Freestylee Flickr Courtesy: Freestylee/Flickr
10 February 2011

Do something, say something

As soon as something happens in any country, a clamour begins in all the other capitals. Governments are importuned to do or say something. Does saying and doing nothing alter the dynamic of a movement, slow it down or derail it? Are the demands articulated feasible for a government to accept and implement?

Opus88888 Wikipedia_0 Courtesy: Opus88888/Wikipedia
8 February 2011

The present situation (in Kashmir) favours India

In the last few months, South Asia has gone from being just a global security headache, to a region with new possibilities. Teresita C. Schaffer, former US ambassador to Sri Lanka, and Howard Schaffer, former US ambassador to Pakistan and Bangladesh, discuss the major challenges that confront the US in South Asia.

Nina-no wIKIMEDIA Courtesy: NinaAldinThune/Wikimedia
7 February 2011

March of Follies in Egypt

There are more than Western interests at play in Egypt. The other catalysts for the unrest are a combination of Iranian adventures, hypocritical policies of West Asian regimes and resurgent commodity speculation in western markets, triggering a rise in prices of basic items in emerging markets

Takver Flickr_210x140 Courtesy: Takver/Flickr
31 January 2011

A revolution in the Arab world

As the massive anti-regime protests in Egypt persist, the future of President Hosni Mubarak seems increasingly uncertain. The world waits with bated breath as the situation in the largest Arab nation unfolds –the outcome of which will determine what happens in the region.

Salmaan Taseer Flickr_210x140 Courtesy: SalmaanTaseer/Flickr
12 January 2011

Pakistan: At the edge of the abyss

The murder of Salman Taseer , the liberal-minded Governor of Pakistani Punjab, augurs grimly for the country. With the government mired in political turmoil, intelligentsia silenced and religious extremists integrating with the security forces, Pakistan is a state teetering on the brink of collapse.

Hdptcar Flickr 2_210x140 Courtesy: Hdptcar /Flickr
5 January 2011

Ivory Coast: a call for non-interference

Ivory Coast is yet another African nation in the throes of political transition and continued interference by the global agencies. At stake is a thriving economy and a fragile tribal balance, which threatens to turn into a religious issue. Neelam Deo reviews the options before the country and the global community.

pmo 22_210x140 Courtesy: PMO
14 December 2010

India-China: Prioritizing economics

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to New Delhi has the potential to mitigate sixty years worth of distrust between two of the world’s most populous countries and truly improve bilateral relations. What is stopping the two Asian giants from cooperating?