Gateway House's Executive Director, Manjeet Kripalani, gives us a view from the ground in the last phase of state assembly elections in India's eastern state of West Bengal. The elections are crucial for an incumbent Communist alliance that has ruled for the last 3 decades and is trying to recapture its citadel.
Courtesy: Pragati
The earthquake and tsunami - not to forget the nuclear disaster - in Japan, along with the escalating Arab Spring has trigged a series of geoeconomic events. What, thus, is the bigger picture that emerges?
Courtesy: bkusler/Flickr
Osama Bin Laden’s death may not have an immediate effect on Al Qaeda’s ability to conduct operations nor may it deter the ‘democratic’ protests of the Arab Spring. Pakistan though, will now have to answer to global questioning and may reshuffle its stance with the Taliban and other terrorist groups.
Courtesy: openDemocracy/Flickr
The circumstances involved in the execution of Osama bin Laden make clear the connections between the Pakistan military and the Taliban-Al Qaeda. Will it finally slow the U.S. descent down the Wahabi-friendly trail?
Although notoriously well-known for conflict today, Afghanistan’s history with India is outlined by language, architecture and politics. Many Afghans reside behind entrepreneurial establishments and universities in Northern India, giving us a glimpse of that historical connection between the two countries.
Courtesy: TrilokRangan/Flickr
We need to deconstruct power and thus reconstruct India from the lower rungs of economy, of administration and of capability. It will heal the fissures of inequality and mitigate the evils of centralized power.
Courtesy: PMO
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met with Kazakh President Nazarbayev to strengthen ties and announced a Joint Action plan for 2011-14. Should the countries enhance their “arms-length transactional” relationship, a deeper alliance can be forged to include untapped sectors with immense potential
Courtesy: Lear21,ThomasWolf/Wikipedia
Germany’s abstention on the UN Resolution on Libya heralds the mellowing of a nation blamed for last century’s most catastrophic wars. This time, Berlin may determine the history of Europe by choosing to pursue its national interests peacefully rather than subjugating an entire populace.
Courtesy: Katrina.Tuliao/Flickr
The 2008 financial collapse has economists pondering over the stability of global economies and the ability of those with financial power to maintain their wealth. If such a situation recurs, who will be held accountable?
The Navy, Coast Guard, Police and maritime companies now encounter new threats, as piracy threatens the Indian seas and our trade routes. This calls for a united approach in combating threats and even more so, for a single governing body for maritime issues.
