The IMEC and the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Ikrad Ahmad

About the Author

The writer belongs to the province of Baluchistan and holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Punjab University. He possesses a keen interest in Middle East affairs.

 The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was launched during the G20 summit in New Delhi in September. This corridor aims to connect India with the Middle East and Europe, incorporating countries such as Israel, Greece, and Jordan into its route, despite them not being initial signatories. However, the initiative holds potential for expansion to include more nations. Key signatories of the IMEC agreement include India, Saudi Arabia, the USA, Italy, France, Germany, the UAE, and the European Union. Turkey expressed disappointment at not being part of the deal, with President Erdogan stating during the G20 summit in India, "We believe that there can be no corridor without Turkey. Turkey serves as a vital production and trade hub, and the most efficient trade route from east to west should pass through Turkey." The primary focus of this initiative is to enhance infrastructure development, attract global investments, and transform major cities into commercial hubs. The IMEC aims to develop seaports, construct roads, and lay railway tracks to facilitate trade. While some view the IMEC as a challenge to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), President Joe Biden clarified, "We don't see this as a challenge to China's BRI but rather as a pursuit of economic stability and trade in the region."

The conflict between Israel and Palestine escalated when Hamas launched attacks on Israel in early October. President Biden expressed his belief during a joint news conference, "I speculate that one reason Hamas attacked at this time was due to progress towards regional integration for Israel and overall regional integration efforts. We must continue this important work."The IMEC meeting, which was scheduled to take place within 60 days of its launch, faced disruption due to the Israel-Palestine conflict. The conflict raises questions about the motives behind Hamas' attack on Israel. Israel's reliance on the Suez Canal for trade routes to Europe, which is owned by Egypt and handles approximately 12% of global trade and 7% of oil shipments worth over $1 trillion annually, underscores the significance of the IMEC in reducing dependency on Egypt and potentially countering Israel within Muslim countries aiming to block the Suez Canal.

Moreover, In response to WION's diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal's question on whether the ongoing developments in West Asia pose a challenge to the India-Middle East-Europe Connectivity Corridor (IMEC), European Union Ambassador in New Delhi, Hervé Delphin, expressed an opinion that these developments actually highlight the need for stabilizers in the region. Delphin emphasized that all key stakeholders in the IMEC share a unified message: they are committed to continuing with the project despite the challenges posed by the current situation. He further emphasized, "We should not assume that because there is a conflict, it means the end of this project. On the contrary, I believe it highlights derailing the IMEC, the ongoing developments in West Asia emphasize the necessity and relevance of establishing stable connectivity in the region.

Nevertheless, Countries like Iran, Russia, and China, whose interests oppose the success of this corridor, seem pleased with the setback of IMEC. The future of IMEC appears to be at risk due to the ongoing power struggle in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas based in Palestine, along with the stalled negotiations between Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Israel. Without normalized relations between KSA and Israel, IMEC will remain just a distant dream for the countries involved.

Breaking the Cycle: How Socioeconomic Factors Shape Poverty

 

Aimal Khan Bazai

About the Writer:

(The writer is a student of BS Political Science at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur. He also serves the Frontier Study Center as an Edito-in-Chief. He could be reached at aimalkhanofficial18@gmail.com.)

Students are always concerned about poverty, and many ask why they belong to a poor family, relying on a single source of income, often from a father, elder brother, or another family member. I've noticed that our students have questions about poverty and the poor class, but they lack answers. We often discuss economic and socioeconomic factors that shape our lives, but the root causes remain unclear.

In the 17th century, during the Industrial Revolution, scholars declared the end of feudalism. However, I believe feudalism didn't truly end; it evolved into new forms, retaining its core issues. For instance, in feudalism, people were divided into classes with privileges, and the lower class was disrespected despite being the backbone of society, working for everyone's benefit. Similarly, in modern liberal capitalism, the economic struggles of the lower class persist. Today, the lower class is the driving force behind industries and factories, working to secure their lives and their children's future. Unfortunately, meaningful changes in their lives are still a distant reality.

In our economic and poverty problems, several factors are involved and influential. For instance, patriarchal norms have held us back. These norms have significantly disrupted our economy, but we have yet to fully acknowledge their impact. For example, consider a family of 10, with 2 brothers, 6 sisters, and their parents. Only 2 members of the family are working to support everyone. The question arises: why aren't the girls working to alleviate economic struggles? The answer lies in patriarchal norms, which dictate that girls shouldn't work outside the home in a male-dominated society. This mindset perpetuates poverty, as only a few family members are working, while the rest are limited to household responsibilities. If all family members were able to work, poverty would significantly decrease. To achieve this, we must condemn and abolish patriarchal norms from our society.

The economic situation of a society is affected by several factors, including the effects of patriarchy, unfair distribution of resources, market control by a few individuals, and government policies that perpetuate inequality. In today's market, having a few skills is essential to secure economic stability, but without these skills, individuals are left vulnerable. Pakistan's GDP has decreased compared to previous years, indicating economic and political regression. Despite having abundant resources, we lack the capacity to utilize them effectively. To address this, we need a modern school system that focuses on building skills in individuals. According to a recent report, over 800,000 students are unemployed, including PhD holders and a majority with bachelor's degrees, highlighting the need for skill development and effective resource utilization.

In conclusion, the persistence of poverty and economic struggles in our society is a complex issue with deep roots in our social and economic structures. The lingering effects of feudalism, the grip of patriarchal norms, and the inadequacies of our education system all contribute to this ongoing problem. To break the cycle of poverty and unlock a brighter future, we must confront and challenge these underlying factors. By promoting gender equality, fostering inclusive economic growth, and investing in modern education that cultivates skills and critical thinking, we can create a more just and prosperous society for all. The time for change is now, and it begins with acknowledging the interconnectedness of these issues and working together towards a common goal of economic liberation and social justice.