Rating democracies is a tricky business. I am only using the simple metric of who in the Indian subcontinent has had the most peaceful, stable, normal political transitions and continuity.
Trump has ushered in the age of humiliation. His method is to push around America’s friends rudely and publicly. He knows none of them can afford to fight back.
The Pakistani political leadership is weak and devoid of any intellect. Its diplomacy is entirely India-China-US focused and suffers from a presumptive view of Afghanistan as a vassal.
This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.
By next weekend, Bangladesh will have an elected government. This is India’s moment to reboot broken ties by moderating the ‘ghuspethiya’ rhetoric in poll-bound West Bengal and Assam.
The key to fighting a war successfully, or even launching it, is a clear objective. That’s an entirely political call. It isn’t emotional or purely military.
No nation other than China can negotiate one-on-one with Trump on an equal footing. That’s why the middle powers who so far formed the core of multilateral bodies now feel orphaned.
Pakistan not only has zero chance of catching up with India in most areas, but will inevitably see the gap rising. Its leaders will offer its people the same snake oil in different bottles.
By mixing Indian maximalism with Western minimalism, desi influencers are using the hippie Met Gala to bring about a quiet revolution in festival dressing.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz eases supply fears, but controlled shipping, slow output recovery, and high costs may delay oil flow normalisation for months.
This special edition of Cut The Clutter, straight from the Siliguri corridor, details the strategic importance of the narrow strip of land in West Bengal, and how it’s a vital link connecting the Northeast to the rest of India.
American objectives are unmet. They neither have muscle nor motivation to resume the war. As for Iran, the regime didn’t just survive, it’s now led by more radical individuals.
You’re really insufferable, right Shekhar Gupta?
Not once did you center the Palestinians in the article. Not once did you try to put that we share our history of being colonialized with the Palestinians. At one point, you even say “Palestinians should….”. Really? If you had written this article during the German Nazi Holocaust, how would it have sounded today. At least read yourself. Stop dancing the tunes of your capitalist masters against humanity. Shame on you.
Democratic dissent means make people feel bad about themselves and their choices. Make people feel bad about choosing to improve their own lives. Make them feel selfish. Use victimhood to appropriate resources. This leftist entitled approach has created folks like Alok who believe belittling the common mans aspirations for security and wealth is anticommunist and bad.
This is a confused mess of a take. Makes the fundamental mistake of confusing the Indian government with the people of India and draws the blithe conclusion that on matters of foreign policy, Indians just quietly take their government’s cue. The continued incarceration of Umar Khalid and others on vague charges under UAPA, the judicial killings of Stan Swamy and now Prof Saibaba, has dramatically shrunk space for any democratic dissent. To see that as indifference is callousness of the highest order.
I support MS’ comment.
It’s high time Mr. Shekhar Gupta turns his focus on the rotten state of affairs in West Bengal. The doctor’s protest has opened up the abyss which Bengal has become today. Be it education or healthcare or any other sector, it is awash with corruption, crime and politics.
The Print must do a series of Cut The Clutter sessions on the absolutely rotten state of affairs in Bengal.
It took you some very deep thought and reading between the lines and jogging your memory to see that Palestine cause is hyphenated to Kashmir by Muslim leaders around the world . And you think ordinary Indians picked this up, remembered this and formed a sort of public discourse not to raise concerns on Palestinian issue? I think it’s a bit too far fetched. Occam’s razor should explain this better in my view. We don’t care much about what happens around the world , less so in the Muslim world especially if Muslims suffer. We are too busy becoming a world power to focus on the world. To quote from jab we met: main apni favourite hu. And the political parties are perfectly happy keeping it that way.
Mr. Gupta, when will the situation in west bengal be worthy of being featured in National Interest? How many other protests have been this spontaneous, emotional in post independence India?
I think you did 1 cut the clutter which didn’t pin the blame of this situation on Bengal govt. Your Kolkata correspondent churns out articles calling doctors stupid or mamata a victim of bad PR. yesterday was the first time she acknowledged mamata needs to act fact.
Tell me, what it is about national media or other political parties that won’t call out Mamata for the evil that she is. She is a liar, cold blooded killer, extreme narcissist, thinks of herself as God. Every sector in west bengal today only seems to have deeply embedded corruption. Why don’t you do an investigative series on that, unmasking that and cbi/Ed’s inability to make charges against her ministers stick.
Have had enough of pak, bd, Palestine coverage by you.
After the Mumbai blasts Sharad Pawar faked the list of targets to make it sound that there was no religious angle. After 26 11 We saw dossiers and strong protests to Pakistan. Any arrests were either because of citizens like Tukaram Omble and USA.
In Israel Indians see a government that behaves as it is supposed to when its citizens are attacked. Who displays care for its citizens. We dont pay taxes so that the government can talk arbitrary morality. We pay taxes to have our givernment deter attacks and retaliate when attacked. Not proprtionally but with a response that is sufficient to deter.
Gandhivaad is good for personal morality. Mixed into Nehruvian diplomacy it becomes impractical moralizing.
Indians wanted a regular government but since independence are stuck with one that they pay to not be protected. The govermment rather continuously judges them and directs them to self sacrifice. On all fronts economic and security.
Its like paying taxes to join a cult.
Also, nuance aside, the world in general is sick and tired of the barbarism displayed by the usual suspects under the name of religion and don’t really mind if those regions are no bed out of existence. At least there will be less terror overall. Kt to forget 60 percent of Palestine supports hamas tacitly. What kind of barbarian population is this? And why should inebabe sympathy for such cavemen?
Author Shekhar Gupta points out some of the reasons for Indians not coming out in support of Palestine. But he has missed important point. Indian media and journalists – probably English one were historically Pro American / Pro West / Pro NATO.. Current author is also no exception. They were always anti Soviet and Pro NATO. Indian media hardly covers atrocities committed by Israelis with the backing of USA and NATO allies. But they cover the sufferings of Israelis in a big way which is in fact fact marginal in comparison to the sufferings of Palestines. Instead of building public opinion for the cause of Palestines, Indian media is busy parroting mostly NATAO’s version on all issues.
Money Shankar Iyer is fasting unto death for Palestinian cause and also selling tea to Palestinians. Rahul Baba has opened shop of love in Palestine. Comrade Brinjal Karrot is holding daily protests in Palestine while chanting ‘death to Israel’. Comrade Maharaja has transferred all his wealth to Palestinians. The ghost of Ramsita Churmury is teaching economics to Palestinians. Soniya mata has promised Palestinians Earth digging jobs. Kachrawala has promised free currency printing machines to the doorsteps of Palestinians. Peddaramiah has promised free bus transport for all Palestinians. Stalingam has promised free Tamil TV channels to Palestinians.
You’re really insufferable, right Shekhar Gupta?
Not once did you center the Palestinians in the article. Not once did you try to put that we share our history of being colonialized with the Palestinians. At one point, you even say “Palestinians should….”. Really? If you had written this article during the German Nazi Holocaust, how would it have sounded today. At least read yourself. Stop dancing the tunes of your capitalist masters against humanity. Shame on you.
Democratic dissent means make people feel bad about themselves and their choices. Make people feel bad about choosing to improve their own lives. Make them feel selfish. Use victimhood to appropriate resources. This leftist entitled approach has created folks like Alok who believe belittling the common mans aspirations for security and wealth is anticommunist and bad.
This is a confused mess of a take. Makes the fundamental mistake of confusing the Indian government with the people of India and draws the blithe conclusion that on matters of foreign policy, Indians just quietly take their government’s cue. The continued incarceration of Umar Khalid and others on vague charges under UAPA, the judicial killings of Stan Swamy and now Prof Saibaba, has dramatically shrunk space for any democratic dissent. To see that as indifference is callousness of the highest order.
I support MS’ comment.
It’s high time Mr. Shekhar Gupta turns his focus on the rotten state of affairs in West Bengal. The doctor’s protest has opened up the abyss which Bengal has become today. Be it education or healthcare or any other sector, it is awash with corruption, crime and politics.
The Print must do a series of Cut The Clutter sessions on the absolutely rotten state of affairs in Bengal.
It took you some very deep thought and reading between the lines and jogging your memory to see that Palestine cause is hyphenated to Kashmir by Muslim leaders around the world . And you think ordinary Indians picked this up, remembered this and formed a sort of public discourse not to raise concerns on Palestinian issue? I think it’s a bit too far fetched. Occam’s razor should explain this better in my view. We don’t care much about what happens around the world , less so in the Muslim world especially if Muslims suffer. We are too busy becoming a world power to focus on the world. To quote from jab we met: main apni favourite hu. And the political parties are perfectly happy keeping it that way.
You can’t trust Islamist
I don’t think even one percent india population think about Israel or Palestinian they are busy in their own life to worry about anything
Mr. Gupta, when will the situation in west bengal be worthy of being featured in National Interest? How many other protests have been this spontaneous, emotional in post independence India?
I think you did 1 cut the clutter which didn’t pin the blame of this situation on Bengal govt. Your Kolkata correspondent churns out articles calling doctors stupid or mamata a victim of bad PR. yesterday was the first time she acknowledged mamata needs to act fact.
Tell me, what it is about national media or other political parties that won’t call out Mamata for the evil that she is. She is a liar, cold blooded killer, extreme narcissist, thinks of herself as God. Every sector in west bengal today only seems to have deeply embedded corruption. Why don’t you do an investigative series on that, unmasking that and cbi/Ed’s inability to make charges against her ministers stick.
Have had enough of pak, bd, Palestine coverage by you.
After the Mumbai blasts Sharad Pawar faked the list of targets to make it sound that there was no religious angle. After 26 11 We saw dossiers and strong protests to Pakistan. Any arrests were either because of citizens like Tukaram Omble and USA.
In Israel Indians see a government that behaves as it is supposed to when its citizens are attacked. Who displays care for its citizens. We dont pay taxes so that the government can talk arbitrary morality. We pay taxes to have our givernment deter attacks and retaliate when attacked. Not proprtionally but with a response that is sufficient to deter.
Gandhivaad is good for personal morality. Mixed into Nehruvian diplomacy it becomes impractical moralizing.
Indians wanted a regular government but since independence are stuck with one that they pay to not be protected. The govermment rather continuously judges them and directs them to self sacrifice. On all fronts economic and security.
Its like paying taxes to join a cult.
It is in Israel’s own long term interest to concede a Palestinian state.
Also, nuance aside, the world in general is sick and tired of the barbarism displayed by the usual suspects under the name of religion and don’t really mind if those regions are no bed out of existence. At least there will be less terror overall. Kt to forget 60 percent of Palestine supports hamas tacitly. What kind of barbarian population is this? And why should inebabe sympathy for such cavemen?
Author Shekhar Gupta points out some of the reasons for Indians not coming out in support of Palestine. But he has missed important point. Indian media and journalists – probably English one were historically Pro American / Pro West / Pro NATO.. Current author is also no exception. They were always anti Soviet and Pro NATO. Indian media hardly covers atrocities committed by Israelis with the backing of USA and NATO allies. But they cover the sufferings of Israelis in a big way which is in fact fact marginal in comparison to the sufferings of Palestines. Instead of building public opinion for the cause of Palestines, Indian media is busy parroting mostly NATAO’s version on all issues.
Money Shankar Iyer is fasting unto death for Palestinian cause and also selling tea to Palestinians. Rahul Baba has opened shop of love in Palestine. Comrade Brinjal Karrot is holding daily protests in Palestine while chanting ‘death to Israel’. Comrade Maharaja has transferred all his wealth to Palestinians. The ghost of Ramsita Churmury is teaching economics to Palestinians. Soniya mata has promised Palestinians Earth digging jobs. Kachrawala has promised free currency printing machines to the doorsteps of Palestinians. Peddaramiah has promised free bus transport for all Palestinians. Stalingam has promised free Tamil TV channels to Palestinians.