Covering Policy Issues from South Asia
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Bangladeshi Government, Journalists to Discuss Digital Security Act0
- Blog
- September 27, 2018
Kamran Reza Chowdhury Dhaka 2018-09-27 Activists hold signs and a banner during a demonstration against the Bangladeshi government’s proposed Digital Security Act, in Dhaka, Feb. 2, 2018. AFP Journalists on Thursday called off their plan to form a human chain to protest the recently passed Digital Security Act after a government official invited them
Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest – disaster waiting to happen0
- Blog
- September 27, 2018
Oiled sanctuary BY LALON SANDER AND NAUSHAD ALI HUSEIN 27 September 2018 Why the Sundarban oil spill was a disaster waiting to happen. Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Kallol Mustafa The Southern Star VII left port early in the morning, riding the low tide towards the sea. It was still dark when the tanker, laden with 357,000 litres of
The risks of a new Cold War between the US and China are real: here’s why0
- Blog
- September 27, 2018
The US and China find it extremely difficult to see the world from the other’s perspective. AAP/EPA/Roman Pilipey Nick Bisley, La Trobe University Donald Trump is making good on his trade war rhetoric with China, announcing tariffs on a further US$200 billion worth of goods from the PRC. As China promises retaliation, the warmth of
To form consensus, pay heed to the reports of the Senate’s CPEC committee0
- Blog
- September 27, 2018
To form consensus, pay heed to the reports of the Senate’s CPEC committee By CPEC Watch September 24, 2018 Taj Haider (The author is a former Senator, who headed Senate’s special committee on CPEC from 2015 to 2018. The analysis is based on the author’s experience as head of that committee.) Amid all the debate
Indian activists seek unity to protect minority rights0
- Blog
- September 27, 2018
Event to honor tribal activist Soni Sori told that minorities are suffering orchestrated violence Activist Soni Sori addresses a seminar in New Delhi on Sept. 19. Activists say unity and coordination are needed to ensure minority rights in India. (Photo by Bijay Kumar Minj/ucanews.com) Bijay Kumar Minj, New Delhi India September 27, 2018 Rights activists
Former chief justice’s book causes furore in Bangladesh0
- Blog
- September 27, 2018
Sinha accuses security agencies of intimidating judges to deliver favorable rulings Bangladeshi Attorney General Mahbubey Alam (center) walks through the Supreme Court in this 2016 file picture. He has accused Surendra Kumar Sinha of tarnishing the reputation of the judiciary. (Photo by Munir uz Zaman/AFP) Rock Ronald Rozario and Stephan Uttom, Dhaka Bangladesh September 27,
Commentary
Is Bangladesh an underdeveloped country?0
- Commentary, Issue 25 – Summer 2018, Issues
- March 24, 2018
by Obaidul Karim Khan, Consultant and freelance writer March 18, 2018 Bangladesh has been on the list of Least Developed Countries (LDC) list since 1975 but last week, the country has been removed from the list. Bangladesh is expected to get a status as developing country by 2024. This means that Bangladesh officially is not an
Hurdles in Pakistan’s Quest for Reaching Space0
- Commentary
- March 22, 2018
By: Ahyousha Khan 23/3/18 Space exploration is an expensive national objective for the state to pursue. Also, if a state is a developing country facing much pressing traditional and non-traditional threats, space exploration tends to end up an optional objective. Every state has a right to prioritize whichever national objective it wants to
Trends in Global Arms Transfer: Viewpoint from the Sub-continent0
- Commentary
- March 21, 2018
Asma Khalid 21/3/2018 Over the past several years, India’s unprecedented military modernization goals have worsened the security environment of South Asia. India’s increasing defense spending and its quest for acquiring sophisticated weapon systems and technologies have threatened the regional peace and stability. India is directing a huge scale modernization of its military
Saudi moderation: How far will Crown Prince Mohammed go?0
- Commentary
- March 21, 2018
By James M. Dorsey 21/3/2018 In his effort to improve Saudi Arabia’s badly tarnished image and project the kingdom as embracing an unidentified form of moderate Islam, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has hinted that he envisions a conservative rather than an ultra-conservative society, but not one in which citizens are
Iran’s Offer to Pakistan to join Chabahar reflects its trust deficit with India0
- Commentary
- March 20, 2018
by Asia Maqsood 21/3/2018 Iran’s recent proposal for Pakistan to join Chabahar Port may reflect its lack of trust on its counterpart “India.” India may stop the development of this project under the US pressure. Besides, the Indo-US strategic robust strategic partnership can put pressure on Iran because US-Iran relations are not cordial. In
An interview with Venugopal Chandrasekhar0
- Commentary
- March 20, 2018
by Elsa Lycias Joel 21/3/2018 In conversation with Elsa Lycias Joel Like a Phoenix, he rose… Having read and heard a lot about Venugopal Chandrasekhar, I wasn’t able to handle my anticipation and excitement as I walked into his TT academy one late noon. He received me with a pleasant smile, friendly handshake
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ISSN 2471-951X (online)
Featured
Indian Politics: — Modi Returns!
by Nilofar Suhrawardy 25 May 2019 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s stunning victory in Indian parliamentary elections marking return of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister have raised apprehensions of it spelling danger signals for Indian secularism as well as democracy. Undeniably, Modi’s term, from 2014 to present, has been marked by saffronization of certain institutions
Unforgettable Zia, As I Knew Him
By R Chowdhury 23 May 2019 Following my escape from Pakistan Army in 1971, I was posted to Z Force of Colonel Ziaur Rahman in the eastern theater of the Bangladesh liberation war. The nearly 20-day journey took me from Lahore to Khem Karan to Rajoke to Ferozepur to Delhi to Kolkata to Agartala and