Topics Archive
Elections - Op-Eds - Dec 9, 2019
The Maharashtra Muddle
The recent political shenanigans in Maharashtra can potentially be an inflection point in the increasingly unipolar politics of India. Since the 2014 general elections, the ruling Bharatiya Janata…
General Interest - Analyses & Assessments - Nov 29, 2019
Future of Security- Ecosystems
Rutger Van Zuidam, Founder and CEO, Odyssey took the Synergia Conclave 2019 on a journey along the ‘curve’, beyond any one’s imagination. Blockchain technology is itself unmindful of the concept of…
General Interest - Analyses & Assessments - Nov 29, 2019
Mastering Agility in Geopolitical Uncertainty
Geopolitical uncertainty is on the rise, fuelled by volatile oil and gas prices, shifting Middle East alliances, Brexit shock to the EU, the insular policies of Trump administration and the…
General Interest - Op-Eds - Nov 29, 2019
Crypto Currencies Versus Sovereign Currencies
In 1993, I was posted on deputation to the UN mission in Cambodia, which was called the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia or UNTAC. At that time, Cambodia was a devastated country, recovering…
Indian Politics - Analyses & Assessments - Nov 26, 2019
National Register of Citizens of India
The announcement of a nation-wide NRC by the Home Minister has been received with mixed emotions. Is the Nation prepared for this mammoth exercise?
World - Analyses & Assessments - Nov 26, 2019
Sri Lankan Elections
Victory in the Sri Lankan Presidential elections of the former defence chief, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, 70, could herald a new era in the political scene of the ‘Emerald Island’. With his brother and…
Business - Op-Eds - Nov 22, 2019
Indian Telecom – Case of Poor Connectivity?
The telecom sector was once the most prominent poster child of India’s booming growth story. It was a veritable gravy train that one thought could chug on till eternity. With more than a billion…
World - Analyses & Assessments - Nov 22, 2019
The ‘Browning’ of Canadian Politics
Justin Trudeau’s second coming may not be as rosy as the first time around. After losing the majority vote, Trudeau is faced with some challenges. Will his charm offensive see him through another…
World - Op-Eds - Nov 22, 2019
United Nations: Cash Strapped?
As on 04 Oct 2019, 65 nations had failed to pay their share in full; amounting to a shortfall in cash of US$ 1.38 billion. Does the UN’s Financial Vulnerabilities Impede its’ Operational…
General Interest - Analyses & Assessments - Nov 20, 2019
Synergia Conclave 2019 - Inaugural Session
Leaders and experts from around the world converged at the Synergia Conclave to discuss “The Future of Security-Beyond the Curve from October 17th to October 19th. The conclave was inaugurated by…
Cyber Security - Analyses & Assessments - Nov 20, 2019
Future of Security: Digital (Cyber Space)
As a digital work environment permeates business, governance, military and critical infrastructure, long-established security protocols and perimeters will be challenged. MK Narayanan, Former…
Geopolitics - Op-Eds - Nov 20, 2019
Lebanon-The Mirror of Middle East
Lebanon located at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian hinterland has a rich history and a special cultural identity of religious and ethnic diversity. By Middle East standards,…
Technology - Analyses & Assessments - Nov 20, 2019
Industry 4.0 – Promise and Vulnerabilities
Most experts agree that the advent of Artificial Intelligence, smart platforms, 5G and the Internet of Things are likely to change the nature of the world and usher in new vulnerabilities and threats…
General Interest - Analyses & Assessments - Nov 19, 2019
Understanding China and its Vision, Mission, and Challenges
Dr Patrick Mendis, a Sri Lankan-born American diplomat scholar, who is a distinguished visiting professor of global affairs at the National Chengchi University and a senior fellow of the Taiwan…
Indian Politics - Analyses & Assessments - Nov 13, 2019
Ayodhya: Seeking Closure
27 years after Babri Masjid was demolished in Ayodhya, the Supreme Court of India has ruled in favour of the building of Ram Mandir in its place. What is next for Ayodhya?
Indian Economics - Analyses & Assessments - Nov 12, 2019
RCEP & India- Dodging Competition
In a surprise move, Indian ‘Act East’ policy did a volte-face when India opted out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) raising questions about the competitiveness of Indian…
Geopolitics - Analyses & Assessments - Nov 12, 2019
NATO - On the Decline
French President Emmanuel Macron, in a recent interview, has described NATO as, ‘brain-dead’. In its 70th year, the US-led military alliance is showing extreme signs of stress raising the question of…
Cyber Security - Analyses & Assessments - Nov 8, 2019
Big Brother is Watching you
Snooping on Social Media and its alleged manipulation has invoked terrifying visions of an Orwellian State where there are no secrets. Will we all eventually live in an Orwellian dystopia?
Cyber Security - Analyses & Assessments - Nov 6, 2019
Twitter-Ethics or Political Expediency?
Jack Dorsey hit a high moral note when he banned paid political ads on Twitter while Facebook continues to allow such ads, fake or not. This raises the question of whether it is entirely ethics or…
Indian Economics - Analyses & Assessments - Nov 6, 2019
Run on the Banks?
The run on Punjab & Maharashtra Cooperative Bank (PMC) has gripped the attention of Indians who trust the Indian banking system with their life savings. Will the country's beleaguered banking…