Dr Loqman Radpey, an expert on Kurdistan and the Middle East, is a fellow at the Middle East Forum with over a decade of experience analyzing the international legal and political dimensions of the right to self-determination for peoples and nations, including the case of Kurdistan. He is the author of ‘Towards an Independent Kurdistan: Self-Determination in International Law’ (published by Routledge, 2023), the first comprehensive historico-legal account of Kurdish aspirations for statehood from a Middle Eastern perspective within post-World War I peace agreements and the broader discourse of self-determination in international law literature over time. His upcoming work, ‘Self-Determination during the Cold War’ will appear in ‘The Cambridge History of International Law’(Volume XI).
Dr Loqman Radpey, an expert on Kurdistan and the Middle East, is a fellow at the Middle East Forum with over a decade of experience analyzing the international legal and political dimensions of the right to self-determination for peoples and nations, including the case of Kurdistan. He is the author of ‘Towards an Independent Kurdistan: Self-Determination in International Law’ (published by Routledge, 2023), the first comprehensive historico-legal account of Kurdish aspirations for statehood from a Middle Eastern perspective within post-World War I peace agreements and the broader discourse of self-determination in international law literature over time. His upcoming work, ‘Self-Determination during the Cold War’ will appear in ‘The Cambridge History of International Law’(Volume XI).
Dr Loqman Radpey, an expert on Kurdistan and the Middle East, is a fellow at the Middle East Forum with over a decade of experience analyzing the international legal and political dimensions of the right to self-determination for peoples and nations, including the case of Kurdistan. He is the author of ‘Towards an Independent Kurdistan: Self-Determination in International Law’ (published by Routledge, 2023), the first comprehensive historico-legal account of Kurdish aspirations for statehood from a Middle Eastern perspective within post-World War I peace agreements and the broader discourse of self-determination in international law literature over time. His upcoming work, ‘Self-Determination during the Cold War’ will appear in ‘The Cambridge History of International Law’(Volume XI).
Is Turkey building an Islamic-leftist bloc to counter Western influence? A look at Ankara’s neo-Ottoman ambitions, Kurdish geopolitics, and shifting alliances in the Middle East.
Asia’s illicit economy is shifting from gangs to algorithms—automated tools, crypto rails, and fluid digital platforms creating a fast, leaderless shadow system that outpaces regulation and reshapes regional power.
AI-driven trade wars are reshaping power—from chips to data. As nations race for control over semiconductors and digital sovereignty, the real battle is about who defines our shared future.
India–Afghanistan trade revival: new air links, Chabahar momentum, and tariff cuts open fresh opportunities — but logistics, sanctions, and regional tensions still pose tough challenges to unlocking full potential.
China–Russia’s deepening trade, energy, and connectivity links are quietly reshaping Eurasia. A partnership built on pragmatism and resilience is redefining the region’s power balance amid global shifts.
The AFP’s final modernization phase marks a bold shift—new missions, tougher challenges, and evolving defense paradigms. As tensions rise, sustaining reforms and credible deterrence becomes vital for the Philippines’ security future.