Illuminating the Arts-Policy Nexus 

Check this out - dams on Brahmaputa: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/may/24/chinese-hydroengineers... http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bxFLGJfxdbk/S-ua1q3yOyI/AAAAAAAABB4/FE1LmcR3wG...

Russia: So, does the US-Russia reset have any future? Yes, if it does not happen to be just another new “détente,” where tactics change but the two countries remain fundamentally opposed to each other. In this case the United States would see Russia as a temporary, instrumental partner to help in Afghanistan and to rein in Iranian nuclear ambitions. On the Russian side, the U.S. would be considered a source of investment in the Russian economy and a part-time partner on some other issues, such as entry into the WTO. Such a tactical alliance is bound to fail—sooner or later. And this is exactly what would happen if the administration espoused the view that the “reset” is merely an instrument to make Russia “bend to the United States.” What both Moscow and Washington need is a deep reconciliation of their national and foreign policy interests in light of the many global issues the world is facing. The “reset,” it should be noted, has at its core something more important than mere foreign-policy calculus, even if some politicians in Moscow and Washington are still not quite aware of the fact that in an age of globalization and interdependence—and in the context of a multipolar world—countries are truly faced with an array of mutual interests. Actually, this is what made Obama’s message, if not actual policies, so lauded around the world. Today both sides have to show that they are ready for a deep reconciliation. If Russia and the United States move along this way, the politics of a “reset” will have a future from which both sides would benefit.

India: The largest English-speaking democracy in the world has loads of untapped talent. However, India has not been able to shine like other players of the Asian miracle. Engineers run the show in PRC and their numbers speak volumes. In contrast, India's largely incompetent bureaucracy continues to be a farce for a nation vying for a rightful seat at the table on the world stage. Unless there are drastic improvements, I'd myself suggest that the world not take India seriously unless it can articulate a vision. Thanks to the largess of others, there are already ridiculous quotas for Dalits and Muslims. Have any diamonds come out of the grand giveaway in 60+ years? Has there been a study to estimate staggering losses from denial of education and posts to the highly qualified which were instead thrown away at average quota claimants? A huge landmass was generously given away as Pakistan during the partition all in the name of Islam -- has Pakistan produced a single world class scientist or a noteworthy invention? Instead of eliminating the legacy of the caste system, has the socialist era quota system not reinforced silly fault lines of the 20th century, along with backward divisive politics of vote banks? What is even more interesting is that the Congress Party has been instrumental throughout in promoting caste-based politics, and giving election tickets to dubious "connections". A lack of vision is so obvious. Given that in the 21st century India is finally on the road to economic progress, why not Indian politicians wear proper suits during foreign visits instead of donning uptight stodgy Mao-wear or the trademark cotton pajamas (cleverly used for fooling vote banks too)? No change in mindset or apparel -- the body language speaks for itself. Regardless of the party that holds the reins, leadership should be based on qualifications only i.e. pure meritocracy, not any other criteria, and definitely not birth certificates! History shows that dynamic countries lead, others follow. India can't afford giveaways anymore. What India needs is to reinvent itself.

At first glance, nuclear energy for a desert sheikhdom awash in oil and gas resources may seem incongruous. However, there are actually compelling reasons why the UAE has opted for this path -- not least being access to potable water. Nuclear power is the most effective means of desalinating water on a large scale. Not surprisingly, the UAE has signed agreements with U.S.-based Thorium Power Ltd., thereby indicating a desire for thorium-fueled high-temperature reactors that are optimized for both desalination purposes and hydrogen production. The path to a hydrogen economy also goes through nuclear power.