The Limits of COIN Doctrine in Afghanistan
The U.S. needs rethink its tendency to blindly follow the 'COIN' doctrine.
Courtesy: Foreign Affairs
Courtesy: Foreign Affairs
Courtesy: Justin Woolford/Flickr
The real cost of shale gas
India’s ability to meet its growing gas demand from shale depends on the availability of land and water, and minimising social and environmental costs. The government’s 2012 draft shale gas policy does not offer solutions. How can India create a stable investment environment for the shale gas market?
Courtesy: Yassin/Flickr
Why are the Brazilians protesting?
Brazil, despite the presence of good leadership, several consistent and successful development programs, and recording their lowest unemployment rate, witnessed widespread protests this June – triggers for which weren't conventional. What are the Brazilians protesting against, and what does it indicate?
Courtesy: BenjaminThompson/Flickr
Latin America: 3% projected GDP growth in 2013
According to the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Latin American region is expected to grow at 3% in 2013. Although the growth appears modest, it is not bad given the GDP contraction in the Eurozone in the past two years and the lower growth rates in the rest of the world
Courtesy: WikimediaCommons
Peru: India’s new billion-dollar trade partner in Latin America
Today, despite Indian exports to Peru expected to cross the $ 1 billion mark in 2014, we are at a disadvantage vis-a-vis the exports from Peru's free trade agreement (FTA) partners. Why is it imperative for New Delhi to initiate negotiations with Lima and address the disadvantages of our exporters to their markets?
Courtesy: Aditya Birla Group/Wikimedia Commons
The Aditya Birla Group in Latin America
The Aditya Birla Group has emerged as the Indian company with the largest annual business turnover in Latin America. Having made significant investments in the manufacture of aluminium, carbon black and viscose yarn, the Group is now exploring newer areas for investment
Courtesy: The Prime Minister's Office/Flickr
G20: The new Bretton Woods?
Global institutions responsible for price discovery and speculation in commodities are suspected of fuelling price hikes. With the world experiencing turmoil in the food and energy markets, fixing the global pricing architecture for commodities should be the priority for the G20
Courtesy: U.S. Embassy New Delhi
India-U.S: Last chance to salvage ties
Since 2009, distraction and dysfunction in both India and the U.S. have dissipated the enthusiasm for greater bilateral ties. However, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has one last chance to salvage India-U.S. ties during his visit to the country this month, and he must utilise it appropriately
Courtesy: Systemman/WikimediaCommons
Obama: Syria, spying and sellouts
Twelve years since the Taliban attacked the country, U.S. President Barack Obama is preparing for yet another war with a country in West Asia, for breaching a ‘red line’ he had drawn. However, the red line he needs to draw is about where the moral fiber of his presidency lies in the waning months of his tenure.
Courtesy: Mester Jagels/Flickr
The broken window theory for Mumbai
The evident degradation of public areas in India is not unlike the crime-ridden, slovenly New York City of 30 years past. Maybe it’s worth a calibrated try for India to adopt socialist James Q. Wilson’s argument that one broken window means all the windows will be broken, and crime will escalate from there.