Courtesy: Wikipedia
A journey which began in Istanbul in 2012 ended in triumph in Vienna in July 2014, as the P5+1 countries and Iran announced a Joint Plan of Comprehensive action that would see Iran free of all economic sanctions while upholding the right to a civil nuclear programme. While this journey, fraught with challenges, technically is over, the ratification battle in the U.S. congress commences now
Courtesy: India Strategic
The recent re-evaluation by the US, China, Japan, and Russia of their military strategies reflects new geopolitical equations in which the Asia Pacific is a major strategic intersection. Turmoil in this region can impact India’s trade and security interests, and to avoid this India must craft a balance between its relations with all the countries involved
Courtesy: Wikipedia
The announcement in June of a Saudi-Israeli alliance against Iran has to be seen in the context of the strategic dimensions of India’s relations with Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, and the U.S. And it has far-reaching implications for India’s policy towards West Asia
Courtesy: US Embassy in Pakistan
Pakistan continues to receive succour from its long-time ally, the U.S., despite blundering about in its neighbourhood unabashedly- be it through righteous indignation or through generous courtesies. The external affairs ministry needs to improve its approach towards U.S. officials who are visiting India in order to better its relation with the country.
Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
The visit of U.S. Defence Secretary Carter will help cement trust and expand the scope of India-U.S. defence cooperation. However, there are several important details around technology transfer that still need to be worked out before co-production of weapons can begin.
Courtesy: NSA/Wikimedia Commons
This month’s U.S. Appeals Court ruling that deemed illegal the collection of bulk phone records by the U.S. NSA—falsely claimed by U.S. officials as having helped detect 26/11 plotter David Headley—is another nail in the coffin of the U.S. surveillance programme. However, detection of terrorist activity and prosecution of perpetrators remains as problematic as ever
Courtesy: U.S. State department/Flickr
With the EU, Iran, and other entities taking decisive steps on April 2 to ensure a non-nuclear Iran, President Obama must now counter interests in the U.S. that want to stymie the final agreement. But having come this far, and considering the comprehensive benefits of an agreement, all sides are sure to deliver
Courtesy: Wikipedia.org/U.S. Army trials
In the recent defence technology cooperation deal with the U.S., India has prioritised the private sector over public sector units. If the government and business now work together productively, they can create a much-needed and robust long-term defence industrial base in India
Courtesy: psychotropicon.info
Cyber crime has transcended hacking and other online illegal activities—the black markets of the “hidden” internet are now a potent threat. This “darknet” is used by illicit traders, saboteurs and terrorist groups—with serious financial and security implications for the Indian government and business sector
Courtesy: Khuram Parvez
The massacre of 134 children in the early morning attack in Peshawar should prompt Pakistan’s military and political leaders to reconsider their conflicted approach to the insurgency that is threatening the entire region