How the Berlin Christmas market terror attack affects Chancellor Merkel and Europe
Jan 04, 2017 05:10 am UTC| Insights & Views
Germany is recovering from one of the most deadly terrorist attacks since the 1980 bombing at Munichs Oktoberfest. On Dec. 19, 12 people were killed when Anis Amri, a Tunisian citizen who had claimed allegiance to the...
Political events that would keep us busy in 2017
Jan 02, 2017 07:33 am UTC| Commentary
After two major political upheavals in 2016; Brexit referendum and Trumps victory in the US election, 2017 is not going to be an easy ride either. The year could easily be marked as the year of political uncertainties....
Was 2016 just 1938 all over again?
Jan 01, 2017 16:22 pm UTC| Insights & Views
On December 31 1937, Cambridge classicist and man of letters F L Lucas embarked on an experiment. He would keep a diary for exactly one calendar year. It was, as he put it: an attempt to give one answer, however...
Berlin: who will stand up for liberalism and tolerance now?
Dec 30, 2016 07:00 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics
Poor Angela Merkel. Given Germanys history and her own cautious nature, its not been easy being the defacto leader of the European Union at the best of times. But these are far from the best of times, either for Germany or...
A rare American rebuke for Israel
Dec 29, 2016 11:10 am UTC| Insights & Views
As in comedy, timing can be vital in politics too. To say outgoing Secretary of State John Kerrys criticism of Israel is a bit late is putting it mildly. No matter how valid some of Kerrys belated observations about...
Japan's change in military outlook marks the end of a 'Peace State'
Dec 26, 2016 01:00 am UTC| Insights & Views
Thanks to the constitution imposed on its citizens by the US after the end of World War II, Japan has long been thought of by pacifists as a Peace State. Article 9 of the constitution states that: The Japanese people...
Biggest Geo political risks of 2017
Dec 23, 2016 11:37 am UTC| Commentary
The following four geopolitical events are likely to shape the year 2017. French election: After UK referendum outcome in June, where Britons voted to exit the European Union and Republican candidate Donald Trumps...