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Iranian Presidential Dark Horse
Jun 20, 2005

Iranian Presidential Dark Horse

The unexpected good showing of the conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former Mayor of Tehran, in the first round of the Iranian Presidental elections held on June 17, 2005, and his emergence in the No.2 position with 19.5 per cent of the valid votes polled as against 21 per cent for the favourite Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani throws open the possibility that in the second

Iranian voters' hope on Rouhani
Jul 01, 2013

Iranian voters' hope on Rouhani

In voting for a moderate President, Iranians have demonstrated their desire to overcome continued political isolation, marked by significant economic deterioration and disappearing democratic accountability. Can Mr. Rouhani overcome challenges and deliver?

Iraq - the Dynamics, ten years on
Mar 11, 2013

Iraq - the Dynamics, ten years on

A decade ago this month, the United States and its British auxiliaries abused international law by invading Iraq. India looked on helplessly then, but is it in a position to affect another unjust invasion, this time directed at Iran?

Iraq after the pullout
Dec 26, 2011

Iraq after the pullout

Last week the curtains came down on the 21st century's first unjust war - the US involvement in Iraq. But worse may follow after the American pullout. The implications for India of further turmoil in the Persian Gulf, particularly Iraq are enormous.

Iraq and After
Jun 30, 2004

Iraq and After

It may not be the story that Paul Bremer or Iyyad Allawi would want to muse over for their grandchildren: ¿I was among the handful there...¿ Yet, that¿s truth about power-transfer in Iraq, America¿s testing-ground for western democracy in the feudalistic Gulf Arab region living in a decadent past.

Iraq Continues To Bleed
Dec 29, 2003

Iraq Continues To Bleed

Police and Army are perceived to be low . The mercenaries of the Iraqi members of the governing council such as Ahmed Chalabi are better paid. The staff of the Iraqi Police and Army were till recently not entitled to the war hazard allowance. A proposal to grant that allowance even to them was under consideration.

Iraq crisis and regional implications
Jul 04, 2014

Iraq crisis and regional implications

The old colonial borders drawn in the Middle East appear headed for a major overhaul and the fresh re-drawing of the map will set out tremors far beyond the region.

Iraq opposed to PKK pullout from Turkey
May 13, 2013

Iraq opposed to PKK pullout from Turkey

A fragile peace process between the Turkish state and the outlawed Kurdistan Worker?s Party (PKK) resulted in the first signs of retreat of PKK rebels as they make their way to Iraq?s Kurdish region.

Iraq's deepening crisis and India's interests
Jun 19, 2014

Iraq's deepening crisis and India's interests

India's interests in Iraq and the region should be seen in the larger context of the seven million Indians working in West Asia, of which nearly 18,000 are in Iraq. Safety and security of this population should dominate the Indian policy.

Iraq: Terrorism and Resistance
Feb 12, 2004

Iraq: Terrorism and Resistance

Maj. Gen. Charles H. Swannack Jr., Commander of the US 82nd Airborne Division ( January 6,2004):"We've turned the corner."

Iraq: The Pace of Reconstruction
Dec 23, 2004

Iraq: The Pace of Reconstruction

The invasion of Iraq by the ¿Coalition of the Willing¿ was supinely endorsed by the UN Security Council in Resolution 1483 of May 22, 2003. It bestowed legitimacy on the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA). Paragraph 8 of the Resolution, and sub-paragraphs (d) and (e), specifically referred to the work of reconstruction that the Secretary General¿s Special Representative was to coordinate with the CPA. One year later

Iraqi PM makes rare visit to Kurdish north
Jun 12, 2013

Iraqi PM makes rare visit to Kurdish north

Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki led a landmark cabinet meeting in the country's Kurdish region, in an effort to diffuse tensions between Kurds and the central government, a dispute that is the biggest threat to Iraq's stability.

Iraqi Taliban Strikes in Mosul
Dec 31, 2004

Iraqi Taliban Strikes in Mosul

Nineteen US troops and three others were reportedly killed on December 21, 2004, in an attack on an improvised dining hall of an American military base at Mosul in northern Iraq. An organisation called Jaish Ansar al-Sunnah (JAAS) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

IRNSS: India's Own Satellite Navigation System
Jun 29, 2013

IRNSS: India's Own Satellite Navigation System

India's own satellite-based navigation system, similar to the well-known American Global Positioning System (GPS), is being readied. The first satellite of the seven satellite constellation is scheduled to be launched on July 1 from Sriharikota.

Ironclad laws needed
Jul 17, 2006

Ironclad laws needed

The Mumbai blasts were an act of war against the Indian state; it would be naïve to term it as anything else. It was an act of terror to kill as many Indians as possible. It was an act enabled, to a large measure, by a growing perception among the terrorist groups, especially those operating from Pakistan, that the Indian state was soft and indolent.

Irresolute on the world stage
Sep 23, 2013

Irresolute on the world stage

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's trip to America will show if there is any political energy left in the UPA government for purposeful international engagement. If the answer is in the negative, the rest of the world will simply wait for stronger leadership to re-emerge in Delhi. India might pay a price for the wasted moments, but the ruling party may not much care, having grown rather comfortable with a do-nothing foreign policy.

Is a Mid East war on the cards?
Jul 07, 2012

Is a Mid East war on the cards?

Hillary Clinton has for the past year been exhorting "Assad to get out of the way". But Assad won't listen. He sits on a system quite as durable as the one Saddam Hussain supervised in neighbouring Iraq. Without the US commitment as in Iraq, Assad cannot be pushed out.

Is air of permissiveness back here?
Mar 24, 2014

Is air of permissiveness back here?

Going by the Sri Lanka-related events and developments on the global arena, it looks as if the international community has not learnt any lessons from the recent past in and of the country. Be it the Indian neighbour, or the distant Norway, or whoever had attempted to help resolve the ethnic issue, had to give up after a point.

Is banning cycle traffic in Kolkata sensible?
Oct 30, 2013

Is banning cycle traffic in Kolkata sensible?

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride it where I like . This 35-year old rock hymn from "Queen" might evolve to the protest song of those cyclists in Kolkata who were recently banned to use their own means of transport in any of the city's 174 busiest streets.

Is China nervous?
Jul 29, 2013

Is China nervous?

It is the unease arising from China's domestic, political and economic considerations at a time of the ascendancy of a new political leadership in Beijing that could contribute to Chinese adventurism and recourse to hyper-nationalism.

Is China practising new form of imperialism in Africa?
Feb 10, 2015

Is China practising new form of imperialism in Africa?

Many see China to be practicing a new form of imperialism in Africa as it imports primary goods from Africa and exports manufacturing goods to Africa, without transferring skills to the continent. And China-Africa ties are not free from challenges. There is also immense potential.

Is China's assertiveness landing it in a strategic trap?
May 10, 2012

Is China's assertiveness landing it in a strategic trap?

China's aggressive postures in the disputed South China Sea regions have not only increased the unease and apprehensions of the affected countries but have also drawn it to the US strategic trap, placing China in a no-win situation.

Is China's dealings with the world set to change?
Dec 02, 2014

Is China's dealings with the world set to change?

At a major conference on foreign affairs in Beijing recently, President Xi Jinping called on his colleagues to create a "more enabling environment" for China's development, seeking to distance China from its brash and assertive posture.

Is Commodities Transaction Tax removal in the offing?
Feb 12, 2015

Is Commodities Transaction Tax removal in the offing?

Policy reforms in the field of taxation in the commodity futures market is of critical significance as various taxes and levies are a significant component in the overall cost of transaction.

Is discipline in Force a needless necessity?
Feb 09, 2012

Is discipline in Force a needless necessity?

We cannot overlook the fact that the country's courts continue to be the objects of terrorist attacks while looking at the 'disciplining' of a police constable in public view, for neglecting the checking duty at a New Delhi court.

Is Egypt back to square one?
Jul 22, 2013

Is Egypt back to square one?

The eviction of Muslim Brotherhood from power in Cairo may have significant implications on the course of the civil war in Syria too. The shape of regional politics has definitely taken a new turn.

Is India firmly aligned with the US now?
Jan 30, 2015

Is India firmly aligned with the US now?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, within eight months of coming to power, has gone about strengthening India's relations with Japan, Australia and the US, in what seems to be a well laid out plan with a clear agenda.

Is India losing its shine?
Apr 17, 2012

Is India losing its shine?

India will never lose its allure in some ways because of its unique culture and warmth. But on other fronts, India is slipping especially if it does not care about giving an equal opportunity to all its citizens for a better life -- like good rural roads, affordable housing, clean drinking water, food, sanitation, education and health services.

Is India Policy Pakistan-Centric?
Sep 03, 2011

Is India Policy Pakistan-Centric?

Manmohan Singh is sometimes accused of focusing too much on Pakistan. Perhaps he could try paying a visit. Also consider visiting towns outside Islamabad and Lahore, such as his own ancestral village, which is waiting with open arms to welcome its prodigal son.

Is India prepared for new global trading regimes?
Nov 07, 2015

Is India prepared for new global trading regimes?

India will have to decide what the TPP means for its domestic reforms agenda. India need foreign markets to grow and it cannot presume that the size of its domestic market will force others to come to its terms.

Is India ready to be a part of the Non Proliferation Regimes?
May 20, 2011

Is India ready to be a part of the Non Proliferation Regimes?

With the ongoing multi-polarisation of global politics, new powers would emerge which would in turn increase global insecurity and lead to a greater demand for nuclear weapons even by the countries that as of now do not possess them, cautioned Prof. Rajesh Rajagopalan during an ORF roundtable on nuclear non proliferation.

Is it the dawn of an electronic age in India?
Jan 03, 2014

Is it the dawn of an electronic age in India?

The National Electronics Policy of 2012 has the potential to change the way India produces and procures chips and gadgets. However, the key, as always, lies in implementing it.

Is it the end of Egyptian Spring?
Aug 24, 2013

Is it the end of Egyptian Spring?

If one thought that the fall of Hosni Mubarak had actually ushered in an era of great freedom to all shades of political and religious ideologies and organisations to emerge in the 'Egyptian Spring of 2011', then their hopes are already in mud, and mixed with a lot of blood too.

Is it time for a fresh look at Federalism?
Jan 16, 2012

Is it time for a fresh look at Federalism?

Though the Constitution framers were themselves divided on the issue of federalism, yet a healthy compromise was arrived at which ensured a balance of power between the Centre and states.

Is Japan dealing with the nuclear crisis seriously?
Jun 15, 2011

Is Japan dealing with the nuclear crisis seriously?

The only way Japan can cope with the current nuclear crisis and emerge strong is by believing in, what critics called as, "idealistic" reforms and plans that may look "impractical" in the short run.

Is legitimising a nuclear Pakistan in the interest of the global nuclear regime?
Oct 26, 2015

Is legitimising a nuclear Pakistan in the interest of the global nuclear regime?

The key problem with offering NSG membership to Pakistan is its obstructionist approach. Pakistan will try to block any decision which it might think will be advantageous to India. Since the NSG functions on the principle of consensus, Pakistan's pursuit of parity with India will lead to a stalemate within the NSG.

Is Maldives moving away from India?
Dec 27, 2012

Is Maldives moving away from India?

As 2012 draws to a close, the question uppermost in the minds of Maldives watchers is if the country was moving away from the strategic sphere of Indian influence, and has begun tilting towards China.

IS may not survive for long: Dr. Bernard Haykel
Mar 19, 2015

IS may not survive for long: Dr. Bernard Haykel

Islamic State (IS), metaphorically a "baby" of al-Qaeda, may not survive for a long time when public fascination with it wanes, says Dr. Bernard Haykel, professor of Near Eastern Studies and director of the Institute for Transregional Study, Princeton University, USA.

Is New Delhi confident of connecting North East with neighbours?
Oct 03, 2013

Is New Delhi confident of connecting North East with neighbours?

Is India confident to connect its North-East with the neighbouring countries like China, Myanmar and Bangladesh. This is one of the questions that came up during a workshop on "Increasing Connectivity of the North East with Peripheral Countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar and China" at the Kolkata chapter of Observer Research Foundation.

Is new urban middle class forcing change in politics?
Feb 06, 2013

Is new urban middle class forcing change in politics?

Though it is too early to interpret possible impact of the new activism of India's burgeoning urban middle class on nature and character of politics and system of governance, if we take recent global events as a sort of barometer, the change has already begun.

Is OIC a dead horse?
Oct 31, 2003

Is OIC a dead horse?

The Organisation of Islamic Conference, often called (inappropriately though) the Islamic UNO, had, ironically, never visualized its purported role as the defender of the faith. Over the years, so diffused had its role become that several disillusioned leaders, like Libya¿s Colonel Gaddafi, termed it a Dead Horse, a nomenclature that describes the conference aptly even today.

Is our distaste for Bush misplaced?
Dec 01, 2004

Is our distaste for Bush misplaced?

On November 3, the White House turned red once more.When the men, and women, in blue were finally convinced that George W Bush was going to reoccupy the most powerful chair in the world, a chunk of the deeply divided America groaned loudly. Joining them in their crib was, apparently, the rest of the world.

Is Political Islam under threat in Egypt and Syria?
Dec 08, 2013

Is Political Islam under threat in Egypt and Syria?

'Post-Islamism' has become the new face of political Islam which incorporates the positive and accommodating attitudes of the West towards Islam and the pluralistic attitudes of Islam towards the West, according to Mr Talmiz Ahmad, former Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman.