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Since 2002, a large amount of U.S. funds flowing into Afghanistan has been diverted to the Taliban by local strongmen, resulting in a continued presence of the militia. The challenge post-2014 will be to reverse the West’s top-down strategy, creating a grassroots-driven incentive for peace and development.
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India’s relations with Islamic nations, many of which are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have become even more prolific over the last decade. While India does not visualise becoming a member of a religious international body, many reasons militate against our formally joining the OIC.
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‘Sikkimisation’ is a term often used by the Chinese and Nepalese politicians to refer to India's purported Himalayan expansionism. However, Sikkim's economy has set an example that India's Himalayan neighbours would do well to follow, rather than deride
Lt. Gen. Prakash Menon and Prof. Gautam Sen delivered the keynote address at the two-day National Seminar on Non-Alignment 2.0 organised by the Department of Civics and Politics in the University of Mumbai. Gateway House’s Aakash Brahmachari blogs about the seminar, and India’s strategic rivals.
The 19th Israeli parliamentary election will take place on January 22 and opinion polls indicate the possible re-election of incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Regardless of the outcome, there are several simmering issues the winner will have to address upon assumption of the office. Simon Clement blogs.
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The steps taken by the Indian government to enable private sector involvement in ASEAN have been hesitant. After the recent ASEAN summit in New Delhi, it is time for greater coordination of Indian private industry with government-to-government interaction, which will benefit all members, including India.
In December, massive protests erupted in India following the brutal gang rape of the 23-year old student in New Delhi. The case fuelled hopes of a much-needed change in the country’s outlook towards violence against women. More significantly, however, will the mindset towards rape change? Nandini Deo blogs.
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Pakistan’s recent violation of the ceasefire, by killing two Indian soldiers and beheading one of them, has triggered knee-jerk reactions by the government and armed forces, media frenzy, and public outcry. What makes this 60-year old problem tough to resolve, and how can those obstacles be overcome?
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Pakistan's barbaric act of beheading an Indian soldier cannot be dealt in the same coin by a civilized country. A tactical, passive-aggressive response along a new front is the need of the hour.
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Although the India-U.S. relationship has seen steady improvement over the past few years, it hasn’t garnered the amount of high-level attention necessary to actualise the massive potential of this liaison. What are the key areas both the nations need to focus on, to achieve outputs for maximum mutual benefit?