India-Oman Space Cooperation: Opportunities and Challenges

Human Development Index (HDI), maternal mortality rate (MMR) and children aged under 5 years mortality rate (U5MR) are fundamental issues, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in HDI, MMR and U5MR from 1980 to 2010 in certain West Asian countries as well as the relationship between these indexes. In this ecological study, HDI, MMR and U5MR information from studied countries during 1980 to 2010 was extracted from the gap minder site and then analysed using descriptive and analytical methods, including Spearman correlation. The lowest and highest rates of HDI and MMR in 2010 were seen in the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan (HDI: 0.49, 0.81; MMR: 7.14, 335.45 respectively). HDI is rising in all countries studied, with the highest increase in the Islamic Republic of Iran (0.21). MMR and U5MR saw a decline over the years, with the greatest decrease seen in India, and the lowest and highest child mortality rate in 2010 found in Bahrain and Pakistan (8.3, 91.8 respectively). However, there was a negative relationship between HDI and MMR (r = -0.7, P < 0.001). HDI increased during 1980-2010. The highest rate of HDI decrease was observed in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the greatest reduction of MMR was seen in India. Also, the highest decrease in U5MR was related to India as well, while MMR and U5MR rate decreased. Hence, improving HDI might have a definite impact on decreasing MMR and U5MR, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Smokeless tobacco use represents a significant public health concern globally, yet comprehensive prevalence data across West Asian populations remain limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the pooled prevalence of smokeless tobacco use in West Asian countries across age groups and geographic regions. A systematic literature search was conducted across databases from inception to May 2025. Studies reporting prevalence data on smokeless tobacco use in West Asian countries were included. Heterogeneity was assessed using I 2 statistics, with subgroup analyses by age and country. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots. Meta-analysis was performed using CMA version 3.0 with statistical significance level less than 0.05. Out of 745 fount studies, 22 studies across 11 West Asian countries were included in the meta-­analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of smokeless tobacco use was 16% (95% CI: 12%, 21%) with significant heterogeneity (I 2=99.90%, p < 0.001). Age-specific analysis revealed a prevalence of 15% (95% CI: 12%, 18%) among adolescents and 18% (95% CI: 6%, 29%) among adults. Country-specific prevalence varied substantially, ranging from 6% in Iraq to 34% in Lebanon. Saudi Arabia demonstrated the most extreme variation (1%-86%), largely attributed to one outlier study. Funnel plot analysis suggested potential publication bias, though sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of pooled estimates. Smokeless tobacco use affects approximately one in six individuals across West Asian populations, with considerable geographic and methodological variation. The substantial heterogeneity observed emphasizes the need for country-­specific tobacco control strategies and standardized surveillance methods.

This study examines the impact of security arrangements in West Asian countries on the national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran from the perspective of the Copenhagen School. Given Iran's geographical and geopolitical position, as well as the existing tensions and challenges in the region, Iran's national security is influenced by military, economic, environmental, and social threats. The Copenhagen School, with its comprehensive approach to security, divides this concept into five dimensions: military, political, economic, social, and environmental, and emphasizes the importance of regional security in achieving national security. In this research, the military threats posed by terrorist groups such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda and their impacts on Iran's national security are addressed. Additionally, the environmental threats resulting from these groups' activities and their effects on Iran's water and air resources are examined. Moreover, the economic and social impacts of regional instability and the efforts of extra-regional powers to influence and intervene in the domestic affairs of West Asian countries and Iran are analyzed. The research method of this study is based on descriptive analyses and the use of library resources. The findings of this study indicate that Iran's national security is heavily influenced by regional security developments and that achieving sustainable security requires interaction and cooperation with regional countries and international organizations. In this regard, Iran's foreign policy should be based on active diplomacy and multilateralism, aiming to create sustainable security arrangements and strengthen regional cooperation. This study provides strategies to enhance Iran's national security, emphasizing Iran's significant role in regional and international developments, and offers recommendations for improving regional relations and reducing tensions.

As great power competition is escalating, institutional rivalries have emerged as a new lens for understanding interstate competition. Institutional rivalries are important components of the strategic rivalries between the US and China in West Asia due to the US zero-sum mentality. There are two types of institutional rivalries between the two powers: regional and global. In the context of multipolarity, the international institutional rivalries embedded in the US-China rivalry is a concrete manifestation of the power transition and the transformation of the international order, reflecting the US ambition for dominance over rules, norms, and agenda-setting in West Asia. In the face of Sino-US institutional rivalries, West Asian countries adhere to divergent policy orientations, featuring institutional bandwagoning, balancing, hedging, and distancing. Three factors contribute to the West Asian countries’ mixed responses: their international engagement with world affairs, political friendliness with the US and China, and their economic dependence on the two powers.

BackgroundArticle 20 of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control calls for a cross-country surveillance of tobacco use through population-based surveys. We aimed to provide country-level prevalence estimates for current smoking and current smokeless tobacco use and to assess social determinants of smoking.MethodsData from Demographic and Health Surveys done between 2005 and 2012, among men and women from nine North African, Central and West Asian countries and six Latin American and Caribbean countries were analyzed. Weighted country-level prevalence rates were estimated for ‘current smoking’ and ‘current use of smokeless tobacco (SLT) products’ among men and women. In each country, social determinants of smoking among men and women were assessed by binary logistic regression analyses by including men's and women's sampling weights to account for the complex survey design.FindingsPrevalence of smoking among men was higher than 40% in Armenia (63.1%), Moldova (51.1%), Ukraine (52%), Azerbaijan (49.8 %), Kyrgyz Republic (44.3 %) and Albania (42.52%) but the prevalence of smoking among women was less than 10% in most countries except Ukraine (14.81%) and Jordan (17.96%). The prevalence of smokeless tobacco use among men and women was less than 5% in all countries except among men in the Kyrgyz Republic (10.6 %). Smoking was associated with older age, lower education and poverty among men and higher education and higher wealth among women. Smoking among both men and women was associated with unskilled work, living in urban areas and being single.ConclusionSmoking among men was very high in Central and West Asian countries. Social pattern of smoking among women that was different from men in education and wealth should be considered while formulating tobacco control policies in some Central and West Asian countries.

ABSTRACTGood governance indicators such as controlling corruption, establishing the rule of law, and ensuring political stability are central to social well‐being as they affect both sustainable income growth and non‐income indicators of human development. However, human development is still not a priority in Central and West Asia, where humanitarian problems are widespread and the literature on the impact of good governance on human development is limited. Moreover, the effects of corruption, rule of law and political stability on human development in Central and West Asia are not conclusive due to the limitations of inclusive studies. Therefore, this research explores the impact of economic, demographic, and environmental factors as well as governance factors such as corruption, political stability, and the rule of law on human development in Central and West Asian countries applying the advanced panel econometric techniques for the period between 2002 and 2021. The findings indicate that corruption has a negative influence on human development, but raising control of corruption has positive impact on human development. Furthermore, political stability and the rule of law positively contribute human development. Moreover, trade openness, and CO2 emissions promote human development, while inflation, unemployment and, population growth have negative effects on human development. In conclusion, the findings obtained from the study provide important clues and new perspectives for policy makers to achieve the human development goal in the region in question. Accordingly, our results stress that Central and West Asian countries need to adopt transparency and accountability‐oriented policies to reduce corruption, establish the rule of law and ensure political stability in order to achieve high human development.

The aim of introducing occupational exposure limits (OELs) is to use them as a risk management tool in order to protect workers’ health and well-being against harmful agents at the workplace. In this review we identify OELs for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX), and styrene concentrations in air and assess occupational exposure to these compounds through a systematic literature search of publications published in West Asian countries from 1980 to 2021. OELs for BTEX and styrene have been set in Iran and Turkey to levels similar to those in European countries and the US. The search yielded 49 full-text articles that cover studies of exposure assessment in six countries, but most (n=40) regard Iran. Average occupational exposure to benzene of workers in oil-related industries is higher than recommended OEL, while average occupational exposure to other compounds is lower than local OELs (where they exist). Currently, information about levels of occupational exposure to BTEX and styrene is insufficient in West Asian countries, which should be remedied through OEL regulation and application. Furthermore, coherent research is also needed to determine actual levels of occupational exposure, dose-responses, and the economic and technical capacity of local industries to address current issues.

Most reviews on weight status have focused on obesity, and little information on underweight children is available. This review aimed to examine the prevalence and trends of underweight status among Asian children and adolescent populations in the last two decades. A systematic review of publications between the years 1990 and 2010 was conducted. Underweight in children and adolescents was relatively more prevalent in the South and West Asian countries than in the East Asian countries. In general, underweight was more prevalent in boys within the South and West Asian countries, while it was more prevalent in girls within the East Asian countries. Increasing trends of prevalence of underweight were common among children and adolescents in South and West Asia. Specific public health policies should be formulated to combat the underweight problems in less-developed countries.

Subject/topic. In the context of an intensified struggle for leadership between the United States and China and the introduction of anti-Russian sanctions, the task of analyzing the implementation of space exploration programs by China and other countries of the world becomes especially urgent for Russia. At the same time, assessing China’s prospects for its implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs and dual-use space programs is also determined by the need to determine possible areas of Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring security in space. Goals/objectives. To analyze in chronological order the directions of China’s space exploration and evaluate the country’s prospects for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. Methodology. The work analyzes in chronological order the directions of China’s space exploration and assesses the country’s prospects for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. Results. Based on the results of a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and an assessment of the prospects of this country for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies, possible areas of Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring safety in space. Discussion/application. An approach is proposed to conduct a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and assess the prospects of this country for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. As a result, possible directions for Russian-Chinese cooperation and security in space can be identified. Conclusions/Significance. The results of a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and an assessment of this country’s prospects for the implementation of space programs can be used to substantiate recommendations to the leadership of our country on Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring security in space. It is concluded that the People’s Republic of China is becoming one of the leaders in space exploration, which makes it possible to expand Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensure security in space.

Subject/topic. In the context of an intensified struggle for leadership between the United States and China and the introduction of anti-Russian sanctions, the task of analyzing the implementation of space exploration programs by China and other countries of the world becomes especially urgent for Russia. At the same time, assessing China’s prospects for its implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs and dual-use space programs is also determined by the need to determine possible areas of Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring security in space. Goals/objectives. To analyze in chronological order the directions of China’s space exploration and evaluate the country’s prospects for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. Methodology. The work analyzes in chronological order the directions of China’s space exploration and assesses the country’s prospects for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. Results. Based on the results of a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and an assessment of the prospects of this country for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies, possible areas of Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring safety in space. Discussion/application. An approach is proposed to conduct a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and assess the prospects of this country for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. As a result, possible directions for Russian-Chinese cooperation and security in space can be identified. Conclusions/Significance. The results of a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and an assessment of this country’s prospects for the implementation of space programs can be used to substantiate recommendations to the leadership of our country on Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring security in space. It is concluded that the People’s Republic of China is becoming one of the leaders in space exploration, which makes it possible to expand Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensure security in space.

Subject/topic. In the context of an intensified struggle for leadership between the United States and China and the introduction of anti-Russian sanctions, the task of analyzing the implementation of space exploration programs by China and other countries of the world becomes especially urgent for Russia. At the same time, assessing China’s prospects for its implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs and dual-use space programs is also determined by the need to determine possible areas of Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring security in space. Goals/objectives. To analyze in chronological order the directions of China’s space exploration and evaluate the country’s prospects for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. Methodology. The work analyzes in chronological order the directions of China’s space exploration and assesses the country’s prospects for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. Results. Based on the results of a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and an assessment of the prospects of this country for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies, possible areas of Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring safety in space. Discussion/application. An approach is proposed to conduct a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and assess the prospects of this country for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. As a result, possible directions for Russian-Chinese cooperation and security in space can be identified. Conclusions/Significance. The results of a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and an assessment of this country’s prospects for the implementation of space programs can be used to substantiate recommendations to the leadership of our country on Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring security in space. It is concluded that the People’s Republic of China is becoming one of the leaders in space exploration, which makes it possible to expand Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensure security in space.

Subject/topic. In the context of an intensified struggle for leadership between the United States and China and the introduction of anti-Russian sanctions, the task of analyzing the implementation of space exploration programs by China and other countries of the world becomes especially urgent for Russia. At the same time, assessing China’s prospects for its implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs and dual-use space programs is also determined by the need to determine possible areas of Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring security in space. Goals/objectives. To analyze in chronological order the directions of China’s space exploration and evaluate the country’s prospects for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. Methodology. The work analyzes in chronological order the directions of China’s space exploration and assesses the country’s prospects for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. Results. Based on the results of a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and an assessment of the prospects of this country for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies, possible areas of Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring safety in space. Discussion/application. An approach is proposed to conduct a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and assess the prospects of this country for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. As a result, possible directions for Russian-Chinese cooperation and security in space can be identified. Conclusions/Significance. The results of a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and an assessment of this country’s prospects for the implementation of space programs can be used to substantiate recommendations to the leadership of our country on Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring security in space. It is concluded that the People’s Republic of China is becoming one of the leaders in space exploration, which makes it possible to expand Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensure security in space.

Subject/topic. In the context of an intensified struggle for leadership between the United States and China and the introduction of anti-Russian sanctions, the task of analyzing the implementation of space exploration programs by China and other countries of the world becomes especially urgent for Russia. At the same time, assessing China’s prospects for its implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs and dual-use space programs is also determined by the need to determine possible areas of Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring security in space. Goals/objectives. To analyze in chronological order the directions of China’s space exploration and evaluate the country’s prospects for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. Methodology. The work analyzes in chronological order the directions of China’s space exploration and assesses the country’s prospects for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. Results. Based on the results of a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and an assessment of the prospects of this country for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies, possible areas of Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring safety in space. Discussion/application. An approach is proposed to conduct a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and assess the prospects of this country for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. As a result, possible directions for Russian-Chinese cooperation and security in space can be identified. Conclusions/Significance. The results of a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and an assessment of this country’s prospects for the implementation of space programs can be used to substantiate recommendations to the leadership of our country on Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring security in space. It is concluded that the People’s Republic of China is becoming one of the leaders in space exploration, which makes it possible to expand Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensure security in space.

Subject/topic. In the context of an intensified struggle for leadership between the United States and China and the introduction of anti-Russian sanctions, the task of analyzing the implementation of space exploration programs by China and other countries of the world becomes especially urgent for Russia. At the same time, assessing China’s prospects for its implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs and dual-use space programs is also determined by the need to determine possible areas of Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring security in space. Goals/objectives. To analyze in chronological order the directions of China’s space exploration and evaluate the country’s prospects for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. Methodology. The work analyzes in chronological order the directions of China’s space exploration and assesses the country’s prospects for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. Results. Based on the results of a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and an assessment of the prospects of this country for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies, possible areas of Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring safety in space. Discussion/application. An approach is proposed to conduct a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and assess the prospects of this country for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. As a result, possible directions for Russian-Chinese cooperation and security in space can be identified. Conclusions/Significance. The results of a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and an assessment of this country’s prospects for the implementation of space programs can be used to substantiate recommendations to the leadership of our country on Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring security in space. It is concluded that the People’s Republic of China is becoming one of the leaders in space exploration, which makes it possible to expand Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensure security in space.

Subject/topic. In the context of an intensified struggle for leadership between the United States and China and the introduction of anti-Russian sanctions, the task of analyzing the implementation of space exploration programs by China and other countries of the world becomes especially urgent for Russia. At the same time, assessing China’s prospects for its implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs and dual-use space programs is also determined by the need to determine possible areas of Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring security in space. Goals/objectives. To analyze in chronological order the directions of China’s space exploration and evaluate the country’s prospects for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. Methodology. The work analyzes in chronological order the directions of China’s space exploration and assesses the country’s prospects for the implementation of space flight programs, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. Results. Based on the results of a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and an assessment of the prospects of this country for the implementation of space flight programs, solar exploration, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies, possible areas of Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring safety in space. Discussion/application. An approach is proposed to conduct a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and assess the prospects of this country for the implementation of space flight programs, solar exploration, lunar exploration, planetary exploration, as well as the implementation of military space programs, dual-use space programs and programs of Chinese private companies. As a result, possible directions for Russian-Chinese cooperation and security in space can be identified. Conclusions/Significance. The results of a chronological analysis of the directions of Chinese space exploration and an assessment of this country’s prospects for the implementation of space programs can be used to substantiate recommendations to the leadership of our country on Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensuring security in space. It is concluded that the People’s Republic of China is becoming one of the leaders in space exploration, which makes it possible to expand Russian-Chinese cooperation and ensure security in space.