honduras Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons, Flickr
18 December 2013

A long road ahead for Honduras

The elections in Honduras returned to power the right-wing National Party. In contrast to the policies of other Latin American governments, in Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the region, poverty alleviation is not a priority for the conservatives. Will president-elect Juan Hernandez address this problem?

abdulla yameen The President's Office Republic of Maldives Courtesy: The President's Office, Republic of Maldives
13 December 2013

Maldives: Stability after a storm?

The November 16 election of Abdulla Yameen as president of the Maldives may have ended the two-year long political turmoil, but for the country’s economy to recover Yameen must ensure the stability of his government. He also has to consolidate ties with India, and his visit here on December 23 will be a start

Bangladesh flag Mostaque Chowdhury flickr Courtesy: Mostaque Chowdhury/Flickr
12 December 2013

India, U.S: Divided over Dhaka

Come January, Bangladesh will elect its next prime minister. Although it has emerged as a significant player in the region, India and the U.S. are yet to develop a synergy in their policies towards this important nation – even as the deeper struggle for influence and resources in Asia continues

Mandela UN NMF Photo Matthew Willman UN Courtesy: Matthew Willman/UN/NMF Photo/
6 December 2013

Honouring Nelson Mandela

In 1993, Nelson Mandela said: “We will have to go on striving to prove that King was right…when he said that humanity can no longer be tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war.” By learning from the tenacity of this striving, rather than by measuring outcomes, we can best honour Mandela

wheat 2 Neil Palmer (CIAT) flickr Courtesy: Neil Palmer (CIAT)/Flickr
5 December 2013

Food Security at stake in Bali

At the World Trade Organisation (WTO)’s ongoing ninth Ministerial Conference, the focus of several countries is on food security. What does the proposed ‘Peace Clause,’ mean for developing nations? What are the complex factors at play in the decision-making process, in the ongoing meeting?

election rally Courtesy: Al Jazeera English/Flickr
29 November 2013

Indian state elections: winds of change?

In India, there are some powerful forces now in play in the election-bound states – and the 2014 general elections. Manjeet Kripalani, who toured the states during the polls, blogs about the increasing focus on issues such as job creation, sanitation, nutritious food, and technological innovation, among the electorate

czech republic Courtesy: Bentley Smith/Flickr
25 November 2013

Landmark election for the Czech Republic

The recent elections in the Czech Republic resulted in no party winning a majority. However, two newly-formed parties have been elected to the lower house. As the parties try to form coalitions, Ambassador Jaromir Novotný blogs about the voting pattern and the significance of this election for the country