Search: For - east

6164 results found

The problem in Af-Pak is Pak
Dec 14, 2009

The problem in Af-Pak is Pak

The real American dilemma is to find allies in Islamabad who reduce and not multiply anti Americanism

The problem is not Islam, but a civil war within the faith
Jan 12, 2015

The problem is not Islam, but a civil war within the faith

The terrorists may be an extreme minority, but they have successfully coerced the majority?or, to be more accurate, enthralled them?into sympathy for them. They have successfully also intimidated a large number of writers, artists, journalists, film-makers, many of whom live in exile.

The problem of Kachin
Jun 14, 2012

The problem of Kachin

The impact of the Kachin conflict should also be evaluated in terms of Myanmar?s ties with other nations, especially Japan ? a nation that is one of the principal aid providers and architects of Myanmar?s path to development.

The problem with Teesta
Jun 18, 2014

The problem with Teesta

The Modi government needs to break from traditional, statist methods of conducting water diplomacy and distinguish itself by including the concerns of basin inhabitants on both sides to find a lasting solution to the Teesta issue.

The problem with the ‘Africa is rising’ narrative
Oct 12, 2020

The problem with the ‘Africa is rising’ narrative

Africa remains the least-industrialised continent, so the idea that it can somehow parachute itself and compete in the post-industrial global marketpl

The Process is Unwinding
Jul 12, 2005

The Process is Unwinding

It is time to conduct a reality check on the India-Pakistan peace process. In fact, there is a particular urgency for it. For, the peace process seems to have got hijacked by secessionist elements in Kashmir and Pakistan who never had any stakes in it.

The puzzle of farmers’ protest
Mar 11, 2022

The puzzle of farmers’ protest

Why was the farmers’ protest restricted to Punjab, Haryana, and NUGP despite having the least number of farmers?

The Quad in the Indo-Pacific: Why ASEAN remains cautious
Aug 20, 2023

The Quad in the Indo-Pacific: Why ASEAN remains cautious

As India, Japan, Australia and the United States renew their quadrilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, there are suggestions to expand the ‘Quad’ into a ‘Quad-plus’ grouping to include the countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). This brief argues that the Quad will not have much to offer to ASEAN; it has, in fact, the potential to dilute ASEAN centrality which is the pillar of the regional bloc.  India, too

The Quagmire of Pakistani Politics-will it last?
Jun 29, 2004

The Quagmire of Pakistani Politics-will it last?

The President of Pakistan had expected his handpicked Prime Minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, to perform his bidding and strengthen his position. But President Musharraf was disappointed. He, therefore, felt that a change was essential in order to secure his own place and keep the other power players content.

The question of Arab unity and reform?
Apr 15, 2005

The question of Arab unity and reform?

¿Arise, ye Arabs, and awake!¿ was the seditious 19th century slogan of Arab nationalism in its infancy. It aroused them against the Ottoman rule but did not hinder the subsequent imperial designs of Britain and France. The moment of liberation became the start of newer forms of dominance.

The rape cases of 2012 & 2018 that shook the nation
Apr 16, 2018

The rape cases of 2012 & 2018 that shook the nation

The proximate political failures in both these cases are greater than in 2012, and require a more robust political response

The real intention of Hafiz Sayeed's rally
Dec 16, 2014

The real intention of Hafiz Sayeed's rally

By organising the two-day Lahore convention through Hafiz Sayeed and his Jihadi organizations of LeT and JuD, Pakistan wants to demonstrate that the people of Pakistan are not happy with the way the events have taken place in Kashmir.

The real issue in Pakistan's 'Kashmiri cause'
Dec 14, 2013

The real issue in Pakistan's 'Kashmiri cause'

It was evident at some of the various Track 2 dialogues a few years ago, where water from Kashmir was the issue that Pakistani delegates wanted to discuss saying that this could become the new flashpoint. Actually, water from rivers that flow through Kashmir has always been the real issue for Pakistan and not Kashmiris or their religion.

The reign of the Non-proliferation Ayatollahs - 1
Mar 23, 2004

The reign of the Non-proliferation Ayatollahs - 1

Once the US successfully built and used nuclear weapons to devastating effect to end the Second World War, other great powers of the time realized that the acquisition of nuclear weapons was essential to maintain their status. In 1970, after three decades of hectic developments,

The reign of the Non-proliferation Ayatollahs - 2
Mar 24, 2004

The reign of the Non-proliferation Ayatollahs - 2

The first part of this effort documented the various acts of omission and commission by the non-proliferation ayatollahs that led to the 1998 nuclear weapons testing of India, followed by Pakistan. However, the stark reality of the consequences of the dubious policies adopted by the NPAs towards Pakistani and Chinese proliferation came to light recently in the exposé of the Pakistan¿s ¿nuclear father¿ Dr.A.Q.Khan and his nuclear smuggling rin

The reopened Iraq debate
Feb 04, 2005

The reopened Iraq debate

Iraq is back in the headlines, loaded with euphoria. The electoral exercise has been undertaken; the results have yet to be announced. The running commentary on CNN on January 30 tended to suggest a near perfect exercise. No mention of course was made of the invasion, the occupation, the Iraqi dead, the reduction of Iraq to a stone-age condition, the falsehood of the pretext for war and the failure to find traces of weapons of mass destruction

The right medicine for learning - a tablet
Dec 10, 2012

The right medicine for learning - a tablet

At some point in the near future, everyone will have a smart digital device. The new digital divide will be of those with access to interactive digital content and those without.

The Rise of 'Moderate Taliban'
Nov 27, 2003

The Rise of 'Moderate Taliban'

Like the proverbial phoenix of Greek mythology that rose from its ashes, the Taliban is resurrecting in Afghanistan. The good news is that the ¿rising Taliban¿, on the one hand, is supposed to be moderate, and on the other hand, seems to have severed its links with Al Qaeda. The bad news is that it is still the Taliban.

The road to Mekong: the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway project
Feb 07, 2017

The road to Mekong: the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway project

As India places the Mekong sub-region among its priorities under the country’s ‘Act East’ policy, the ongoing India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway project––currently the only land connectivity project between India and the Mekong countries and the wider Southeast Asian region––could prove to be a game changer. It is imperative to explore ways to ensure early completion of this strategic communication link. This paper focuses on

The Role of Perceptions in India-Germany Relations
Jul 20, 2023

The Role of Perceptions in India-Germany Relations

India and Germany, on their own, are important countries in their respective regions. Together, they have developed and diversified their partnership since the end of the Cold War. Yet, popular perceptions have historically failed to match what the governments are doing. This paper argues for better perception-building between the two countries, given its proven role in nurturing international relations, especially for countries like Germany wher

The Saudi Shockwaves
Jun 28, 2003

The Saudi Shockwaves

For over seven decades the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia took justifiable pride in the stability of its political system, the tranquility of its social scene, and the in the overall loyalty of its citizenry. The compelling simplicity of the Saudi flag reflected the cohesion. Occasional murmurs of discontent, and an eruption or two in recent decades, did not belie this judgment.

The Scots say it all
Sep 25, 2014

The Scots say it all

The 55-45 percent Scotland referendum against independence has revived the on-again-off-again discourse of the kind among Sri Lankan Tamils (SLT), one more time. Rather, certain Tamil web campaigns have cited even a 'No' vote in Scotland to justify their demand for a referendum in the SLT community.

The Sea Muggers are back in Malacca Straits
Mar 24, 2005

The Sea Muggers are back in Malacca Straits

The 2004 annual piracy report published by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) had noted that the Tsunami tidal waves that hit Sumatra in Indonesia might have destroyed the piracy related infrastructure. Some of the pirates may have even perished in the disaster. Besides, there was also a large naval presence and may have acted as a deterrent against piracy activity in the Malacca Straits.

The second chance
Oct 04, 2014

The second chance

Rekindling a romance is never easy. However, if the expansive agenda unveiled by Modi and Obama is matched by bureaucratic purposefulness in Delhi and Washington, India and America have a second chance at building a strategic partnership of considerable consequence.

The Shangri La Dialogue: 4 key themes of US focus on Asia-Pacific
Jun 10, 2015

The Shangri La Dialogue: 4 key themes of US focus on Asia-Pacific

There is a shift in rhetoric from former Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel's statement that the US has been "clear and consistent" on not taking positions on "competing territorial claims" to Ashton Carter's clear insistence on American action in the event of assertive activities of one country.

The shocking gender gap in India
Nov 04, 2014

The shocking gender gap in India

India ranks 114 out of 142 countries in the Global Gender Gap index this year. Except Pakistan, most of the South Asian countries rank higher than India. What the index shows is a reflection of reality that no matter how rapidly India grows, women's status in society needs faster improvement.

The Siachen Story: The Inadvertent Role of Two German Explorers in Starting the Race to the World’s Highest Battlefield
Apr 08, 2024

The Siachen Story: The Inadvertent Role of Two German Explorers in Starting the Race to the World’s Highest Battlefield

Amit Krishankant Paul, The Siachen Story: The Inadvertent Role of Two German Explorers in Starting the Race to the World’s Highest Battlefield, April 2024, Observer Research Foundation.

The Singaporean who took Indira Gandhi to court
Jul 23, 2019

The Singaporean who took Indira Gandhi to court

R.C. Cooper was a great admirer of the emerging economies of Southeast Asia.

The Sino-Indian Strategic Dialogue
Jul 02, 2003

The Sino-Indian Strategic Dialogue

An Indian Prime Minister's visit to China has always been of strategic significance. Rajiv Gandhi's visit to China in 1988 following Wangdung episode resulted in the formulation of Mutual Understanding, Mutual Accommodation and Mutual Adjustment for a long-term Sino Indian boundary solution.

The skilling gap
Jul 20, 2015

The skilling gap

The private sector can best fill the skilling gap. The information technology industry did this to grow and continues to do. Old economy companies in steel, cement, chemicals, engineering and construction are less willing to fund this public good. They complain that trained employees leave for better opportunities and skilling becomes a never-ending drain on company resources.

The Smartest Targets for the World: Dr. Bjorn Lomborg
Jan 07, 2015

The Smartest Targets for the World: Dr. Bjorn Lomborg

We risk missing out on a generational opportunity to shape global development through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). In a talk at ORF, Dr. Bjon Lomborg, head of the Copenhagen Consensus think tank presented a critical evaluation of the 17 SDGs and 169 associated targets.

The solution to eliminate black money lies in India
Dec 15, 2014

The solution to eliminate black money lies in India

It is commendable that the prime minister has raised the issue of black money at an international level. The solution, however, lies in following up on commitment for 'more governance and less government' by implementing networked and integrated digital solutions.

The South China Sea dispute: A new flashpoint in the making?
Mar 21, 2012

The South China Sea dispute: A new flashpoint in the making?

Even though the territorial disputes in the South China Sea is nothing new, the recent confrontations among China, the Philippines, and Vietnam have sparked global concerns. It is being feared that the region is becoming a new flashpoint with serious security consequences.

The state of play in Sino-Japanese relations
Jun 14, 2017

The state of play in Sino-Japanese relations

The expression "economically warm and politically cold" is perhaps very apt to characterise their relations in recent years.

The State of the Economy
May 27, 2015

The State of the Economy

Prime Minister Modi's moves on the social sector insurance policy for the poor stand out as an outstanding achievement. But in all other sectors much needs to be done and assessments on the government's performance are divided.

The Storm in the Arab Spring
Mar 03, 2012

The Storm in the Arab Spring

Tunisia, Eygpt, Syria?events may seem to be following a pattern but the changing dynamics in West Asia point to far more complex political and strategic games being played: The US role, Saudi phobia, Israeli and Iranian intrigues. Oil. And, to top it all, the Shia-Sunni face-off. Is Turkey being lured in as a possible Joker in the pack? Welcome to another Great Game.

The story beyond uranium
Sep 05, 2014

The story beyond uranium

The real story for strong India-Australia relations lies beyond uranium. With one of the world's strongest mining sectors, Australia can help India exploit its own natural resources in an environmentally sustainable way and thereby address one of the major current constraints on India's economic growth.

The strategic and military-technological significance of Israel
Dec 22, 2023

The strategic and military-technological significance of Israel

The formidable strength of Israel’s military forces is essential not only for the survival of Israel but also for the balance of power in the Middle

The Strategic Logic Behind India’s Sale of BrahMos Missiles to the Philippines
Jan 21, 2022

The Strategic Logic Behind India’s Sale of BrahMos Missiles to the Philippines

The strategic aspects of the BrahMos sale and India’s assistance to Southeast Asian countries should not be minimized.