[Download] PSIR & GS2 Daily Brief- 5 – May – 2026

Today’s brief covers these important themes:

H. A. Hellyer in Foreign Affairs explains why the old Gulf security model is breaking and the Gulf is uneasy with an Israel-led regional order.

Stephen M. Walt in Foreign Policy shows how Trump’s overuse of hard power is weakening America’s soft power.

Elizabeth Threlkeld in Foreign Affairs focuses on the faster escalation between India- Pakistan because both sides are building confidence in high-intensity conventional conflict below the nuclear threshold.

UPSC has previously askes question on these themes:

• PSIR Paper-II (2025): “India continues to invoke its time-tested policy of strategic autonomy vis-à-vis both the United States of America and Russia by rejecting US’ offer of mediation on Kashmir issue and by refusing to criticize Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. Comment.”

• PSIR Paper-II (2025): “Trump’s unilateral imposition of reciprocal tariffs on scores of countries poses impending threat to the future of the rule-based multilateral global trading system under the WTO. What options do the WTO members have to salvage the organization?”

• PSIR Paper-II (2024): “Critically examine the continuity and change in India’s Palestine policy in the wake of the ongoing Israel-Hamas War.”

• GS-II (2024): “‘The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China’s supply chain and as a strategic ally to counter China’s political and economic dominance.’ Explain this statement with examples.”

• PSIR Paper-II (2023): “Discuss the relevance of the normative ethos of the Non-Aligned Movement in magnifying India’s soft power in pursuit of her national interest.”

• PSIR Paper-II (2023): “Discuss the various constraints on American hegemony today. Which of these are likely to become more prominent in the future?”