When insanity rules the world

"India should resist the West's brazen efforts to use championship of democracy as a cover for regime change."

Tired of unending economic woes at home and fighting a losing battle against the Taliban, the U.S. and the EU have seized upon the Arab Spring in a desperate bid to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. To do so, they are posing as champions of democracy and human rights. The Hindu : Opinion / Lead : When insanity rules the world: In their eagerness to don the mantle of saviours they have trampled upon the  doctrine of national sovereignty upon which the international law and order, has been based for the last 350 years.

India has a duty, to not only its own people but the rest of the world, to become an independent voice of sanity and moderation. As the most open and democratic and the least threatening large country in the world, it has far better credentials to do so than Russia and China. It must not leave this task to them alone.

Allowing Israel to trigger a ruinous war with Iran will not make the world "safer for humanity", instead it will  only unleash the fury of Shia terrorism on the West.

Syrians pay the price

"As ferocious fighting continues in Syria, it is imperative that the international community strive for an immediate ceasefire of some kind. President Bashar al-Assad's regime is increasing its use of heavy weapons, while continuing to claim legitimacy."

The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : Syrians pay the price: Since the constitutional changes are coming via a questionable referendum at a time when Syria is at war with itself, the promises held out by the new constitution seem utterly farcical.

The failure of the Arab League mission and the absence of consensus and even credibility at the U.N. Security Council mean that international options are fast disappearing. Given the interests propelling U.N.'s most powerful members, its helplessness should not surprise anyone.

Awaiting its spring

"Staggeringly corrupt and repressed, Saudi Arabia is ripe for revolution. But reformers are hesitant."

The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : Awaiting its spring: Most of the factors that led to the Arab uprisings are present in Arabia. The Saudi regime holds tens of thousands of political prisoners, most without charge. The scale of corruption is staggering. The expansion in communication tools has deprived the regime of the secrecy and deception on which its legitimacy relied.

Despite the widespread conviction that a change of regime is necessary, reformers remain hesitant about declaring their views, let alone taking action. The level of distrust between activists is so significant, making any collective act of protest difficult.

This does not mean change is impossible. The balance of factors in Arabia is clearly tipping in the direction of change.

Eye On The Big Picture

To be a global player, India must speak up on important international issues


Article - Eye On The Big Picture

-The Times of India, December 30, 2011