Floods vs earthquakes
The destruction and loss of life caused by the devastating floods across Pakistan this summer have badly exposed multiple fragilities surrounding the country. Beyond the early price tag unveiled by…
Political wilderness
There has never been a dull movement in Pakistani politics. Something is always happening – and it only gets bigger with time. There is an innate restlessness in the political…
Greece shakes Europe’s political kaleidoscope – expect the unexpected
By catapulting to power an improbable alliance of the hard left and nationalist far right, Greece has shaken up Europe's political kaleidoscope and may have signalled the end of an…
Digitally-enhanced democracy
Like many millions around the world, I have watched in awe, excitement and horror as a new world order has begun to emerge over the last decade and a half.…
Global agenda for tackling inequality
The Great Leveler, an impressive new book by the historian Walter Scheidel, proposes that ever since foraging gave way to agriculture, high and rising inequality has been the norm in…
Global agenda for tackling inequality
The Great Leveler, an impressive new book by the historian Walter Scheidel, proposes that ever since foraging gave way to agriculture, high and rising inequality has been the norm in…
From blessing to curse
Three years ago, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2334. With fourteen members voting in favor and one abstention, the Resolution was the equivalent of a political earthquake. Indeed,…
What happens after a ‘no deal’ Brexit?
Bluff was a central feature of British power even when the British empire covered a large part of the globe. A story illustrating this tells of a royal navy captain…
The return of Nawaz Sharif
Punditry and forecasting are both inexact 'sciences'. Sometimes, the line between the two gets blurred. Something of this nature has overtaken the Pakistani commentariat regarding the plans of ousted prime…
Elections in Italy
The Italian capitalist class was hoping to get a strong and stable government after the election. The election results came as political earthquake for them since both the traditional parties…
