Red flags

The Left may be one thing, but the UPA has to contend with its own ministers at times. Defence Minister A K Antony is quite suspicious when it comes to collaborating with the US. Despite the Government8217;s whole-hearted support to joint military exercises, Antony did make life difficult for his Ministry for organising such an exercise and not keeping him in the loop. So, this time, when the Air Force proposed Exercise Red Flag8212;a coveted joint exercise with the US, which that country carries out with only a few select nations8212;Antony decided to ask questions. He is still to clear the proposal for August 2008 even though both countries have formally agreed to it at the official level. Last heard, a jittery Air Force was lobbying hard.