Covering Policy Issues from South Asia
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Pakistan: Saudi Arabia to Join China-Funded Development Project0
- Blog
- September 22, 2018
September 20, 2018 Ayaz Gul In this photo released by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, left, meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Sept. 19, 2018, in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia. ISLAMABAD — Pakistan announced Thursday that Saudi Arabia has agreed to join and invest “heavily” in its ongoing China-funded bilateral infrastructure and
How Modi’s Rafale defence deal has left India lagging China, Pakistan0
- Blog
- September 22, 2018
Indian army soldiers. Photo: AP How Modi’s Rafale defence deal has left India lagging China, Pakistan India puts defence preparedness on the back burner as a result of the controversy over the purchase of Rafale fighter aircraft, even as regional rivals continue to arm rapidly By Ajai Shukla 22 Sep 2018 The Indian government, rattled
Jail time in Bangladesh0
- Blog
- September 21, 2018
By Khademul Islam 14 September 2018 Shahidul Alam and snapshots from Dhaka Central Jail. Dhaka Central Jail, Keraniganj. Photo: Prison.gov.bd 14 August 2018 Breakfast at the jail canteen is parathas, egg mamlet and veggie daal. It takes me back to my university cricketing days, grabbing lunches at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) canteen
Bangladesh’s proposed Digital Security Act may lend itself to gross misuse0
- Blog
- September 21, 2018
By Editor on February 1, 2018 Comments Off on Bangladesh’s proposed Digital Security Act may lend itself to gross misuse Bangladesh’s proposed Digital Security Act (DSA) has sections which could be used by both the State and private individuals to throttle the freedom of expression guaranteed in the constitution, writes P.K.Balachandran in South Asian Monitor. The vaguely worded and all-encompassing draft
Digital Security Bill passes amid free speech concerns0
- Blog
- September 21, 2018
Tribune Desk September 19th, 2018 File photo of the session room inside the Bangladesh Parliament Syed Zakir Hossain/Dhaka Tribune The new law brings tougher punishment for illegally accessing and destroying any important information related to the state affairs Parliament has passed the much-talked-about Digital Security Bill, 2018, which provides for stiff penalties for a wide variety
In Kashmir, a photo of a militant’s body being dragged by security forces sparks outrage0
- Blog
- September 20, 2018
Retired generals insist that this is standard procedure since militant bodies are often booby trapped. via Twitter Sep 14, 2018 Rayan Naqash On the evening of September 13, a photograph of security personnel dragging a body with rope tied to its feet went viral in the Kashmir Valley. Earlier that day, two gunfights had broken
Commentary
Afghanistan’s Overstayed House guest : US Strategic Regional Interests0
- Commentary, Issue 24 – Spring 2018
- January 7, 2018
By Adnan Qaiser, January 8, 2018 Winston Churchill held the view that Americans can be trusted to do the right thing; only after having exhausted all other alternatives. Defying common sense and international counsel to bring about a political solution in Afghanistan, US has not only reenergized its (aerial-dominated) military campaign to defeat
Covert wars: Iran and Saudi Arabia revisit their strategies0
- Commentary
- January 5, 2018
By James M. Dorsey Expressions of support by US President Donald J. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu have provided the grist for Iranian claims that anti-government protests were instigated by foreign powers. The largely baseless assertions offer nonetheless insight into the very different strategies adopted by Iran and Saudi Arabia in their vicious
A game of chess: Gulf crisis expands into the Horn of Africa0
- Commentary
- January 3, 2018
By James M. Dorsey January 3, 2018 The six-month-old Gulf crisis has expanded to the Horn Africa, potentially fuelling simmering regional conflicts. Renewed fears of heightened tension in the Horn, a region pockmarked by foreign military bases that straddles key Indian Ocean trade roots with its 4,000-kilometre coastline, was sparked by
Afghanistan Mining Potential, Challenges And Way Forward0
- Commentary
- January 2, 2018
By Mohammad Ismail Amin January 2, 2018 Afghanistan’s strategic location is not only of an immense importance but also the tremendous natural resources the country possesses. According to AISA research, there are various types of valuable minerals in Afghanistan that are yet to be unearthed. Afghanistan potential as a rich country in terms
What’s the UN doing to Stopping Genocide of the Rohingyas of Myanmar?0
- Commentary
- January 1, 2018
By Habib Siddiqui January 1, 2017 One of the sinister methods employed to justify genocide has been to deny the history of the targeted victims. And that is what the criminal Buddhists within the apartheid state of Myanmar has been doing for nearly 70 years since earning independence from Britain on January 4, 1948.
Iranian protests raise tricky questions for US and Saudi policymakers0
- Commentary
- January 1, 2018
By James M. Dorsey January 1, 2017 If Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s chequered foreign policy track record is anything to go by, Iran could tempt him to embark on yet another risky adventure inspired by widespread anti-government protests in Iran, the real focus of his multiple regional quagmires that include the
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Featured
Bangladesh And The Political Chess Game
“Chess is a war over the board. The object is to crush the opponent’s mind.” ~Bobby Fischer, World Chess Champion. Sheikh Hasina Wajed is known not to accept any objections or opposition, so much so that any form an opposition has disappeared out of sight from the Bangladeshi political stage. She and her party, the
Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina’s Fear of Fall is The Issue
“Fear cuts deeper than swords.” ― George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones by R Chowdhury 13 July 2019 Dan Brown of The Da Vinci Code fame said, “Men go far greater lengths to avoid what they fear than to obtain what they desire.” That describes Sheikh Hasina Wazed, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh today.