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The Hindu
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
The View From India newsletter: Our colleagues are dropping dead in Gaza
(This article is part of the View From India newsletter curated by The Hindu's foreign affairs experts. To get the newsletter in your inbox every Monday, subscribe here.) An Israeli strike on August 10, 2025, targeting Al Jazeera staff in a tent near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City killed six journalists, four of whom were Al Jazeera staff, including Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh, and cameramen Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal. The two other journalists killed were Moamen Aliwa and Mohammad al-Khaldi. Israel accused Al Jazeera reporter Anas al-Sharif of 'terrorist affiliation.' — unsurprising in a world where state and deep state actors target messengers who put out information that causes them discomfort or brings greater scrutiny. The line between the state's proportionate and strategic response to terror, and the state's own brand of terror, unleashed on ordinary citizens of another country or one's own, must never blur. To start with, there aren't enough of us in the world telling the Gaza story. Western legacy media, especially in the U.S., stand exposed for their deep, shameful prejudices and worse, silences. Meanwhile, some of our colleagues in Gaza are dropping dead, while bringing to light this brazen carnage. A whole generation is being 'wiped out' in Gaza, as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees observed recently. Over 60,000 people have been killed by Israeli forces until now in Gaza since October 2023. Among them are more than 200 journalists. Our colleague Sambavi Parthasarathy in The Hindu's data team combs through the statistics and shows us how Israel, while continuing to pound one of Palestine's non-contiguous regions — Gaza — is slowly asserting 'sovereignty' over the other — West Bank. The UN has said that displacement of Palestinians in West Bank has hit levels not seen since the start of Israel's occupation. With no respite in sight yet, it is distressing to see so many, including journalists, embracing the official narrative without the slightest scepticism. The Palestinian issue did not begin in October 2023. In this valuable explainer, which traces the history of Israel-Palestine relations from the end of the Second World War, Stanly Johny tells us why several peace agreements lie in tatters, and why there is no Palestinian state till date. In another timely analysis, Stanly Johny writes: When the world pushes for a two-state solution, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to push for a no-state solution — no sovereignty for the Palestinians, no state for the Palestinians and no rights for the Palestinians. Why is that so, when Israel's closest allies are beginning to recognise Palestinian sovereignty and subjectivity? Blinded by their shared ethno-nationalist ideology and drunk with hard power, Mr. Nentanyahu and his far-right allies Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir are programmatically incapable of grasping the shifts unfolding around them, he writes. More theatrics, no deal The much-watched summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin August 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska, did not yield a breakthrough on the Ukraine war. 'We had an extremely productive meeting and many points were agreed to, there are just a very few that are left,' Mr. Trump said. 'We didn't get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there.' Mr. Putin, on the other hand, said: 'We see the desire of the U.S. administration and President Trump personally to facilitate the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict, his desire to delve into the essence and understand its origins.' Read together, it'll seem like the leaders are on the brink of announcing a ceasefire. But it was a 'no ceasefire, no deal' meeting, as many global headlines put it. Statements and optics mean little in the absence of real outcomes. Theatrics don't automatically spawn solutions. Serious political engagement that reconciles short-term and long-term interests, while prioritising the safety of scores of ordinary people, does. Also, you can't steadfastly back one deadly war and claim to be able to stop another swiftly. 'The challenge before Mr. Trump is to sustain the talks aimed at narrowing the differences further to reach a workable compromise. While it makes perfect sense to end the war on practical terms, Mr. Trump should not impose an agreement on Kyiv. Peace would prevail in Eastern Europe only if Ukraine's security concerns are addressed and it is provided with credible assurances that Russia would not invade it again,' The Hindu noted in its editorial. And now, global media is tracking the next big meeting between Mr. Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Follow The Hindu's live updates here. Mr. Zelenskyy has also made a pitch for India to play a role in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, writes Suhasini Haidar. Top 5 stories this week: 1. India hit out at the Pakistani leadership for 'reckless warmongering and hateful comments' as well as The Hague-based Court of Arbitration (CoA) for questioning India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after the Pahalgam terror attack – Suhasini Haidar reports 2. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to visit India amidst uncertainties in India-U.S. trade ties, Kallol Bhattacherjee reports. 3. Jeremy Corbyn | The British Left's second act – Srinivasan Ramani on how the former Labour leader is trying to mobilise left-wing voters under his new party, as Labour under Keir Starmer struggles to maintain public support 4. Alaska | Chilling past, warm present: Sruthi Darbhamulla writes on the former Russian region sold to the U.S. in 1867, which still bears traces of Russian cultural influence, that hosted Trump and Putin for a historic summit 5. Honour India's legacy, defend its democracy: Independence Day this year is a stark reminder of the state India is in; it is a reminder of how Indians should resist any moves to undermine the country's constitutional principles, writes Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Israel-Iran war: Will the ceasefire hold?
The 12-day Israel-Iran war, backed by U.S. airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear sites, ended with a ceasefire—but without decisive victory. President Trump declared Iran's facilities 'obliterated,' yet U.S. and European intelligence suggested only a temporary setback. Iran had likely dispersed its enriched uranium, and experts say it could resume enrichment within months. For Israel, the war exposed its overdependence on the U.S. and its inability to dismantle Iran's nuclear programme or provoke regime change. While Washington wants to stop a nuclear Iran, it avoids deep military entanglement in West Asia, especially under domestic pressure. For Iran, the attack echoed historical betrayals like the 1953 coup, strengthening its resolve. Many now argue that only nuclear deterrence—like North Korea's—can shield Iran from foreign aggression. As Iran rebuilds its arsenal and Israel stays on high alert, the ceasefire is only a pause. The deeper conflict and its dangers remain unresolved. Presentation - Stanly Johny Camera & Editing - Shivaraj S
The Hindu
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
The view from India newsletter Backing the aggressor: Trump the warmonger
(This article is part of the View From India newsletter curated by The Hindu's foreign affairs experts. To get the newsletter in your inbox every Monday, subscribe here.) Israel's war on Iran began on June 13, 2025. A week later, it is as much the Unites States's war. President Donald Trump, who rose to power six months ago promising peace, is hardly a peacemaker. 'He has become a warmonger and a globalist aggressor,' as The Hindu's editorial today notes, in the wake of American B2 bombers dropping bunker-busting bombs at Fordow, Iran's most heavily fortified nuclear facility, while U.S. submarines fired Tomahawk missiles at the Natanz and Isfahan nuclear plants, even as Israel struggled to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles. While the U.S.'s actions against Iran are not surprising, given its long-persisting hostilities with Iran and its much-criticised, yet unwavering support to Israel in the bombardment of Gaza, Mr. Trump's own reckless leadership adds yet another, dangerous layer of volatility to the world that is seeing enormous turbulence and destruction. What is Israel's endgame in Iran? Our International Affairs Editor Stanly Johny addressed this question in our newsletter last week. Do read it for context. Also watch this, where he breaks down Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's objectives—from regime change and diplomatic pressure, to dragging the U.S. into direct conflict. The latter has now been achieved, and West Asia is in for more, deadly turbulence. Also Watch | U.S. strikes Iran's key nuclear sites: What next? Stanly Johny answers key questions. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has warned against yet 'another cycle of destruction' and retaliation following the U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, which he said marked a 'perilous turn' in the region. 'The people of the region cannot endure another cycle of destruction. And yet, we now risk descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation,' he added. The consequences of Israel's provocation will be far-reaching, impacting not just the region but the entire world. Iran's Parliament, the Majlis, has reportedly approved the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to the attacks by the U.S. on Iranian nuclear facilities, the country's state-owned media PressTV reported on Sunday (June 22, 2025), citing Esmaeil Kowsari, a member of the Majlis. According to the report, the final decision on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz lies with Iran's Supreme National Security Council. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, and is one of the world's most important oil trade routes, T.C.A. Sharad Raghavan reports. Impact on India In this comprehensive explainer, our Diplomatic Affairs Editor Suhasini Haidar explains India's stand on the escalation in West Asia, the impact of the war on Indian workers in Israel and Iran, efforts on the evacuation front and more. As the conflict escalated, the MEA and its embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv put evacuation efforts, as part of what was named 'Operation Sindhu', on priority. Unlike the rest of West Asia, where nearly 10 million Indians reside, relatively fewer numbers live in Iran and Israel. There are about 10,000 students and professionals in Iran and about 25,000 workers, students and researchers in Israel, many of whom only moved recently to fill in for construction and caregiver jobs after Israel dismissed thousands of Palestinian workers in the wake of the October 7 terror attacks in 2023, she writes. In a special gesture, Iran opened its embattled airspace to allow flights carrying 1,000 Indians home. Our colleague Kallol Bhattacherjee tracked updates from the Ministry of External Affairs on the evacuation of Indians. Hours after the U.S. struck three prominent nuclear sites in Iran, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday, and called for 'immediate de-escalation'. However, should India play a more proactive role? Suhasini Haidar tells us at what's at stake and what India's responses mean. Watch the latest episode of Worldview. Gaza out of focus Nearly 56,000 Palestinians have been confirmed killed between October 7, 2023 and June 22, 2025, an Al Jazeera graphic reminded us, as Israel's war on Iran displaces every other headline in the world. Although people's resistance to Israel's persisting killings in and bombardment of Gaza is growing significantly, especially in Europe, governments are still reluctant to call out Israel on what many rights groups have unambiguously deemed a genocide. Last week, India had abstained in a UN resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza. Every other member of BRICS, SCO and SAARC and even all G-7 members minus the U.S. had voted in favour of the resolution critical of actions. In a break from older positions, New Delhi has made it clear that India will not criticise Israel. When both, Israel's motivations as well as the mass killings and destruction in Gaza are amply evident, many prominent governments across the world are simply watching, privileging their myopic, strategic calculations over basic humanity. Morality does not inform realpolitik, but overlooking a catastrophe of this magnitude cannot serve even self-interest in the long term. Top 5 stories this week: 1. It is still not too late for India's voice to be heard: New Delhi's silence on the devastation in Gaza and the hostilities against Iran is a disturbing departure from its moral and diplomatic traditions, contends Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party 2. NPT | For the sake of peace, at the cost of war: While Iran has long proclaimed adherence to the NPT's basic tenets and benefited from them vis-à-vis civilian nuclear technology, its covert activities in violation of the treaty's safeguards have progressively undermined trust and led to an international crisis that is still unfolding, writes Vasudevan Mukunth 3. Blaise Metreweli | Licensed to spy: Ramya Kannan profiles the first woman chief of the MI6, said to be well-versed in technology, a prerequisite for espionage operations in an increasingly 'post-truth' world 4. Resetting the India-U.S. partnership in uncertain times: While the structural logic of the partnership remains robust, what is needed is a reset that is marked by clarity and mutual commitment, writes Amitabh Mattoo, Professor and Dean, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. 5. Lessons from Operation Sindoor's global outreach: The intensive period of public diplomacy affirmed that India, when united, can project its voice with clarity and conviction on international platforms, writes Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
The Hindu
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Has Israel's objective in attacking Iran shifted – from de-nuclearization to regime change?
On June 13, Israel launched an all-out war against Iran. It carried out what has been described as a 'decapitation strike' – taking out much of the country's military leadership, as well as top nuclear scientists. It also attacked the country's nuclear facilities and air defences, and subsequently it's economic infrastructure and oil installations as well. Iran responded with missile strikes of its own, targeting Tel Avi and Haifa among other sites and military targets. While more than 200 people have been killed in Iran, more than 20 casualties have been reported in Israel. The two sides have been trading steadily escalating strikes since, and now Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressing hard for the US to join his war. How credible is Israel's justification for starting the war – namely, that it wants to shut down Iran's nuclear program – given that it is now speaking of regime change? How do the two sides stack up militarily if the conflict were to drag on? What are Iran's options if the US joins the war? Guest: Stanly Johny, The Hindu's International Affairs Editor. Host: G. Sampath Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian. Listen to more In Focus podcasts:
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ukraine: Europe's war with Russia
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 marked more than a territorial conflict — it triggered a seismic shift in global geopolitics. This e-book from The Hindu Group unpacks the layers of this ongoing crisis, revealing how a war in Eastern Europe revived NATO, fractured old certainties, and redrew the contours of great power rivalry. As the U.S. reasserted its role in European security and NATO welcomed new members, Ukraine became a symbol of resistance — until geopolitical pressures shifted the narrative yet again. This e-book traces these dramatic developments with clarity and depth, featuring expert perspectives on war, diplomacy, and the reshaping of Europe's future. What's inside: · Introduction: Return of great power rivalry, by Stanly Johny · Russia-Ukraine conflict: Appraisal and strategic dimension, by Maj. Gen. B.K. Sharma · The defence of Ukraine: U.S., Europe & NATO, by P.S. Raghavan · Reorienting Europe, by Ravinder Kaur · India's policy towards the Russia-Ukraine war and its impact, by Happymon Jacob Editor's Note: War is rarely, if ever, between just two countries. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 shook up Europe and energised NATO. War was no longer a distant memory; it wasn't in geologically remote parts of Asia and Africa; the battles were now in Europe. NATO got new members in Finland and Sweden; the United States was again in the forefront of defending Europe. In many ways it was Russia against NATO as Ukraine symbolised the fight against Russian expansionism. Until it wasn't. Donald Trump as U.S. President changed many things, Ukraine one among them. He pushed both Ukraine and Russia to end the war; and since he had more influence over Ukraine than over Russia, it was Ukraine that was under greater pressure to agree to a ceasefire. In Ukraine: Europe's war with Russia, we trace the great power rivalry playing out in Ukraine, the centrality of NATO for Europe's security, and the reinventing of the idea of Europe and the liberal West. This digital book series is available for free for subscribers of The Hindu's online edition, including the e-paper, and can be purchased by non-subscribers on Amazon. Each e-book focuses on a single theme and provides a comprehensive perspective, featuring insights from subject experts. We hope this series serves as a valuable resource for our readers and enhances our expanding digital library. Suresh Nambath Editor, The Hindu To download a sample of the e-book : To buy the e-book from Amazon: To download the PDF version for the book, subscribe here: Content - Ukraine
