World Blogs News - Page 4

Why US shouldn't accept Dalrymple's reading of Afghan 'history'

With his latest essay on Afghanistan, William Dalrymple has crossed into the wilds of contemporary geo-politics and proved history can also be someone’s pet interpretation.

Brazil protests: How Ronaldo, Pele betrayed their people

Pelé and Ronaldo might be advocating for something they believe will be good for the country’s image but they have become a symbol of how public money is being used to enrich the wealthy.

The capitulation of Gov Bobby Jindal, honorary white

Jindal, Indian-American Governor of Louisiana, never loses an opportunity to downplay his Indian roots. Wonder why Indians think he is carrying the flag for them in "white" America?

What Indians in US must learn from Black History

Afro-Americans realised that the end of slavery did not end racism. Indian Americans must similarly realise that they cannot gain acceptance in modern-day US by trying to become more white

Next Pope should start a new dialogue with other faiths

The next Pope is vital not only to Catholics, but people of other faiths as well. It would help if he redefined the church's approach to other religions

Big Brother Wars: Why Snowden is so valuable to China

Is he a hero for opening the door on this obsessive compulsive spying on ordinary citizens or a villain who jeopardized security by doing so?

What India could have taught the US about dealing with China

The recent US-China summit was a success – for Chinese President Xi Jinping. He conceded little and ably cast the meeting on his terms.

What the appointment of Susan Rice as Obama's NSA means for India

New Delhi can take heart in the fact that she will be a good counter to Secretary of State John Kerry who is seen as overly accommodating of Pakistan.

Can Nawaz Sharif finish what he began and strengthen ties with India?

The circumstances are right, and the people are in place for Sharif to finish what he tried to do in the years of his second term, talked about doing during his years in exile and opposition, and now has the chance to do in his third term.

No ethics in an interdependent world: Nat Geo sells hunting stealth cam

Even NGC with its lofty ideals needs TRPs and its webshop must sell products, any product, to keep the Society afloat. It is perhaps pointless to nitpick on ethical or even factual grounds anymore. After all, it is a “complicated, interdependent world”.

Obama's new guidelines on drone strikes: Pak will remain on radar

President Obama’s new counter-terrorism doctrine is an attempt to restrict the controversial drone programme but without losing his prerogative to still strike wherever and whenever necessary.

Was London's brutal attack really terrorism?

By repeatedly using the term in news reports, does that make the public's sense of being terrorised worse than the same crime if it was only described as "murder"?

How the middle class is responsible for perpetuating poverty

It would take four times the earth’s resources to support the average American living standards for the world. The poor get poorer as more of us aspire for that good life.

Why Imran Khan will fail

Was Imran Khan right in listing Pakistan three fundamental problems as: corruption, black marketing and nepotism? Aakar Patel writes that he might be making the same mistake Jinnah did, many years ago.

Why Pakistan's Democracy should matter more to the US

The burden of nurturing and maintaining a democratic system rests primarily on Pakistani shoulders but the US Administration and other powers could be a little louder about defending democracy by adding their voices.

As historic elections dawn, public mood in Pakistan is dismal

A new Pew Research Center survey released May 7 highlights the people’s mood as “exceedingly grim” with 91% saying Pakistan is headed in the wrong direction.

Sikhs abroad will continue to hound likes of Sajjan Kumar

Those believing Sajjan Kumar's acquittal closes the chapter on the 1984 riots had better prepare themselves for a more sophisticated and sustained campaign through the courts in Europe, Canada and the United States.

Why the US needs to change how it views Pakistan

What is needed is hard-nosed policies and reorganization of the US bureaucracy towards the multiple threats originating from Pakistan.

Why Pakistan should give up its opposition to Indo-US nuclear deal

Pakistan picked the Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference -- the ultimate gathering of the world's nuclear experts-- to carp about the deal. Here's why they should give it a rest.

It's time for Maggie Thatcher's haters to move on

To some, Thatcher was the authoritative mother they craved. To others, she was the patronising father that became a symbol of teenage-natured rebellion. She cozied up to dictators, but name me a politician who hasn't done the same since.

Marines' case: Italy argues both ways

India and Italy have found a face-saver through adept negotiations with the return of the marines but whether the families of the two dead Indian fishermen will get justice is open to question.

The Leveson effect: Scotland to regulate all media... and social media

Lord McCluskey, in his effort to create a Scottish version of Leveson, said what some American journalism thinkers already do: that anyone considered to be publishing will be automatically covered by a Scottish press bill.

Surprised at a conservative Pope? Were you expecting Lady Gaga?

Many have already dismissed Frank as a conservative and homophobe. I'm not sure who atheists, liberals and others expected as Pope - Lady Gaga?

Venezuela is creating a Chavez cult: Here's why it might backfire

Chavezism - if you want to call it that - had its devotees and its detractors, and always will. The question is whether that sets the country up for ongoing and intractable division.

Why plight of Lankan Tamils highlights the hypocrisy of nations

Negotiation rarely if ever has stopped the massacre of people by their own nation. And other nations simply don't want to intervene, unless there's oil. . . and even then, it's usually long after there's no people left to save.

Sequestration cuts and the US: Don't expect things to improve

The standoff between the US legislators may look ideological on the surface, and for some it is, but this is about positioning for the next election cycle in 2014 and ultimately 2016.

From the Pope to Pistorius: Why are we being so insensitive?

Our own reactions to these events have shown a level of disrespect - for the beliefs of others; for the victim of a crime - and a level of cynicism that is unfortunate, but understandable. We simply don't know how to process genuinely shocking news.

Afzal Guru hanging: Pak US ambassador recommits to Kashmir cause

It will take a lot more than words to convince India of Pakistan’s change of heart. India has come more than half-way to improve relations and help the civilian government while absorbing gratuitous words from the young Hina Rabbani Khar and Rehman Malik.

Left out in the cold, India needs its own plan in Afghanistan

India will needs it own plan to protect its national security interests and the $2 billion in investments in Afghanistan.

Indian Americans ring in Obama inauguration, signal big plans

It was a great “coming out” party for Indian Americans, who at 3 million strong, are slowly coalescing into a political force in US politics.