Author: OpEd Column Network

India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Requires Concerted Effort among Littoral Countries

[Dr. Pankaj Jha] India’s Indo-pacific Oceans Initiative is a work in progress and requires concerted effort among littoral countries of the Indo-Pacific region.

COVID-19: Why was Italy the First Badly Affected Western Country despite being Half the World Away from China?

[Bahauddin Foizee] Chinese tourists and business persons, elderly population, not maintaining social distancing, and the delay in imposing full lockdown — all these factors made Italy the first Western country to be badly affected by the COVID-19.

Lockdown: Only Option Available against COVID-19

[Bahauddin Foizee] The best option available against COVID-19 is the full, strict and early lockdown, together with testing the suspects, and treating and isolating the confirmed patients.

Why did Sirisena Fail to Achieve a Balanced Policy for Sri Lanka?

[Bahauddin Foizee] Despite his attempts to reduce Chinese influence during the initial stage of his tenure, Sirisena had later realized that China has already established so deep influence in his country that he had little power to change this reality.

Ireland Needs Experienced People (not Amateurs) in Office to Deal with 2020 BREXIT Negotiations

[John Bruton] Republic of Ireland needs experienced people in office to navigate the challenges of 2020, which could be the most consequential year for the century. It wouldn't be in Ireland’s interest to entrust the 2020-Brexit-negotiations to well intentioned, but inexperienced, amateurs.

Ireland must Work with EU Partners to Protect Itself

[John Bruton] Ireland can and must learn from the work of other EU members and, on a case by case basis, take part in joint initiatives in areas like cyber security, threat intelligence, maritime surveillance, drone surveillance, etc.

Asia-Pacific’s Coastal Communities Becoming more Vulnerable by the Day

[Bahauddin Foizee] While coastal areas of countries like Bangladesh, India, the Philippines and Sri Lanka would disappear gradually, other small island nations like Micronesia and the Maldives would be submerged under water almost completely, turning millions of inhabitants living in these countries into climate refugees.