Shining India has lost some of its Sheen on October 11, 2019India’s long history and rich traditions of an inclusive society are under threat. It has long been the conventional wisdom that the country’s diversity would prevent the creation of a Hindu-first nation. Still, it seems increasingly likely that the narrative of India as a Hindu democratic state will prevail. There is a danger that India’s […]
Promoting war hysteria in South Asia on September 6, 2019All those who desire peace in South Asia should be deeply worried about the rapidly deteriorating relations between India and Pakistan. Over the past two decades, mutual hostility has completely sabotaged any chance of peace between Indians and Pakistanis and sowed the seeds of a devastating conflict. A nuclear war between India and Pakistan is […]
Will India and Pakistan ever get past their troubled history? on August 17, 2019The drums of war are beating in South Asia once again. The decision by the Modi government to remove the special constitutional status of Indian Kashmir has heightened tensions in the region. As expected, most Indians rejoiced at their government’s decision. Predictably, there was widespread condemnation of the Indian action in Pakistan. The two South […]
Khan meets Trump on July 21, 2019We expect that the efforts to end the conflict in Afghanistan will dominate Prime Minister Imran Khan’s meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington next week. While Afghanistan matters, unrealistic expectations, and the lingering trust deficit are issues of greater long-term importance. If left unaddressed, they will continue to hamper the bilateral relationship and imperil […]
Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Israel are long overdue on July 5, 2019The collective interests of the state should be paramount. If we accept this principle, then Pakistan’s long-held position against diplomatic relations with Israel makes little sense. Reason above passion and emotion is the pillar of a successful foreign policy. A lesson our policy-makers may well learn if they wish to further the country’s interests. It […]
The troubled Ummah on June 23, 2019For the Muslim Ummah, which comprises a fifth of humanity, these are troubling times. The Sunni-Shia schism has widened because of the conflicts in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. The murderous campaign launched by Islamic State (IS) has intensified the friction between Muslims and non-Muslims. In addition, the ingredients to build just societies, such as consultation, […]
Modi is the future on June 1, 2019Prime Minister Modi should be a happy man. By, winning two consecutive terms with a full majority – a feat previously accomplished only by leaders of the now beleaguered Congress party – Modi has joined J. Nehru and I. Gandhi as one of the most dominant politicians in Indian history. Importantly, the stunning victory of […]
Confronting evil on May 18, 2019The Islamic State (ISIS)’s otherwise disastrous campaign to attain power can claim one indisputable success. ISIS-linked violence has created chaos, destroyed communal harmony, increased hatred, and made life miserable for people of all faiths. The bloody carnage unleashed by suicide bombers, targeting Christians on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka is a recent example. It has […]
Stay the parliamentary course on May 4, 2019The debate on whether the parliamentary or presidential system is best for the country is back in the news. It rears its head whenever the leadership and financial problems facing the country seem insoluble as they do now. We know that a deep ill-will for parliamentary democracy exists in certain influential quarters. And the failure […]
Preventing financial meltdown on April 20, 2019The country’s grim economic prospects arguably deserve urgent attention. So, the recent criticism of the government’s economic performance is welcome. Blaming past governments for economic mismanagement, although true, means little. The current government must remember its primary writ is to revive the economy. The government must quickly find a replacement for Finance Minister Umar, who […]