Making a Difference in Myanmar

India stood behind Myanmar since its resumption of ties in 1991 in an era of sanctions discarding global concerns. However, it has failed to generate enough interest in the hermit state to bolster its geo strategic needs, trade and transit.

Demystifying the New World Order in Middle East

In this maze of activities redefining the New World Order in Middle East a lot is at stake not only for the middle east but South Asia and the world as such. Much in league with Mr Jamal Wakim’s assertions, Israel and the west may get deeper into the struggle now called West versus the Rest. While it would be difficult for the West to replicate Libya in Syria, an attack on Iran would alter the geopolitical geometry totally.

Is South Asia Losing the Plot?

South Asia is traditionally defined as the region ensconced between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The eight countries that comprise the geographical area were British colonies and still largely behave as one. The poverty, corruption, lack of governance, social and regional apartheid still drive the political discourse of the region. The fact that the countries of the region have the worst possible relations with each other accentuates the lack of trust leading to animosity and all round despair.

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.

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