Peace initiative hijacked by drone strikes on November 11, 2013Hakeemullah Mehsud, the chief of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was killed by a US drone on November 1, 2013. He was killed along with a group of Taliban fighters while returning from attending a meeting in North Waziristan. Mehsud was subject to a three-year manhunt by the US intelligence agency, which had declared a bounty […]
Bangladesh at the crossroads on October 21, 2013There is a growing anxiety at home and abroad over when and how the upcoming parliamentary election would take place. The anxiety stems from the uncompromising positions taken by the government and the opposition. The prime minister and her colleagues have reiterated that the election would be held in accordance with the constitution. implying that […]
Iran-United States relation: due for realignment on October 12, 2013Hassan Rouhani, former chief negotiator on nuclear programme, was elected president of Iran two months ago. Rouhani has pledged reform and signalled a shift in the external relation including rapprochement with the western countries on the nuclear programme. But the new leader also reaffirmed that Iran would not put a moratorium on the peaceful nuclear […]
How to confront the invisible enemy on September 25, 2013A few days ago, a Major General of the Pakistan army was assassinated together with three of his colleagues in the tribal area. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility. This group, since its creation in 2007, has reportedly killed over 6,000 people including members of the army and police. The latest incident happened just a […]
Resurgence of fundamentalism in Indiaa on September 2, 2013The British colonial power terminated its rule in India following protracted negotiations with the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League. Hindus and other communities, including the Sikhs, stood by the demands of the Congress for the independence of united India. The overwhelming majority of the Muslim population fell in line with the Muslim League […]
Egypt: dialogue not violence a solution of the crisis on July 31, 2013Three weeks ago Mohamed Morsi was swept aside by the military. He was kept in protective custody, and now he has been charged with spying on behalf of the Palestinian militant group Hamas that led to the death of 10 Egyptian army personnel in June. Morsi would now likely be transferred to one of the […]
Who can safeguard democracy politicians or the military? on July 21, 2013Charles de Gaulle, former French president, observed that politics is very important, so important that it cannot be left to the politicians alone. The underlying message of the general-turned-president conveyed no confidence in the ability of politicians to provide desired leadership to the nation. Once they come to power their lust to perpetuate themselves outweighs […]
Morsis one year term of presidency on July 13, 2013Mohamed Morsi, the president of Egypt, was overthrown by the military on July 3, 2013. Military had served him an ultimatum 48 hours earlier either to come to terms with the demands of the opposition or resign. Morsi invited the military leadership to his office for dialogue but refused to accept the dictates of the […]
Resurgence of fundamentalism in India on July 8, 2013The British colonial power terminated its rule in India following protracted negotiations with the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League. Hindus and other communities, including the Sikhs, stood by the demands of the Congress for the independence of united India. The overwhelming majority of the Muslim population fell in line with the Muslim League […]
Pakistan mired in judicial activism on June 26, 2012Since its creation, Pakistan witnessed multiple military coup d’états that obstructed the growth of democracy. None of the elected parliaments could complete their term. Either the head of the state or the military dissolved parliament. The then governor-general dissolved the first Constituent Assembly in 1954 when the drafting of the constitution reached a final stage. […]