Preponing Afghanistan to 2013: Cause and Effect

Defence Secretary Panetta’s airborne disclosure of a 2013 winding down of combat operations in Afghanistan, one year ahead of schedule, has baffled political and military analysts world over. While it appears to be a political judgement in the election year, it has much wider ramifications for the region.

Obama’s New Defence Strategy and Asia

We had argued in our post, Cold War Gains Momentum that in the Indian context, USA wants to thin down Chinese influence for which it needs India’s support. It would now be prudent to “engage and act east” firmly with Indian characteristics. Should the economic and military cooperation with US be increased as part of this policy it should not be at the cost of raising tensions with China. A tough call for Indian policy makers.

The Road to Moreh

The absolute apathy on the infrastructure front is evident in the conditions of India’s road to Moreh. To reach out to Myanmar this road has become the ultimate symbol of India’s commitment – potholed, neglected and delinquent.

If India is to engage earnestly with Myanmar it must build the road to Moreh – the gateway to South East Asia would then begin to open!

Geopolitical 2012: Tough Road Ahead

2011 comes to a remarkable close in the world of geopolitics. America, the Arab states, Af Pak, South East Asia and Korea hogged the limelight in forcing changes upon the very definition of political geography. Long time names such as Bin Laden, Gaddafi, Mobarak and Kim Il Jong faded or were forced to leave the [...]

Post US Iraq: Implications for Asia

Soon as the last of US forces crossed over into Kuwait Monday, Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, a  Shia, labelled terrorism charges against the Sunni Arab Vice President Tariq al Hashemi and ordered his arrest. Hashemi’s party Al Iraqqiya has since boycotted the Parliament and the cabinet even as Hashemi has taken refuge in Kurdistan. While [...]

The Dirty Picture

Need we say more!!

Af Pak – The Iran Factor

Despite Western world view of Iran being a terrorist state, Iran today holds a large number of pieces of the zig saw puzzle that may help solve Afghanistan provided the West and Pakistan don’t use it as a punching bag to meet their ends. US would have to envision a common platform with Iran to stabilise the region beyond 2014. This calls for US to heed to suggestion by Farid Zakaria and re engage Iran constructively.

Bangladesh: 40 Years of Liberation

As Bangladesh celebrates its 40th Victory Day today, voices in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are debating the gains made by the country in these 40 years and whether it was all worth it.

China Pakistan Relations and India

As US Pakistan relations slide to their nadir since 2001, Pakistan is hedging on a strong China backing to fill the vacuum thus created. It has been promoting China as the alternative benefactor that could deliver badly needed economic and military assistance. As per a Pakistani narrative, “What we hear least about is the tangled [...]

Afghanistan’s Options

Ten years after the first Bonn Conference, the Bonn 2 Summit on Dec 5 is unlikely to yield any solution in absence of Pakistan. The various Pakistan based and supported Taliban groups may not be brought to the table. Pakistan was seen as the critical interlocutor during the summit because of its deep links with [...]

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