As drones and missiles shoot across borders, it’s worth thinking of Pahalgam as a cautionary tale. The final destination of majoritarianism is the complete dehumanisation of the Other Mukul Kesavan The residents’ association’s WhatsApp group was alive with information about mock drills and blackouts. This was gleaned from notices sent to condominiums in distant Gurgaon… Read More Noises off
Mawadda Iskandar / The Cradle In a major recalibration of its year-long Red Sea military campaign, the US has agreed to a ceasefire with Yemen’s Ansarallah-aligned armed forces, brokered by Oman. After months of escalating attacks under the guise of “protecting international shipping,” Washington now finds itself calling time on a conflict it launched – but failed… Read More US Ceasefire in Yemen: Retreat Masquerading as Restraint
As India assesses Pakistan’s possible next steps, it needs to review its strategic achievements so far, and assess whether they will have lasting consequences for curbing terrorism originating from Pakistan against India Bharat Bhushan Given the army’s high profile in Pakistan, it was unlikely to call it quits after its government made unconfirmed claims that… Read More India-Pakistan military conflict will not end terrorism in J&K
Selecting a new pope has always been an arduous process, but some conclaves seemed to suffer more than others… 1268-71 – The longest papal election in history lasted two years and nine months – mainly due to factional infighting between cardinals. Three of the 20 cardinal electors died before a decision was made. Harriet Sherwood… Read More Fist fights, ghostly pranks and schism: a brief history of conclaves past
The heroism of soldiers from India, Africa and the Caribbean is too often airbrushed, as is the struggle of those who resisted colonial powers… About 2.5 million personnel from the Indian subcontinent, more than 1 million African-Americans, 1 million people from Africa and tens of thousands of people from the Caribbean fought for the allies during the… Read More On VE Day, remember the war – but can we resolve to honour all who fought in it?
Praveen Swami The new political movements do not seek secession. They demand a nation ruled not by generals, but by its constitution. Their grievances have not made them enemies of Pakistan. Nationalism continues to be a powerful force… A genuinely democratic Pakistan, however, would be one where the generals’ jihadist proxies no longer enjoy state… Read More General Munir is losing a far more fateful war within Pakistan / Arif Jamal on the Pakistan military and it’s misuse of Islam (2022)
At the pogrom in the West Bank Palestinian village of Hawara, they torched homes with their occupants inside. The rioters, horrifically, took a short break in the middle of the pogrom for evening prayer, to the light of the rising flames… The late Rabbi Shlomo Goren, who served as chief rabbi of Israel, ruled, “We… Read More I Was Once Shocked by the Term Judeo-Nazi
By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said Friday that “Malnutrition is … on the rise. More than 9,000 children have been admitted for treatment of acute malnutrition since the beginning of the year.” At least 10 NGO aid kitchens have closed in recent weeks for lack of food, and 25 UN… Read More Juan Cole: As Israelis Blockade Food to Gaza, 9,000 Children have been Admitted for Acute Malnutrition
Sofi Ahsan Kerala based Hindu organisation, Sree Narayana Manava Dharmam Trust, has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, arguing that the law threatens the very existence of the Muslim community in India. The trust, established in 2023 to study and dissemination of the values and teachings of the sage and philosopher… Read More Hindu body moves Supreme Court against Waqf Amendment Act
Castles in the Sky: by A Flock of Seagulls I used to want to touch the sunBut it can’t be done, you can’t touch the sunI used to want to walk on the moonWhat a fool, I can not walk on the moon WhoaJust building castles in the skyWhoaYou never know until you try You… Read More Castles in the Sky
After the truth-shower 