In Asia: Weekly Insight and Features from Asia

To paraphrase an expression often used by former President Ronald Reagan, “There they go again.” But in this case, it’s not the political opposition being referred to – it’s the U.S. National Intelligence Council (NIC) in its latest global predictions report.

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For the most part, Afghanistan is portrayed today as violent and war-torn and with an ineffective and corrupt government. The consensus seems to be that there is little hope that the country will hold together or defend itself against the Taliban and other terrorists after U.S. and NATO combat troops leave two years hence.

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Each political season much is said and written about the Indian-American diaspora community and its involvement in U.S. politics, both local and national. It is more common than ever to hear politicians showering accolades on the 3-million strong community in the United States…

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2011 was the centenary year of International Women’s Day, and much attention was paid to their rising role in the global political and economic landscape. Many expect that in Asia’s current economic growth, women’s economic involvement will rise with it – a fact true for some but quite untrue for others.

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The Economist, in its recent issue “The World in 2012,” gave this thumbnail prediction for India in the New Year: “The Congress-led government is leaking support because of widespread corruption and a patchy economic record… Nevertheless, the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hold on until the end of its term in 2014 – not least because the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party…

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Last month, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India and President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan signed a wide-ranging Strategic Partnership Agreement in New Delhi. Karzai’s visit came shortly after the assassination of former Afghan president Burhanuddin Rabbani…

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President Barack Obama’s June announcement that the United States will pull 33,000 troops out of Afghanistan by the end of next summer provides a strong catalyst for Afghanistan to assume a central focus in both meetings [U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue, Pakistan-India ministerial dialogue].

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After almost 10 bloody years, it is the beginning of the endgame in Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden drew America into Afghanistan; his death will be seen by many as the strategic rationale to depart.

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One is constantly reminded of the grim realities of Afghanistan today, a country entering its 10th year of war with a bloody and brutal insurgency and a government in Kabul commonly viewed as corrupt and ineffective. But there is another perception of what is taking place in Afghanistan that should be taken into account — [...]

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The last decade witnessed a remarkable transformation in U.S.-India relations, initiated, supported, and advanced by the leadership of both countries. I had the privilege of travelling with President Clinton in March 2000 for his five-day visit to India, a trip many observers consider the “turning point” in our new relationship. Now it will be President [...]

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