COMMENTARIES
  • Sri Lankan Parliamentary Elections 2004 – II: Polls, Poles and Palls
    N Manoharan    ·   26 Mar, 2004    ·    #1348    ·    Commentary    
    The Sri Lankan snap elections, slated for 2 April 2004, is significant for several reasons. 6024 candidates are in the fray for 225 seats of which 196 are to be directly elected. An all-time high of 2337 independents are contesting, signifying d...
  • The Value of the Phalcon AWACS for India
    Prashant Dikshit    ·   22 Mar, 2004    ·    #1347    ·    Commentary    
    The long awaited AWACS (Air Borne Warning and Control Systems) is eventually being inducted in the Indian Air Force. Israeli Phalcon Radar is being integrated on the Russian IL-76 A-50 Beriev Transport jets under Indian supervision and the softw...
  • BIMST-EC: Putting Free Trade in South Asia on a Strong Footing
    Anand Kumar    ·   18 Mar, 2004    ·    #1346    ·    Commentary    
    South Asia moved further on the path of free trade when it signed the BIMST-EC agreement in Phuket, Thailand. The agreement inked by the commerce ministers of the member countries except Bangladesh when implemented would include South Asia, whic...
  • Shaheen-II Test: Ramifications for India
    Reshmi Kazi    ·   18 Mar, 2004    ·    #1345    ·    Commentary    
    On 9 February 2004, Pakistan successfully test-fired Shaheen-II, its longest range nuclear-capable ballistic missile, amidst an intense debate on nuclear non-proliferation. The test indicates Pakistan's resolve to maintain a nuclear deterren...
  • Haitian Crisis Comes Full Circle: The International Community Intervenes
       ·   18 Mar, 2004    ·    #1344    ·    Commentary    
    Amidst pressure from opposition groups in Haiti and mounting violence that had erupted across several major cities, including the capital, Port-au-Prince, President Jean Bertrand Aristide left the country on 29 February 2004. He said his departu...
  • Megawati, Sharia and the Crisis in Indonesian Politics
       ·   18 Mar, 2004    ·    #1343    ·    Commentary    
    Megawati Sukarnoputri seems to be playing an old-fashioned game to garner support in the upcoming presidential elections in Indonesia – trying to pacify Islamic zealots by engaging in a tirade ...
  • The Crisis in Nepal and India’s Response II
    Maj. Gen. Dipankar Banerjee    ·   18 Mar, 2004    ·    #1342    ·    Commentary    
    The Current Environment The political situation remains murky. The King compares his role to a stand-by generator; required in an emergency and which will switch off the moment electricity returns. But, there is no real chance of an early...
  • The Crisis in Nepal and India’s Response I
    Maj. Gen. Dipankar Banerjee    ·   18 Mar, 2004    ·    #1341    ·    Commentary    
    The Backdrop Sandwiched between China and India, Nepal occupies a strategic location in South Asia astride the high Himalayan ranges. It had little contact with China in the past. Its ties with India have been intimate and long, developed over ...
  • Terror De ja vu: The Eleventh Day Itch and Spain
    Animesh Roul    ·   18 Mar, 2004    ·    #1340    ·    Commentary    
    It seems like yesterday. Another eleventh day of a month goes into the history of infamy with yet another synchronized terrorist attack that shook a country from its edifice. On 11 March 2004 (3/11), at least ten powerful bombs exploded in three...
  • Kashmir: A Way Forward
       ·   18 Mar, 2004    ·    #1339    ·    Commentary    
                Panelists: Howard B. Schaeffer Teresita Schaeffer   The current India-Pakistan peace process has raised a...
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