Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS, Aug 13, 2010 (IPS) – In South Korea, Ban Ki-moon is a prestigious brand name – like Samsung, Kia, LG and Hyundai. When the former South Korean foreign minister completes his term of office as secretary-general of the United Nations in December 2011, [...]
ARREST OF SOME HINDUS AS TERRORISTS: CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy B.RAMAN Some curious and intriguing aspects of the recent allegations of our investigating agencies against some Hindus of involvement in acts of terrorism against Muslims need to be highlighted. 2. The first relates to the incendiary explosion in the Samjauta Express. The second relates to the explosions in the Mecca [...]
Iran Benefits from Arab Disillusion with Obama
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Jim Lobe* WASHINGTON, Aug 5, 2010 (IPS) – U.S. President Barack Obama has suffered a sharp drop in popularity in the Arab world over the past year, and Iran may be reaping the benefits, according to a major new survey of public opinion in five Arab countries [...]
NAVAL EXERCISES & COUNTER EXERCISES
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy B.RAMAN Coinciding with the US-South Korea joint naval exercise from July 24 to 27,2010, in the Sea of Japan, a large-scale naval exercise was held by the Chinese Navy in the South China Sea. Wide publicity was given to it by the China Central Television (CCTV). The Chief of General [...]
B. Raman: MY THOUGHTS ON AFGHANISTAN
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy By B.RAMAN The situation in Afghanistan differs in some significant aspects from the situation that had prevailed when the Soviet troops withdrew in 1988-89. 2.The Soviets had left in Najibullah a capable Pashtun leader who was a three-in-one—- a leader with good political instincts, a good military commander and a [...]
ISLAMABAD: AN ILL-PREPARED MEETING
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS B.RAMAN Mr.S.M.Krishna, India’s Minister For External Affairs, and his Pakistani counterpart Mr. Shah Mehmood Qureshi, had discussions lasting about six hours at Islamabad on July 15, 2010. In between, Mr.Krishna called on President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani. Those , who were hoping that [...]
“CHINESE SOVEREIGN WATERS”, “WATERS OF CHINA’S INTERESTS”, “PSYCHOLOGICAL TERRITORIAL SEAS”
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy B.RAMAN Despite media reports originating from South Korea that the proposed US-South Korea joint naval exercise as a warning signal to North Korea may not be held as originally scheduled in the Yellow Sea and may instead be held in the middle of this month off South Korea’s southern or [...]
PAKISTAN AS CHINA’S FORCE-MULTIPLIER AGAINST INDIA
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy B.RAMAN Mr.Shiv Shankar Menon, India’s National Security Adviser (NSA), visited China as the special envoy of Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh from July 3 to 6,2010, for talks with Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and other Chinese leaders. President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan visited Beijing for four days from July 6. [...]
MIDEAST: Peace May Rest on the Future of 88 Houses
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy / IPS By Mel Frykberg SILWAN, Occupied East Jerusalem, Jul 5, 2010 (IPS) – Frequent clashes and continuing tension in disputed East Jerusalem could portend a major outbreak of civil unrest, residents fear. Confrontations follow Israel’s acceleration of plans to demolish dozens of Palestinian homes. This could leave over a [...]
HU PROPOSES, PLA DISPOSES
Global Geopolitics & Political Economy B.RAMAN As President Hu Jintao took a series of steps to repair relations with the US which have come under a strain following the decision of the Barack Obama Administration earlier this year to sell a new arms package to Taiwan and the meeting of His Holiness the Dalai Lama [...]
