South Asian Smart Power – Aman ki Asha
February 26, 2010 5 min. read

Writer Zainab Jeewanjee comments on the promise of Aman ki Asha, Geo T.V. & the Times of India’s bilateral initiate for South Asian peace. She argues that Indo-Pak relations have been dominated by military/economic interests without ample direct input from the people. Hence the value of Aman ki Asha.

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Is China willing to risk military conflict in Iran?
February 26, 2010 5 min. read

Last Tuesday China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu reiterated his country’s preference for a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear standoff, rebuffing calls for China to back UN Security Council sanctions against Iran. A China Daily editorial released the same day pushed back against such pressure, deeming the singling out of China on the issue by […]

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Avoiding Being Gouged
February 26, 2010 2 min. read

Although I am looking forward to almost every element of this winter’s World Cup in South Africa there are two issues I am dreading. As someone who travels to the country annually, I am not especially excited about being confused with the typical tourist. I am even less excited about the prospect of everything being […]

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Important Israel-Related Figures Honored
February 26, 2010 2 min. read

President Barack Obama intends to honor a slew of influential individuals in the humanities. Although two names stick out as having had a profound influence on Israel and the Jewish world. For starters, the President will honor author and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, who has penned a number of influential books on the subject and […]

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Russia's Eurotrash Olympics
February 26, 2010 3 min. read

Even some Americans were offended when commentator Mike Milbury excoriated Russia for their ‘Eurotrash game’ against Canada. But what other way was there to describe the studied, ironic detachment of Ovechkin, or the arrogance and entitlement of that underachieving yet pampered sore-loser- Plushenko. Not even his self-awarded Platinum Medal (NO JOKE!) could prevent the end […]

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Bangladesh Military Deployed to Chittagong Hill Tracts
February 25, 2010 3 min. read

The Awami League government in power in 1997 thought it had settled a long-fought campaign for autonomy led by a group of the Chakma, the tribal people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts.  It seems now, acts of violence have recalled the Bangladeshi military into the region As the BBC reported on February 23rd, “Bangladesh’s army […]

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Cutting the North Korean Gordian Knot, Or Not
February 25, 2010 8 min. read

US Special Envoy to North Korea, Stephen Bosworth, is making the rounds in Beijing this week to drum up support for the stalled six-party talks – the diplomatic framework first implemented in 2003 that seeks to peacefully resolve the security concerns springing from North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. Although Ambassador Bosworth has still not indicated […]

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Can Brazil Deal with Iran?
February 25, 2010 4 min. read

Had the Brazilian government not insisted in its policy of engagement with Iran, despite the crescendo of criticism lodged by the likes of Oppenheimer, then everyone’s cards would already be on the table with little room for negotiations. Let’s just hope that the newcomer, Brazil, is holding the best card in the house.

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BRAC Founder Fazle Hasan Abed Knighted
February 25, 2010 4 min. read

It’s hardly worth mentioning that the accomplishments of Bangladesh and Bangladeshis does not register within the international media. That is so, but for that one Bangladeshi, Muhammad Yunus, who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.  Indeed, it happens that Dr. Yunus is fast friends with former President William J. Clinton.   Without a doubt […]

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The EU's Northern Outpost
February 25, 2010 4 min. read

After decades of holding out from EU membership, Iceland finally decided to apply to the union last year. The global financial crisis severely wrecked tiny Iceland’s economy, and all three of its major banks collapsed. Seeking to stabilize its economy, the Icelandic government decided that the benefit of joining the Eurozone outweighed the risk of […]

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ElBaradei for President
February 25, 2010 1 min. read

The head of the IAEA announced yesterday in Egypt that he could be a presidential candidate in the next elections. For the people of Egypt this is an announcement of hope. Upon arrival in his home country about a week ago, Mr. ElBaradei announced the creation of a commission with a primary goal of “advocacy […]

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Dubai Assassination: Not a Blunder
February 25, 2010 2 min. read

The assassination of a top Hamas official sparked an international outcry accusing Israel of committing the daring paramilitary activity. While there is still no official confirmation or substantial evidence that the Mossad committed the act, most observers either blame Israel or think there is no doubt to suspect any other country (Hamas has enough enemies […]

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