Columnists

Vappala Balachandran

The writer is a former special secretary, cabinet secretariat.

RN Kao, RAW’s first chief, laid the foundations of Indian espionage

Tue, Aug 20, 2019

Kao founded the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) in 1968 and headed it till 1977. Within a short time after setting it up, he was able to recruit a large number of persons with special skills, not available through normal bureaucratic channels, with great results.

Centre’s Kashmir policy ignores that prolonged exposure to insurgency situations takes its toll on military personnel

Fri, May 10, 2019

The BJP government has landed us at the other end of the spectrum in Kashmir by putting the army directly against the public, thereby exposing them to unending strain

Securing India

Fri, Nov 30, 2018

A decade after 26/11, terrorist methodology has changed, state response remains woefully same.

Nothing to hide

Wed, Jul 11, 2018

Look back at the Narasimha Rao government for lessons on how to handle the current controversy over human rights in Kashmir.

Blind To The Valley

Fri, Apr 27, 2018

Central government seems to be misreading the crisis in Kashmir

Overtaken by terror

Thu, Nov 30, 2017

Another 26/11 anniversary has come and gone. We need to think about why terrorists appear to be out-thinking counter-terrorism machineries.

Before The PM’s Visit

Fri, Jul 07, 2017

Much was gained by India and Israel, even before the two forged full diplomatic ties

London Bridge’s Chinks

Tue, Jun 06, 2017

MI-5’s rising workload has jeopardised the UK’s successful anti-terrorism project

Behind Obama’s Waiting Game

Thu, Dec 15, 2016

US president can now use Russia’s alleged interference in US polls to corner Trump.

Black Money And Terror

Wed, Nov 23, 2016

Quality of counter-terrorism, not currency crackdown, will prevent terrorism.

US presidential elections 2016: Last-minute twists have caused upsets in the past

Tue, Nov 08, 2016

NBC News had in fact forewarned on July 27, 2016 itself that Hillary Clinton’s chances of winning elections could be sunk due to an “October Surprise”.