Author Archives: Shada Islam
18th May, 2013
The EU can help
THE European Union is well placed to help Pakistan’s new government tackle a daunting domestic and foreign policy agenda. Attention is inevitably focused on Pakistan’s…
THE European Union is well placed to help Pakistan’s new government tackle a daunting domestic and foreign policy agenda. Attention is inevitably focused on Pakistan’s…
4th May, 2013
Misunderstood China
I AM in the high-speed train from Shanghai to Yangzhou, jet-lagged yet exhilarated as the Chinese countryside — or rather the endless urban sprawl — rushes past me at approximately 300km an hour.
I AM in the high-speed train from Shanghai to Yangzhou, jet-lagged yet exhilarated as the Chinese countryside — or rather the endless urban sprawl — rushes past me at approximately 300km an hour.
20th April, 2013
Not out of the woods
FOR some it’s the new El Dorado. Foreign investors are lining up to do business in Myanmar, a once-pariah nation which only a couple of years ago was almost as isolated as North Korea today.
FOR some it’s the new El Dorado. Foreign investors are lining up to do business in Myanmar, a once-pariah nation which only a couple of years ago was almost as isolated as North Korea today.
13th April, 2013
Thatcher’s legacy
BRITAIN, Europe and the world is divided over the life and legacy of Margaret Thatcher. Not me. If it were not for Thatcher, my job as a young reporter covering the European Union (or the European Economic
BRITAIN, Europe and the world is divided over the life and legacy of Margaret Thatcher. Not me. If it were not for Thatcher, my job as a young reporter covering the European Union (or the European Economic
30th March, 2013
What’s in a name?
IS it just me or is the general, mainly Western-led, reaction to the Brics summit held in Durban this week a tad too sceptical and curmudgeonly?
IS it just me or is the general, mainly Western-led, reaction to the Brics summit held in Durban this week a tad too sceptical and curmudgeonly?
23rd March, 2013
An Asian century
WITH no signs of life in the Doha round of trade liberalisation talks, the race is on among leading economic powers to strike trade-expanding bilateral deals which can generate domestic growth and jobs.
WITH no signs of life in the Doha round of trade liberalisation talks, the race is on among leading economic powers to strike trade-expanding bilateral deals which can generate domestic growth and jobs.
16th March, 2013
Europe’s hidden crisis
ASK European Union policymakers what really worries them these days and you are likely to hear of the continuing eurozone crisis, high levels of unemployment and prospects of a British exit from the EU.
ASK European Union policymakers what really worries them these days and you are likely to hear of the continuing eurozone crisis, high levels of unemployment and prospects of a British exit from the EU.
9th March, 2013
New leaders, old problems
THE world is watching closely as China’s 12th National People’s Congress prepares to confirm the appointment of Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang as the country’s president and premier respectively.
THE world is watching closely as China’s 12th National People’s Congress prepares to confirm the appointment of Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang as the country’s president and premier respectively.
2nd March, 2013
A colourful medley
THOSE dreading chaos and confusion in the wake of Pakistan’s upcoming elections should take heart: Italy is vivid proof that going to the polls can be a messy exercise, prompting surprise, suspense — and soul-searching
THOSE dreading chaos and confusion in the wake of Pakistan’s upcoming elections should take heart: Italy is vivid proof that going to the polls can be a messy exercise, prompting surprise, suspense — and soul-searching
23rd February, 2013
Transatlantic trade
FOR some in Brussels, plans to create a vast Europe-America free-trade area which will generate jobs, more transatlantic investment flows and seal an alliance which under President Barack Obama has seemed more
FOR some in Brussels, plans to create a vast Europe-America free-trade area which will generate jobs, more transatlantic investment flows and seal an alliance which under President Barack Obama has seemed more
16th February, 2013
Love in the time of hate
YEARS ago when I still made regular visits to Pakistan, a young journalist came up to me in a shopping mall and asked for my thoughts on “St. Valentine’s Day”.
YEARS ago when I still made regular visits to Pakistan, a young journalist came up to me in a shopping mall and asked for my thoughts on “St. Valentine’s Day”.
9th February, 2013
WTO’s new challenge
THE Doha round of trade talks has long dominated the agenda of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). An urgent priority for the organisation’s 157 members, however, is to appoint a new director general to replace
THE Doha round of trade talks has long dominated the agenda of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). An urgent priority for the organisation’s 157 members, however, is to appoint a new director general to replace
2nd February, 2013
People vs the masses
AS Pakistan prepares for landmark elections this spring, here’s a plea to the country’s politicians, young and old, male and female: stop talking down to the Pakistani ‘masses’ and start addressing the ‘people’ of Pakistan.
AS Pakistan prepares for landmark elections this spring, here’s a plea to the country’s politicians, young and old, male and female: stop talking down to the Pakistani ‘masses’ and start addressing the ‘people’ of Pakistan.
19th January, 2013
Tough lessons
WATCHING the bizarre events in Pakistan over the last few days, I believe it is true: there are always two sides to a story, two ways of looking at the world. You can see the glass as half-empty or half-full.
WATCHING the bizarre events in Pakistan over the last few days, I believe it is true: there are always two sides to a story, two ways of looking at the world. You can see the glass as half-empty or half-full.
12th January, 2013
South Asia’s daughter
THE tragic gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old medical student in Delhi on Dec 16 has led to widespread outrage across India, forcing the government to consider new laws to ensure stronger protection for women.
THE tragic gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old medical student in Delhi on Dec 16 has led to widespread outrage across India, forcing the government to consider new laws to ensure stronger protection for women.
1st January, 2013
EUROZONE: A continent in crisis
THE Eurozone sovereign debt crisis is no longer just about the future of Europe’s single currency or about Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal, the countries…
THE Eurozone sovereign debt crisis is no longer just about the future of Europe’s single currency or about Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal, the countries…
22nd December, 2012
The year gone by
AS another frantic year comes to an end, I want to know who pushed the fast-forward button. Why is it that life seems to speed up as you get older? 2012 seems to have come and gone in the blink of an eye as months,
AS another frantic year comes to an end, I want to know who pushed the fast-forward button. Why is it that life seems to speed up as you get older? 2012 seems to have come and gone in the blink of an eye as months,
15th December, 2012
An uncertain peace
EMBATTLED European Union leaders took time off from their daily eurozone woes to collect the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo last week — but the bloc’s 500 million citizens are not celebrating.
EMBATTLED European Union leaders took time off from their daily eurozone woes to collect the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo last week — but the bloc’s 500 million citizens are not celebrating.
8th December, 2012
Policy changes required
PAKISTAN has clearly decided that it needs to craft a new image — at least in Europe — of a ‘good’ country which wants peace and stability in its neighbourhood, does not interfere in the affairs of others and is the
PAKISTAN has clearly decided that it needs to craft a new image — at least in Europe — of a ‘good’ country which wants peace and stability in its neighbourhood, does not interfere in the affairs of others and is the
5th December, 2012
Khar, Kayani in Brussels: Pakistan wins praise, but is it enough?
Nato has no doubts that Islamabad cannot be ignored in the run-up to 2014 and the drawdown of foreign troops in Afghanistan.
Nato has no doubts that Islamabad cannot be ignored in the run-up to 2014 and the drawdown of foreign troops in Afghanistan.
