Online debate: From Tahrir Square to Hong Kong
14 October 2014

Online debate: From Tahrir Square to Hong Kong

The Hong Kong student protests have brought back memories of the youth uprisings in West Asia. Gateway House debates the differences and similarities of these movements that have so dramatically changed our world – and more is yet to come. From Tahrir Square in Egypt to Hong Kong, social media has been the driver for change

Refugees in Sicily Courtesy: Vito Manzari/Wikimedia Commons
13 August 2014

Change EU’s refugee policy

A refugee policy that absolves more capable and resource rich nations of any responsibility towards transnational asylum seekers is archaic and has lived beyond its time. Keeping in mind the EU's receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing causes of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights, it is incumbent upon it to set new standards and reform its refugee policy

israel Courtesy: Natan Flayer
5 August 2014

Tracing the course of India-Israel ties

There has been strong criticism of the Modi government’s tepid response towards Israel’s offensive in Gaza, with many insinuating religious reasons. However the reality is that India’s engagement with Israel has grown substantially since the two countries established full diplomatic relations in 1992.

egypt2 Courtesy:
3 July 2014

Where journalism is a crime

The recent sentences handed out to three Al Jazeera journalists show how far Egypt has moved away from the democratic ideals of the Tahrir Square protests. Egypt now shares space with North Korea, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea and Iran in Freedom House’s 2014 report

Assad rally Courtesy: al Riyadh
13 June 2014

Assad: baptism by a brutal ballot

Basher Assad has been voted to power in Syria in an election which is widely regarded as lacking legitimacy. This will be Assad’s third term in office and his victory is an indication of the control he continues to wield despite growing western backing of opposition groups

west asia W123 Wikimedia Courtesy: W123/WikimediaCommons
6 December 2013

Orienting to the new West Asia

Whether backdoor geopolitics rather than careful negotiations brought about the interim agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme, the next six months will determine its fate. Reactions have ranged from a furious and mistrustful Israel to collective relief by many countries, and a worried India welcoming the agreement