2013

Pakistan’s newly-installed government has inherited the country engulfed in grave problems. Apart from the economic and energy woes, there is the monster of terrorism that is thwarting all efforts to make a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan. On June 23, in yet another blow to the nascent government, gunmen shot dead foreign trekkers who were resting during a climb up the …

The youth has great importance for a country because it plays a vital role in its development in economic, social and all other spheres. Besides strengthening the social and cultural values, the youth also is a major force to shape the political system of a country. Every nation has its own way to define youth. However, by globally prevalent standard, …

Recently Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced to initiate treason proceedings against retired general and former president Pervez Musharraf. At face value, it appears Sharif is finally getting his revenge. In 1999, Musharraf, who was then the chief of army staff, led a coup against the Sharif government. The coup was triggered by Sharif’s attempt to replace Musharraf apparently because of …

A Threadbare Analysis of Cabinet Mission Plan August 14, 2013 marks the 66th anniversary of Pakistan’s inception. The birth of an independent Muslim state from the womb of an undivided, colonial India eventually became the solution to the communal problem after prolonged negotiations involving the British government, the Indian National Congress and the All-India Muslim League. One common allegation against …

The refusal of France, Italy and Portugal to allow the private aircraft of the President of Bolivia to cross their airspace on the mere suspicion that Edward Snowden might be aboard is rather more astonishing. The recent Snowden saga has revealed more about Europe than about the United State. Together, these revelations confirm the completion of the transformation of the …

All the stakeholders and major players in the region are already active in securing their share of power and are vigorously pursuing their agendas to gain more and more influence in post-2014 Afghanistan and in the region also. These developments are destined to impact South Asian regional politics and international relations of many countries. The US, UK and China are …

Prosperous nations such as the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK have always attracted immigrants who are looking for better opportunities. Since the foundation of the United States of America, immigration has been an essential factor to the growth of the nation as well as a continuous source of conflict. In 2007, illegal immigrants outnumbered legal ones at approximately 12 …

On 1 July 2013, Croatia became the 28th member state of the European Union, but it is yet to join the single currency or the Schengen Area. The accession takes place at a time of economic difficulty when Croatia is in fifth year of recession with 21% unemployment, and amid the European sovereign-debt crisis. Croatia joining the EU, exited her …

The California summit between US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 7-8 came at a time when there was a heightened tension between the world’s two preeminent powers. But divisive issues ‘from computer hacking to America’s ‘pivot to Asia’ must not have claimed all of the attention. The next ten years will be characterized by major …

On 3 July 2013, General Abdul Fatah al-Sisi, the incumbent Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Egypt removed President Mohamed Morsi and suspended the Egyptian constitution after ongoing public protests. Thus Egypt went again into the hands of army and the rise of the nascent democracy was curtailed. The Egyptian uprising of 2011 was about many things, but one …