china party congress_0 Courtesy: Voice of America
28 November 2012

Deciphering China’s leadership transition

Rising income inequality, corruption and the ouster of former Politburo member Bo Xilai from the Chinese Communist Party were all significant aspects of China’s 18th Party Congress. However, the new leadership has committed to reforms and repeated that increased economic growth will be achieved.

Courtesy: WikimediaCommons
2 November 2012

China: New leaders, old policy

The new President and Premier of China will be formally elected at the 18th Party Congress of the Communist Party of China on November 8. Given the ongoing socio-economic issues and an increasingly independent army, will the new leadership bring about a change in China’s foreign policy?

green africa Courtesy: trendscout::/Flickr
4 October 2012

A Green Agenda for Africa

All the major economic forces in the world have come together in Africa in a new version of the Great Game. The competition for the continent’s resources will ultimately harm Africa unless Africa uses this opportunity to its advantage and to address its own serious problems.

J Ranade interview Courtesy: Gateway House
23 August 2012

The implications of China’s leadership transition

This October, China’s 18th Party Congress will usher in a new leadership in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the People's Liberation Army, amidst increased turmoil in its neighbourhood. What consequences will this have on Indo-China relations, and on the policies of the Party?

china environment_0 Courtesy: quinn.anya/Flickr
9 August 2012

The precondition of democracy in China

The ongoing environmental movement in China - like many of the country’s burgeoning social movements - and those involved in it, are using various strategies to demand one of democracy’s preconditions—the rule of law.

Courtesy: Government of Tonga
29 May 2012

India-Tonga: Old friends, new engagements

After the passing of Tonga's revered King, Tupou V, all eyes are on the new establishment for signs of change in Tonga's foreign policy. How will India, an old friend to the Pacific island-nation, fit into this increasingly important region? Can it build on traditional ties with Tonga?

Myanmar Sanctions Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Htoo Tay Zar
1 May 2012

Sanctions on Myanmar: Have they worked?

The West is quick to claim that their sanctions against Myanmar have forced the government to implement political and economic reforms in the country. However, such bans do not usually achieve their stated purpose of forcing regimes to change their behavior.

5825395379_5d725a53f4_z Courtesy: Flickr/freeedomania
21 April 2012

UN: a return to ‘mandated colonialism’

By forcing regime change in Libya, and attempting the same in Syria, and by promiscuously arming disparate groups of Wahabbis and Salafists to achieve this aim, NATO is creating more room for instability in the region. What Syria needs is engagement, not isolation; it needs dialogue and not the arming of rebels.

Courtesy:
26 March 2012

A Tale of Two Cities

What happens to Mumbai’s expanding slums? Why is India’s growth 15 years behind China? Gateway House’s Bob Dowling blogs after joining a discussion of urban planners and slum advocates in Mumbai on one day and a high-level International