Given the alacrity with which President Obama has called for “immediate and unconditional” release of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who became controversial when an American army veteran (read CIA agent) infiltrated her house detention from 3-5 May, it may be appropriate for the West to relieve the … Read More
When Mr. S.M. Krishna lost the Karnataka elections in 2004, the media naturally asked him what factors he held responsible for Congress’ defeat. He raised his right hand to stop speculation and said as leader he took full responsibility; there was no need for scapegoats. In 2009, Mr. L.K. Advani … Read More
As the Gujarat BJP increased its Lok Sabha tally from 14 in 2004 to 15 in 2009, it is pertinent to ponder why this maintenance of status quo-plus was unanimously perceived as a failure of Chief Minister Narendra Modi, across the political spectrum. Why is this, along with the under-performance … Read More
It took just 46 days for my warning to the BJP leadership to undertake an urgent course correction or face electoral rout to come true: “Something is gravely amiss in the BJP. It has lost its character and sense of direction. Unless the party quickly takes the right turn, Mr. … Read More
When Chinese wish the wrath of heaven upon one, they invoke it gently: ‘may you live in interesting times,’ a euphemism for living without peace and stability. A prolonged spell of ‘interesting times’ is now upon our Himalayan neighbour, ironically Beijing’s budding ally. At the time of writing, President Ram … Read More
America reported its first swine flu death, of a 23-month-old child in Texas, on April 29. After triggering worldwide panic over a virus for which there is NO known cure – despite hysterical and heartwarming (for the pharmaceutical company) sales of something called Tamiflu (useless during the previous pandemic called … Read More
