egypt Courtesy: oxfamnovib/Flickr
18 July 2013

Protests in democracies – patterns and problems

Elections are meant to be a suitable recourse in democracies if citizens feel that the government does not represent them. However, the recent protests in Brazil, Turkey and India show that people feel political classes are too far removed from their every day realities to address their grievances

Chidambaram and Ahluwalia Courtesy: Chandraguptamaurya/ Wikimedia Commons
15 July 2013

India-U.S.: Credibility lost

In the face of a sagging rupee and FDI flight from the country, three top ministers recently visited the U.S. to retell the growth story of India and its potential. However, American political and business leaders seem largely unimpressed by the pitch and want more from the India-U.S. equation

osama Courtesy: 2winTradez/Flickr
12 July 2013

What the Abbottabad report reveals

How did the Pakistani military fail to detect the raid in Abbottabad or the presence of Osama bin Laden? A report by a judicial commission in Pakistan, leaked by a TV channel on Monday, reveals the extent of the incompetence of civilian and military institutions, and the army’s complicity with the U.S.

Morsi Courtesy: European External Action Service/ Flickr
3 July 2013

Why Morsi is wrong for his people

The downfall of Egyptian president Mohammad Morsi was partly contributed by those thousands of protesters who disagreed with his view of “Us” and “Them”. Leaders such as Morsi have focused on persecuting those who refuse to share their vision; continuing down this path would have had a negative impact on history

Khurshid in Iraq Courtesy: MEAphotogallery/ Flickr
28 June 2013

India finally reconnects with Iraq

In 2012, Iraq emerged as India’s second largest crude oil supplier thereby shifting focus back on bilateral relations. However, India’s historical and cultural connection with Iraq, as well as common geopolitical concerns, reveal that relations have the potential to go beyond oil

space Courtesy: NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center/Flickr
28 June 2013

Mining and industry in space?

An increase in the global demand for rare earth elements, used in high-technology industries, coupled with limited supplies on Earth, has accelerated extra-terrestrial exploration. International cooperation and competition for these space-based resources will determine the next human footprint and race in space.

shale Courtesy: Penn State Outreach/Flickr
24 June 2013

Will shale change India’s energy equation?

The significant shale gas deposits held by several countries, including India, have implications for global energy prices, geopolitics and climate change. But India needs to develop a strong shale gas policy that can help in lowering its trade deficit while ensuring sustainable development.