In The News

A Not-To-Be-Missed Opportunity

Nayan Chanda January 30, 2015
The abrupt fall in oil prices, due to new technologies and a battle over market share between Saudi Arabia and the United States, creates clear winners and losers. Exporting countries that predicated budgets on oil priced near $100 per barrel struggle to adjust even as prices near $50 per barrel offer a brief respite for nations that depend on oil imports. “Amid signs that the price may fall...

Tiger and Wild Cat Trade From Myanmar to China Growing

Navin Singh Khadka January 28, 2015
Trade in rare-cat parts, including tigers, from Burma into China is growing. At the center of the surge is Mong La, a town bordering China, where 21 shops, triple the number from 2006, sell wildlife products, some from as far away as Africa, reports Navin Singh Khadka for BBC News. This trend raises concern among environmentalists – already the tiger population is down to 5 percent of what it was...

After Obama’s Visit, India-US Relations Must Not Be Allowed to Drift Again

Nayan Chanda January 23, 2015
As the world’s two largest democracies, India and the United States have little choice but to endure the minor frictions that test relations and draw fierce public response – for example, the arrest of an Indian diplomat in New York City. President Barack Obama is returning to India for his second visit to join the country’s Republic Day celebrations. “The significance of a sitting president...

Obama in India: Time to Get Serious on Common Goals

Vikram Mansharamani January 22, 2015
As the world’s two biggest democracies, India and the United States share many interests on trade, investment and security matters. US President Barack Obama will attend India’s Republic Day celebration on January 26, and many in business and government look forward to a stronger partnership between the two countries on energy, manufacturing and IT. “If Modi and his team can help get India out of...

A Shield That’s Not Required

Nayan Chanda January 15, 2015
Attempts to protect home markets signal a lack of confidence in the business community. A decision by the Modi administration in India “to oblige ministries to procure only locally-built electronic products not only marks a protectionist turn but also undermines the government’s avowed goal of fighting corruption and increasing transparency,” writes Nayan Chanda, editor in chief of YaleGlobal,...

Why #I'llRideWithYou Worked

Husna Haq December 19, 2014
Muslims represent about 2 percent of Australia’s population. After a lone extremist, out on bail for serious charges, terrorized a group in a Sydney chocolate store, Twitter users realized that Muslims might expect a backlash and started a campaign on #I’llRideWithYou: “the hashtag began with a Facebook post … [by a woman] who said a Muslim woman sitting next to her on a train in Sydney had...

India: Bengaluru Man Confesses to Managing Islamic State Twitter Account

Vasudevan Sridharan December 18, 2014
Social-media debates are a magnet for the mentally ill, the marginalized and even educated professionals who are disenchanted with government, including dictatorships like that in Syria or their own democracies. Indian police have arrested a man accused of operating the most popular Islamic State Twitter account, @ShamiWitness, reports International Business Times. Bengaluru police suspect he was...