Author: ForumIAS

Endgame in Syria  Context Unless the peace dividend is visible soon, regression to anarchy cannot be ruled out Backdrop: Flurry of political activity  Ceasefire: between government-allied forces and rebel groups Following the defeat of the Islamic State (IS) at Abu Kamal, its last Syrian redoubt, military activities are being framed by the tenuous ceasefire between… Continue reading Endgame in Syria 

IAF banks on Tejas, new fighter to bolster fleet  Context Indian Air Force (IAF) is focusing at Tejas, the indigenously developed light combat aircraft, and a single-engine fighter to be procured soon to seize the dramatic fall in its squad strength. Procuring Tejas As the deal with the French government for 36 Rafale jets lands… Continue reading IAF banks on Tejas, new fighter to bolster fleet 

Smart- balancing China  Context:       The recent revival of the ‘Quadrilateral’ and the consequent talk of an ‘Asian NATO’ have brought the India-China rivalry back to the limelight. Introduction: The alleged China connection to the recent ‘regime change’ in Zimbabwe is a harbingerof things to come. It would ensure that its access to overseas resources/markets… Continue reading Smart- balancing China 

‘Drought, heatwaves increasing in frequency’  Context: Drought and heat waves all together has been engaging several researchers in India. Why is it in news? Analysing rainfall and temperature data of 50 years, researchers have found that: the frequency of heatwaves accompanied by drought has increased not only in magnitude but in area too over the… Continue reading ‘Drought, heatwaves increasing in frequency’ 

How a dust storm from 3,000 km away smothered Delhi this month  Context: The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) under the Ministry of Earth Science published a ‘Scientific Assessment of Delhi Winter Air Quality Crisis’, which listed two “Extreme” events behind the smog that had smothered Delhi and its neighbourhood.… Continue reading How a dust storm from 3,000 km away smothered Delhi this month 

Surge in oxygen levels led to explosion of life: study Context: Recently studies say that a boost in levels of oxygen may have caused a three-fold increase in biodiversity during between 445 and 485 million years ago. Why is it in news? This study suggests that atmospheric oxygen levels did not reach and maintain modern… Continue reading Surge in oxygen levels led to explosion of life: study

Coral transplant raises Barrier Reef survival hopes  Context In an Australian project, Coral bred in one part of the Great Barrier Reef was successfully transplanted into another area, hoping they could restore damaged ecosystems around the world. The trial In a trial at the reef’s Heron Island off Australia’s east coast, the researchers collected large… Continue reading Coral transplant raises Barrier Reef survival hopes 

Memo to the World Bank  Context: India has been admitted to the top 100 nation club for Ease of Doing Business by the World Bank league. Why is in news? For the first time ever, India has jumped 30 positions to become the top 100th country in terms of ease of doing business ranking this… Continue reading Memo to the World Bank 

Understanding Bitcoin: fraud, or the future of money?  Context: In 2009, the first block of that currency, known as Bitcoin, went online. To this day, it has undergone a wide range of changes. Change in opinion about Bitcoin: Opinion on Bitcoin is divided on: whether its value is a sign of a growing rebellion against… Continue reading Understanding Bitcoin: fraud, or the future of money? 

Lessons unlearnt  Context: Nine years have passed since the grim events of 26/11 but India has forgotten nothing and learned nothing. What is are the impacts of 26/11 tragedy? 26/11 caused two key ruptures in India’s politics and public discourse: It led to a distillation of public frustration with police and intelligence services, which seemed… Continue reading Lessons unlearnt