Bangladesh’s Tahrir Moment

The Bangladesh experiment with democracy has added to this unwitting rise of fundamental Islam. Both the leading political parties are unable to win election on their own and need support of various coalition partners who are largely fundamental Islamists. The system thus provides ideal fodder for al Qaeda to spread its wings in the region.

Amartya Sen Pontificates from Ivory Tower

In the ivory tower in which Amartya Sen lives, such facts—or, for that matter, any facts—don’t matter. Empirical evidence is not allowed to pollute the purity of the Theory. After all, what is important is the Theory, even if it ends up killing over 100 million people in China, the erstwhile Soviet Union, Cambodia, North Korea, and other unlucky nations. And the Theory has no place for individual liberty. Nor does the venerable economist.

Mindless Violence Merely Adds Fuel To The Fire

 Vinod Saighal Muslim outrage leading to death and destruction in many countries simultaneously against insults to the Prophet or desecration in whatever form of the Muslim holy book regardless of its provenance or authorship is becoming commonplace and occurring with increasing regularity; leading each time to killings, mob violence and extensive damage to property. Nobody [...]

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.

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.

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.

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 [...]

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