obama romney Courtesy: Austen Hufford/Muhammad/Flickr
31 August 2012

A crucial choice: Romney or Obama?

Partly due to support from undecided voters, women and African Americans, incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama seems to be ahead in the polls. However, much will rest on which candidate can win over the country’s middle class. Whatever the result, it will have repercussions on markets and deregulation.

Courtesy: oxyman/WikimediaCommons
31 August 2012

Coal scandal tests India’s democracy

It is estimated that up to 20% of India’s power capacity lies idle due to the lack of coal available in the country. The recent $33 billion scam on the allocation of coal blocks reflects the apathy among the Indian leadership towards effective policy-making.

Courtesy: alantankenghoe/Flickr
31 August 2012

On the fast-track: Technology transfer in China

Over the past four years, China has switched from being an importer of high-speed trains to the world’s largest manufacturer. Much of this can be attributed to the transfer of foreign technology to Chinese state-owned enterprises. How have Chinese government policies and economic heft aided this effort?

celac india Courtesy: Embassy of India, Venezuela
29 August 2012

India-CELAC: Beyond commodities?

CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) chose India as its first dialogue partner, expressing its intent to expand trade and diversify. Given the increased political will from both sides, can CELAC be the driver for India-Latin America relations or will bilateral ties maintain the status quo?

foreing affairs sept_0 Courtesy: Foreign Affairs
28 August 2012

Stimulus or Reform?

Since weak demand is at the heart of the recession, governments need to enact stimulus programs along with structural reforms, argues Menzie Chinn. Structural reforms don’t always work out, writes Karl Smith. Raghuram Rajan demurs.

Bucking Beijing: An Alternative U.S. China Policy Courtesy: Foreign Affairs
27 August 2012

Bucking Beijing: An Alternative U.S. China Policy

Until now, the U.S.-China policy has been driven by a blend of engagement and balancing. The Obama administration’s concentration on ‘engagement’ has done nothing to halt Beijing’s military build-up. The next administration should work towards bolstering the ‘balancing’ half of Washington’s strategic equation.

NAM Summit: An opportunity for dialogue Courtesy: Non-Aligned Movement
24 August 2012

NAM Summit: An opportunity for dialogue

Originally formed to oppose polarities among nations following the Cold War, the Non-Aligned Movement is as relevant today as it was till two decades ago. How can it play a role in reducing the violence, and in tempering regional and global rivalries in West Asia and North Africa?

Courtesy: FREEDOM HOUSE2/FLICKR
24 August 2012

Syria: What next?

With the Free Syrian Army being supplied aid by the West and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the endgame for the Syrian regime has begun. Does Assad's exit guarantee the replacement of autocracy with democracy? What implications will it have on regional politics?

wall street volker article Courtesy: Alex E. Proimos/Flickr
24 August 2012

Why we need the Volcker Rule

Front running is a form of insider trading, where investment banks use customers' trading information to trade for themselves, ahead of their clients. This practise results in huge losses to the investors, and abates trust in financial markets. How can the Volcker Rule contain this practice on a global scale?