World and Wars

America and its allies' increased military action against the Houthis has so far failed to deter the Yemeni group from attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea. Amid the escalating tension, Houthis have specifically named Russia and China while saying vessels not linked to Israel, USA, and UK are safe. While the tension is driving up oil prices, is India insulated because of its increased purchases from Russia? And can Delhi use this equation for protecting its own ships in the region?

Houthi action in the Red Sea has brought the civil war in Yemen back to the forefront of geopolitical discussions. Even as the U.S. struggles to deter the Houthis from targeting commercial ships and holding world trade at ransom, a new investigative report has claimed that one of America's key allies in the region is actually making the Houthis' control in Yemen stronger. Watch the full video for more.

During the term of the last Maldives President, Ibrahim Solih, the Indian administration of Narendra Modi extended a huge tranche of financial assistance to the Indian Ocean archipelago as it was struggling with a massive Chinese debt problem. Five years later, Solih has been replaced by Mohamed Muizzu, who appears intent on alienating Delhi, and appeasing Beijing, with no regard for his country's recent history. The ongoing controversy, sparked by racist comments against Indians and objectionable language for the Indian PM, is marring a relationship which is marked by many highs and few lows. So what comes next? Is Muizzu taking the Maldives in the direction of Sri Lanka and Pakistan - the other neighbours of India which trusted China and came to regret it?

The killing of senior Hamas leader Saleh Al Arouri has put Israel's secret assassination strategy back in the spotlight. While the Israel government has not confirmed its role in Arouri's killing, many are taking it for granted, given declarations by top leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that Israel would kill Hamas leaders wherever they are. However, the Arouri operation has also renewed the debate about the efficacy of assassinations by Israel's spy agency Mossad. Its past targets have included the founders of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. However, these groups didn't just survive the assassinations, but managed to grow stronger and then carry out the October 7 attack. Mossad also has had a string of embarrassing failures, including being forced to save top Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal whom they had poisoned, and also killing an innocent civilian after mistaking him for a Palestinian leader.

Days after the Israel-Hamas war virtually reached India's shores in the form of a commercial ship being attacked with a drone near Gujarat, Hindustan Times has accessed inside information of what the investigation so far has revealed. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard, which responded to MV Chem Pluto's distress call on December 21, recovered evidence in the form of what appear to be wings of a drone, burnt to a crisp in the attack. Sources have revealed that the wings are likely to belong to a Shahed 136, a loitering munition or suicide drone, which is made by Iran. This appears to prove right what the US military had said a day after the incident.