Is Bioterrorism Threat Credible? Even terrorists play pranks on WMD use these days! Late May 2008 a purported terrorist video caught media attention and some serious coverage. As per the reports, the Al Qaeda… Continue reading Is Bioterrorism Threat Credible? Animesh Roul April - June 2008 CBW Magazine
Remembering Sir Clarke and Prof. Lorenz Technology has its critical place in human society. With their new ideas and discoveries and writings, scientists and writers bridge the gap between the knowledge of science and its understanding… Continue reading Remembering Sir Clarke and Prof. Lorenz Arvind Mishra April - June 2008 CBW Magazine
Musharraf in China: Economic benefits of an “all weather friendship” Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s recent visit to China from April 10-16 revealed the depth and confidence that highlight Pakistan-China relations. The much repeated refrain of an “all-weather friendship” between the two countries is now transforming itself from the erstwhile “purely defensive and strategic” in nature to one of deep economic engagement. Raviprasad Narayanan April 22, 2008 IDSA Comments
Pakistan’s Impending Economic Crisis One of the biggest achievements of Musharraf’s rule, according to him, was that he turned around a tottering economy. Rescuing it from the verge of default, he brought it to a state where it was declared a success story by the International Financial Institutions. GDP was growing at a healthy rate of 6.5 to 7.5 per cent and even touched nine per cent in 2005. ADB projected a 6.5 per cent GDP growth for 2008 in its report released in December 2007. Alok Bansal April 21, 2008 IDSA Comments
Verification of the FMCT: Lessons from IAEA, OPCW and CTBTO The successful completion of a Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT), some believe, would be an important step towards the ultimate goal of elimination of nuclear weapons. The FMCT will affect… Continue reading Verification of the FMCT: Lessons from IAEA, OPCW and CTBTO Arun Vishwanathan April - June 2008 CBW Magazine
Ma, KMT and the new Cross-strait Policy In a development that is expected to ease tensions across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwanese voted in favour of the Kuomintang (KMT, Nationalist Party) candidate Ma Ying-jeou in the March 22 presidential election. Ma’s victory was unprecedented, as he captured 58 per cent of the total votes cast – a full 16 percentage points more than Frank Hsieh of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Jagannath P. Panda April 16, 2008 IDSA Comments
Sanctions Against Iran are Futile The United Nations Security Council imposed the third set of economic and trade sanctions against Iran on March 3, 2008 for refusing to halt its nuclear programme. Resolution 1803, sponsored by Britain, France and Germany, was backed by 14 of the Council’s 15 members; Indonesia abstained. The sanctions were targeted against 13 individuals and 12 companies with links to Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes. One of the 13 individuals targeted is Brig. Gen. M. Mahtab Alam Rizvi April 16, 2008 IDSA Comments
India and Africa Partnership: Opportunities and Challenges The India-Africa Forum Summit is an indication of the coming of age of India’s relations with African countries. While India’s relations with African countries are time tested and historical, nevertheless in recent years this affiliation has been revitalised. Booming trade is an indication of this change. Trade has grown from US$967 million in 1990-91 to $25 billion in 2006-07 (inclusive of oil imports). This transformed relationship is driven by a number of factors. Ruchita Beri April 08, 2008 IDSA Comments
India Should Revisit its Tibet Policy The Indian government’s response to the ongoing protests in Tibet has been to merely state its “distress” about the situation and reaffirm its position that Tibet is an “internal” affair of China. New Delhi has assured Beijing that its position on the Tibet issue is “clear and consistent” and that this “would not change in the future.” The Indian position is based on its traditional opposition to separatist movements and to foreign intervention in support of such movements. Abanti Bhattacharya April 04, 2008 IDSA Comments
Yousuf Raza Gilani: A Tall Man with a Task of Tall Order Yousuf Raza Gilani was nominated by Asif Ali Zardari as the PPP candidate for prime ministership on March 22, 2008. On that occasion, Zardari called upon Gilani “to accept the heavy responsibility and lead the coalition government and the nation to greater heights and a glorious future.” Pakistan’s National Assembly elected Gilani as Prime Minister (264 votes to 42 over Pervez Elahi of PML-Q) two days later. Ashok K. Behuria April 03, 2008 IDSA Comments
