In The News

Indonesia: Democracy Wins, but Danger Remains

Sadanand Dhume October 22, 2004
This week's inauguration of a new Indonesian president, elected with a strong mandate, has again shown that Islam is compatible with democracy. Coming shortly after the second anniversary of the Bali club bombings, the peaceful change in leadership provides some comfort to those concerned about the fate of the world's largest Muslim nation. However, as Indonesia-based journalist and...

Surgeries, Side Trips for "Medical Tourists"

John Lancaster October 21, 2004
As health care costs skyrocket, patients in the developed world are looking overseas for medical treatment. India is capitalizing on its low costs and highly trained doctors to appeal to these "medical tourists." Even with airfare, the cost of going to India for surgery can be markedly cheaper, and the quality of services is often better than that found in the United States and UK....

Rex Americana

Seema Sirohi October 19, 2004
As the US presidential campaigns come to a close, many Indian Americans support John Kerry because of his strong civil rights message, though those more financially successful favor Bush's tax policies. India itself, despite traditionally leaning toward Democrats, is split down the middle regarding this election. According to this Outlook India analysis, US election results will define...

Tom Yam Swamp

Arindam Mukherjee October 12, 2004
When the India-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into effect in September, Indian businesses suddenly found a much cheaper manufacturing option. From electronics to textiles, products can be produced in Thailand and re-imported to the Indian consumer market at more competitive prices. India's domestic industries, threatened by this outsourcing loophole, question whether such...

Spread of 'Preemptive-ism' and Indonesia Sovereignty

Mohamad Mova Al Afghani October 7, 2004
Standing upon the precedent of US president George W. Bush, Australian Prime Minister John Howard has also claimed the right of his country to prevent terrorist attacks with preemptive strikes. In this op-ed from neighboring country Indonesia and likely home of many of the “terrorist bases” Howard wishes to target, the writer argues that the “doctrine” of preemption is not widely accepted in the...

Freeing India's Textile Industry

Asutosh Padhi October 5, 2004
When the Arrangement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC) expires on January 1, 2005, the international textile industry will be entering a free-for-all phase. The ATC’s quota restrictions on textile exports have so far safeguarded poor countries such as Bangladesh and Cambodia, and its abolition leaves them to the mercy of the free global market. India, with its copious human and natural resources,...

Pity the Giants

Kesa Nimrahong September 30, 2004
Despite strong international sanctions against the illegal trade, ivory products still flourish in Thailand, where ivory carving is a traditional art. Thailand finds itself at the epicenter of an international black market, ushering in large shipments of African ivory each year. Materials are smuggled through a complicated trail that sometimes passes through ports as far flung as Saudi Arabia and...