In a depressing reflection of American studies at left-dominated American university campuses, Indian students will soon be learning not only about U.S. history, the Constitution, and American government but also about American transgender issues, cross-dressing, feminism, multiculturalism, and pop culture. All courtesy of the U.S. taxpayers. The curriculum was unveiled this week in connection with the new American Corner at Isabella Thoburn College in Uttar Pradesh, India. The Corner will host a library and support two courses in American studies. American Corners in India—of which there are now six, with … More
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India’s successful test of the Agni-V, a nuclear-capable long-range missile, is a major step forward for New Delhi in attaining nuclear deterrence against regional rival China. The lack of U.S. condemnation of India’s latest missile test demonstrates that the U.S. is comfortable with Indian progress in the nuclear and missile fields and appreciates India’s need to meet the emerging strategic challenge posed by rising China. The Agni-V has extended India’s missile reach to about 3,100 miles, marking a major achievement in its missile development program. Until this week, Indian missiles … More
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Two years ago, the United States Department of Defense “discovered” mineral deposits in Afghanistan—gold, iron, copper, cobalt—that it claimed were worth almost $1 trillion. Actually, the deposits were worth almost nothing, they had previously been worth almost nothing, and they are still worth almost nothing. They will have value only when someone wants them. The newest scandal in India involves sweetheart concessions involving the country’s nationalized coal industry—assets sold due to personal relationships or perhaps even outright graft. This is an important issue, well worth discussing. But the $210 billion … More
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The release last week of an Indian think tank report entitled “Non-Alignment 2.0: A Foreign and Strategic Policy for India in the 21st Century” has prompted robust discussion about Indian foreign policy in the age of a rising China. Indian national security advisor Shiv Shankar Menon provided remarks at the report launch and apparently participated in some of the private discussions in preparation of the report. U.S. strategic thinkers who are eager to improve ties with India will be disappointed by the report, as it provides few imperatives and recommendations … More
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Armed federal agents raided Gibson Guitar’s Nashville headquarters in August, creating a national outcry over the high-profile persecution. But today, six months after the raid, the Department of Justice has yet to file any charges against the company. Why did the government go after Gibson? A new video from Reason.tv explores the implications of the case, problems with the Lacey Act and how overcriminalization is threatening the American way of life. At the time of the August raid, the second on the company since 2009, agents were working off a … More
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President Obama wants to reduce the nuclear arsenal to as little as 300 warheads. While this might seem like a lot, the targeting list is evolving more rapidly than at any point in history. The United States has more enemies than ever before and provides nuclear security guarantees to more than 30 countries. Every U.S. President faces a difficult decision regarding what to target in the case that the U.S. homeland or allies are attacked. The President can chose to strike counter-force and counter-value targets. Counter-force targets are the enemy … More
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An attack on an Israeli diplomatic vehicle today in New Delhi injured four, including the wife of an Israeli defense representative working at the embassy. The perpetrator reportedly used the same method of attack—detonating an explosive device that had been attached magnetically to the vehicle—that was used to assassinate an Iranian nuclear scientist in Tehran last month. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly blamed Iran for the attack, which raises the question of whether Israeli officials will increase pressure on India to curtail its ties with Iran. Despite toughening international … More
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Last week, The Heritage Foundation’s Asian Studies Center hosted a very timely discussion on the prospects for U.S.–Australia–India Trilateral Cooperation featuring Graham Fletcher, the deputy chief of mission at the Australian embassy in Washington, D.C.; Sunjoy Joshi, the director of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), an Indian think tank; Heritage’s own Walter Lohman, director of its Asian Studies Center; and Heritage senior research fellow for South Asia Lisa Curtis. This event follows the recent release of “Shared Goals, Converging Interests: A Plan for U.S.–Australia–India Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific,” a joint … More
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India is steadily emerging to be one of the world’s top economic players but still faces development challenges and infrastructure bottlenecks that hinder growth. Heritage’s Lisa Curtis has been arguing that the U.S. needs to acknowledge India’s growing global role and the changing Asian strategic landscape. With new relationships emerging in Asia, the United States has an opportunity to strengthen its presence in this vital region. Following the State Department’s announcement that the first round of U.S.–India–Japan trilateral talks will occur before the end of the year, it is time … More
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A beleaguered Indian federal government tried last week to break out of its rut and boost what is finally recognized as a struggling Indian economy. It did so with a bold and valuable decision to expand foreign participation in retail. Foreign companies will be able to wholly own single-brand stores and majority-own multi-brand stores. There are a number of qualifiers to this long-awaited liberalization, including the right for Indian states to say no, which several have already exercised loudly. These state governments are making an error, as are the national … More
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