The situation created by ISIS in Iraq is very convoluted.  Mr. John Kerry is urging the Suni governments in the Middle-East to stop funding the Suni Jihadists and President Obama has sent a few hundred military advisors to Iraq to advise and solidify the Iraqi armed forces against the ISIS.  This all shows that even though Mr. Maliki's policies and actions have failed to maintain peace in Iraq, the US government is still helping Mr. Maliki with the hope that eventually a peaceful atmosphere can be restored there.  However, the way ISIS waive is moving towards Baghdad by conquering town after town, the probability of this expectation to be fulfilled is very low.  Also, it shows that the US policy in Iraq is going against the interest of Saudi Arabia.  Similarly, the US policy or lack thereof in Syria is not very much appreciated by the Saudis.  Does this scenario force one to conclude that the US policy in the Middle East run counter to Saudis' interest?  If so, what will happen to the oil price down the road and to the worldwide economy?  This writer understands the geopolitical situation in the Middle-East as respects to American interest.  But is it really essential for America to get involved in every nook and corner of the world wherever these Suni-Shia skirmishes take place?  Why cann't we leave the Sunis and Shias settle their own grievances in their own way and once the dust is settled, may be then the USA ought to concentrate on their foreign policy issues with the surviving government or ethnic group. The USA cann't be a police man for the whole world and, needless to say, the world has changed a lot since WWII.  Even small nations who used to shiver with the name of the United States don't care and have any respect for Americans.  Why may be because of our unnecessary interference in everybody's affair.  May be the time has come to give a respite to the foreign policy of this nation and see what happens.  By no means, this writer is suggesting to put your guards down.  This nation has lot of fire power to protect itself from any military eventuality and no country should even think of attacking this nation.  It is just another way of earning back respect from others.

It seems that under pressure from the Al-Queda led forces, Iraq's Prime Minister is begging for American support to save his regime.  Suni Muslims are marching towards Bhagdad and if their march is not stopped on a timely basis, they will run over the country which means a terrible future for the Shias in Iraq.  It is unfortunate that the Iraqi government did not agree to the American proposal to grant immunity to the US soldiers before American wound up their operation in Iraq.  I am not sure what Washington is contemplating about this situation, but as an observer of these political chess games, I must say that America should not take any hasty action and probe this situation thoroughly.  At the end of the day, if America decides to get involved, the USA must make sure that Iraq's Prime Minister signs MoU with full immunity to the US forces and any expense incurred by the US forces to protect his regime should be defrayed by the Iraqi government.  Also, there is no need to put American boots on the ground and spell American blood.  It must be an aerial protection with full financial compensation.

Probing by the CBI in this case is not the solution to this on-going and heinous crime in the nation.  The real solution rests with the enactment of  a law towards severe punishment of rapists under the Indian Constitution.  And, this law will apply equally to any rapist irrespective of his social status and/or party affiliation.  A national awareness to confront this heinous crime once and for all needs to take place to protect the female community in the country.  Mr. Modi has taken a first good step to handle this issue by establishing a special 'cell'.  This writer would be interested to read more about this cell's manifesto as to how soon these cases will be disposed off and what type of teeth this cell will have to punish the culprits.  May be Swami Agnivesh should ask the Indian government to promulgate the mnanifesto and enact a law under the Indian Constitution specifically for the rapists' severe punishment.

Mr. Manjhi,  a handpicked new Chief Minister of Bihar, does not know what he is talking about.  He is just saying that because of agreement differences between JD(U) and BJP, the split between these two parties took place.  But he is not saying anything as to what adverse effects the repeal of an Article 370 will bring to the J & K state. He is just singing the same tune what previous Chief Minister was dancing on.  Mr. Manjhi should know that the abrogation of this Article will bring more cash flow and technology from other states as well as from overseas to this region which means more jobs, high standard of living and overall prosperity for the local inhabitants.  When J & K has full employment situation, people will not have any need and time to get involved with anti-India protests, demonstrations and destruction of their own properties. Pakistan will be discouraged to abet, finance and establish its proxies in J & K area which will be conducive to establish peace in the region.  What is wrong with that, Mr. Chief Minister?  What is good for the country is, Mr. Chief Minister, you should think about the nation first instead of trying to save your own chair and party politics.

Mr. Modi has taken a first positive step to confront rape cases by establishing a 'rape crisis cell'.  However, one wonders if this 'cell' is just like appointing another commission to investigate the rape cases or would it have some teeth to punish the culprits.  Also, is the establishment of this cell going to just look into the rape cases occurred in UP or is this phenomenon going to be nationwide?  I think the whole country, especially the female community of India, would be interested in knowing the details of these 'cells'- their manifesto as respects to how soon these heinous crimes will be disposed off and what type of punishment is promulgated in its manifesto.  Is there any provision to announce these detail for the public?

Mr. Sharif's visit to Iran seems important only from Pakistan's standpoint and not from Iran's point of view.  I think Iran will be wasting time by carrying on with these summit meetings because of basic differences in their foreign cultural and religious policy differences.  Due to the Saudi pressure, Pakistan has been supporting the rebels in Syria and in fact sending Pakistani fighters there to fight against Asad's regime which is not appreciated by Iran who is the backbone of Asad, minority Shias are being tortured and killed in Pakistan every day and being treated like a second class citizen which is against the interest of Iran being a Shia dominated country,  Pakistan has been contemplating and now under a contractual agreement to build a gas pipeline from Iran to India via Pakistan is wavering on this issue due to the pressure from the Saudi government.  In addition to all these differences, one should not under estimate the military issue at the Iranian-Pakistani border as far as the treatment of Iranian soldiers are concerned.  Iran should also never forget that it is the Saudi government's financial support which is keeping Pakistan alive and, under no circumstances, Pakistan would like to cut this umbilical cord which is helping it to feed and breathe.  Also, it is a common knowledge now that Saudis are asking Pakistan that it is a pay off time and Saudi's would like to get the nuclear stuff from Pakistan in return to counter Iran's nuclear threat.  Now the question in front of Iranian government is that if it is really a good time to continue these discussions and hoping against hope that Pakistan will mend its foreign, domestic and cultural polices to appease Iran and offend its feeding arm - Saudis.

An attack on Mr. Hamir Mir was a sad story.It was not an attack on an individual but an attack on the freedom of press in Pakistan.Mr. Mir and his TV channel were known to be vocal about the active role being played by the nexus of ISI/Military and also were not afraid to emphasize the negative impact this role was playing towards downgrading the prestige of Pakistan in the international community.Whether this attack was orchestrated  with the help and intention of ISI/military nexus is not important, but what is crucial now is to find out a long run solution to the attempt made by whosoever to put a muzzle on the mouth pieces of freedom of press.  Freedom of press is important because it keeps every functioning entity in a country on its toes.  We all know that JuD and other militant groups are the proxies of ISI/Military nexus which is very clear from this article showing members of JuD pasting posters indicating how much Pakistan loves Military.This nexus needs to bridled.