mahmoud abbas and obama Courtesy: www.whitehouse.gov/WikimediaCommons
26 September 2011

Obama loses high ground on Middle East

Repeated applause greeted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' speech to the UN General Assembly, asking for support for the “establishment of Palestine.” But with the U.S. backing Israel, under almost all circumstances, will Abbas' proposal be able to bring about any change?

brics bailing out europe piece Courtesy: www.kremlin.ru/Flickr
23 September 2011

BRICS bail-out of Europe: A far cry

In a reversal of historical roles, the BRICS nations may be coming to Europe’s rescue. During the Asian Financial Crisis, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) introduced structural adjustments in return for IMF loans, and many institutions and individuals went bankrupt. Will it be any different now?

Courtesy: WTCTributeinLight/WikimediaCommons
12 September 2011

9/11 America: Dignity, democracy and fear

Although the U.S. has not faced another terrorist attack since 9/11, much has changed in its democratic framework. Gripped by fear, 3,984 federal, state and local organizations work on domestic counter-terrorism, spending an estimated $1 trillion.

Copy of 9,11 global event pic_210x140 india Courtesy: WTCTributeinLight/WikimediaCommons
11 September 2011

Arab Spring to Wahabbi winter

A change has come about after 9/11: the ideologies grouped as “Al Qaeda” has morphed, from a group directed by a few individuals, it is now disaggregated. Due to this change, NATO is empowering it's future foes in the Arab world by its continued belief in the camouflaged jihadis.

9,11 neelam akshay piece_210x140 Courtesy: Scott Hudson/Flickr
10 September 2011

9/11: India, still waiting for peace

India's security concerns seem to grow weaker by the year. The dangerous political polarity, a paralysed ruling coalition, a fractured opposition, a popular distaste for a corrupt polity and complicit bureaucracy, and a slowing economy, has handicapped any progress towards this issue.

9,11 photo Courtesy:
7 September 2011

America: Ten years after 9/11

A decade after 9/11, the U.S. has prevented further terrorist attacks - a major achievement. But with a $1.3 trillion budget deficit, a debt downgrade, and 24 million Americans searching for jobs, the U.S. needs to attend to matters at home rather than intervening in the world's affairs.

steve jobs1 Courtesy: Marco Paköeningrat/Flickr
31 August 2011

Steve Jobs: America’s greatest innovator

“What Now?” asked the headline on the front page of the San Franciso Chronicle, the day after Steve Jobs stepped down as CEO of Apple. After more than a decade of technological ascendancy by Jobs and Apple, where and who now will the world look towards for the next creative breakthrough?

political and fiscal leadership us, india_0 Courtesy: WorldEconomicForum/WikimediaCommons
16 August 2011

U.S. and India: ‘C’ for political management

While the U.S. political leadership is stuck with extreme positions led by the Tea Party, India’s politicians do not seem to have a position at all. It is imperative for India’s political leadership to exercise prudent fiscal leadership to ensure that economic growth is balanced and equitable.

Big_Gallery_Image_43_0 Courtesy: EmbassyofIndia,WashingtonDC
15 August 2011

Women ambassadors shine for India

The job of forging partnerships while sustaining India’s interests is done by its ambassadors –and New Delhi has the unique distinction of sending two women ambassadors in a row to the US. A study of Indian envoy Meera Shankar’s tenure, and what awaits her successor –and former foreign secretary–Nirupama Rao.