In the digital age, under the constant gaze of prying eyes, surveilling every move and gnawing at every step, the smartphone screen, once meant for communication, has turned into a blackhole with algorithms not just reflecting who people are, but rather actively shaping them. Illustration by The Geostrata Psychologist Erik Erikson, in his theory on psychosocial development, expanded on the concept of identity and role confusion, with 12-18 years of age as the formative stage

In international relations, a "sphere of influence" (SOI) refers to a spatial region or concept division where a state or organisation has a level of cultural, economic, military, or political exclusivity or predominant control. It remains one of the most pervasive phenomena in the practice and history of international relations, yet only rarely have they been taken up analytically. This concept had gained its base mostly in the post-World War II era, which is also known as t

In the last twenty years, China has managed to turn a formerly scattered group of amateurs into a government-sponsored cyber army operating at the international level. A carefully constructed network of competitions, academic programs, military units, and private contractors, combined with judicial statism, has enabled Beijing to exploit hacking skills as an effective tool of state influence and leverage just as authorities and agencies remain outwardly silent and resistant t

One of the reasons India’s democracy remains strong is because of the balanced sharing of powers and duties between various levels of...

With the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), India underwent a major indirect tax reform, making it a historic step. In...

An epochal building block of a nation’s foundation is its sovereignty. Free from external influence, countries have the authority to...

The land of unfulfilled promises and contested identities-Balochistan- stands as one of South Asia’s most complex and misunderstood...

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was promised as a “game changer” upon its initial arrival in 2015. Modern infrastructure,...

The World Bank’s 2025 report shows India with one of the world’s lowest consumption inequality levels, but income and wealth data reveal a much wider gap. This article explores why consumption surveys like HCES understate inequality, how India’s poverty has declined, and why income and wealth metrics expose deep divides. It highlights the need for policies on wages, education, and social protection to reduce long-term inequality.

Today, as we celebrate the birthday of “Architect of Viksit Bharat@2047” and “Leader of Empowered Citizens”. At this significant moment,...

China’s progressive usage of the Active Defence Doctrine and its strategic reinterpretation  under the leadership of Xi Jinping in 2015...

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most vibrant and colourful festivals of India. Celebrated extravagantly throughout many parts of India, it...

During the 1950s, the state of Bihar was known as the Industrial heartland of India, but not even half a century passed, and the...

It's that time of the year again, with the bugle of cricket all in our ears. And this time it's the Asia Cup 2025  coming our way. And...

Nepal is a country with a journey of turbulence and transitions.  Nepal’s history of political journey is carved with monarchs, which...

Jakarta's streets are a canvas of anger simmering just below the surface. Over the past few days, what should have been a protest against...

In this globalised world, information travels faster than borders and hence data has emerged as a significant determinant of national...

India has produced a diverse range of traditional textiles for centuries, which have been handed down through generations. These are more...

The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda is the first of its kind at the global level to address the effects of armed conflict on...

In the 21st Century, the global power structures have dramatically changed, with geopolitics now being decoupled from geoeconomics,...