Comment & Briefs

As an old fighter pilot, I would always pitch for a light, easily manoeuvrable, agile and relatively inexpensive fighter that delivers every time, generates high sortie rates and is easy to maintain and train on a day to day peace time schedule.

While the Turkey deal represents an advance on the Iran nuclear issue, it remains to be seen if it would lead to more constructive solutions in addressing concerns generated by the Iranian nuclear programme.

While the DPJ is not averse to the idea of revising the constitution, an unfavourable domestic situation and adverse reactions from neighbours are likely to force the Hatoyama government to limit the exercise to a debate.

Campus violence by its student body, avoidable controversy over the constitution of the war crime tribunal, and unnecessary confrontation with the BNP are diverting the Awami League from its commitment to generate a change in Bangladesh's political culture.

The Cheonan incident came at a very inopportune time for North Korea, irrespective of the fact whether Pyongyang had any hand in it or not.

Nagas and Meiteis need to practice reciprocal restraint, generate new inclusive political narratives that focus on common values and ties, and establish a reconciliation forum to promote harmony.

The hard lesson of Chintalnar is that the police are simply not investing enough in their frontline leadership and training to tackle the situation. Even when attempts have been made to bring in competence, the efforts to acquire required counterinsurgency skills have been marginal.

The first step for China to formalise the deal is to inform the NSG member countries of its plans to export two reactors to Pakistan or seek relaxation for the future supply of reactors.

While India’s latest defence budget has no doubt catered for a sizeable capital component, it may be prudent to reduce costs by switching to more affordable programmes.

Instead of taking up new areas in its summit declarations, SAARC should focus on trade, connectivity and security and the need to develop a regional identity. Only a regional identity will generate a regional approach.