The Buffer Zone

The United States has eased some of the pressure on India over its purchases of Russian oil. But does that mean India is free to continue buying Russian crude? And why has Washington suddenly changed its approach? In this episode of The Buffer Zone , we break down the latest developments in US-India relations, Donald Trump's decision to waive certain Russia-related measures, and what the move...

India has one of the world’s largest young populations. But is that automatically an advantage, or does it depend on how well we prepare the next generation for the future? In Episode 2 of Beyond The Buffer Zone , we sit down with Dr. Amina Vali, Principal of Sadabai Raisoni Women’s College, Nagpur , to explore the changing landscape of education, the rise of artificial intelligence, and what it w...

BRICS Summit 2026: Bigger, But Is It Actually More Powerful? India hosted the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026 . Two weeks later, we take a step back from the headlines and ask a bigger question: Has BRICS actually become more powerful — or has it simply become bigger? In this episode of The Buffer Zone , we look beyond the summit headlines and break down what BRICS is actually t...

Introducing Beyond the Buffer Zone , a new interview series from The Buffer Zone. While our regular episodes explore geopolitics, international relations, foreign policy, and the forces shaping the world, Beyond the Buffer Zone takes a different route—bringing you conversations with people whose lives and experiences offer a unique perspective on India, leadership, service, sport, society and the...

Every smartphone, laptop, AI model, fighter jet, electric car, and missile relies on one tiny piece of technology: the semiconductor chip. In this episode of The Buffer Zone , we explore why these tiny chips have become the center of a global power struggle. From Taiwan's dominance in chip manufacturing to the escalating rivalry between the United States and China, we break down how semiconduc...

How does India maintain strong ties with the United States, continue buying oil and weapons from Russia, compete with China, work with Europe, strengthen relations with the Middle East, and still call itself strategically autonomous? In this episode of The Buffer Zone , we break down India's unique foreign policy and explain why it's often described as one of the most complex balancing act...

The FIFA World Cup is finally here. Over the next month, billions of people will tune in to watch the biggest sporting event on Earth. But is the World Cup really just about football? In this episode of The Buffer Zone Podcast, we explore the hidden geopolitical side of the World Cup — why countries spend billions to host it, how global sporting events shape national image, and why attention itsel...

China is expanding its influence at sea. India is paying closer attention. The Quad is becoming more active. And the Indo-Pacific is rapidly turning into one of the most important regions in the world. But what does any of this actually mean for India? In this episode of The Buffer Zone, we break down China's maritime rise, India's strategic response, the role of the Quad, and why a growin...

In this episode, we break down PM Modi’s recent warning urging Indians to remain cautious about international travel, gold buying, fuel consumption, and economic behaviour amid rising global tensions. But what exactly is the government seeing right now? As conflict and instability grow across the Middle East involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, India faces serious geopolitical and econom...

Who was really leading the game—and who was reacting? As tensions and narratives evolve between India and Pakistan, the Islamabad Talks revealed more than just diplomacy. Beneath the surface, it’s a quiet cat-and-mouse dynamic—where every move, signal, and silence carries weight. But this wasn’t just about India and Pakistan. In this episode of The Buffer Zone, we break down: * The strategic posit...

Is Canada really neutral… or just playing it smart? In this episode of The Buffer Zone, we break down Canada’s foreign policy through the lens of the ongoing Iran conflict. While Canada has stayed out of direct military action, its diplomatic stance, alliances, and strategic decisions tell a more complex story. From supporting Western security goals to pushing for de-escalation, Canada walks a fin...

Who is India backing — and why? As tensions rise between Iran, Israel, and the United States, India finds itself in a complex geopolitical position. Is it neutrality, strategy, or silent alignment? In this episode of The Buffer Zone, we break down: • India’s diplomatic balancing act • Its relationships with Iran, Israel, and the US • The economic, strategic, and political factors shaping its stanc...

What’s really happening inside Iran during war—and how much of it are we actually seeing? In this episode of The Buffer Zone, we speak to Nima, an Iranian living in Australia whose family is still inside the country as the conflict unfolds. We explore the gap between headlines and lived reality, the emotional toll of watching from afar, and what the world often misunderstands about Iran. This is n...

“No shared border. No direct war for decades. So why are Iran and Israel enemies—and why is the USA always involved?”