Prof.(Dr.) Nagalaxmi M Raman *
Article 1: Review :
Why is Sri Lanka in turmoil?
External shocks and official incompetence are to blame
The article gives a background information and analysis of the events which led to economic crisis in Sri Lanka followed by political crisis there; where the then President Gotabaya Rajapakse fled the country on 13.7.22 and who is now in Singapore and has since resigned as well. Ranil Wickremasinghe, until recently acting President has been elected as President by the members of Sri Lanka Parliament – for the remaining tenure of Presidential office up to Nov. 2024.
Reference :
Why is Sri Lanka in turmoil? | The Economist, July 19, 2022
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Article 2: Review/commentary
Why a regiment of Belarusian dissidents is fighting for Ukraine?
They see a common enemy in Vladimir Putin
It seems a regiment of Belarusian dissidents is fighting in support of Ukraine. Belarus, a former Soviet Republic and now an independent country is neighbor of Ukraine and its President Alexander Lukashenko is a strong ally of President Putin. A battalion of Belarussian dissidents has been into 4 months of fighting with only a few casualties. The Battalion’s leader Ivan Marchuk is now dead following an operation by him to stop a Russian incursion near Lysychansk in Donbas. Two men were in Russian captivity and three others missing in action.
Many dissidents from Belarus fled to Poland because of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko’s dictatorial policies and his hounding of political dissidents in the country. President Lukashenko in power for over 28 years had rigged the 2020Presidential Elections and came to power. He tortured the protestors against the 2020 rigging in Presidential Elections.
Now Belarus Army is guarding its borders and also borders with Russia – in support of Russia and its actions directed against Ukraine. The dissidents in Belarus Army (present there) are fighting in support of Ukraine. New equations keep evolving among Belarus, Ukraine and Russia – the three Slavic Sisters and strong allies during the Soviet Union times. Now things are different!
Reference:
Why a regiment of Belarusian dissidents is fighting for Ukraine | The Economist, July 19, 2022
* Prof. (Dr.) Nagalaxmi M Raman, Director & Head, AIIS
