard.com\/@indrastra\/indrastra-global-ctkeo059z\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFlipboard\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca 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[]).push({});\n\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1461303524738926686\/posts\/default\/9193030189455956280"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1461303524738926686\/posts\/default\/9193030189455956280"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.indrastra.com\/2021\/08\/As-Housing-Prices-Rise-Affordability-Squeeze-Coming.html","title":"As Housing Prices Rise, Affordability Squeeze is Coming"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1nUsuUbyZCE\/YRXt5sbBUQI\/AAAAAAAAH_g\/LhTTxHQGR9A1hKpgJKbGaQO_0ElloWpnwCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h426-c\/house-1836070_1920.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"United States"},"georss$point":{"$t":"37.09024 -95.712891"},"georss$box":{"$t":"8.780006163821156 -130.869141 65.400473836178847 -60.556641"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1461303524738926686.post-6165322643151213777"},"published":{"$t":"2021-08-12T04:01:00.001-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-08-12T04:01:30.270-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Conflict"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Cyber Security \u0026 Warfare"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Opinion"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Lethal Autonomous Weapons and World War III"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIt’s not too late to stop the rise of ‘killer robots\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EBy\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003EToby Walsh\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EProfessor of AI at The University of New South Wales, Research Group Leader, UNSW\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-XflgH5dT17w\/YRTUrzI_AtI\/AAAAAAAAH-Y\/XTuHsLHtoE0UsLUya8KxoqmijUWw6RvOACLcBGAsYHQ\/s1200\/2837.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Lethal Autonomous Weapons and World War III\" border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"720\" data-original-width=\"1200\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-XflgH5dT17w\/YRTUrzI_AtI\/AAAAAAAAH-Y\/XTuHsLHtoE0UsLUya8KxoqmijUWw6RvOACLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h384\/2837.jpg\" title=\"Lethal Autonomous Weapons and World War III\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ELast year, according to a\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/undocs.org\/S\/2021\/229\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUnited Nations report\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;published in March, Libyan government forces hunted down rebel forces using “lethal autonomous weapons systems” that were “programmed to attack targets without requiring data connectivity between the operator and the munition”. The deadly drones were\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stm.com.tr\/en\/kargu-autonomous-tactical-multi-rotor-attack-uav\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETurkish-made quadcopters\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;about the size of a dinner plate, capable of delivering a warhead weighing a kilogram or so.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EArtificial intelligence researchers like me have been\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/futureoflife.org\/open-letter-autonomous-weapons\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ewarning\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;of the advent of such lethal autonomous weapons systems, which can make life-or-death decisions without human intervention, for years. A\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/iview.abc.net.au\/video\/NC2103H026S00\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Erecent episode of 4 Corners\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;reviewed this and many other risks posed by developments in AI.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EAround 50 countries are\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2021\/08\/02\/killer-robots-urgent-need-fast-track-talks\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Emeeting\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;at the UN offices in Geneva this week in the latest attempt to hammer out a treaty to prevent the proliferation of these killer devices. History shows such treaties are needed, and that they can work.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe lesson of nuclear weapons\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EScientists are pretty good at the warning of the dangers facing the planet. Unfortunately, society is less good at paying attention.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EIn August 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing up to 200,000 civilians. Japan surrendered days later. The second world war was over, and the Cold War began.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThe world still lives today under the threat of nuclear destruction. On a dozen or so occasions since then, we have come within minutes of all-out nuclear war.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EWell before the first test of a nuclear bomb, many scientists working on the Manhattan Project were concerned about such a future. A\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atomicheritage.org\/key-documents\/szilard-petition\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Esecret petition\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;was sent to President Harry S. Truman in July 1945. It accurately predicted the future:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThe development of atomic power will provide nations with new means of destruction. The atomic bombs at our disposal represent only the first step towards this direction, and there is almost no limit to this destructive power which will become available in the course of their future development. Thus, a nation that sets the precedent of using these newly liberated forces of nature for purposes of destruction may have to bear the responsibility of opening the door to an era of devastation on an unimaginable scale.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EIf after this war a situation is allowed to develop in the world which permits rival powers to be in uncontrolled possession of these new means of destruction, the cities of the United States, as well as the cities of other nations, will be in continuous danger of sudden annihilation. All the resources of the United States, moral and material, may have to be mobilized to prevent the advent of such a world situation …\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EBillions of dollars have since been spent on nuclear arsenals that maintain the threat of mutually assured destruction, the “continuous danger of sudden annihilation” that the physicists warned about in July 1945.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003EA warning to the world\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ESix years ago, thousands of my colleagues issued a\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/futureoflife.org\/open-letter-autonomous-weapons\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Esimilar warning\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;about a new threat. Only this time, the petition wasn’t secret. The world wasn’t at war. And the technologies weren’t being developed in secret. Nevertheless, they\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThe threat comes this time from artificial intelligence, and in particular the development of lethal autonomous weapons: weapons that can identify, track and destroy targets without human intervention. The media often like to call them “killer robots”.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EOur open letter to the UN carried a stark warning.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThe key question for humanity today is whether to start a global AI arms race or to prevent it from starting. If any major military power pushes ahead with AI weapon development, then a global arms race is virtually inevitable. The endpoint of such a technological trajectory is obvious: autonomous weapons will become the Kalashnikovs of tomorrow.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EStrategically, autonomous weapons are a military dream. They let a military scale its operations unhindered by manpower constraints. One programmer can command hundreds of autonomous weapons. An army can take on the riskiest of missions without endangering its own soldiers.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENightmare swarms\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThere are many reasons, however, why the military’s dream of lethal autonomous weapons will turn into a nightmare. First and foremost, there is a strong moral argument against killer robots. We give up an essential part of our humanity if we hand to a machine the decision of whether a person should live or die.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EBeyond the moral arguments, there are many technical and legal reasons to be concerned about killer robots. One of the strongest is that they will revolutionize warfare. Autonomous weapons will be weapons of immense destruction.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EPreviously, if you wanted to do harm, you had to have an army of soldiers to wage war. You had to persuade this army to follow your orders. You had to train them, feed them and pay them. Now just one programmer could control hundreds of weapons.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EIn some ways, lethal autonomous weapons are even more troubling than nuclear weapons. To build a nuclear bomb requires considerable technical sophistication. You need the resources of a nation-state, skilled physicists and engineers, and access to scarce raw materials such as uranium and plutonium. As a result, nuclear weapons have not proliferated greatly.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EAutonomous weapons require none of this, and if produced they will likely become cheap and plentiful. They will be perfect weapons of terror.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ECan you imagine how terrifying it will be to be chased by a swarm of autonomous drones? Can you imagine such drones in the hands of terrorists and rogue states with no qualms about turning them on civilians? They will be an ideal weapon with which to suppress a civilian population. Unlike humans, they will not hesitate to commit atrocities, even genocide.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003ETime for a treaty\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EWe stand at a crossroads on this issue. It needs to be seen as morally unacceptable for machines to decide who lives and who dies. And for the diplomats at the UN to negotiate a treaty limiting their use, just as we have treaties to limit chemical, biological, and other weapons. In this way, we may be able to save ourselves and our children from this terrible future.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black; text-align: left;\"\u003EThis article is republished from\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"text-align: left;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EThe Conversation\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003Eunder a Creative Commons license. Read the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/lethal-autonomous-weapons-and-world-war-iii-its-not-too-late-to-stop-the-rise-of-killer-robots-165822\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"text-align: left;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eoriginal article\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black; text-align: left;\"\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAbout the Author:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cem style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cem style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EToby Walsh is a Laureate Fellow and Scientia Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and author of the recent book, “2062: The World that AI Made” which explores the impact AI will have on society, including the impact on the war.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIndraStra Global\u003C\/b\u003E is now available on \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/apple.news\/Tbvq4-R3hQ5izxn0b9mqG9Q\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EApple News\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMNbQ3gow9aLWAQ?hl=en-IN\u0026amp;gl=IN\u0026amp;ceid=IN:en\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGoogle News\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/flipboard.com\/@indrastra\/indrastra-global-ctkeo059z\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFlipboard\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/IndrastraGlobal\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFeedburner\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/b\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/indrastraglobal\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETelegram\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003EDISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this insight piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of IndraStra Global.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003E\u003Cscript async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-c6-3y+3v+0+c6\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7609865815468089\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"3607324678\"\u003E\u003C\/ins\u003E\n\u003Cscript\u003E\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1461303524738926686\/posts\/default\/6165322643151213777"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1461303524738926686\/posts\/default\/6165322643151213777"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.indrastra.com\/2021\/08\/Lethal-Autonomous-Weapons-World-War-III.html","title":"Lethal Autonomous Weapons and World War III"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-XflgH5dT17w\/YRTUrzI_AtI\/AAAAAAAAH-Y\/XTuHsLHtoE0UsLUya8KxoqmijUWw6RvOACLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h384-c\/2837.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1461303524738926686.post-8043668549051639417"},"published":{"$t":"2021-08-09T10:26:00.005-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-08-16T00:03:58.929-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Afghanistan"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Iraq"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Opinion"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Women's Right"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Practice of Intervention and the War of Narratives-Gender and Geopolitics"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003EBy\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003EArushi Singh\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003EManipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal India\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-smKHpa0JCK8\/YRE6ozKLfBI\/AAAAAAAAH8k\/on64K9yWNZcT1He7qp2iioxt3XNmfLCPgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1920\/woman-60639_1920.jpg\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Image by Amber Clay from Pixabay\" border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1280\" data-original-width=\"1920\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-smKHpa0JCK8\/YRE6ozKLfBI\/AAAAAAAAH8k\/on64K9yWNZcT1He7qp2iioxt3XNmfLCPgCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h426\/woman-60639_1920.jpg\" title=\"Image by Amber Clay from Pixabay\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EImage by Amber Clay from Pixabay\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThe impending US withdrawal from Afghanistan brings to the fore once again the reasons and rationalizations provided for invasion more than two decades ago. In\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticcouncil.org\/blogs\/new-atlanticist\/wars-of-necessity-and-wars-of-choice\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWars of Choice\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E, both in Afghanistan and Iraq, one of the most strident rationalizations provided for the invasions was the forthcoming protection and upliftment of women in both countries after the US interventions. However, more than two decades after the US intercessions, women in both countries have been subjected to brutal and systemic suppression which has been sanctioned by the US including through an agreement with the Taliban or through the long-lasting and direct results of the US invasion as well as subsequent actions in Iraq which have resulted in\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cfr.org\/in-brief\/iraqs-new-government-what-know\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Erampant corruption and powerful militias\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;rather than in equal participation of women in politics and places of power.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ch4 style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAfghanistan\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EOne of the most emotive and vociferous justifications offered for the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 by the Bush administration was the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/23524156?seq=1\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E“fight for the rights and dignity of women”.\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;Notably, the then First Lady, Laura Bush, in her radio broadcast on 16 November 2001 solidified the perception of the pretext for the invasion of Afghanistan with her proclamation that  \"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/23524156?seq=1\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ethe fight against terrorism is also a fight for the rights and dignity\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E” of women. Subsequently, the US Congress passed the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/107th-congress\/senate-bill\/1573\/text\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAfghan Women and Children Relief Act of 2001\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;and the US State Department published an 11-page report on the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/brownpoliticalreview.org\/2014\/12\/liberation-through-war-the-paradox-facing-middle-eastern-women\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETaliban’s “War Against Women,”\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;to cement its commitment to fighting for women’s rights and for equal participation in Afghanistan which was also conveniently in sharp contrast to practices endorsed by the Taliban leadership at the time.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EFurthermore, the current Afghan government hoped to defer the US withdrawal partially based on the assessments which highlighted the imminent denial of rights to women under the Taliban. The government in Kabul believed that underscoring this fact consistently could have led to the reversal of US retrenchment. Experts have observed that the Afghan government has been staunchly against and dissatisfied with the agreement that the US has concluded with the Taliban. The Afghan government has deep apprehensions regarding the extraction of US troops which has led to the employment of legitimate concerns about\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/essay\/the-fate-of-womens-rights-in-afghanistan\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ewomen’s rights\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;as a means to coax the US to hold off its withdrawal from the country. There have been persistent headlines in magazines such as “\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.huffpost.com\/entry\/time-magazine-cover-expla_n_663617#:~:text=Time%20Magazine%20is%20out%20with,to%20escape%20abusive%20family%20members.\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat happens if we leave Afghanistan\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E” with photographs that showcase the Taliban’s brutality and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/jia.sipa.columbia.edu\/feminism-peace-and-afghanistan\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Elegitimize\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;the continuation of the war and\u003Ci\u003E ‘politics of pity’\u003C\/i\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThe extent of the narrative building during the Bush Administration was such that any issue connected with women's rights has been referred to as “\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sigar.mil\/pdf\/lessonslearned\/SIGAR-21-18-LL.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ea sellable commodity\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E”. Additionally, the administration adopted the gender mainstreaming approach which subsequently was discovered to be riddled with massive faults according to analysts, including triggering\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sigar.mil\/pdf\/lessonslearned\/SIGAR-21-18-LL.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Econceptual misunderstanding\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;as well as aggravating ambiguous or unworkable\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sigar.mil\/pdf\/lessonslearned\/SIGAR-21-18-LL.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eimplementation guidelines\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;and unreliability of leaders.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThese developments appear to be a legacy of the Bush administration’s narrative agenda which put women’s rights at the fore during and before the intervention. Experts have observed that the Bush administration deftly exploited\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iapss.org\/2017\/10\/01\/war-feminism-and-womens-liberation-misuse-of-womens-rights-to-legitimize-military-intervention\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Efeminist language\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;to peddle and make the US more palatable to the public as well as to reach\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iapss.org\/2017\/10\/01\/war-feminism-and-womens-liberation-misuse-of-womens-rights-to-legitimize-military-intervention\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Econsensus\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;when the experiences of war are in bleak\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iapss.org\/2017\/10\/01\/war-feminism-and-womens-liberation-misuse-of-womens-rights-to-legitimize-military-intervention\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Econtradiction\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;to the basic principles of feminism. Notably, in an interview posted on 14 July 2021, George W. Bush remarked that he is \u003Cb\u003E“\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/politics\/afghanistan-war-bush-biden\/2021\/07\/14\/a8f3df36-e499-11eb-a41e-c8442c213fa8_story.html\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eafraid Afghan women and girls are going to suffer unspeakable harm”\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;as the US withdraws from Afghanistan.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EEven under the US, the Afghan\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.huffpost.com\/entry\/time-magazine-cover-expla_n_663617#:~:text=Time%20Magazine%20is%20out%20with,to%20escape%20abusive%20family%20members\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Econstitution, and subsequent legislation\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E, there has been major resistance to reforms that would make women larger shareholders in the political milieu of the country. The resistance according to scholars is exacerbated by the radicalization of the population which has been caught in the crosshairs of\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foreignaffairs.com\/articles\/north-america\/2018-08-20\/united-states-perpetual-war-afghanistan\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eperpetual war\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E.\u003C\/b\u003E These developments have additionally been followed by laws that showed prejudice and bias against women such as the one that was passed for electoral gains under US-backed President Karzai which discriminated against\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2009\/08\/13\/afghanistan-law-curbing-womens-rights-takes-effect\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EShia women in Afghanistan\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E. Nevertheless, gender has been used to legitimize those who\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"http:\/\/ejt.sagepub.com\/content\/19\/4\/891\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ejustify military intervention and delegitimizing\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;those who convey criticism. Furthermore, scholars have postulated that the US through its silence on important gender issues in Afghanistan has\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sigar.mil\/pdf\/lessonslearned\/SIGAR-21-18-LL.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eemboldened actors\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;opposed and hostile towards the implementation of women’s rights.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ESurprisingly, after repeatedly citing the concern for the treatment of women as a motivation for intervention, the US only utilized \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.sigar.mil\/pdf\/lessonslearned\/SIGAR-21-18-LL.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E$\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.sigar.mil\/pdf\/lessonslearned\/SIGAR-21-18-LL.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E787.4 million\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;since 2002 on programs centered around\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sigar.mil\/pdf\/lessonslearned\/SIGAR-21-18-LL.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Especifically and primarily\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;supporting Afghan women which is equal to approximately 0.5% of the entire allotment that is 141.25 billion American dollars which were marked for reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EWomen in Afghanistan have been further forced to rely on\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenewhumanitarian.org\/fr\/node\/193853\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Epoppy cultivation and opium production\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;which has been referred to as the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/photos\/world-news\/photos-afghanistan-woos-farmers-with-saffron-to-sap-poppy-production\/photo-09lsQlCSVBujzysC8Bq95J-2.html\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Elifeblood\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;of the Taliban insurgency. Poppy cultivation provides women independence, access to resources, cash, and status but also fuels the insurgency. Scholars have expressed concerns that women involved in the poppy trade have set themselves in opposition to their country's new laws and are planting an illegal yield that is likely to be exterminated by the next government.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch4 style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIraq\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ENotably, President George W. Bush once\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-arab-women-iraq-idUSBRE9AB00J20131112\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eremarked\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;at the White House that “every woman in Iraq is better off because the rape rooms and torture chambers of Saddam Hussein are forever closed.” Even though women have been disproportionately marked by the brutality and bloodshed that has been witnessed in the aftermath of the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Reports indicate that illiteracy along with other metrics lighting gender inequality has skyrocketed. Leaders who have emerged after Saddam Hussein together with ever-increasing conservatism have severely weakened the participation of women in public life. This dilution of participation, contribution and power in the public sphere was exemplified in one of the first legislative attempts of Iraq’s post-invasion lawmakers which included changes to the personal status law which protects women’s rights. Furthermore, experts have posited that “\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-arab-women-iraq-idUSBRE9AB00J20131112\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ewomen were often used symbolically to reject the previous political order\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E”.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EAfter the invasion, women were able to acquire a quota for a quarter of seats in parliament which, however, has not resulted in lasting change and have not led to enhanced gender participation in key parliamentary committees such as\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.miqpm.com\/2018\/English\/Memberships_Result.php?ID=3\u0026amp;Committee_ID=23\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003Eoil, energy and natural resources\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.miqpm.com\/2018\/English\/Memberships_Result.php?ID=3\u0026amp;Committee_ID=3\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003Esecurity and defense\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E; and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/reliefweb.int\/report\/iraq\/women-s-participation-iraq-s-national-reconciliation-process-paramount-enar\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ereconciliation\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E. These issues have been exacerbated by inter-sectarian disputes.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ENotably, another corollary that ultimately led to gender inequality and was the result of efforts to solidify US presence after the invasion was the process of de-Baathification. The regional command of the Ba'ath Party included\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ictj.org\/sites\/default\/files\/ICTJ-Report-Iraq-De-Baathification-2013-ENG.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ewomen’s, military, professional, and students’ bureaus\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E. There were also professional linkages and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ictj.org\/sites\/default\/files\/ICTJ-Report-Iraq-De-Baathification-2013-ENG.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Esyndicates\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E, such as the Iraqi Women’s Association. The Ba'ath party additionally established the General Federation of Iraqi Women (GFIW) which had an influential role in the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/legacy\/backgrounder\/wrd\/iraq-women.htm\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eimplementation of state policy\u003C\/b\u003E,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;principally via its part in the operation of numerous community centers in both rural and urban areas. Furthermore, legislation passed in 1979 by the government to eradicate illiteracy led to various \"literacy centers,\" being managed by GFIW. A ‘presumption of guilt’ approach was undertaken after the invasion and the Coalitional Provisional Authority (CPA)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.cpa-iraq.org\/regulations\/CPAORD1.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eabolished\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;the GFIW along with other Ba'ath Party related organizations, which needed Ba'ath party membership and were also the only avenue for several women to participate in the political domain.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EAn extremely high number of Iraqi women were employed in the education sector and reports have indicated that de-Baathification may have had a greater bearing on female government employees. There was an instance where a former employee tried to contest her dismissal and won the case in arbitration court, however, the decision was not implementable for the reason that only Higher National De-Baathification Commission (HNDC) could reinstate a person which took considerable time and effort. Subsequently, the de-Baathification process was recognized and acknowledged as a jurisdictional instrument for\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.academia.edu\/49648868\/Subverting_Peace_The_Origins_and_Legacies_of_de_Baathification_in_Iraq\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Einstitutionalizing discrimination\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EConclusion\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThe US has for decades indulged in the expedient use of narratives revolving around gender and freedom to justify interventions that are undertaken for purposes derived from\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/isreview.org\/issues\/20\/washingtons_aims.shtml\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Ethe pure balance of power calculations\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;and geopolitical permutations and computations. The results of these interventions have adversely impacted\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jstor.org\/stable\/3993718\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Elocally initiated women’s organizations, gender roles, and ideologies\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E. Paradoxically, the withdrawal of US forces is likely to lead to even more deterioration and erosion of women's rights in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Nevertheless, the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1068\/d120595\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Esilences and omissions\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;clustered around the gender narratives and geopolitics necessities that comprise essential facets of interventions reveal much about their ultimate evolution into the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/foreignpolicy.com\/2021\/07\/01\/us-drone-strikes-all-time-low-biden-forever-wars\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eforever wars\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIndraStra Global\u003C\/b\u003E is now available on \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/apple.news\/Tbvq4-R3hQ5izxn0b9mqG9Q\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EApple News\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca 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Geopolitics"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-smKHpa0JCK8\/YRE6ozKLfBI\/AAAAAAAAH8k\/on64K9yWNZcT1He7qp2iioxt3XNmfLCPgCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h426-c\/woman-60639_1920.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Manipal, Karnataka, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"13.352384 74.7867838"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-14.957849836178845 39.630533799999995 41.662617836178846 109.9430338"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1461303524738926686.post-1715706370764801379"},"published":{"$t":"2021-07-19T06:26:00.001-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-07-21T07:12:20.013-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Natural Gas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Oil \u0026 Gas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"OPEC"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Opinion"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Qatar"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"The Middle East"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Global Natural Gas Prices Continue to Soar"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAn Analysis by the Al Attiyah Foundation\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-aLcO3Cb6QJ4\/YPgA3TpTmoI\/AAAAAAAAH3E\/jwbvrB2eb34T2FmO6xeNXJwFaoTVRPz9QCLcBGAsYHQ\/s852\/9.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Global Natural Gas Prices Continue to Soar\" border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"480\" data-original-width=\"852\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-aLcO3Cb6QJ4\/YPgA3TpTmoI\/AAAAAAAAH3E\/jwbvrB2eb34T2FmO6xeNXJwFaoTVRPz9QCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h360\/9.jpg\" title=\"Global Natural Gas Prices Continue to Soar\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ELiquefied natural gas (LNG) prices are up around the world, driven by demand in China and across Asia, which is helping push benchmark prices in Europe to decade-plus highs as well. US prices have also risen, partly due to hot weather and an LNG export boom – suggesting a fully integrated international market is finally developing, with all prices moving in line, although the US remains far cheaper (excluding delivery costs). Longer-term, fundamentals are increasingly pointing to a sustained period of higher prices, although long-term deals are still struggling to follow the upward trend in spot prices.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EAs summer 2021 progresses, global LNG demand is looking robust, buoyed by the global relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions and warm summer temperatures - as well as higher coal and oil prices, and strong economic growth. European buyers are also attempting to replenish stocks that are well below normal levels, while coal to gas switching in Europe has been supported by high carbon prices, and in Asia by policy changes. At the same time, LNG supply to Europe in the first half of 2021 was down (by 18% year on year, says HSBC), tightening supply, while wind generation was low, boosting gas demand – which is likely to be an ever-more significant factor in future European gas demand fluctuations, alongside temperature (April was cold and June was the second hottest on record, both scenarios raised power\/gas demands). The demand strength has been accompanied by several upstream outages and delays, along with extensive summer maintenance (including pandemic deferred maintenance from 2020) and falls in domestic production.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EShell recently estimated that global LNG demand would increase by at least 10 million tonnes to 370 million tonnes this year, a 2.8% rise on its 2020 figure, with most of that coming from Asia. The biggest contributor to this demand is China, which saw LNG imports jump 29% from a year ago to 39.8 million tonnes in the first six months of 2021, according to Refinitiv data, after a big rise last year when they hit 67.4 million tonnes in the complete year - up about 11% compared with 2019, despite the pandemic. Gas switching, high temperatures, and strong economic growth are all driving demand.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EAnd there is room for more – China’s import capacity is to rise by almost 50% on late 2020 levels to 107.9 million tonnes per year (mn t\/yr) by the end of this year, although LNG imports will have to compete with a planned rise in Russian pipeline supply and higher domestic output.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EIndian LNG demand was also up sharply in 2020 and will be further boosted this year by economic recovery, delays in domestic upstream gas projects and, declining output from mature fields. In South America, low hydroelectric reserves in Brazil and declining gas production from Argentina and Bolivia have also increased LNG demand there during the southern winter.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ETogether these factors have pushed LNG prices up to multi-year records for the time of year, which has also helped drive up the European benchmarks, National Balancing Point (NBP), and Title Transfer Facility (TTF). LNG prices delivered in Northeast Asia at the beginning of July reportedly rose as high as $14.50\/ Million British Thermal Unit (mmBtu) for August\/September delivery - the highest since 2013, and up sharply from a post-winter low of $5.60\/mmBtu. The strength is a continuation of considerable spot price volatility since early 2020, with the main Northeast Asian benchmark fluctuating between $1.82\/mmBtu during the first COVID-19 wave last April and a record high of $32.50\/mmBtu this January. As the LNG prices peaked, the front-month price at the Dutch TTF hub hit a record high of $13.22\/mmBtu on July 5th, while the British NBP gas contract hit a 13-year high of $13.8\/mmBtu on the same day.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EIn the US, a historic heatwave in the Pacific Northwest, along with the hottest June on record, and high export demand, pushed Henry Hub prices to multi-year highs, while spot gas prices in southern California surged to over $7\/mmBtu in June out as far as August.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThe influence of global LNG prices on European gas prices is likely to grow further as domestic European output declines over the coming years, and LNG import capacity rises, although Russian supply will remain a key variable. Russian pipeline exports have recently fallen well below normal levels, helping support European benchmarks. This is because Gazprom, the largest supplier of natural gas to Europe and Turkey, has not booked any extra export capacity with Ukraine for several months, and does not appear interested in booking any capacity with Poland for gas years 2021-25 either. This adds to pressure for rapid commissioning of Nord Stream 2 (underwater twin pipeline that would transport natural gas from Russia directly to Germany), the sort of pressure the US and Germany said they would not bow to. But if more Russian gas is not forthcoming through Nord Stream 2 or elsewhere, European prices may have to rise further to compete with Asian buyers for more LNG.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3 style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cstrong style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ECan this rally be stopped? Strong fundamentals point to continued high demand and prices\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cstrong style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThe question is now whether spot prices will stay high, given the LNG market will technically be in surplus next year (provided all plants are back up). Despite last winter’s spike, and now the summer’s high prices, the International Energy Agency said in a recent gas market outlook that there was still little threat of structural tightness out to 2024. But other analysts are more bullish. HSBC expects some tightness from 2023, when only 12mn t\/yr of new capacity is expected, compared to an increase in demand of 24mn t\/yr. Morgan Stanley also sees a possible capacity shortfall from 2023, and the need for another 60mn t\/yr of new projects to meet demand up to 2030.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EOthers are more bullish still. Wood Mackenzie expects the current strength to continue right through to 2025 as Asian LNG demand keeps rising. Indeed, increasing demand could outpace LNG supply additions in 2021-22, with less than 30mn t\/yr of new liquefaction capacity expected onstream. Policy and weather are key uncertainties. Further ahead there could also be more of a squeeze than expected after only 3mn t\/yr of new LNG capacity was approved in 2020, compared to projections of up to 60mn t\/yr – although Qatar’s decision to go ahead with its four train North Field expansion earlier this year (up to 49mn t\/yr) has somewhat offset this concern.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EBut while spot markets are strong, so far this year term markets have remained weak, and will likely stay that way until it becomes clear that demand will outstrip new supply available from Qatar and Russia, according to Wood Mackenzie. Much of the weakness is down to plentiful uncontracted supply after 2025.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EOthers suggest the recent volatility is making buyers concerned over future supply, which could encourage term purchases and liquefaction plant final investment decisions (FIDs) over the coming months. Given greater tightness prior to 2025, term deals could provide buyers with lower prices over the next five years, in exchange for a commitment to buy out to 2030 or beyond. Without term deals, new liquefaction plants are taking on all the climate change risk, which is rising especially for European and Northeast Asian buyers. New buyers in China and South Asia appear more prepared to commit to the term.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIndraStra Global\u003C\/b\u003E is now available on \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/apple.news\/Tbvq4-R3hQ5izxn0b9mqG9Q\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EApple News\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMNbQ3gow9aLWAQ?hl=en-IN\u0026amp;gl=IN\u0026amp;ceid=IN:en\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGoogle News\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/flipboard.com\/@indrastra\/indrastra-global-ctkeo059z\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFlipboard\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/IndrastraGlobal\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFeedburner\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/b\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/indrastraglobal\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETelegram\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EDISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this insight piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of IndraStra Global.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003ECOPYRIGHT: This article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EREPUBLISH: Republish our articles online or in print for free if you follow these guidelines. https:\/\/www.indrastra.com\/p\/republish-us.html\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003E\u003Cscript async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-c6-3y+3v+0+c6\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7609865815468089\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"3607324678\"\u003E\u003C\/ins\u003E\n\u003Cscript\u003E\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1461303524738926686\/posts\/default\/1715706370764801379"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1461303524738926686\/posts\/default\/1715706370764801379"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.indrastra.com\/2021\/07\/global-natural-gas-prices-continue-to.html","title":"Global Natural Gas Prices Continue to Soar"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-aLcO3Cb6QJ4\/YPgA3TpTmoI\/AAAAAAAAH3E\/jwbvrB2eb34T2FmO6xeNXJwFaoTVRPz9QCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h360-c\/9.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Doha, Qatar"},"georss$point":{"$t":"25.2854473 51.531039799999988"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-3.0247865361788442 16.374789799999988 53.595681136178847 86.687289799999988"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1461303524738926686.post-3224281984573160233"},"published":{"$t":"2021-06-08T03:03:00.002-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-07-13T05:56:37.885-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Brand Management"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Opinion"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Brand Purpose Might Not Be For You – Here’s Why "},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EBy Simon Callender\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003ECreative Planning Director,\u0026nbsp;Initials (UK)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-m-_PzVsRXFU\/YL8WDiQ1sRI\/AAAAAAAAAAM\/SfefoGoaVzk62EEqYjDiNzK1qHKBUSStQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1024\/AIDN007012021%2B-%2B2021-06-08T123224.875.gif\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Brand Purpose Might Not Be For You – Here’s Why\" border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"512\" data-original-width=\"1024\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-m-_PzVsRXFU\/YL8WDiQ1sRI\/AAAAAAAAAAM\/SfefoGoaVzk62EEqYjDiNzK1qHKBUSStQCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h320\/AIDN007012021%2B-%2B2021-06-08T123224.875.gif\" title=\"Brand Purpose Might Not Be For You – Here’s Why\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;Brand purpose - the hot ticket item\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cem style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003Edu jour\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;in the marketing sphere; but is this hype merited?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EToday’s shoppers are certainly more committed to making positive purchase decisions than any previous generation. From in-house research, we discovered that almost half of those surveyed (46%) \u003Ci\u003E“only shop with brands that have a wider societal purpose” \u003C\/i\u003Eor are \u003Ci\u003E“always seeking ethical alternatives to existing brands”.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/techbullion.com\/harnessing-innovation-how-brands-can-launch-with-laser-focus-to-propel-growth-in-21\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBrands\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;have made every effort to reflect these shifts in the consumer psyche. While early adopters such as Patagonia and Nike instigated the modern brand purpose banner, it would be difficult to name\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cem style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003Eany\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;business today which hasn’t trialed the notion, often misguidedly believing that it could be\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003Ethe\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;marketing panacea.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EBut shoppers are getting fatigued. Shoppers, confronted with the omnipresence of trendy purpose-related\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/socialnomics.net\/2021\/03\/31\/what-is-direct-to-consumer-marketing-and-its-impact-during-covid-19\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Emarketing campaigns\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;have started to ask themselves how deeply brands are invested in their professed causes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThis wariness is backed up by striking statistics. Our research reveals a mere 9% of shoppers have faith in a brand whenever it avows a fundamental purpose beyond commerce.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EOK let’s pause, ignore the hype for a moment, and take a more analytical view at one step removed. In this way, we just might discover that brand purpose is not the elixir for brands that suffer from a lack of emotional connection with their consumers –\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cem style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003Eand\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cem style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003Ethis is why\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cstrong style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EWhat does ‘brand purpose’ actually mean?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ETo many, brand purpose simply equals “doing good”, which, just like sustainability before it, is becoming a one-size-fits-all expression that loosely bundles any humanitarian, philanthropic or charitable endeavor under one business objective heading. But, fundamentally, brand purpose is a pledge to pro-actively affect change in the wider world – how brands decide to come good on that promise is their choice. That call to arms must be of consequence and meaningful to a selected demographic and, crucially, has to be proven by action, not sloganeering.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EA genuine brand purpose cannot be another layering technique where messaging is pulled on over the extant brand architecture – it’s an action-oriented strategy that can only be properly executed and have proper credibility when it affects genuine change that people notice and appreciate.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EIt is by action and impact that brand purpose metamorphosizes from a marketing deck to something which lives and breathes in the wider world and which can create a quantifiable and impactful effect. It’s the net result that shoppers need to see not the intent itself. If a brand is missing the resilience and wherewithal to bring about this shift then the brand purpose will remain an unmet, insincere ambition that will disappear into the background once marketing’s heat and light fade away, causing yet more of the shopper’s strong disappointment that our research highlights.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EMost shoppers surveyed concur that brand purpose is something that has to have a palpable effect on people and communities (not just a fad a brand thinks they can get behind with a thumbs up on social). Moreover, over half (55%) of shoppers say purchasing purpose brands \u003Ci\u003E“inspires me to work harder for that cause”\u003C\/i\u003E and\u003Ci\u003E “encourages me to find out what I can do to help.”\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ENonetheless and concerningly, a third of consumers buying into a purpose brand says that it \u003Ci\u003E“makes me feel I’ve done my bit for that cause”,\u003C\/i\u003E which spotlights the very reason why brands have to make good on their pledges if we wish to avert a net negative effect on that specific issue.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EFinding a genuine purpose that brands can support in the wider world is not something every organization is able to or even\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cem style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003Eshould\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;do. As we’re about to discover, there has to be room for license and room to drive impact.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cstrong style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EWhy brand purpose isn’t all-purpose\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThe purpose is the quintessential embodiment of a brand’s promise to its own credo. Consequently, a brand purpose strategy should only mirror the existing belief system that underpins that brand. If there is no connection, then a brand purpose campaign will only further heighten this discrepancy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThis incongruity goes some way to illustrate why a topic such as greenwashing has become established front and center in the shopper’s mindset. An Accenture\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.accenture.com\/_acnmedia\/Thought-Leadership-Assets\/PDF\/Accenture-CompetitiveAgility-GCPR-POV.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Estudy\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;of more than 30,000 shoppers globally showed that over half (53%) of shoppers who are disenchanted with a brand’s words or deeds on societal issues vocalize it. Of even more concern, 47% now abandon a brand, frustrated, and 17% never return.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EWith more information at their fingertips than ever before, shoppers have become especially skilled at spotting disingenuous attempts to retrofit “purpose” to a brand. This is particularly the case when a brand has failed to allocate any resources, be they financial or human, into living its purpose in the wider world.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ETo make purpose real, brands need to have the beliefs and license to back it up. Appetite and perseverance are what’s needed to see these values through – both in the business and in the wider world.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EHere at Initials, we take our clients through a three-step exercise to evaluate whether brand purpose genuinely fits with a brand’s existing belief system or whether their challenge could be better solved with a different strategy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cstrong style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EStep 1. Ambition –\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EFirstly, we judge a brand’s real appetite is by interpreting business objectives vs brand perception. What is the time span under consideration? Is the brand locked into an issue for the long haul? Do the means match up with the objectives?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cstrong style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EStep 2. Permission–\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;Secondly, we need to assess whether a brand has the right to speak on a particular subject. What beliefs does the brand have or desires that it wants to act on? In what way do these values resonate with shoppers? Do these values stand out? Do shoppers care? Does a brand purpose program fit with the brand’s archetypes and personality?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cstrong style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EStep 3. Resource –\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ELastly, brands have to take a cool hard look at their own pledge to a purpose – both from a resourcing and financing perspective. Do the human and financial resources at your disposal permit you to engage with this purpose in a significant way? Can you manage shopper expectations?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cstrong style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EA long-term vision, not a short-term fix\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EToo often, brands see purpose as a solution for short-term business woes. This is where companies trip up.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EBrand purpose demands consistency because it launches a brand’s value system into the public domain. Unlike other activations, it needs to be strategic, not tactical.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EOur research shows that 89% of those surveyed would spend more on a brand that has a genuine purpose. In fact, 1 in 3 consumers would pay a premium of 35% plus for a brand that displays an authentic purpose.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThis direct relationship between brand purpose and increased spend might spell out why so many brands are so anxious to harness the power of purpose. But as we’ve seen, there’s more than a considerable amount of mistrust and suspicion in the marketplace, seeing as under 1 in 10 consumers trust a brand when it avows a deeper purpose.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ESo, how are we able to reconcile all this?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EWell, any tactical attempt to hijack brand purpose will probably have a net negative outcome. Shoppers will see straight through this and interrogate a brand’s intentions and motives.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThe purpose is for the long haul. It’s an anchoring point by which a belief system can be applied to culture in a socially meaningful context over the course of decades – not a few financial quarters.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EWhen authenticity and impact are held above profit and perception, then the true brand purpose has a real chance to shine.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr 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rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETelegram\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EDISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this insight piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of IndraStra Global.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003ECOPYRIGHT: This article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EREPUBLISH: Republish our articles online or in print for free if you 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Callender"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05588427854710838429"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-m-_PzVsRXFU\/YL8WDiQ1sRI\/AAAAAAAAAAM\/SfefoGoaVzk62EEqYjDiNzK1qHKBUSStQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h320-c\/AIDN007012021%2B-%2B2021-06-08T123224.875.gif","height":"72","width":"72"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"London, UK"},"georss$point":{"$t":"51.5073509 -0.1277583"},"georss$box":{"$t":"23.197117063821153 -35.284008299999996 79.817584736178844 35.028491700000004"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1461303524738926686.post-5131522071711368234"},"published":{"$t":"2021-05-30T04:02:00.004-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-05-30T04:02:21.456-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Foreign Policy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"India"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Opinion"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"South Asia"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Emerging Contours of India’s Foreign Policy"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EBy Aishwarya R J\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DF8euUgejqw\/YLNGasA6lSI\/AAAAAAAAHkM\/kaa657zkHS4pc9OvXEgd6rwBu5zn4q4PQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s1024\/AIDN007012021%2B-%2B2021-05-30T133115.609.gif\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Emerging Contours of India’s Foreign Policy\" border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"512\" data-original-width=\"1024\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DF8euUgejqw\/YLNGasA6lSI\/AAAAAAAAHkM\/kaa657zkHS4pc9OvXEgd6rwBu5zn4q4PQCLcBGAsYHQ\/w640-h320\/AIDN007012021%2B-%2B2021-05-30T133115.609.gif\" title=\"Emerging Contours of India’s Foreign Policy\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EIndia's foreign policy has developed in response to evolving circumstances and is focused on defending and pursuing India’s national interests in the international arena. India has come a long way in its foreign policy, from defending its sovereignty to projecting its power. Currently, the increasing significance of the Indo-Pacific, India's active participation in the QUAD, and its efforts to export vaccines and lifesaving drugs during the COVID crisis have elevated India's status.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EGeographic conditions, national morale, political organization, military strength, public opinion, socioeconomic conditions, the international milieu, and historical and traditional considerations have all shaped India's foreign policy. India’s historical roots have a considerable role in its foreign policy; the ancient texts like\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"http:\/\/files.hostgator.co.in\/hostgator201172\/file\/2015020209.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EArthashastra of Kautilya\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;and his theories like Mandala, Sapthanga, Shadgunya, Upayas, etc. have turned out increasingly in today’s times as a yardstick to measure India’s foreign policy. The prominent leaders of the Indian independence movement, particularly Mahatma Gandhi with his advocacy of non-violence, provided India with the basis for its normative leadership in the world. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.historydiscussion.net\/history-of-india\/jawaharlal-nehrus-foreign-policy\/682\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Epushing the ideas of Non-Alignment and Panchsheel\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;while strongly opposing imperialism, colonialism, etc. extended hands towards developing and underdeveloped nations that were emerging out of war and colonial yoke.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EIndian foreign policy trends post-independence can be examined through different schools of foreign policy. India's school of foreign policy can be divided into\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/lead\/indias-foreign-relations-and-the-course-of-history\/article32006793.ece\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Epacifist, pragmatic-centrist, and hyper-realist\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;schools. The Pacifists advocate morality, peace, and internal development, while pragmatic centrists give primary importance to balanced economic and military growth and are more oriented to the neo-realist school of thought. On the other hand, the hyper-realists are focused on achieving higher economic growth and commensurate military strength by asserting India's national power. These schools of thought can be seen in the evolution of India's foreign policy from the Jawaharlal Nehru era to the Narendra Modi era, based on the policies adopted by the leaders based on the timeline and contemporary socio-political situations.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EIndia’s foreign policy majorly focuses on engagement with all domains, including the economic and science and technology (S \u0026amp; T) sector. The Indian economy took a massive shift after the induction of\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/Sundayapp\/GEflSNMjdRctaEbPAzxg9M\/Indias-industrial-reforms-of-1991-The-inside-story.html\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENew Economic Policy Reforms of 1991\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E, which accelerated India’s status as a rising economic power and increased its trade relations via engagement. In the case of Sino-Indian relations, there has been a shift from political diplomacy to economic diplomacy in the last few decades. Despite having major border disputes, there is considerable economic cooperation between them. In the age of technological revolution, India is trying to extend its strategic autonomy in the fields of outer space, information technology, nuclear energy, medicine, biotechnology, artificial intelligence as well as promoting research and development (R\u0026amp;D) towards future technologies and other soft skill areas.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EIndia, with its ‘\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.makeinindia.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMake in India\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E’ initiative, is welcoming Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as well as developing\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstoday.in\/photos\/in-the-news\/top-10-indias-indigenous-defense-weapons\/1118.html\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Eindigenous production of defense equipment\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;like Arjun tank, the light combat aircraft Tejas, Dhruv missile, INS Kalvari, etc, which would help Indians maximize its comprehensive national power. The emerging S\u0026amp;T areas where India has been focussing include cyber threat intelligence, big data, quantum technologies, etc. India has made major strides in pharmaceuticals, by being the pharmacy of the world. This has been quite evident during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This also shows how India accommodates its diplomacy along with working towards its goal of a healthy and sustainable world, by pursuing the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/vasudaikakutumbam.wordpress.com\/2015\/03\/05\/vasudhaiva-kutumbakam-%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B5-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%9F%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%82\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EVasudhaiva kudumbakam\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;concept of \"the world is one family”. India’s \"Unity in Diversity\" and democratic principles adds to its benevolent credentials. With its efforts in the promotion of comprehensive wellness through International Yoga Day, it is clear that India is enhancing its soft power through the tool of cultural diplomacy. Moreover, India’s increasingly proactive stance on green technologies and efforts to combat climate change multilaterally highlights its growing leadership in the global environmental front.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EHowever, despite having extended India's sphere of influence in various domains, India is not free from challenges where India faces both\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/idsa.in\/speech\/IndiasNonTraditionalSecurityChallenges_agupta\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003Etraditional and non-traditional threats\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;to its national security. By being part of various international institutions and platforms like the United Nations and several regional organizations, India is trying to enhance its influence in international and regional affairs; and by countering Chinese influence in South Asia, it is trying to maintain the regional balance of power. India must contend with great powers such as the United States, China, and Russia, as well as an unfriendly neighborhood, and the constant threat of border skirmishes are a major source of concern. One of the leading economic challenges is in the energy sector due to the scarcity of natural resources. Strategic challenges also remain, with two hostile nuclear states in the vicinity and the rampant military modernization such as that of China. Internal issues such as ethnic conflicts within states, terrorism, insurgency, and the ongoing pandemic challenge are all causes for concern.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003ETo counter these challenges, certain institutions work to shape India's foreign policy. The\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/mea.gov.in\/Images\/amb1\/MeA_organograms_NW_20_21nw.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMinistry of External Affairs (MEA)\u003C\/b\u003E,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;along with other ministries and departments churn out policies to tackle traditional and non-traditional challenges. Political parties, bureaucracy, civil society groups, and the media also play a massive role in shaping foreign policy. The Office of National Security Advisor (NSA) also plays a pivotal role in the formulation of foreign policy as is evident from the recent talks between India's NSA Ajit Doval and China's State Councillor Wang Yi post-Galwan clash.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EIndia’s approach in handling issues at both regional and global levels has elevated India as an influential player at global forums. While examining the regional approach from the time of independence, there have been many challenges: the Chakma and Teesta water issues with Bangladesh, fishermen issue with Sri Lanka, cross border terrorism across Kashmir with Pakistan, the Rohingya refugee crisis with Myanmar, and the recent Kalapani issue with Nepal are few examples. To give more emphasis to its neighbors, India took up policies such as Act East Policy which is the extension of the Look East Policy adopted in 1991, the Neighbourhood First Policy, the introduction of Panchamrit which talks about five pillars of Indian foreign policy,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/diplomatist.com\/2020\/12\/25\/indias-sagar-policy-in-the-indian-ocean-region\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESAGAR\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;in the Indian Ocean Region by being a net security provider in the region, being part of several regional organizations like SAARC, BIMSTEC, IORA, etc.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EThe global approach includes several initiatives adopted by successive governments, beginning with the policy of Non-Alignment by Nehru, which was helpful in the maintenance of India’s strategic autonomy during the Cold War. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the implementation of economic reforms, Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization brought India a new outlook of inclusive economic development. India has been successful in handling powerful nations diplomatically. The best example could be India signing foundational agreements on defense with America just two decades after its nuclear test and a decade after the Indo-US nuclear deal, which includes\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brookings.edu\/research\/after-the-foundational-agreements-an-agenda-for-us-india-defense-and-security-cooperation\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBECA, LEMOA, and COMCASA\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EAt the same time, India has been engaging with Russia by sustaining decades-old defense cooperation and enhancing its engagement with China in terms of economic cooperation. India has become part of the\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/thediplomat.com\/2021\/03\/the-quad-what-it-is-and-what-it-is-not\/\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EQUAD\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003Ewith the US, Japan, and Australia intending to uphold the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. On the other hand, India has also become a key member of BRICS and SCO, which have been setting up alternatives to the Western-dominated world order. India has pioneered multilateralism even during times of crisis, by building institutions such as the International Solar Alliance.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EIndia, with its geostrategic position between two major chokepoints and as the net security provider in the Indian Ocean, must counter emerging traditional and non-traditional challenges in this area. It should also enable the shaping of global narratives in its favor. Most importantly, in the current context, India must deal urgently with vaccinating its population and subsequently help those countries in need, to enable quick global recovery from the COVID pandemic.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cspan data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAbout the Author:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Cem style=\"background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;\"\u003EAishwarya R J (ORCID: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6711-1202\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E0000-0002-6711-1202\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E) is a first-year Masters's student at the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIndraStra Global\u003C\/b\u003E is now available on \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/apple.news\/Tbvq4-R3hQ5izxn0b9mqG9Q\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EApple News\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMNbQ3gow9aLWAQ?hl=en-IN\u0026amp;gl=IN\u0026amp;ceid=IN:en\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGoogle News\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/flipboard.com\/@indrastra\/indrastra-global-ctkeo059z\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFlipboard\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/feeds.feedburner.com\/IndrastraGlobal\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFeedburner\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003C\/b\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/indrastraglobal\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETelegram\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003EDISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this insight piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of IndraStra Global.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003ECOPYRIGHT: This article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EREPUBLISH: Republish our articles online or in print for free if you follow these guidelines. https:\/\/www.indrastra.com\/p\/republish-us.html\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003E\u003Cscript async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-c6-3y+3v+0+c6\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7609865815468089\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"3607324678\"\u003E\u003C\/ins\u003E\n\u003Cscript\u003E\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1461303524738926686\/posts\/default\/5131522071711368234"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/1461303524738926686\/posts\/default\/5131522071711368234"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https:\/\/www.indrastra.com\/2021\/05\/Emerging-Contours-of-India-s-Foreign-Policy.html","title":"Emerging Contours of India’s Foreign Policy"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DF8euUgejqw\/YLNGasA6lSI\/AAAAAAAAHkM\/kaa657zkHS4pc9OvXEgd6rwBu5zn4q4PQCLcBGAsYHQ\/s72-w640-h320-c\/AIDN007012021%2B-%2B2021-05-30T133115.609.gif","height":"72","width":"72"},"georss$featurename":{"$t":"Madhav Nagar, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India"},"georss$point":{"$t":"13.3489958 74.785555899999991"},"georss$box":{"$t":"-14.961240084802419 39.629303217790977 41.659231684802421 109.941808582209"}}]}});