Comments & Briefs

Despite focused efforts undertaken by China in the aftermath of the 2009 riots, it has not been able to and, perhaps may never be able to, answer the structural problems of the Uighur discontent in Xinjiang.

In addition to their alternative vision on political issues, the RIC Foreign Ministers’ meet is gradually expanding trilateral cooperation in several sectors, including disaster relief, agriculture and public health.

India needs to shore up its military capabilities in Arunchal Pradesh in order to strengthen its defence posture in the eastern sector, improve governance in the state to gain the full backing of the people and adopt a flexible stance to resolve the border dispute with China.

The planned Western draw down over the next two years is threatening to once again plunge Afghanistan into greater chaos and anarchy, with Kabul as the centre stage.

Entrusting the final appraisal of financial attributes to the Ministry of Finance may bring about a more open, dispassionate, integrative, and authoritative decision-making system.

Without getting into any a debate about whether the satellite launch was actually a missile test or not, the US should make an offer to help North Korea launch a satellite in order to foster sustained engagement with Pyongyang

The Ibobi dispensation would do well to understand that the people have reiterated their faith in democracy and have cold shouldered the militants, if not politely shown them the door.

With economic growth and the political centre of gravity continuing to shift, BRICS already have a major role in dealing with transnational challenges, with power sharing institutionalised in the international architecture through the G20.

To ensure that hope changes to reality, policy decisions like RTI, Panchayati Raj, return of youth from across the LoC, employment schemes, changes in security laws and keeping national interest above petty politics, will have to meet the reality test of implementation.

Khamenei may view this election as a means to restore his authority and reassure his followers that he is still firmly in control and will continue to safeguard the ideology of the Islamic Revolution.