Covering Policy Issues from South Asia
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CIA Has Covered Up Torture for Decades. Will Torturers Ever Be Prosecuted?0
- Blog
- June 26, 2019
By Aisha Maniar, Truthout June 26, 2019 CIA Director Gina Haspel made a rare public appearance on April 18 when she spoke at Auburn University. Haspel reflected on her 34-year career with the agency, but failed to mention the years she spent involved in its extraordinary rendition program. She was quickly interrupted by a member
State Department decries Hindu extremists’ violence against Indian Muslims0
- Blog
- June 26, 2019
India rejects report alleging “unabated” mob attacks on minorities through 2018 By Aziz Haniffa Jun 24, 2019 India Abroad WASHINGTON, D.C. — The annual compendium by U.S. Dept. of State on International Religious Freedom, in its section on India, has said mob attacks by violent extremist Hindu groups continued unabated in 2018, especially against Muslims.
Does a Pluralistic Nation Like India Really Need ‘Vande Mataram’?0
- Blog
- June 26, 2019
The controversy around Vande Mataram is an opportunity to reflect on the literary aspects of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s ‘Anandamath’ as well as his idea of nationalism. by Om Thanvi 26 June 2019 The Wire India The idea that Vande Mataram ought to be sung by every citizen because it is the national song would have
Why India’s work on Iran’s Chabahar Port is stalled despite US exemption0
- Blog
- June 25, 2019
European, Chinese suppliers of equipment are reluctant to deliver as they fear adverse impact on their business with US after it imposed sanctions on Iran. Moushumi Das Gupta 24 June, 2019 New Delhi: Uncertainty looms large over the future of the strategically-important Chabahar Port that India is building in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province. Despite India getting
Missing Bangladeshi Reappears; Politically Connected Family Blames Authorities0
- Blog
- June 24, 2019
By Kamran Reza Chowdhury on Jun 21, 2019 Bangladeshi schoolteacher Syed Iftekhar Alam Sourav was relatively unknown until he disappeared for 11 days, but he was luckier than many other people believed by human rights groups to have vanished in Bangladesh through enforced disappearances in recent years. This member of a politically influential family and
Afghanistan’s Stunning New Success Story: Sports0
- Blog
- June 24, 2019
By Maroosha Muzaffar 24 June 2019 Why you should care Because sports are helping this country change its narrative. It was only a practice match. But when Afghanistan beat Pakistan in May ahead of the currently ongoing men’s Cricket World Cup in the U.K., fans back home hit the streets with celebratory firecrackers and gunshots.
Commentary
Multilateralism: Key to success of India’s regional diplomacy0
- Commentary
- June 26, 2019
Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra 26 June 2019 Apart from getting over the recurring phenomenon of Pakistan’s obstructionist attitude as well as moves within the South Asian region, India’s regional focus gravitating toward BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) falls squarely with its ‘Act East policy’, its strive to contain Chinese
Sri Lanka; ‘Stinking, cesspit politics’ and worse!0
- Commentary
- June 25, 2019
by N Sathiya Moorthy 25 June 2019 Any other nation would have celebrated in full form – they have done in the past. But politics in the country continues to take all of the nation’s energy and also of media time or space as the case may be that the coverage/celebration for the maiden Sri
Combating fake news: MEITY should allow legal-flexibility based on social media platforms over one-size-fits-all regulatory approach0
- Commentary
- June 25, 2019
by Prannv Dhawan and John Simte Jun 25, 2019 Indian social fabric is reeling under the monumental onslaught of hatred and misinformation even as our political discourse has become increasingly toxic and vile. The recent incident of mob-lynching represents yet another manifestation of the extreme abuse of communication technology and social media. It is an
India’s Unmanned Aerial Capabilities0
- Commentary
- June 24, 2019
Syeda Saiqa Bukhari 24 June 2019 Advanced military technological innovations have made it possible for forces to inflict fire and fury with bullets and firepower without even being physically involved. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones are one such development that allows nation-states to achieve their strategic goals in such a manner. Within the contemporary
Thinking the Unthinkable –Another Redacted Version of the US Nuclear Doctrine0
- Commentary
- June 24, 2019
by M Waqas Jan 24 June 2019 Over the last two weeks, much has been written about the release of the US’s latest Nuclear Warfare Doctrine that was published on the US Joint Chiefs of Staff’s official website earlier this month. While the sensitivity of the topic and the timing of its release are in
Rahul’s “Resignation” Spells Another Triumph for BJP!0
- Commentary
- June 23, 2019
by Nilofar Suhrawardy 23 June 2019 If Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi sticks to his decision of resigning as the party president, prospects of it spelling a better political future for either him or his party may be viewed as non-existent. His decision is likely to be most heartily welcomed by his party’s key rival party,
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Featured
Sri Lanka’s Muslims bloodied by Buddhism
By Ana Pararajasingham June 20, 2019 Sri Lanka has become more fragile, fractured and polarized following the Easter Sunday bomb attacks as the country’s Muslims are harassed and subjected to violence by mobs of Sinhala Buddhists who form the majority of the island’s population. Although those targeted by jihadist violence on Easter Sunday were the
Bangladesh And Revenge Politics: To What End?
“Revenge, the sweetest morsel to mouth that ever was cooked in hell.” ~Sir Walter Scott from The Heart Of Mid-Lothian Revenge politics has long been the bedrock of Sheikh Hasina’s personal and political motto and raison d’etre. The people of Bangladesh are well aware of this unwelcome fact, which has, very regrettably, become mundane in