The Attack on Migrants in Manipur Normal life in Manipur was drastically affected between March 17 and 19, 2008 when 15 migrants were killed by unidentified armed militants. While there have been accusations that local militants might have been behind the killings, militant groups have categorically denied their involvement. There is likelihood that foreign terrorist groups were involved in the killings to create ethnic apprehension and conflict between migrants and natives. T. Khurshchev Singh April 29, 2008 IDSA Comments
A Test for Democracy in Zimbabwe “There will never ever be change in Zimbabwe. We shall never reverse the gains of the liberation struggle. Zimbabwe will never be a colony again.” – Robert Mugabe (2008). Gunjan Singh April 28, 2008 IDSA Comments
Taiwan Elections Vindicate the Status Quo The KMT’s victory in the March 2008 presidential elections can be essentially attributed to the promises it made to improve economic ties with Mainland China and assure good governance. Ironically, these were partly the same promises that had brought the DPP (Democratic Progressive Party) to power in the historic 2000 presidential election. There was no element of surprise to the election results in which Ma Ying-Jeou defeated his DPP counterpart Frank Hsieh. The KMT’s victory does not mean that Taiwan will begin supporting unification with the Mainland. Abanti Bhattacharya April 26, 2008 IDSA Comments
Interview of Dr. Shehriyar Khateri While WMD hold the centre stage of international politics, its victims often suffer from neglect and insensitivity. Dr. Shehriyar Khateri, a physician, works determinedly for the cause of chemical weapons… Continue reading Interview of Dr. Shehriyar Khateri Monalisa Joshi April - June 2008 CBW Magazine
Hamid Ansari’s Visit to Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan Vice President Hamid Ansari’s visit to Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan from April 4 to 10, 2008 opened up new vistas between India and the Central Asian Republics (CARs). During his visit, Ansari asserted that greater engagement between India and CAR would not only prove beneficial for both but will also help to enhance the strategic significance of the region. The Vice President’s visit has opened up new hopes for cooperation especially in the hydrocarbon sector, mainly with Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. Nivedita Das Kundu April 24, 2008 IDSA Comments
Is Bioterrorism Threat Credible? Even terrorists play pranks on WMD use these days! Late May 2008 a purported terrorist video caught media attention and some serious coverage. As per the reports, the Al Qaeda… Continue reading Is Bioterrorism Threat Credible? Animesh Roul April - June 2008 CBW Magazine
Remembering Sir Clarke and Prof. Lorenz Technology has its critical place in human society. With their new ideas and discoveries and writings, scientists and writers bridge the gap between the knowledge of science and its understanding… Continue reading Remembering Sir Clarke and Prof. Lorenz Arvind Mishra April - June 2008 CBW Magazine
Musharraf in China: Economic benefits of an “all weather friendship” Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s recent visit to China from April 10-16 revealed the depth and confidence that highlight Pakistan-China relations. The much repeated refrain of an “all-weather friendship” between the two countries is now transforming itself from the erstwhile “purely defensive and strategic” in nature to one of deep economic engagement. Raviprasad Narayanan April 22, 2008 IDSA Comments
Pakistan’s Impending Economic Crisis One of the biggest achievements of Musharraf’s rule, according to him, was that he turned around a tottering economy. Rescuing it from the verge of default, he brought it to a state where it was declared a success story by the International Financial Institutions. GDP was growing at a healthy rate of 6.5 to 7.5 per cent and even touched nine per cent in 2005. ADB projected a 6.5 per cent GDP growth for 2008 in its report released in December 2007. Alok Bansal April 21, 2008 IDSA Comments
Verification of the FMCT: Lessons from IAEA, OPCW and CTBTO The successful completion of a Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT), some believe, would be an important step towards the ultimate goal of elimination of nuclear weapons. The FMCT will affect… Continue reading Verification of the FMCT: Lessons from IAEA, OPCW and CTBTO Arun Vishwanathan April - June 2008 CBW Magazine