russia protests one Courtesy: VOA - Yuli Weeks/WikimediaCommons
7 February 2012

Russia’s growing nationalism

The India-Russia summit in 2011 was sandwiched chronologically between two events that received much greater exposure: the Gita scandal and the Russian protests. Is this a warning sign that Russia’s state-anointed xenophobia and nationalism could act as a dampener for the formerly solid Indo-Russian relationship?

China 1992, India 2012 Courtesy: China Briefing
31 January 2012

China 1992, India 2012

The development similarities between China and India are strikingly similar, argues Chris Devonshire-Ellis. Twenty years ago, China faced challenges and difficulties but also offered oppurtunities and profits. Similarly India offers much of the same now.

kuwait flag Courtesy: Steve & Jem Copley/WikimediaCommons
30 January 2012

A significant election in Kuwait

The upcoming Kuwaiti elections will take place in the backdrop of a new wave of political reform, triggered by the Arab Spring. If Kuwait's Emir, Sabah Al-Sabah, proactively implements the debated changes, he can ensure that Kuwait remains in the vanguard of the Arab world.

gandhi Courtesy: Yann/WikimediaCommons
27 January 2012

Competitive intolerance: Reflections on Gandhi’s death anniversary

Many artists, thinkers and politicians are increasingly threatened, not just in India but in every corner of the world, by those who disagree with them. So what is the implication of Gandhi’s legacy for those of us who oppose such an assertion of ‘might’ over the ‘right’ of free expression and open exchange?

gilani photo Courtesy: IIP State/Flickr
20 January 2012

Can Pakistan sustain its Democracy?

The current standoff between the Pakistani Government and the Supreme Court is yet another sign of Pakistan’s instable democracy. Will this lead to another transition to military rule? Or will the pillars of the media and the judiciary be able to bring about a balance?