There is No Endgame in Afghanistan

Vinod Saighal  The subject has become centre stage primarily because the USA has made clear its intention to pull out from Afghanistan. The countries that would view it as a positive development would be Pakistan and China along with Saudi Arabia and the UAE that were major backers of the Taliban prior to 2001. However, the latter countries might no longer be as sure [...]

West versus Rest

The world is no longer unipolar .  A cluster of powers is emerging now .While US remains pre-eminent but it is not the same hyper power as before. As predicted earlier by SAI , alliances are now being formed with or against US. An analysis of basic global power equations indicates  “West versus Rest”  clusters [...]

India’s Iran Dilemma

It is therefore quite clear that India is in the throes of a serious dilemma, it needs both the US and Iran for its growth and development. The best option for India would be to try and bridge the gap and bring the two seemingly intractable foes closer. It may not be as difficult after a clear declaration by Iranian supreme leader that nuclear weapons are immoral and not sanctioned in Islam.

Paradoxes of a Nuclear Iran

A nuclear Iran ultimately may be a far less dangerous proposition to starting a war to prevent the Iranian bomb.

Book Review: Terror and Consent

The world of Bobbit in 2008 was a lot different from the one we are witnessing today. The events in the Islamic landscape of the world call for greater insights in dealing with the terror emanating out of the tunnels of Islamic against the market states. It definitely requires better international cooperation on laws, seamless and vibrant response mechanism and militaries capable of fighting hybrid wars.

Syrian Spring Rolls Over

India’s vote in favour of the west also antagonizes Russia. In the choice between the West and the rest, India has chosen pragmatism over principles. China and Russia are noticing these repeated Indian efforts to protect its short term economic goals and efforts to shore up support for the UNSC with concern. By siding with the West we have opened up another vista in playing balancing games between US and SCO.

Iran-Pakistan Relations and India

Iran is key to India’s Middle East and Central Asia policies, apart from being a major contributor to India’s growing energy needs. In terms of connectivity, it is the major hub through which India draws strength to meet its ambition of connecting with Central Asian Republics (CAR) and Afghanistan.

There are two major impediments to realisation of these ambitions. First, the US – Iran relations where sanctions by US have deeply affected India’s latitude to deal freely with Iran. The second is the Iran – Pakistan relations in the light of deteriorating US – Pakistan matrix which is being exploited by Russia, China and Iran to form an axis against US in the region. A similar equation holds good in view of Syria’s political turmoil leading to an impending or arrived civil war.

India’s Role in Afghanistan

It therefore emerges that Indian initiatives in Afghanistan would be undermined by Pakistan and its proxies till Pakistan understands that a peaceful Afghanistan has greater scope for progress being the vital land bridge between Central Asia and South Asia. Strategically the recent thaw in relations between India and Pakistan on the economic and security fronts may suggest both may converge on Afghanistan. But this is a tough ask given the current political and military condition in Pakistan.

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.

Not Just Another BRICS on the Wall!

The summit aimed at addressing several important issues and initiate new plans for the group. Such initiatives included economic ones like forming a group bank, cross-linking of stock exchanges, energy and currency, and political issues involved between the member nations.

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