A new democracy flexes its muscles in the Maldives, addressing issues of human rights and climate change.

From a land that was virtually terra incognita before the 1970s to one of the most popular spots on the global tourist map, the Maldives has come a long way from its humble origins. Though it is no longer the world’s source of cowries, it has completed a transition to democracy, it has emerged as one of the most prominent voices on climate change and has been named as one of the seven most important countries on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR). Such feats are impressive for Asia’s smallest country with a population of just 350,000 and an average land level of only 1.5 metres above sea level.

Not too long ago, Maldives was considered “a human rights pariah,” says Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Ahmed Shaheed. “Today, our bid to secure a [UN Human Rights] Council seat has won almost universal support.” And he is right. The Maldives received the highest number of votes ever won by any state, gaining an impressive 185 votes from the 192 member states.

Bangladesh, one of the poorest countries in the world, has recently seen enhanced development in its IT sector. It seems the country is poised to become the next technological hub in South Asia.

Despite its small geographical size, Bangladesh has a population estimated at 156 million in 2009. Although the rate of growth has declined, the existing population does not actively contribute to the economic development of the country due to lack of job opportunities or educated manpower. Therefore, agricultural and garment production remains the sole source of income. However, ‘outsourcing’ has recently caught the attention of the Bangladeshi youth, providing them an alternative source of income.

Freelancing or outsourcing has a large impact on any country’s economy. Despite this, many in Bangladesh view freelancing as a scam. However, for the youth that is unable or unwilling to get a job, freelancing has become a popular and quick way of making money.

Peace and stability in Afghanistan will remain a dream without regional cooperation and consensus. Pakistan’s absence at the Bonn Conference does not bode well for the future.

“They are a nation of tribes constantly at war with each other. They are very heterogeneous, with an extreme ethnocentricity which makes them not only hate or suspect foreigners but Afghans living two valleys away.’ 

Former CIA Islamabad station Chief, Howard Hart (Charlie Wilson’s War by George Crile)

This is the outside view of Afghans who are suffering the brunt of a war, more than three decades old, with no end still in sight. The December 5 Bonn Conference, generally referred to as Bonn Conference-II, now seems like a spoiled opportunity which could otherwise be used to devise a path leading to peace in the war-battered country.

In the Congress government, the PM’s seat is ready  for Rahul Gandhi to claim as and when he desires. But does he have what it takes?

The days of avoiding the centre-stage are over for Rahul Gandhi, the reluctant heir apparent of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, which has ruled India for most of its independence years. The main reason behind this is cancer – that his mother and party leader Sonia Gandhi is detected with and one that is rapidly eating into the credibility of the Congress-led coalition government. The 41-year politician finally appears willing to assume the leadership mantle of his crisis-ridden party.

2011 has not been kind to Pakistan. With high odds pitted against it, will the country succeed in maneuvering 2012 in its favor?

The departing year has been quite eventful for Pakistan both domestically and externally. From the very start, relations between Pakistan and United States began to sour. In January a CIA agent, Raymond Davis, murdered two Pakistanis in cold blood and a US embassy vehicle ran over another two. He was let off after paying blood money to the bereaved family, yet, before the scars left by the incident had healed, the clandestine May 2 raid by US troops on Osama bin Laden’s hideout inflicted further wounds.

This time the cuts were deeper because it humiliated Pakistan and especially its army before the world. And finally, while those wounds had yet to be salved, NATO helicopters attacked Pakistan’s forward border posts killing 24 troops, including two officers on 26 November. This proved to be the last straw on the camel’s back, so Pakistan almost screamed with anguish and anger. As a result, Pak-US relations have been strained to a point just short of outright rupture.