Understanding the effects of COVID-19 on the Environment

Siddharth Singh

The theme for this year’s Environment Day was ‘Time for Nature’. The global community chose to celebrate biodiversity in 2020 for its innumerous contributions. Primarily, biodiversity is relevant for food, water, timber, medicine, intrinsic value, religious beliefs, tourism, and life-supporting system. However, in this pandemic era, it has got even more to offer.

Before discussing the impacts of COVID-19 on environment, we should know how environmental degradation has led to this pandemic. We might not be sure about the origin of COVID-19 causing virus, but scientists are confident that around 60 percent of the deadly disease viruses are transmitted from animals to humans. Importantly, some of those viruses include coronaviruses. Many of us do not know that SARS-CoV-2, commonly called a coronavirus (or novel coronavirus), is the seventh coronavirus that infected humans and the third zoonotic virus after SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV.

This transference of a disease from animals to human beings is called zoonoses, and all such cases are collectively called as zoonotic diseases. There have been many zoonotic disease outbreaks recently. It includes 2002 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) caused by civet cats; 2004 Avian Influenza or bird flu and 2009 H1N1 or Swine Flu caused due to the commercial farming of animals; 2012 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) caused by camels; Ebola in 2014-15 was caused by bats or non-human primates; 2015-16 Zika virus and 2019 West Nile virus were caused by mosquitoes. Even the origin of Influenza or Common Flu could be traced in birds or pigs. The list of such diseases is unending. We must concern over the causes of the rapid transference of this virus from animals to humans.

The fundamental answer to this problem is human activities and their evolving lifestyle. The reason for the frequent occurrence of these diseases is that humans provide them with continuous opportunities to do so. There has been a massive movement from rural to urban areas for various reasons. Earth has also witnessed a sudden boom of the human population in the last 50 years. Consequently, we need more land to accommodate our industrial, housing, and developmental purposes. For this reason, deforestation has become another challenge. It is causing the irreversible loss of biodiversity and habitat for wildlife.

These human activities are creating significant gaps in food chain levels and imbalances in nature. Conservation of biodiversity-species and habitats of plants and animals is essential not only for them but also for humans. Such loss is promoting more human and wildlife interactions. If these human behaviors are not corrected urgently, there will be more diseases to come soon. Also, considering that those will be unknown diseases to humans without a vaccine and an unprepared immune system.

Impacts of COVID-19 on Environment

Now let us understand the impacts of COVID-19 on environment. In the first place, this thought might puzzle you that how COVID-19 is affecting environment. Indeed, this microscopic virus is not efficient to devastate the environment. It is only affecting humans. Though the environmental conservation laws are generally human-centric, however, it is understood that environment is not merely limited to humans.

Considering what has happened over the past five months, it can be said that this disease is different from the others. We do not see schools, universities, public places and institutions halted for months because of some disease. COVID-19 has claimed several lives, devastated livelihood, and stirred up the significant economies within a short period.

So, when we say that COVID-19 has affected the environment, it’s not the disease doing so directly. Instead, we have adopted some measures in light of this ‘special disease’ that has impacted the environment. COVID-19 has led to few ‘actions’ and ‘inactions’ that have ultimately caused an impact on the environment. Thus, it is crucial to identify, understand, and learn from those ‘actions’ and ‘inactions’ taken because of COVID-19 and ultimately associated with environment. COVID-19 has provided us an opportunity to look at environment from a different perspective.

Actions and Inactions due to COVID-19

1. Lockdown

a) Temporary Environmental reformations: It’s always good to see and hear news about the restoration of environment. In this lockdown, several news stories covered instances of clean river water and air in megacities and other places. But what cannot be denied about these environmental reforms is that they were neither expected nor intended at the time of imposing lockdown. They just happened as an obvious counter-reaction of halting several activities together. Therefore, it came with no surprise that after the lockdown was lifted within a few days, the level of air pollution went up by 2-6 times of the present. Though the temporary environmental restorations were not a permanent solution; however, they provided essential data and information on pollution control.

In the World Air Quality Report 2019, India stood the fifth most polluted country in the world. The report said that 21 of the 30 world’s most polluted cities in the world are situated in India. It is true that with the lockdown, air pollution has reduced by 40-60% in major polluted cities, like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Chennai. The average levels in particulate matter and nitrogen oxide have also been reduced significantly. Lockdown told us the possible lowest levels of pollution that could be achieved by restricting almost-all activities in our country. This will help scientists and policymakers to determine the required targets to be met for the upcoming environmental policies. It has also conveyed that the necessary time-frame required for the settlement of the pollution. These valuable data and information can be utilized to chalk-out more systemic policies that will provide a substantive solution to the problem of air pollution in India.

b) Caged humans: Where we saw some improvements in environment, this lockdown has also restricted human movements and activities. Halting all human actions cannot be a preferred mechanism for the conservation of environment. The environment cannot be protected at the cost of human development. This protection should be achieved by balancing ecological, economic, and social development. The government must emphasize achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the stipulated time frame.

c) Rise in Poaching: Wildlife Justice Commission has noted, “A major concern is that poaching incidents may increase during the lockdown period, as criminal networks exploit perceived opportunities of park closures, reduced patrols in protected areas, or the diversion of law enforcement resources to deal with COVID-19 issue”.

In this lockdown, cases of animal hunting and wildlife trafficking were reported from across South Asia. The instances of killings of several wild animals and birds were reported, including chinkara or Indian gazelle, barking deer, peacocks, among them many are declared as endangered species under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

d) Finance: Several projects that aim to clean our environment require vast sums of money for their implementation. Notably, these projects are still unsuccessful in providing a healthy environment as provided by Supreme Court of India in Virendra Gaur & Ors v. State of Haryana. For instance, projects undertaken to clean the river Ganga invested crores of rupees, yet it has not provided desired results. On the other hand, lockdown helped in cleaning the river at a zero rupees cost. Governmental schemes should properly utilize funds for the protection and conservation of the environment. Further, they should be asked about the financial resources invested for these purposes and their ultimate outcomes.

e) Strict enforcement of environmental laws: The lockdown has also reflected the competence of enforcement machinery to contain the disease for the last few months. The amount of cooperation and hard work shown by police, doctors, officials, and other personnel is commendable. Likewise, it proves that to tackle environmental problems, what necessarily required is the political will than several statues. In India, there exist many laws on environment; however, the strict enforcement of those laws is the most significant need of the hour.

f) Power of a Common Man: People have shown in the lockdown that they then can co-operate and support their government and fellow citizen in crisis. Environmental issues should be pushed with a similar intensity among people, and it will be no wonder that the citizen of India equipped with ancient environment ethics will observe them diligently.

2. COVID-19 affected International Environmental Regime

The year 2020 was significant for the development of the international environmental regime. Several meetings of parties were scheduled on diverse topics this year, including climate change and biodiversity. COP 26 to UNFCCC was initially planned to take place from 9 to 19 November 2020 in Glasgow, United Kingdom, but was postponed to 1-12 November in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Responding to this postponement, UNFCCC Executive Secretary has noted that, “The climate emergency has not taken time off for the coronavirus. Nor will it prevent extreme weather events and other climate-related impacts, which are already causing casualties. Our work in 2020 is not, in any form, on hold.”

Similarly, COP 15 to CBD was scheduled for 15-28 October 2020 in China, but it has been postponed due to the disease. It was dedicated to take a final decision on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework this year, together with a review on the achievements of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 of CBD. Adding to the list, UN Ocean Conference 2020 is scheduled for 2-6 June 2020, Lisbon has been postponed for the same reason. Though international bodies are trying to fill up the delayed loss by carrying out online conferences as far as possible, however significant development will be done after things will return to normal.

3. Environment is not on the priority list of countries

Due to COVID-19, pandemic economies have immensely suffered across the globe. As this disease will be controlled, the economy will be the priority of all nations. It is reflected from the policies adopted by several countries during the pandemic that they emphasize the economy more than environment. However, it is crucial that while reviving the economy, governments must consider environment and not relax their legal framework.

United States: Trump administration has exempted from penalizing companies failed to comply with federal monitoring or reporting requirements if their non-compliance is due to the COVID-19 disease. Further, they allowed a rollback on car emissions rules that earlier aimed to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions.

Czech Republic: EU proposed to put forward a draft of Green Deal that mandates members to achieve net zero-emission by the year 2050. The Czech Republic prime minister advocated to forget the Green Deal, and instead concentrate on coronavirus. Notably, the European Commission spokesperson has said: “While our immediate focus is on combating Covid-19, our work on delivering the European Green Deal continues. The climate crisis is still a reality and necessitates our continued attention and efforts.” However, later the government reversed its position and came out supporting EU Deal.

Poland: The Polish government provided that the EU’s emissions trading scheme, which penalizes big carbon emitters, should either be scrapped or exempt Poland. Notably, Poland generates most of its energy from coal.

Brazil: Similar accusations were made on Brazil Environment minister who asked the government to push through further deregulation of environmental policy while people are distracted by the coronavirus pandemic. He wanted to utilize the pandemic moment to relax countries’ environmental protection rules.

It is essential to understand that countries need not compromise their environmental measures for restoring their economic development. COVID-19 has provided an opportunity to reconsider our financial structure. It says that new investment avenues should focus on building renewable sources of energy and adopting a sustainable lifestyle so that environmental interests must not suffer in the future.

4. The revival of the plastic industry

It is a setback for environment and long-running plastic ban movements that, in the light of the COVID-19 plastic industry has again revived. Many places that imposed restrictions on plastic have now granted relaxations. Instances are reported that people preferring single-use plastic bags over their cloth bags.

Recently, it has been reported that the styrene gas leak at Vishakhapatnam LG Polymers has immensely affected plants and animals. It is further stated that the company has not followed hazardous chemical storage rules while re-opening the plant. It becomes more critical that since we are opening back after lockdown, industries must pay attention to the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989, and other relevant precautions to prevent any other similar incident in the future.

5. Medical and plastic waste

We have entered in times after lockdown when masks, gloves, sanitizers, tissue papers, and other protective equipment have been made compulsory. The sudden rise in the use of these products will ultimately lead to enormous medical and plastic wastes. More importantly, the irresponsible disposal of these wastes on the streets and other places will give rise to other diseases. These wastes either reach up to landfills or nearby water bodies and oceans. Animals or fishes might consider them as a food item and proceed to swallow the trash. It is dangerous since this could also lead to their death. Similarly, this infected waste is a massive threat for cleaning workers engaged in waste reduction and management activities. It highlights an urgent need for proper disposal of our medical and plastic wastes.

A Way Forward

When humans are a problem, then what is the solution? Well, our answer lies in nature. For our protection, it is vital to prevent the destruction of life. We need to fundamentally transform our relationship with the natural world to reduce the risk of diseases. UNEP biodiversity expert Doreen Robinson says that “Healthy ecosystems can protect against the spread of disease: Where native biodiversity is high, the infection rate risk for some zoonotic diseases can be lowered”.

It is essential that both governments and individuals must learn to respect environment from the COVID-19 pandemic. We need to be more sensitized towards the plant & animal species. Further, we have to bring change to our habits and lifestyle and avoid practices detrimental to nature. The environment should be our priority, and it has to be reflected in our daily activities. Human development should not be done at the cost of environment. A balance between ecological, economic, and social development needs to be observed.

COVID-19 is not the end. Humanity is fighting this virus to again lead a normal life. This ‘normal life’ resides in the lap of a healthy environment. If we do not remain cautious about our pandemic-led priorities and actions, though we may conquer the virus, ultimately lose on environmental ground. Thus, we must not create another devil while fighting one.

Psychological cost of Covid-19 on School Children

Javid Majeed

Since the first case of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was diagnosed in December 2019 in Hubei province of China, it has swept across the world and galvanized global action. This has brought unprecedented efforts to institute the practice of physical distancing called in most cases “social distancing” in countries all over the world, resulting in changes in national behavioral patterns and shutdowns of usual day-to-day functioning.

The Governments are  implementing  an extensive public health awareness campaign utilizing all available media channels  by roping Celebrities, Athletes YouTube stars to create awareness. The exponential increase in the cases  in  West which are better equipped with  public Health Facilities  have put the vulnerable groups  in particular to more anxiety . The spread of covid-19 misinformation , lack of medical treatment and shortage of properly equipment units to care for patients has  contributed to provoking public fear anxiety and depression, which is usually neglected during crisis and pandemic management.

The containment measures taken by countries to  flatten the curve across the globe came  with Cascading effect  of Economic and Psychological cost. Physical distance policies and social isolation may incite acute stress disorders , irritability , fear and panic , avoidance behavior, emotional distress and other mental health consequences in the healthy population but vulnerable groups like students are more at risk.

According to UNESCO Over 90% of enrolled learners (1·5 billion young people) worldwide are now out of education. As of April  2020, schools have been suspended nationwide in 188 countries, The UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay warned that “the global scale and speed of the current educational disruption is unparalleled. School routines are important coping mechanisms for young people with mental health issues. When schools are closed, they lose an anchor in life and their symptoms could relapse. Going to school had been a struggle for some children with depression prior to the pandemic, but at least they had school routines to stick with amid all exigencies . Now that schools are closed, some lock themselves up inside their rooms for weeks, refusing to take showers, eat, or leave their beds. For some children with depression, there will be considerable difficulties adjusting back to normal life when school resumes.

Studies conducted in Chinese students  already showed positive correlation between academic delay and anxiety symptoms. While these steps may be critical to mitigate the spread of this disease, they will undoubtedly have consequences for mental health and well-being in both the short and long term. These consequences are of sufficient importance that immediate efforts focused on prevention and direct intervention are needed to address the impact of the outbreak on individual and population level mental health.

Results of correlation analysis indicated that economic effects, and effects on daily life, as well as delays in academic activities were positively associated with anxiety symptoms evidence from the SARS crisis  indicated that reduced mobility affected the wellbeing of quarantined residents in a complex manner. The SARS epidemic of 2002  was also associated with increases in PTSD, stress, and psychological distress in patients and clinicians. For such events, the impact on mental health can occur in the immediate aftermath and then persist over long time periods. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it appears likely that there will be substantial increases in anxiety and depression, substance use, loneliness, and domestic violence and with schools closed, there is a very real possibility of an epidemic of child abuse.

This concern is so significant that the Countries across world  have  issued psychological first aid guidance.  The HRD ministry has taken various measures to help students to cope up with the growing anxiety because of prolonged lockdown and physical distancing. The Administration of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir has taking various initiatives to keep children abreast with the psychological cost of pandemic initiatives like “Sukoon  Beat the stress” is worth mentioning. Children with special education needs, as those with autism spectrum disorder are also at risk. They can become frustrated and short-tempered when their daily routines are disrupted  study at University of Hong Kong revealed

Research suggest that Students  has been experiencing loss of appetite and sleep problems, and  the uncertainties of whether the exams could be delayed further is adding to their problems. The fear of contracting virus is culminating in weird thought like what if miss my exam because of home quarantine or my area is declared red zone. In such situations when the cases rise every day staying healthy has become another stressor. Social distancing measures can result in social isolation in an abusive home, with abuse likely exacerbated during this time of economic uncertainty and stress., Increased rates of child abuse, neglect and exploitation have also been reported during previous public health emergencies, such as the Ebola outbreak in west Africa from 2014 to 2016.

As the pandemic continues, it is important to support children and adolescents facing bereavement and issues related to parental unemployment or loss of household income. There is also a need to monitor young people’s mental health status over the long term, and to study how prolonged school closures, strict social distancing measures, and the pandemic itself affect the wellbeing of children and adolescents. With the gradual easing of lockdown and opening of markets and parks. We are still months away to see children back in school. At the community level we should seek engagement with teachers and psychologist  to  hold sessions like role plays, Painting, Music , and Dance apart from academic  activities  in gradual way  to keep the spark and mojo going on in children  by  keeping  social distancing and other SOPs in mind.

Canada loses UN Security Council seat bid

Jim Miles

With only one round of voting, Canada lost its bid to secure a Security Council (UNSC) seat at the UN today . (Wednesday, June 17, 2020). The result is what many domestic critics had hoped for, but in both foreign policy and domestic affairs it changes little – obviously, Canada remains off the UNSC and will continue with its usual policies for the future.

EKOS poll

A recent poll/news release by EKOS Research came out the day before as an interesting prelude to the vote (https://www.cjpme.org/survey2020). The poll was sponsored by Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) and the United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel (UNJPPI – United Church). The release covered two main topics: the proposed annexation of Palestinian West Bank territory by the Netanyahu-Gantz coalition government of Israel; and perspectives on increasing or decreasing Canada’s influence on several international concerns.

Annexation

On the first topic, the annexation of Palestinian territory, the Canadian Liberal government of Justin Trudeau (and all the other party leaders) is out of touch with the Canadian voters sentiment,

“The results show that 74% of Canadians want the government to express opposition to Israeli annexation in some form, and 42% of Canadians want to impose economic and/or diplomatic sanctions against Israel.”

The Canadian government has so far not done so. To put this back in with the UNSC comments, Canada indicated it would be a strong supporter of Israel on the UNSC and in the past has clearly sided with U.S./Israeli interests over the rights of the Palestinian people. Canada’s voice on the UNSC would primarily be an “asset for Israel” (Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister) and would generally follow U.S. foreign policy initiatives in most areas. Canada – all political parties – still support the two state solution as negotiated between partners, an outdated and never possible course of action.

Canada’s foreign affairs

Taken more broadly, while Canadians are generally against annexation of Palestinian territory, they are much more indecisive about other aspects of Canada’s foreign policy.

A clear majority do want more action on climate change, and while Canada boasted about its climate change initiatives abroad, its progress at home is less than stellar, as it has invested heavily in Alberta tar sands extraction and transport. Rather than advise other countries about climate initiatives, Canada needs to address its own abysmal standards first. On two other topics the results were mixed. Both Canada’s role as a peacekeeper and Canada’s foreign aid dollars brought mixed support.

Peacekeeping, not so much

In truth, most people in Canada understand Canada’s peacekeeping role as expressed through the mainstream media (MSM) as being a benevolent force for good. They do not understand clearly Canada’s role in dismembering Yugoslavia, the coup in Haiti against Jean Bertrand Atristide, the destruction of Libya well beyond the official UN mandated no fly zone, the feeble anti-ISIS effort in conjunction with the U.S. combined with its regime change dogma about Syria, the offensive role in Afghanistan against the native Taliban, the sale of military hardware to Saudi Arabia for its U.S. sponsored war in Yemen, and other areas of international distress largely associated with U.S. foreign policy and its drive towards hegemony. This misunderstanding stems largely from the MSM not accurately depicting Canada’s role, and Canada’s politicians continually rallying the flag around the Canadian military in its adjunct role as supporting U.S. foreign policy.

While listening to Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, François-Philippe Champagne, after the vote, he at best offered the same old platitudes always offered by Canada, including the tired canard about ‘rule of law’ – rules of law that Canada itself does not follow in particular with the initial focus of discussion on Israel. Israel’s transgressions of international law and humanitarian law throughout its military occupation of Palestine are seldom if ever discussed or debated.

Along with other subjects Champagne talked about “engaging with Venezuela” – indeed! Calling for regime change, supporting a U.S. sponsored pretender to power, and essentially organizing the Lima group to oppose Venezuela can hardly be considered following any rule based international order (I wonder how many of them voted for Canada!).

It follows that the world is smart enough, informed enough, in order to deny Canada its desired UNSC seat. Both Norway and Ireland have much stronger views on Palestinian rights, and while this may not have been the deciding factor, it certainly would have played an informed role in the decision.

Future expectations

The result of the vote is rather anti-climactic as not much change can be foreseen regarding Canada’s foreign policies in general and in Canada’s policies vis a vis Israel. Trudeau’s Liberals could express opposition to Israeli annexation, and in light of this poll, may well do so mainly to placate the domestic voter, but don’t expect much to change behind the scenes with Canadian and Israeli interactions on security and military affairs in the region and domestically.

Patents or people: The conundrum of healthcare industry

Abhay Singh, Divyansh Prakash, Isha Garg, Jeevan Joseph, Ram Karthikeyan & Stuti Khandelwal

The first traces of SARS-CoV-2 virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) were discovered in November, 2019 in Wuhan, China. Since then, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has transformed from a local disease into a global pandemic. While countries across the world, rich and poor, are fighting the pandemic with all force, a common problem which stands in their way is the uneven distribution of resources and services in their societies. It is evident that a country cannot develop sustainably with the sole emphasis on the business motive of expanding profits, or enlarging the pie. Equal attention has to be paid to the distribution of this pie amongst the people. The division of resources must be sensitive to inequalities which manifest in various forms such as income, social, and gender disparities.

Speaking in one of the online sessions of Sustainable Development e-talks (#SDGtalks) co-hosted by Indian Institute of Management Indore and CNS, Anand Grover, a noted Supreme court lawyer and former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, explained how the human right to health is included in the right to life, enshrined under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. He said that, “The right to life includes the right to live with dignity”. However, the right to health can only be realized by ensuring accessibility and availability of medicines to all. The current pandemic of COVID-19 has forced the health system to test its ability to provide adequate healthcare services to all those in need.

Triumph in the fight against diseases can be made possible through the collective efforts of the governments, the pharmaceutical industry and the people. The pharma industry invests billions of dollars in the development of diagnostics and treatments. But when these enter the market and seem within grasp, they remain far from the grip of many. This is due to the high price tags attached to them. According to Grover, “Cost of medicines is one of the key factors that affect the right to health”.

The cost of medicines is heavily influenced by patents. Patent is a negative right which is a trade-off between public and private interests. “Patent law has an impact on the right to health and access to medicines as it creates and protects monopolies”, believes Grover.

Monopoly pricing power is the right of a pharma company to decide the price of a patented drug. The patent duration depends upon the drug and Intellectual Property laws of the country. Pharma industries often misuse this power to increase their profits by wide margins. Nevertheless, this can be controlled to a large extent through government interventions. The policy frameworks equips the government with the power to maintain free and open markets.

Patents are of two kinds- patents on process and patents on product- as explained by Grover. A patent on a product disqualifies any entity, other than the patentholder, from selling the product. On the contrary, patents on process allow other entities to sell the drug by altering the process of manufacture. Such drugs are usually known as generic medicines. India has emerged as the hub of generic drugs that have helped to make life saving medicines become affordable and accessible to all, as exemplified by the case of drugs to treat HIV/AIDS. In 2000, the patented HIV drugs costed about US$ 10,000 per year treatment, per person. Generic drugs of Indian companies, made them available at US$ 200-250 per person per year. Today, these drugs cost around US$ 20-30 per month per person. Grover informs that the unique selling point of the HIV movement is the strong community participation that went a long way in achieving reduction in prices of HIV drugs.

When pricing is left unchecked, private healthcare services can engage in drug price inflation. For instance, Gurugram’s Fortis hospital (in the private sector) issued a whopping bill of Rs 16 lakhs for a 15-day-treatment of a 7-year-old dengue patient. The girl later died, after spending days on a ventilator. Investigation revealed that the hospital had charged an outrageously high amount for the treatment. The margin on medicines and other consumable products ranged from 25% to 1700%. For example, Rs.200 were charged for each disposable syringe procured at Rs.15.29 by the hospital. And this is not a one-off incidents, showing the blatant greed of the private healthcare sector in putting profits far above the people’s good.

Licensing framework serves as a check against these practices, in case of patented drugs. There are two types of licenses – compulsory and voluntary. A compulsory license can be issued by the government, without the consent of the patentholder, to other entities for drug production. Voluntary license is granted by the patentholder to other manufacturers for production of drugs for specific regions. Compulsory license, if issued for public interest, is completely legal and aligned with the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement and the Indian Patent law. Price control can also be exercised through the Drug Price Control Order (Essential Services Act). However, patented drugs are exempted from this for a period of five years.

Grover worded the question, about COVID-19 drugs and vaccines, that needs immediate attention as, “Will the governments issue compulsory licenses or will the companies resort to voluntary licensing and exclude certain countries?”

The primary aim of intellectual property laws is to protect the authenticity of ideas and foster innovation. It serves as a tool for augmentation of investments in research and development. In the healthcare industry, it facilitates discovery of new drugs and improved treatment methods. But the sanctity of this legal framework is, more often than not, annihilated by the profit-oriented practices of private players, wherein pharmaceutical companies misuse patents to extract huge profits by charging exorbitant prices for the patented products. Trying times, like the current pandemic, intensify the gap between equal accessibility of healthcare to all and profit motives of the private players. The legal framework bestows the power to issue compulsory or voluntary licensing as pre-emptive measures against the same. Nonetheless, the difference exists. Ergo, it is the need of the hour to bridge this gap, and make ‘Availability of Healthcare to All’, a reality.

Financial Empowerment and Autonomy for Women

Shailaja Rao

In a country where the culture of arranged and forced marriage is the norm, marrying for love is an exception, and divorce or choosing to remain single is associated with social stigma; it can be argued that a financially empowered woman is better positioned to reverse these traditional social dynamics and bring about social change in the right direction. However, the uphill battle for females to gain an education and financial freedom is an arduous journey. It is worth noting that merely gaining an education and earning a paycheck does not necessarily translate to having complete autonomy.  Long-established egregious sociocultural attitudes and traditions continue to suppress and subjugate women to this day.

According to the National Statistical Office (Government of India), the 2016 India’s poverty profile shows that 67 percent of Indians live in rural areas. Accessing opportunities in rural areas is difficult; more so for women than men, who are significantly more privileged. A report by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights in 2018 has found that 39.4 percent of girls in the age range of 15-18 were not attending school compared to 35 percent of boys. Almost 65 percent of these girls are engaged in household duties, dependents, pensioners, beggars, etc. compared to 33.4 percent of the boys who are non-workers.

A girl child in rural India is thought of as a burden, that must be unloaded at a young age. Higher education is considered wasteful because she is ultimately expected to care for the household and bear children. These cultural attitudes severely affect her education, health, and safety.

Conventional cultural attitudes towards female autonomy remain difficult to shed even for the middle-class or upper-class sections of society. Increasingly, financially stable families encourage their daughters to seek higher education and careers, but the goal for most parents, remains to “give away” their daughter in marriage. A daughter who is thought of as Paraya Dhan (someone else’s wealth or property), is “given away” by her parents through marriage, to whom they think is the “rightful owner of that property”. With the culmination of the marriage process, parents’ “duties” of caring for their daughter are considered to have been fulfilled. After marriage, her husband and the in-laws pick up the baton as her “protectors”. This life-long surveillance under the guise of “care” is ingrained in our cultural psyche.

Girls are besieged from birth by the entire machinery of patriarchy bent on restraining her from acting as an individual. Our deeply patriarchal culture has been challenged by women, time and again, but it has not been substantial enough to advance towards a gender-just society. Men hold positions of power and prescribe the rules at all levels of society. The family unit, community, workplaces, law enforcement bodies, and the government are all charged by a patriarchal structure. Moreover, the status quo of male domination is widely revered and accepted by society with little questioning or critique, thus holding women subjugated in the grip of slavery, disallowing her to exist and function as an independent being.

The gender inequality in India impedes women’s access to vital resources such as education, healthcare, etc. A slew of constitutional privileges such as Equality before Law (Articles 14), Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth (Article 15), etc. to promote equality to women, and well-meaning schemes (Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls – Sabla, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao) have been introduced by various governments over the years, however, due to sloppy implementation of these ventures satisfactory results are yet to materialize. According to the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development, a total amount of Rs 43 crore was set aside for Beti Bacchao, Beti Padhao in the fiscal year 2016-2017 but only about Rs 5 crore had been utilized. Other aspects like corruption, traditional male-dominated law and enforcement bodies, and society itself, hinder progress towards equal representation in all areas.

Challenges stemming from our male-dominated culture have persisted through the centuries. In the matters of marriage or relationships, we have undoubtedly seen some progress, albeit slow, and certainly not adequate.

In the last few decades, consumerism has been growing many-fold, and with that people have an increasing desire to live more comfortable lives. More men from lower-middle-class and upwards, prefer choosing women with careers. The burden of performing traditional roles of household chores, caring for children, the elderly, and so forth however falls mainly on the woman’s shoulders. Women working outside the home have little control over their earnings despite supplementing the family income. They often have limited autonomy over their well-being and decision-making on financial and other important family matters.

Despite a lack of equal footing, from time to time we get to know of heartwarming stories of courageous women who confront the existing system and culture in commendable ways. The following are a few inspirational narrations by women who have chosen to live their lives on their terms.

Reena’s Story

“Had I not been financially independent and strong-willed before I got married, it would not have been possible for me to continue my relationship with Ahmad. I had a career and was staying away from my family. Considering my financial independence and conviction, I knew I was ready to manage on my own if things did not work out between us.

“After marriage, there was a tacit acceptance by my parents-in-law and others that I would not change my religion, my last name, and so on. If it were not for my resolve, I know that it would not have been an easy decision for my husband and me to adopt our first child, a girl, and raise our children the way we decide. My husband’s siblings and their spouses have never had a say on any important issues. They are all above 45 years of age but remain financially dependent on my parents-in-law. This ironically gives my parents-in-law a sense of power and control over them and all the decision making. In my case, being financially independent has not only helped me assert myself but also earning the trust of in-laws for my opinion on various important family matters.”

Poonam’s Story

“I fell in love when I was barely 18 and in my first year of college. My family did not approve of my relationship and they wanted me to either leave the house or get married to my boyfriend. I was a good student and I had no intention of marrying at that time, but I caved to my parents’ pressure and ended up having a forced marriage.

“I was financially dependent on my husband who did not have a steady income, so we were rather poor for some years. The marriage was bad from the beginning, but I pursued my studies and earned money in the evenings and during my summer vacation time, by teaching private tuitions to students and doing other odd jobs. All along, I remained focused on my education. After completing my undergraduate and graduate degrees, I joined one of India’s premier institutions and worked for a few years. I also completed a year of course work for my doctoral degree but left it all when I had a baby. Later, I joined another institution and eventually worked my way to the top.

“I was encouraged by my husband to take up a job offer in Singapore, so I left thinking he would join me in a month or two. He did not join me. I was stuck there with very little money and it took me a few years to recover emotionally and financially. After a few years of hard work, I became the CEO of a small company. Even after years of becoming financially independent, I did not leave the marriage although I saw signs and had enough reasons to leave it. Finally, after 16 years of marriage, I picked up the courage and asked for a divorce. I know the only reason I survived all of this is because of my education and career. Today, years later, I am a happy single mom. I teach English to young girls and single women and show them by example on how important it is to lead their lives on their terms.”

Samina’s Story

“My family and extended family hold conservative values. The women are not educated beyond primary school. My mother encouraged me to study and become financially independent. Though going out to work was acceptable to my family, marrying someone of my choice was inconceivable and unacceptable to them. However, I was able to gather my courage and go against my family’s wishes and get married to someone I met at my workplace.

“After a few months of my marriage, my parents met my husband, Suresh. They slowly took to liking him. My husband and I initially went through a rough phase when we had a child and I was the only one earning a paycheck. It was a very stressful time for us, but eventually, hard work paid off and my husband was able to set up a successful business.

“Now, I am happy that I am not only able to keep track of my family expenses and investments, I also manage the business accounts. Not only that but I am also able to provide for my aging parents as well without having to feel any guilt or being questioned by anyone.

“Some of my friends, working and non-working, who desire to take care of their old parents are not able to take a stand. The men make all the family decisions and my friends do not have a say. I have noticed that many men believe that only the son must care for the parents, not the daughter.”

Uma’s Story

“My parents were eager to get me married off at an early age. My father was a dominating man and my mother, a housewife, being fearful of him went along with whatever decisions he made for the family. I remember even as a young kid, they were saving for my wedding, like buying gold jewelry and other typical items that a daughter-in-law is expected to bring to her in-law’s house after marriage.

“They began looking for eligible men when I had barely finished high school. I always got the feeling while growing up that they thought of me as a burden they needed to get rid of. I had big dreams of being a career woman but felt lost without any guidance or encouragement. I also had low self-esteem, was not self-motivated, confused, and lacked role models or mentors.

“After a string of forced engagements and break-ups, I met Sharath through a friend. For the first time, I felt comfortable talking to him and felt like I was being appreciated and respected for the person that I am. Our friendship turned into a romantic relationship and I went against my parents’ wishes and got married to him.

“After marriage, I saw a whole new perspective of life that I had not known before. I was a below-average student throughout my school years and considered myself a dumb person but with Sharath’s immense patience and encouragement, I was able to understand many things that I always had difficulty with. I completed my undergraduate degree, and for the first time, I was able to aspire for myself.

“My husband mentions that he is relieved that if something were to happen to him, I would be able to continue my life without having to be dependent on anyone. This year, I completed 20 years working outside of the home, making a decent salary.

“I feel a sense of pride that I was able to put my children through good schools and colleges and be a role model for my children. I learned with the help of my husband’s encouragement that I have equal say in all aspects of our decision making.”

There are many optimistic takeaways from the above stories – Reena, Poonam, Samina, and Uma, in one way or more confront the prevalent cultural attitudes towards women and serve as role models for others. No matter what their backgrounds and experiences; they hold onto their identities.

Reena was earning her living before she got married. She had the confidence that if her relationship did not work out, she would be fine. Reena was also able to successfully negotiate, gain respect, and be an equal partner in her marriage.

In Poonam’s case, she experienced a forced marriage at a young age and struggled in her 16 years of marriage. All the while, she did not stop empowering herself. Her courage and determination finally allowed her to leave her bad marriage and live her life on her terms.

Samina benefitted from having a support system, her mother, who encouraged her to study and earn a living. Her mother’s encouragement not only ensured Samina a stable future but also set a precedent for future generations. Samina asserted herself in different ways including monetarily supporting her elderly parents. Breaking with the tradition of only the son being responsible for the care of elderly parents can drastically reduce and end a whole host of issues pertaining to the girl child, such as female feticide, infanticide, honor killings, and so on.

Men have a critical role in facilitating women to make decisions through their own independent mind and personal reflection. In Uma’s case, her husband provided guidance and support that she lacked while growing up. In due course, Uma became an astute and self-reliant woman.

To attain a gender-just society, our well-oiled patriarchal structures that have been running relentlessly for centuries should be brought to a complete halt; left to rust and crumble and become a part of history. The menacing aspect of male domination that is firmly entrenched at all levels of society must be rectified. People have the crucial task of dismantling the status quo.

Prioritizing and investing heavily in girls’ health, education, and safety; mandating equal pay and representation in the workforce; providing financial literacy programs; engaging women in planning, spending, and investing; will all help in closing the economic inequality gap and help create a just society. Women will not only seek and maintain healthier relationships; they will have control over their future. It is also in the best interest of the country to empower women for better economic growth and creating a robust civil society.

The popular African saying, “When you educate a man you educate an individual; when you educate a woman, you educate a generation” rings particularly true.

Disclaimer: The names and identifying details of certain individuals have been changed to protect their privacy.

Freedom in the Age of Neoliberalism and Right-wing Politics

Bhabani Shankar Nayak

The world is facing its deepest crisis after the world wars. The legitimacy of Westphalian international systems and their post-war reincarnations are falling apart. The political parties are losing the public trust and people question their legitimacy. The states and governments are becoming hostage and facilitators of neoliberal capitalism, where people live in an environment of unfreedom and market oligarchs enjoy absolute freedom. The states and governments are exhibiting authoritarian and fascist tendencies. There is huge rise of right-wing forces in society and politics. The neoliberal capitalist order is further aggravating the economic crisis. The masses are in the midst of a distinct period of crisis in contemporary world, where masses suffer in miseries and few people live in island of prosperity. It has exposed capitalist utopia. The decades of wage stagnation and declining, privatization of public resources, liberalisation of protective rules and regulations led to the concentration of political and economic powers in the hands of few.  The world is witnessing the highest form of material inequalities in history. Economic marginalisation, social alienation and political despondency are three defining products of neoliberalism, which provides life and blood to the right-wing forces.

The growth of right-wing politics is playing the fundamental role in reproducing and naturalising growing economic, social and political inequalities in the world. It did not happen overnight. It is neither an accident nor a natural phenomenon.  The large-scale acceleration of inequalities and marginalisation is a product of neoliberalism; a project of capitalism. It has transformed the society by dismantling its collective foundations. The unadulterated celebration of individualism led to the rise of a society where individual actions are shaped by the ideals of utility, pleasure and satisfaction. These three features have become the foundation for the celebration of idealised individual achievements. The adoration of ‘successful self-made men and women’ has become gold standard for social, economic, cultural and political acceptance in the society. Selfishness has become a virtue. The elites and their advocates have deployed such a neoliberal narrative to destroy the collective consciousness of people by which they exercise their illegitimate authority. The pestilence of loneliness and depression are the net output of neoliberalism.

Moreover, neoliberalism shaped popular consciousness that is separate from their material and social realities. It detached people from their own past and present to sustain and pursue the idea of ‘there is no alternative’ to neoliberalism. The neoliberal patronage led to the rise of religious and cultural right-wing forces in politics. These forces gave new meanings to individual life by promoting the idea of subjugation, supremacy, deaths and destitutions in the name of national interest. It has become a strategy of governance and control mechanism. Such a strategy led to the rise of supercilious freedom in one hand and diminishing individual liberty on the other hand. The right-wing and reactionary forces assault the very idea of freedom that neoliberalism claims to promote. Such repulsive rise of contradictions is an integral part of neoliberalism as a project of capitalism.

Friedrich Hayek in his book, Road to Serfdom (1944) argued that the government planning is destroying individual freedom. Hayekians have taken the argument further by arguing that state and society act as obstacles of individual freedom. The Mont Pelerin Society was supported by millionaires and founded by Hayek to promote neoliberalism as a doctrine. The Hayekian legacies continue to reflect in the mission, vision and functions of the Cato Institute, American Enterprise Institute and Heritage Foundation in Washington D.C, the Institute of Economic Affairs, Centre for Policy Studies and the Adam Smith Institute in London and many other neoliberal thinktanks around the world. These organisations and networks are funded by bankers, industrialists and billionaires to promote neoliberalism in the name of individual freedom and democracy. These thinktanks promote the idea that free market and its culture of consumerism facilitates individual freedom. In his book, Capitalism and Freedom (1962), Milton Friedman has argued in defence of economic freedom in a liberal society under competitive capitalism. His philosophy laid the foundation for market democracy which is opposed to very idea of democracy itself.  Such an elusive idea of freedom for the sake of market became the foundation for the growth of capitalism since last two centuries.  It is time to bust the myth.

Neoliberalism as a project conceals the limits of market and capitalism more and ensures kerbing of individual freedom both as a consumer and as a citizen. Freedom is not atomised individualism as promoted by neoliberalism. Our freedoms are interrelated and depends on each other. It is a process of collective realisation or collective surrender. So, it is important to decouple, rescue and articulate the idea of freedom and its collective spirit from the neoliberal and right-wing forces. Such a process depends on our collective desire to learn from the everyday realities of people and their interconnected experiences under different ruling regimes of capitalism. The concerns of people, their collective consciousness and way of finding alternatives for determining themselves as ‘being’ and ‘becoming’ need to be articulated without institutional and structural barriers. The realisation of ‘self-determination’ both in its individual and collective form is the foundation of freedom and democracy that neoliberal capitalism and right-wing forces destroy. The pluralist traditions of freedom and democracy are posing existential threats to capitalism and right-wing forces. Because both these forces depend on mass produced essentialist and functionalist claims, which domesticates freedom and democracy as per their myopic and illiberal world view.

Moreover, neoliberalism in history shows its affinity with dictators and authoritarian governments. The neoliberal economists from the Chicago School provided all their skills to Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet in revamping Chilean economy that ruined the lives of the masses. The American political theorist Wendy Brown, in her book, In the Ruins of Neoliberalism (2019) has argued that neoliberalism laid the foundation for anti-democratic politics in the western world by dismantling the political and social basis of individual life. Melinda Cooper in her book, Family Values: Between Neoliberalism and the New Social Conservatism (2017) has explored that the unholy alliance between neoliberalism and conservative politics. Such an alliance promotes reactionary family values and moralities, which curtails individual freedom and dignity to promote market forces. The iron lady of neoliberalism in Britain, Margaret Thatcher once remarked that ‘economics is the method: the object is to change the heart and soul’ that is concomitant with the unchallenged interests of the market forces. Such an ideological narrative breaks down society as a mere collection of self-interested individuals. It destroys democratic solidarity and social order in pursuit of freedom for the market.

In this way, neoliberalism and unfreedom are intertwined and integral to each other. The democracies are disciplining the citizens to pursue the interests of the capital.  The welfare state is being transformed into security states to protect the interests of the capitalist classes. The operant commitments of the governments are to shift power from labour to capital. Such an unfair process is taking place globally by normalising neoliberal onslaught on both individual and collective spirit of freedom. The objective is to continue the dominance of capitalism as an unchallenged global system.  The propaganda machines of the capitalist classes are on overdrive to transform individuals into consumers and transform need-based society into desire-based society. Such transformations are important for the survival of capitalism. It solves internal contradictions of capitalism due to over production. It liberates capitalism from crisis and imprisons labour within precarity of a desire-based society in search of illusive freedom. The realisation of individual freedom and dignity depends on individuals’ abilities to disentangle themselves from the economic clutches of neoliberal capitalism and political clutches of right-wing politics. There is no other way to achieve individual freedom that gives meaning to life both in its singular and collective visions.

India is warned for the violations of religious freedoms

Mike Ghouse

The Center for Pluralism and the supporting organizations welcome the Press Release by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and the Annual report released by the U.S. Department of the State (DOS) in June 2020.

The USCIRF made a recommendation to the DOS about the gross violations of religious freedoms in India and listed India as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and suggested penalties against India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, the man behind the violations.

The CPC designation has severe consequences for India. The major global corporations that are interested in India’s prosperity will hesitate to do business in India due to social and political unrest. Most companies in the world want to do business in a stable nation.

The biggest economic threat to India is the loss of prosperity gained by the employees and the companies in the information technology sector. The employees and employers stand to lose all the gains they have made in the last twenty years. In the end, every Indian stands to lose.

You can read the report in its entirety at https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/INDIA-2019-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf

Prime Minister Modi earned the CPC title by his calculated silence. He has a record for letting the bad guys do whatever they want. He had once said at the beginning of the Gujarat Massacre to his men, “You’ve three days to finish the job.” meaning kill as many as you can. It resulted in the killing of over 1000 people in February 2002.

Modi lives on with his three days formula – An 8-year-old girl Asifa was gang-raped and butchered into pieces, Modi did not speak until the whole nation was agitated. Ansari was brutally beaten with crowbars; Modi did not talk until the entire country condemned it. There were 114 such incidents during his six-year reign. In March this year, his men placed the saffron flag on their homes to identify Muslim homes who did not have the flag – they burned several houses and killed nearly 50 people. Modi did not speak or even had the courtesy to visit.

Christians and Muslims are given an ultimatum by a few members of the ruling BJP Party, that they (230 Million) have three options. Convert to Hinduism, live as 2nd class citizens, or disappear. Mr. Modi has not said a word to allay the fears.

Prime Minister Modi needs to repeal the unnecessary Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and the protests will stop at once, and the nation’s social and political stability will return. The demand for birth certificates is to separate Muslims as the Jews in the Holocaust were pinned Megan David on their sleeves. As per the provisions of the law, if one is a Hindu or of other faith, he/she gets automatic citizenship, but Muslims will go to the detention camps. The great Indian people of all religions have joined the protests, and they have realized, discrimination to one is discrimination to all. The demonstrations are identical to the George Floyd protests across the world.

The Modi government arrested a pregnant woman Safoora Zargar for protesting. She was slapped with false charges. Mr. Amit Shah has extensive experience with making up charges against the people he doesn’t like or, worse, killing them in fake encounters.

Kaleem Kawaja of Association of Indian Muslims of America (AIM) adds, “We hope the Government of India heeds the reports issued by the Department of State and work on correcting the course and save India from the destruction of social structure leading the economic disaster.”

We offer the following solutions to restore sanity and democracy, take back the title of CPC, and recognize all citizens are equal under the law.

We urge the Indian government to issue the visas to the Commissioners of USCIRF to verify the truth and make the recommendations to rectify the wrongs heaped on Indian Citizens, particularly the Kashmiri citizens.

We urge the Prime Minister to speak up and tell the nation that he will not tolerate lynching, cow vigilantes, raping, and harassment of fellow Indians. The calls for Christians and Muslims to convert to Hinduism or live as second-class citizens will be pushed back, and the callers will face serious consequences.

Fragile Big Power Relationships Add to Middle Eastern Uncertainty

 James M. Dorsey

A web of relationships between Turkey, Russia, Iran, and China have to a significant degree shaped Middle Eastern and North African geopolitics. The fragility of those relationships, however, begs the question whether fluidity in regional geopolitics rather than paradigm shifts is, at least for now, the name of the game.

Fraught with multiple powder kegs that could blow up at any moment, Turkish-Russian relations constitute a study in the management of a new world order’s seemingly fragile alliances.

Much like relations between Russia and China, Russia and Iran, Turkey and Iran, and Turkey and China, Turkish-Russian ties are fragile despite the fact that they, contrary to Western perceptions, are not just opportunistic and driven by short-term common interests but also grounded in a degree of shared values.

The fact of the matter is that men like presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, find common ground in a view of a new world order that rejects democracy and the rule of law; disregards human and minority rights; flaunts, at least for now, violations of international law; and operates on the principle of might is right.

That glue, however, is insufficient, to prevent Turkey and Russia from ending up on opposite sides of conflicts in Libya and Syria.

It is also unlikely to halt the gradual erosion of a presumed division of labour in Central Asia with Russia ensuring security and China focusing on economic development.

And it is doubtful it would alter the simmering rivalry between Iran and Russia in the Caspian Sea and long-standing Russian reluctance to sell Iran a badly needed anti-missile defense system.

Similarly, the balance of power in Syria where Russia and Iran are hoping to reap the economic benefits of reconstruction after having played the key role in securing President Bashar al-Assad’s military victory could shift dramatically if and when China commits to investing in the war-devastated country. Neither Russia nor Iran have the financial muscle to compete.

So far, Turkey, Russia, China, and Iran have been adept at ensuring that differences do not get out of hand. The question is whether stopgap management of potential blow-ups is sustainable.

In Libya, Turkey temporarily halted drone operations to allow Russian mercenaries to evacuate areas lost to the Turkish-backed, internationally recognized Islamist Government of National Accord (GNA) after Turkish electronic warfare whacked Russian anti-defense missile systems operated by Moscow-supported rebels led by self-appointed Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar.

In Syria, Russia and Turkey have negotiated an uneasy ceasefire and security arrangement in Idlib, one of the last rebel strongholds, following clashes in which Turkey dealt a serious blow to the Russian and Iranian-backed forces of Mr. Al-Assad.

The band aid-solutions may serve immediate economic interests and geopolitical goals but do little to mask the four powers’ seemingly incompatible long-term hegemonic ambitions.

“What is Turkey doing [in Libya]?” asked Mesut Hakki Casin, a member of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Security and Foreign Policy Board. “The reason is that Ottomans conquered Egypt after establishing dominance and control in the straits of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Turkey is in Libya because of historical and political reasons.”

Diverging interests do not only play out on the battlefield, as is evident in the shifting balance of power in Central Asia. They are also evident in the competition in arms sales.

The credible performance of Turkish drones in Libya and Syria have boosted demand for Turkish-made unmanned aerial vehicles and electronic warfare systems and dented the infatuation with Russian anti-missile defense batteries.

Dubbed Bayraktar TB-2 and Anka-S, Turkish drones destroyed Russian-backed Syrian military units in northern Syria earlier this year even though they operated Russia’s Pantsir and Buk surface-to-air missile systems. A similar scenario played out in the defeat in western Libya of Mr. Haftar’s forces.

Clashing interests in Libya and Syria and economic woes at home accelerated by the fallout of the pandemic, persuaded Mr. Erdogan to seek to improve relations with the United States and rejuvenate his personal relationship with President Donald J. Trump while massaging his ties to Russia.

In a recent gesture, Botas, Turkey’s state-owned gas grid operator, opened a tender for the construction of a pipeline to Nakhichevan, an Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan. The pipeline would allow Azerbaijan to reduce imports from Iran.

Lobbyists in the United States for the Turkish business community are seeking to capitalize on the opening by pushing an offer by a Louisiana energy company to provide Turkey with “long-term, secure, competitively priced access to Turkey’s LNG terminals, gas pipeline and storage facilities” that would make the country less dependent on Russian and Iranian imports.

Mr. Erdogan and his energy minister, Fatih Donmez, have pushed the notion of diversification of Turkey’s energy imports.

“From Syria to Libya, from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, Erdogan now figures that Turkey needs America politically and strategically more than it did some months ago. He learned by experience that getting the United States on board by making Trump his personal friend is easier than any other way,” said veteran Turkish journalist Cengiz Candar.

Mr. Erdogan is banking on his past experience of talking to Mr. Trump directly and getting what he wants despite opposition from the Pentagon as was the case with Turkey’s most recent intervention in Syria.

“To be honest, after our conversation tonight, a new era can begin between the United States and Turkey,” Mr. Erdogan said during a television interview afterward speaking to Mr. Trump by phone on June 9.

Mr. Erdogan’s approach may not be available to Iran with its deeply engrained distrust of the United States, but it certainly is what guides the thinking regarding Russia of numerous European leaders and politicians. No doubt, it is also an option that Mr. Putin has not lost sight of.

The web of relationships between China, Russia, Turkey, and Iran may seem formidable but the complexity of Turkish-Russian relations suggests that they may be built on more quicksand than any of the players are willing to admit.

On the principle of “It ain’t over until the fat lady has sung,” that is something that Gulf and other Middle Eastern leaders no doubt have taken note of.