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This is an archive article published on February 17, 2009
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Opinion Greater game

Richard Holbrooke’s view on the Afghan-Pak cauldron is apt,especially from the US perspective.

The Indian Express

February 17, 2009 01:39 AM IST First published on: Feb 17, 2009 at 01:39 AM IST

• Richard Holbrooke’s view on the Afghan-Pak cauldron is apt,especially from the US perspective. Rudyard Kipling’s “Great Game” just got more complicated with new actors in the international arena. Obama’s message of “change” was sufficient to get to the presidency but the situation has become far too complex to be tweaked by electoral rhetoric.

New actors on the scene — namely Iran and Russia will not let Afghanistan be dictated by US policy. These states have an adverse relationship with the US,and their action will not be solely targeted towards the US but would also be targeted towards undermining the interests of the West.

— Rahul K. Bhonsle

New Delhi

Right means

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• Rehman Malik has disclosed less than what he knows and for good reasons too. Surely it would be odd if he were to declare that the masterminds behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks targeted not only Indians but foreign nationals as well. India has stuck to its guns,displaying restraint and chosen the diplomatic route in achieving its goals.

— M. Ramakrishna

— M.N. Saudamini

Delhi

  

Fickle loyalties

• It is common for a few shrewd politicians to change colours and opinions and jump ship. Service to citizens is either absent or a minor goal. What is of paramount importance to some is their maintenance of power and position: self-interest is the pivot around which a lot revolves. Is this not mere opportunism? Changing positions not only discredits loyalty but also displays an obvious lack of ideology.

— Prem K. Menon

Mumbai

 

Sky’s a limit

• This refers to ‘Choked by high rise…’. Population increases have seen a corresponding increase in high-rises. The logic is that utilising the abundant sky reduces the pressure on the land. However these cause great social ills,let alone increased expenditure on infrastructure. They also aesthetically disturb the skyline and the panoramic view.

— Hara Lal Chakraborty

Kolkata

 

Time to change 

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• It is time we considered changing the electoral procedure. The first-past-the-post system should be replaced with proportional representation. This would increase voter turnout.

It may also perpetuate the cycle of coalition politics. Given the nature of the Indian political makeup,coalitions are the norm. Thus the argument against proportional representation does not stand.

— Rufus D’Souza

Pune

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