To really understand an international political issue or situation, knowledge of the local geography is necessary. A presentation I saw a few years back by an American marine who served in Afghanistan showcased that no modern technology, weapon, tactic, etc. could completely supplant the axiom that ‘Geography is destiny’. It is for this reason I […]
It seems the Bangladesh government’s favorite token move to censor media is to claim the property right holder or distributor does not possess the legal title to provide that particular service. In November 2009, the government shut down a 24 hour news channel on the grounds that the owners did not possess the proper documents […]
The cards for a strike on Iran are slowly falling into place, with the White House potentially seeking outside help from a somewhat unlikely ally. Let’s set the scene. The White House has deemed that negotiations with the Iranian regime are futile and, in order to thwart the Iranian nucleaAr program, the United States must […]
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee has ranked thwarting the Iranian nuclear program as its top priority. Even though the Obama and Netanyahu administrations have disagreed of late, you wouldn’t have guessed any tension during Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s speech today to the pro-Israel group at its annual convention. In her speech, Clinton focused […]
The government of Bangladesh shut down the Dhaka based Drik Gallery show on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). I’d written about the show last week, though I failed to mention–I thought it unnecessary at the time–that this was a righteous show to come along at this, the right moment when greater emphasis on democracy and […]
I am excited to join the Foreign Policy Association blogging community. It feels great to be a part of one of the largest network of global affairs blogs. Here is a brief introduction about your new blogger Madhavi Bhasin. Academic interests and personal yearnings inspired my journey from the banks of the Ganges in Kolkata […]
I dithered all day over writing something on today’s momentous and somber anniversaries in South African history. Texas in Africa beat me to the punch and did so well on the Sharpeville Massacre, which shocked the world fifty years ago today. But because of the epochal shift that Sharpeville helped to bring about it is […]
So, another day of anti-government riots in Russia, beginning with the requisite calls for Putin’s resignation and ending in dozens of arrests. What to make of it all? Ask the FPA Russia Blog’s MAGIC 8 BALL. Q. Do the protests have a lot to do with economic issues? It is decidedly so. “Support for Mr […]
Happy Novruz everyone. I am full on plov from the Seattle-Tashkent sister city celebration. Mmm. Kazakh Oil Company leaders have met with striking workers in Zhanaozen. Since March 4, several thousand workers have been striking over various issues relating to wages and leadership. As head of the OSCE, Kazakhstan is feeling some pressure to be a […]
With the health care reform vote under the spotlight, another major and positive development is going unnoticed in the Middle East. The possible winner in the Iraqi elections could be Ayad Alawi. The results thus far are questioned but not rejected by Nouri Al-Maliki, the current Prime Minister. If the results are accepted and led […]
President Asif Ali Zardari, in a meeting with Director of US National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair, urged US to assist Pakistan in its own civilian nuclear technology deal to help overcome its dire energy needs. President had suggested that this kind of deal will not only bridge the trust deficit between the two countries, but […]
The following piece was originally published in Iran Times International’s annual Special Nowruz Edition. On March 20 Iranians the world over will start Nowruz celebrations, the first day of spring, marking the start of the Persian new year. Since the time of Achaemenids Empire the centuries-old Nowruz tradition, which literally means ‘new day’ has been practiced […]
Though the second largest economy in Asia, next to Japan, China is the largest investor in teh Bangladeshi economy. Since 2003 it has far outstripped any other country’s investment. The Bangladeshi delegation in China needs to pay attention to that fact and maintain that relationship through gentle coaxing and courting, though to strident ears that […]
There are two ways to look at Bangladesh’s approach to friendlier relations on equal terms with China. One is to look at the terms of the relationship and say that friendlier relations is hardly in the cards; rather the relationship is one of mere exploitation at the cost of solid footing elsewhere. The other is […]
If you are in the United States, the odds are at least decent that you are knee-deep in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. If you are not, that first sentence probably made no sense. Either way, here are some stories that have caught my eye to take you into the weekend: The Sudanese government has […]