SIX years back, Prime Minister Modi embarked on selling the "great power” dream to the Indian masses. In 2014, Modi announced his intention to make India a “leading power” in the international order. He assumed that the country was in a perfect position to manage global affairs to serve national interests. Many RSS sympathisers are convinced that the removal of Article 370 from J&K was undertaken at an appropriate time because Modi’s charisma has tilted the current global opinion in India’s favour.

IN his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the government’s decision to establish the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), a single head for the three services - army, navy and air force. The CDS, a four star officer is expected to be senior to the three other service chiefs.The lack of strategic culture in India is often blamed on the prevailing higher defence management structure in the country.

LIBERALISM is on the decline. The right-wing monster has re-emerged. The global response to the migrant crisis, and the speed at which racism and communalism is gaining legitimacy are clear symptoms of the decay of liberalism.The truth is that the dictatorship of the oligarchs is back with a vengeance, legitimising racism, communalism, censorship and the surveillance state. Everything that the liberals found wrong with communism has come back to haunt them.Conservatism is the main ideology of most of the states.

IN yet another attempt to destroy a sovereign nation, undermine its economic well-being, the Trump administration has tightened sanctions on Iran.  Under the so-called isolationist Trump, the American empire has become more ruthless, expecting sovereign nations to disregard their own economic well-being and obey imperial instructions. By targeting Iran, the US wants to manipulate global oil supplies and the prices. Today Iran’s contribution to global oil market is in the range of 1 to 1.2 per cent.