When there is a tense situation and probably involving the survivability of many innocent lives, it is better if cool heads prevail.  Unfortunately, the Syrian situation has taken a little bit different turn.  It is different because of usage of hazardous gases which is responsible of killing thousands and thousands of innocent people and also a high bar set by the statements of President Obama.  His statements particularly refer to crossing the 'red line'.  Per those statements, Syria has crossed a so called 'red line' which in turn has become a prestigious issue for the USA to keep its word of honor in tact, whatever is left in the eyes of people in the Middle East.  To deliver on his statements, Mr. Obama is doing his best to have the backing of an international community before initiating any military action against Syria.  Unfortunately, he does not seem to have much success.  In all probabilities, it seems that that action is inevitable even if the USA has to act unilaterally.  Needless to say, it might compound the problem on a much larger scale with the involvement of Iran, Israel and Hazbollah from Lebanon - not to talk of Russia and China in some fashion.  Hence, there is a need for a thorough probe of the situation and the cool heads to prevail before prompting any military action.  However, this writer is confused about the announcement of such action well in advance which provides enough time for the Syrian government to hide its military assets to avoid any losses.  If the intent of the US attack is to destroy Syria's military assets, wouldn't this early warning of military attack defeat the very purpose. A few relevant questions pop up in my head as to how long this military attack will go on, what if Assad regime does not fall, and if falls down who will take over, would that new government be friendly democratic government amenable to the USA.  If we don't have a satisfactory answer to those questions, one wonders if it is prudent to even get involved.  I THINK IT IS HIGH TIME TO THINK BEFORE LEAPING AHEAD WITH AN HAPHAZARD MOVE WHICH MIGHT BECOME VERY COSTLY.

In view of China flexing its muscles to fulfill their territorial ambition, it is an opportune time for India to join hands with the USA to circumvent Chinese mission,  For whatever reasons, the Indian government is not openly admitting that something is in the works to allow stationing of American forces on the shores of an Indian territory, but the fact that one of the American Air Force high officials has made a statement on this subject indicates that something is brewing,  Whatever the reason may be behind this maneuvering, this writer holds a firm opinion that cooperation between Indian and American forces will serve the interest of both countries to maintain peace in the region.  Also, having American forces in India will thwart Chinese/Pakistani nexus to initiate any foolish aggressive move towards India. 

I agree with the analysis of Mr. Bower as respects to containing China in the Asia-Pacific region.  However, Mr. Bower's emphasis is more towards protecting USA's interest with the support of India in that part of the world - which is OK.  My concern also goes for India's interest.  China has been occupying Indian territory - thousands and thousands of miles - since 1962.  Practically, every week there is a border violation in the Arunachal Pradesh part of India.  China is expanding its naval power in Balochistan Province of Pakistan by overtaking the Gwadar port.  China has on-going night-vision air force exercises in Tibet.  Basically, China's intention is to encircle India to establish its hegemony in that region.  I think India should not get trapped into the Sino-USA tussle.  Yes, India should honor any suggestion  emanating from the USA so long as that solution forces China to vacate all the Indian occupied territory and stop border violations.  China is terrorizing all its small neighboring countries, and India is the only country in that part of the world which can contain China to some extent.  HENCE, IT MAKES SENSE FOR THE INDO-US RELATIONS TO PROCEED TO THE NEXT LEVEL WHERE THE INTEREST OF BOTH COUNTRIES IS SERVED ADEQUATELY.

I agree wholeheartedly with the last sentence of this article in which the writer showed his unwillingness to arrange any meeting between Mr. Sharif and Mr. Singh.  The very fact that India has been going through these summit meetings since 1947 without any fruitful outcome indicates that arranging dialogues between India and Pakistan is a sheer waste of time and resources.  It is a fact that the elected civilian government in Islamabad has no control on the ISI/military nexus which is always working against India.  On going LOC violations are another examples of Islamabad's inability to control Pakistani military activities on the border.  Everywhere there is an instability in Pakistan like Jehadis in Pakistan move freely and killing innocent civilians every day, there is no control on the law and order situation, there is no consensus in the political circles to ameliorate relations between India and Pakistan, Karachi is burning, people in Balochistan are demanding separation from Pakistan, the Province of KP is on the verge of anarchy.  The civilian government is operating the country with its hands tied on the back.  THIS WRITER HOLDS A FIRM OPINION THAT INDIA SHOULD STOP SHOWIING AN OLIVE BRANCH TO PAKISTAN UNLESS THE FORMER SEES A REAL EFFORT ON THE PART OF LATTER TO IMPROVE BILATERAL RELATIONS.

What lMr. Ayaz is stating in his book "What's Wrong With Pakistan" is nothing new.  The whole world is aware of the basic problems Pakistan is going through.  Unfortunately, the civilian authorities in Pakistan are not capable of controlling the ISI/Military's moves in Pakistan, as respects to Pakistan's policies towards India are concerned.  Military/ISI nexus is running Pakistan and not the civilian government in Islamabad.  Unless drastic changes in  the organizational chart of the country are implemented, no one ought to expect any improvements in the relations between India and Pakistan.  Military/ISI should follow orders from the elected civilian government in Islamabad and not the other way around, Jehadi movement has to be eradicated along with shutting down the training camps, unauthorized madrassas needs to be closed and their activities monitored, Muslim and non-Muslim minorities' rights need to be protected, emphasis on quality education for all should be the national slogan.  CAN PAKISTANI LEADERS IN ISLAMABAD ASSURE THE NATION DELIVERY OF ALL THE ABOVE?

The statement made by one of the entities of Pakistan - Jammat-e-Islami - about 'Pakistan is a gift of Allah' sounds very ironical.  Of course, it is needless to say that everything on this earth is provided by Allah -the Almighty- and indeed ought to be treated as a gift by the human society.  This gift needs to be preserved, nurtured and protected adequately by human beings to show thankfulness to the Almighty God.  Unfortunately, this is not what is happening in Pakistan.  People, especially the female and non-Muslim minorities, do not have their basic rights fulfilled, no proper education, rampant terrorist activities, no law and order in the country and basically the country is engulfed with anarchy which is not the way to preserve and nurtured a gift. People in Balochistan are not happy and demanding separation from Pakistan, Karachi is burning everyday and people are being butchered by the fanatics, the Province of KP is also on the edge of turmoil.  Any one observing the present situation in Pakistan would be insane to say that this God-given gift is being preserved and nurtured to the extent it needs to be.  J-e-I is suggesting the implementation of Sharia Law as a panacea to the existing problems in Pakistan. However, they forget that this Sharia Law will take them back to the 7th century life style, and Pakistan will no way be able to exist for a long time and compete in the global market with the that life style.  In the 21st century, people would like to move forward whereas J-e-I is suggesting to reverse the cycle.  ALL I CAN SAY IS , MAY GOD BLESS PAKISTAN.

I agree with Mr. Advani.  Under the circumstances, it will be a futile effort and waste of time to show an olive branch to Mr. Sharif.  Ironically, the Pakistani Parliament recently adopted an anti-India resolution on the topic of what happened at LOC.  A resolution about Pakistan supporting the Kashmiri people was passed without any hitch in the Pakistani Parliament.  This writer holds a firm belief that the Indian government should not encourage any sort of dialogues between India and Pakistan until the later evinces some serious gesture to eradicate terrorism from its territory, hand over Mr. Dawood to the Indian government and shut down all terrorist camps etc. in Pakistan.  India has been holding these summit meetings with Pakistan since 1947 which includes three little battles, but without any concrete outcome.  IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT PAKISTAN IS MADE TO REALIZE THAT INDIA DOES NOT HAVE ANY MORE OPEN DOOR POLICY.  IT CAN ENTER THE DOOR ONLY WITH SERIOUS INTENTIONS - NO MORE TRICK.