The Case for Indian Islam – Article in Pragati

I’ve got a new article in Pragati Magazine that discusses an important form of Indian soft power: Indian Islam.

In “The Case for Indian Islam,” I discuss how India’s Muslims have lived under stable, pluralist democracy for decades, and argue that they ought to reclaim their syncretic narrative and project it to the rest of the Islamic world. This narrative is particularly important during this time of tumult, awakening, and recalibration in the Muslim world known as the “Arab Spring”.

The piece is available at http://pragati.nationalinterest.in/2012/11/the-case-for-indian-islam/ and in-text below.

“India’s Involvement in the Sudan” – Article in Pragati Magazine

I’ve got a new article out in Pragati Magazine that discusses “India’s Involvement in the Sudan.” It argues that India’s engagement in the region—from investments in energy infrastructure to its involvement in a peace process between Juba and Khartoum—demonstrates an important union of New Delhi’s strategic interests and ‘soft’ power.

It explores a potentially important role India is playing in the political and economic development of Africa, particularly South Sudan’s development, burgeoning independence, and peace process. The article is available here and below.

Op-Ed in the Christian Science Monitor – “America’s way out of dependence on Pakistan: Iran”

The Christian Science Monitor recently asked me for an op-ed on US-Pakistan relations.

“America’s way out of dependence on Pakistan: Iran” argues that America’s very dependence on Pakistan is the key source of regional instability, amounting to US support for a Pakistani military-economic complex that churns out militants and is the world’s worst nuclear proliferator. To change the tide, it ought to enlist the support of an unlikely ally: Iran, whose eastern Chabahar Road can help wean the world off its dependence on Pakistan and reorient Afghanistan’s future.

The article’s available here or in full at http://www.csmonitor.com/layout/set/print/content/view/print/547580

Article in the Huffington Post – Do Abrahamic Faiths Have a Monopoly on Truth?

I’ve co-authored a slightly more personal piece in The Huffington Post with one of my best friends, Colin Christopher. It discusses one of the main sources of religious conflict in the world: the idea of exclusivism, and how some religions feel they are superior to others.

The article is available at the Huffington Post’s website, here.

Op-Ed in the Christian Science Monitor – 4 Ways US and Iran can make nuclear talks work

The Christian Science Monitor recently asked me to write a short piece on the recent nuclear talks with Iran. From America’s perspective, these talks have been about the nuclear program. But from Iran’s point of view, there can be no resolution of the nuclear program without resolving Iran’s broader insecurity. Ultimately, these talks must be a part of a broader realignment of the US-Iranian relationship. I outline four ways to move forward: acknowledge assumptions; reconcile interests, not positions; remain committed to a process of diplomacy; and include participants that can bridge the gaps.

The article’s available here or in full at http://www.csmonitor.com/layout/set/print/content/view/print/529780

Natural Allies? – Article in Pragati on US-India Relations

I have an article out in Pragati: The Indian National Interest that discusses US-India relations in the wake of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent visit to India. The situation in Afghanistan may be the biggest stumbling block to closer ties between Washington and Delhi, but a burgeoning detente between India and Pakistan may change that. So while tactical approaches divide India and the US, the strategic fundamentals—on China, markets, and AfPak—remain.

Interview with South Asia News – India-China Relations

The second part of my skype interview with South Asia News on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent visit to India was just released. In this second segment, I discuss my recent National Interest piece on India’s role in Washington’s Strategic Pivot. Check out the show and selections from the interview here and below (from 12:55).