World Order_1 Courtesy: Allen Lane
5 December 2014

Book review: Writing with an imperialist’s pen

The scope of Kissinger’s book is immense, but it is marred by his prejudices and his arrogant view of non-European cultures. The author’s main premise is that the world is in a state of disorder, but his prescriptions remain unclear

26-11pic Courtesy:
26 November 2014

26/11: legal options

On 26 November 2008, Mumbai witnessed a horrific terror attack carried out by 10 young Pakistani men, killing 166 people and injuring over 300. The attack incited condemnation from countries around the world, and gave rise to several citizens’ movements in India. The attack also highlighted the complexities of the international law machinery in combating terrorism

burdwanblast_6 Courtesy: wikimedia
25 November 2014

Combating terror financing through SAARC

Despite an early regional consensus on counter-terror, SAARC’s record in tackling terrorism remains dismal. With the widening network of terrorist groups in the subcontinent, it is imperative that India takes the lead in forging substantial counter-terrorism cooperation, particularly on the issue of financing

NATO2 Courtesy:
10 October 2014

NATO Diaries

A rare opportunity to visit the North Atlantic Treaty Organization headquarters in Brussels provides a good opportunity to assess the organisation’s functioning. Interactions with its officials brought out the challenges the alliance faces, and its constant efforts to remain relevant in Europe’s security landscape

Chinese-President-Xi-Jinping-with-chinese-soldiers-300x216 Courtesy: newshence.com
8 October 2014

Chumar incursion: a message to Xi?

The reason behind a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) contingent intruding into eastern Ladakh around the time of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India, still needs to be decoded. It is not unlikely that domestic rivals, including possible ‘rogue’ elements within the PLA, could have decided to embarrass Xi — angry with his historic crackdown on corruption among Chinese officials

IS Courtesy: U.S. Staff Sergeant Aaron Allmon
16 September 2014

Modi, Obama and the Islamic State

Obama’s strategy to target the IS in Syria within the framework of a U.S.-led international coalition has met with a tepid response. There are reports that the U.S may offer India a non-NATO ally status during Modi’s upcoming visit in a bid to seek greater support – a gesture that India will do well to disregard.

chabad Courtesy: Jewish Press
5 September 2014

Memorial museum for 26/11 victims

The newly restored Chabad House in Mumbai will be the site of a museum-memorial dedicated to the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks. The site will also highlight the daily rituals of the Jewish community – a poignant reminder of their vibrant presence in Mumbai just 50 years ago

australia-uranium-mine Courtesy: mining.com
4 September 2014

India-Australia nuclear deal: a pivot point

This week Prime Minister Modi will meet his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott for the second time in two months. New Delhi and Canberra have already signed a civil nuclear deal which will supply much needed uranium to India’s reactors and remove a big thorn in the relationship between the two nations. The deal is the pivot to take the bilateral forward