Syrian Crisis and its Impact on Iran and Regional Geopolitics

GS 2: International Relations: West Asian Crisis

Why is it in the news?

• The fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria marks a significant geopolitical shift with far-reaching ramifications.
• Assad fled to Russia on December 8 following a swift two-week offensive by opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a terrorist group recognized by the United Nations, the United States, and Turkey.
• This development challenges Iran’s influence and its long-standing objective of maintaining a “Shiite crescent” across the Middle East.

Iran-Syria Partnership: Strategic Challenges

• Since 1979, Syria has been a critical partner for Iran, serving as a corridor for Tehran’s influence in the Levant and facilitating its support to Hezbollah in Lebanon. This relationship flourished under Hafez al-Assad and his son, Bashar.
• However, the recent collapse of Assad’s regime has undermined Iran’s regional strategy and its “Axis of Resistance,” a network of militant groups.
• Iran’s influence in the region has faced setbacks following Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, including the elimination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and significant losses among its proxies in Yemen and Iraq.

Erosion of Iran’s Regional Influence

• Tehran had already begun reducing its military presence in Syria, anticipating stability in the region. The loss of General Qassem Soleimani in 2020 further weakened Iran’s strategic operations. Hezbollah commanders attempted to fill this void but faced substantial losses during Israeli strikes.
• These events have compromised Iran’s ability to maintain its influence, and the Assad regime’s collapse has exacerbated these challenges. Hardliners within Iran may now prioritize nuclear deterrence, but such actions risk escalating regional conflicts.

Regional Geopolitical Implications

• The fall of Assad’s regime has reshaped power dynamics across the Middle East. Regional powers like Iran, Turkey, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are vying to fill the power vacuum in Syria.
• Saudi Arabia and the UAE aim to strengthen their influence through diplomatic engagement and reconstruction efforts, countering Turkish and Iranian ambitions.
• Israel is likely to intensify actions against Iran-backed groups in Syria to prevent Tehran from reestablishing its influence near Israel’s northern borders.
• Meanwhile, Turkey will maintain its military presence in northern Syria to curb Kurdish autonomy movements. Iraq, dealing with internal and regional pressures, might reassess its ties with Iran while managing the spillover effects from Syria’s instability.

Western Involvement and Global Dynamics

• The Western alliance, led by the US and Europe, may increase its involvement in the region to prevent the resurgence of militant organizations like ISIS and curb Iranian and Russian influence.
• Coordinated diplomatic efforts and targeted interventions will likely become central to Western strategies in maintaining stability in the Mediterranean region.

A Watershed Moment

• The Syrian crisis represents a turning point in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Iran’s diminished role in Syria has reconfigured regional partnerships and heightened strategic competition.
• While regional actors may see opportunities for influence, the risk of escalating conflicts remains high. Multilateral diplomatic efforts will be essential in managing divergent national interests and fostering stability.
• However, given the complexity and fluidity of the situation, predicting the long-term outcomes remain challenging.

 

World Malaria Report

GS 2: Society: Combating Malaria

Why is it in the news?

• The World Malaria Report 2023, released by the World Health Organization (WHO), highlights India’s significant progress in reducing malaria incidence and mortality. Despite these gains, the country still faces challenges in combating the disease.

Key Findings

• India has achieved a 69% reduction in malaria cases, with the number of cases falling from 6.4 million in 2017 to 2 million in 2023.
• However, India accounted for half of all malaria cases in the WHO South-East Asia Region in 2023, with Indonesia following at just under one-third.
• The region, which includes eight malaria-endemic countries, reported 4 million malaria cases, contributing 1.5% of the global malaria burden.
• Notably, Bhutan and Timor-Leste have reported zero malaria deaths since 2013 and 2015, respectively, while Sri Lanka was certified malaria-free in 2016.

About Malaria

• Malaria is a life-threatening disease transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The disease is caused by Plasmodium parasites, which can also be transmitted through blood transfusion or contaminated needles.
• There are five Plasmodium species that cause malaria in humans, with two— falciparum and P. vivax—being the most dangerous. P. falciparum is the deadliest and most common in sub-Saharan Africa, while P. vivax dominates in most other malaria-endemic areas.
• The other species, malariae, P. ovale, and P. knowlesi, can also infect humans but are less common.
• Malaria symptoms typically include fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue, resembling flu-like illness.

 

Bharat 6G Vision: A Leap into the Future

GS 3: Science and Technology: 6G Technology

Why is it in the news?

• The Bharat 6G Vision aims to position India as a global leader in the design, development, and deployment of 6G technology by 2030.
• This ambitious plan outlines the roadmap for India’s role in advancing the next generation of wireless communication.

About 6G

• 6G is the next step in wireless technology, promising internet speeds up to 100 times faster than 5G. While 5G offers speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second, 6G aims for ultra-low latency and speeds reaching up to 1 terabit per second.
• The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has named this technology ‘IMT 2030.’ The frequency bands under consideration for 6G include 4400-4800 MHz, 7125-8400 MHz, and 14.8-15.35 GHz.

Bharat 6G Vision

The 6G project will be executed in two phases:

• Phase 1 (2023-2025): Focus on exploring innovative ideas, testing risky pathways, and developing proof-of-concept models.
• Phase 2 (2025-2030): Concentrate on the commercialization and full-scale deployment of 6G technology.

Use Cases

6G will revolutionize various sectors, including:

• Healthcare: Advancements in telemedicine, robotic surgeries, and AI-based diagnostics.
• Agriculture: Precision farming and smart monitoring with IoT sensors.
• Education: Real-time immersive learning through AR/VR.
• Industrial Automation: Enhanced machine communication and the use of Digital Twins for smarter industries.

Bharat 6G Alliance

• A collaboration between India’s domestic industry, academia, research institutions, and standards organizations, the Bharat 6G Alliance aims to create a national action plan for 6G. This will ensure that India remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

Benefits of 6G

6G promises to drive advancements in various fields:

• Healthcare: Revolutionizing diagnostics and surgery.
• Agriculture: Enabling smarter farming.
• Education: Facilitating immersive learning experiences.
• Industrial Automation: Paving the way for Industry 4.0.

Challenges

• Investing in R&D, particularly in semiconductors, AI processors, and advanced System-on-Chip (SoC) technologies.
• Addressing cybersecurity and privacy concerns in a highly connected ecosystem.

Recommendations for Bharat 6G Mission

• Active participation in global standard forums to ensure global interoperability.
• Integration of space and terrestrial networks for ubiquitous coverage.
• Innovative funding mechanisms to support R&D across industries, startups, and national laboratories.
• Shared use of spectrum, particularly in higher frequency bands.

Conclusion

• The Bharat 6G Mission is aligned with India’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, positioning the country as a global leader in affordable, advanced telecom technologies that benefit the world.

 

IIT-Madras Creates Cellular-Level Foetal Brain Map

GS 3: Science and Technology: Mapping Foetal Brain

Why is it in the news?

• Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-Madras) have developed a unique, cellular-level map of growing foetal brains, providing a critical repository for neuroscientists.
• Using the brains of five stillborn babies in their second trimester, a period of rapid brain growth, the researchers have mapped brain structures to understand developmental processes and their links to neurological diseases.

Dataset Details

• The dataset, named Dharini, comprises 5,132 high-resolution plates of brain cross-sections from stillborn babies at 4, 17, 21, 22, and 24 weeks of gestation. These plates have been digitally combined to create a 3D brain map, detailing 500 brain structures.
• The data is freely accessible to researchers and students worldwide. Currently, IIT-Madras has around 230 brains, including those of neonates, and plans to expand the mapping to children, young adults, and adults.

Methodology

• To create the dataset, stillborn brains were frozen to prevent tissue damage. These brains were then sliced into ultra-thin cross-sections (10–20 microns thick), stained, and imaged at resolutions of 1–0.5 microns. This data was digitized to construct a 3D map.
• The team developed in-house technologies, including a brain-freezing platform, automated slicing and staining systems, high-resolution slide scanners, and tools for 3D visualization and annotation. Currently, the team processes approximately one human brain per month.

Significance of Brain Mapping

• High-resolution brain maps help researchers understand brain functionality and the causes of neurological diseases.
• Studying developing brains can provide insights into developmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder and the effects of oxygen deprivation (hypoxia), which can cause conditions like cerebral palsy.
• Such data is crucial for understanding mental disorders in adults, such as depression and bipolar disorder.

Global Brain Mapping Efforts

• Brain mapping projects are ongoing worldwide, employing diverse techniques to study brain structure and function. The Allen Brain Institute created the first complete mouse brain atlas in 2006 and a human brain atlas in 2016, comprising 1,356 plates of a female brain.
• Other notable projects include:

1) U.S. BRAIN Initiative: Funds various mapping projects to study brain function.

2) European Human Brain Project: Focused on digital brain research to decode brain complexity.

3) Japan’s Brain/MINDS: Aims to understand higher brain functions and improve diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders.

• These initiatives contribute to the global understanding of brain mechanisms, furthering advancements in neuroscience and medical research.

Early Cold Wave in North India

GS 1: Geography: Cold Wave

Why is it in the news?

• Parts of north India, including Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab, have been experiencing an early cold wave with colder nights. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for Chandigarh until December 15 due to cold wave conditions.
• Chandigarh recorded its coldest night on October 11 at 4.7°C, with the daytime temperature reaching 23.1°C. Similarly, Delhi experienced its coldest morning this season on December 14, with a minimum temperature of 4.5°C at Safdarjung.

About Cold Waves and Severe Cold Waves

• The IMD defines a cold wave as a condition where the air temperature becomes hazardous to human health. This can cause issues such as respiratory diseases, joint pain, and low blood pressure, with vulnerable populations, especially the homeless, being at risk.
• In the plains, a cold wave is declared when the minimum temperature is either 10°C or lower, or 4.5°C to 6.4°C below normal.
• A severe cold wave is declared when the minimum temperature is below 2°C or more than 6.5°C below the normal temperature.
• For hilly areas, a cold wave is declared when the minimum temperature falls below 0°C.

Factors Behind the Early Cold Wave

• Several factors have contributed to the early onset of the cold wave this year. According to the director of the IMD Chandigarh Office, two western disturbances impacted the western Himalayan region and adjoining plains around December 8.
• These disturbances, which bring winter rainfall and snowfall in the Himalayas, moved eastward by December 9. Additionally, a strong subtropical westerly jet stream, with winds up to 278 km/h, has been affecting atmospheric conditions over northwest India.
• The region also experienced prolonged dry weather, with Punjab and Haryana receiving significantly lower rainfall than normal, intensifying the cooling effect during clear nights. Early snowfall in the hills has further amplified cold conditions, with frigid air moving downward into the plains.

Why Are Nights Colder Than Usual?

• Nights have been colder than usual due to the combination of dry weather, clear skies, and the absence of fog, which allows heat to escape rapidly during the night. Cold, dry north-westerly winds have further contributed to the sharp drop in nighttime temperatures.
• In contrast, daytime temperatures have remained relatively warm, thanks to bright sunshine. This has created a distinct weather pattern where nights are much colder than usual, while the days remain relatively warm compared to past cold waves.