Salmaan Taseer Flickr_210x140 Courtesy: SalmaanTaseer/Flickr
12 January 2011

Pakistan: At the edge of the abyss

The murder of Salman Taseer , the liberal-minded Governor of Pakistani Punjab, augurs grimly for the country. With the government mired in political turmoil, intelligentsia silenced and religious extremists integrating with the security forces, Pakistan is a state teetering on the brink of collapse.

Hdptcar Flickr 2_210x140 Courtesy: Hdptcar /Flickr
5 January 2011

Ivory Coast: a call for non-interference

Ivory Coast is yet another African nation in the throes of political transition and continued interference by the global agencies. At stake is a thriving economy and a fragile tribal balance, which threatens to turn into a religious issue. Neelam Deo reviews the options before the country and the global community.

pmo 22_210x140 Courtesy: PMO
14 December 2010

India-China: Prioritizing economics

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to New Delhi has the potential to mitigate sixty years worth of distrust between two of the world’s most populous countries and truly improve bilateral relations. What is stopping the two Asian giants from cooperating?

1_210x140 Courtesy:
17 November 2010

Global Financial Openness Index

Over the past decade, emerging markets that have liberalized are far more open to foreign banks in their markets than are developed economies. A Gateway House study of financial services in 11 countries: four BRIC countries, one emerging market, four developed economies and two developing markets.

hero_weeklyaddress_11-13-10_PS-0009_3x2 Courtesy: PeteSouza/WhiteHouse
14 November 2010

Obama post Asia

For a moment, President Obama’s Asia tour served as a diversion from the abysmal results of the US midterm election. By the end of the tour, the Obama administration was swept up in the backlash of currency crisis. Can Barack Obama be the president America needs?

English Pen Flickr Courtesy: James Stencilowsky/ Flickr
12 November 2010

Myanmar elections: A Violation of Human Rights?

Myanmar is a complex issue. Its history, its treatment by neighbours and the West, the complex dilemmas posed by the mixing of morality and realpolitik is a reminder that democracy is only a means to an end. The lives of the ordinary people should matter more than formal institutions in shaping policy decisions.