Latest news with #GreyZone
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
China Mocks Itself With Own World Court? Beijing To Serve Int'l Justice In Hong Kong
China has just launched its own version of the International Court of Justice and it's headquartered in the heart of Hong Kong. But who exactly is expected to accept Beijing as a neutral arbiter of global justice? And what does it mean when the court is built in a city where pro-democracy protests were crushed, and freedom of speech curbed? In this episode of Grey Zone, Ananya Dutta breaks down China's new "International Organization for Mediation." Who are the 32 countries backing it? Why is Russia missing from the list? And what is China really offering — a fairer system for the Global South, or a new global bench where it plays the judge, jury, and executioner? This story isn't just about a building in Hong Kong — it's about a potential new world order. The question is: is China filling a vacuum — or building one of its own?
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
First China, now France: How Indonesia is boosting fighter jet Arsenal amid Indo-Pacific tensions
Indonesia is not choosing sides, it's choosing leverage. In a bold geopolitical play, Jakarta hosted Chinese Premier Li Qiang and French President Emmanuel Macron within just days of each other. The message? Indonesia isn't here to pick a camp. It's here to cut deals. From reportedly securing 42 Chinese J-10 fighter jets to finalizing a new French order of Rafales, Indonesia is on a defence shopping spree like no other. But is this sustainable? Can Indonesia balance two rival powers like Russia and France without slipping? And how does this reflect a larger shift in how some countries view China compared to the West? As the Indo-Pacific becomes the global battleground for influence, Indonesia's strategy of non-alignment, economic cooperation, and strategic ambiguity is turning heads. In this episode of Grey Zone, Ananya Dutta unpacks why Indonesia matters more than ever and how it's gaming the system to become the region's ultimate swing state.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
After Xi & Putin, now Kim Jong Un raises alarm over ‘Golden Dome', warns of nuclear war in space
North Korea is now warning of a nuclear war in space. Why? Because of a U.S. defense plan called the 'Golden Dome,' championed by President Donald Trump. It's being framed as America's answer to missile threats, but this isn't just another version of Israel's Iron Dome. This is space-based missile defense on a scale never seen before. Satellites that detect, track, and intercept warheads in orbit. China and Russia have already slammed the plan. But now North Korea is saying it could trigger a new arms race, not just on Earth, but in space. So, is this defence or a provocation? Why is Pyongyang fuming? And is Trump's mega-project pushing the world into an era of intergalactic warfare? In this episode of Grey Zone, Ananya Dutta unpacks the tech, the strategy, and the terrifying consequences of turning space into the next battleground.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Trump calls Putin ‘crazy' & Zelensky ‘problematic'
As Russia and Ukraine edge deeper into chaos—with deadly airstrikes, prisoner swaps, and failed ceasefires—the one man positioning himself above the war is Donald Trump. He's called Putin 'crazy' while still claiming to understand him. He's criticized the killings yet reminded the world of his friendship with the Kremlin. What is Trump really playing at? Why is he distancing himself from the war while inserting himself into peace talks? Is he truly aiming to broker peace or simply reframing the war as a Biden-Zelensky failure to set himself up for a political win? In this episode of Grey Zone, we decode Trump's latest Truth Social post, 172 words that reveal more than just rhetoric. We trace his strategic ambiguity, his disdain for Zelensky, and his realpolitik instincts that could tilt global diplomacy. Trump may not end the war. But by staying just close enough, and just far enough, he might win something else: the narrative.
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Asia's COVID surge: should you be worried? all you need to know about JN.1 strain
COVID-19 is back in the headlines, but how serious is it this time? Asia is witnessing a fresh spike in cases, with hospitals in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand seeing rising admissions. The culprit? A fast-moving variant called JN.1. In this episode of Grey Zone, we break down what this new variant actually is, why it's spreading so quickly, and whether India is at risk of another surge. Are our vaccines still effective? Should you be worried if you've had COVID before? And what does the new WHO pandemic treaty mean for the next global outbreak? We also speak to Dr. Subramanian Swaminathan, one of India's top infectious disease experts, to separate fact from panic. This isn't about fear—it's about clarity.
