Iran - when diplomacy fails

The EU summit on trade just concluded with countries like India refusing to sign the Free Trade Agreement, as it did not serve their national interests. One of the arguments put forth during this summit was that India would have to respect the "Iran Embargo," that had already been decided by USA and EU.

The Indian government diplomats tried to convince our own government that EU would allow our ties with Iran, the same as USA had already permitted ties with Iran despite the agreements that we should also honor the embargo. This was among the many issues being discussed related to the FTA, although the reasons for India shying away from the FTA were multiple.

Diplomatic Vehicle Attack - India

After this summit, on Monday, 13-Feb-2012, there were two incidents of explosions that targeted Israeli diplomats and one attempt targeting Israeli Diplomats in Tbilisi, Georgia that was foiled by the Embassy Driver. The explosion in New Delhi, India on the vehicle of an Israeli diplomat that injured his wife, which happened a few minutes later (in International time-scales) pointed out that these attacks were coordinated.

The second explosion in Thailand, which involved two grenades, one hitting a cab driver (and the cab,) and the other rebounding into the perpetrator injuring his legs severely was immediately linked to this incident.

Security: Strong Passwords

With Identity Theft and Information Security being compromised in several instances in the recent past, users of the Internet and Electronic Digital Services have a duty to improve the quality of the passwords, the keys to their Digital Real Estate. Here's a nice infographic (src: http://lifehacker.com/5876541/use-this-infographic-to-pick-a-good-strong-password ) which shows how to get it stronger, and why it isn't strong at the moment.

Click to View Full Image in Picasa

Let's at least keep our doors locked properly and not provide a walk-in to Internet thieves. We owe at least this much to our 'digital' selves.

Osama Bin Laden, Terrorism, What Now?

Today, President Obama announced to the world that Osama bin Laden, founder of the Al Qaeda has been killed in an operation led by United States Armed Forces personnel at Abottabad (District) in the North-West Frontier Province in Pakistan. Before the announcement the Social Media Network was afire with speculation of the announcement. The People of the world believe that the removal of Osama bin Laden is a key victory in the war against Terrorism - which is what the United States administration from George W Bush's government has been targeting. This also comes at a time when Obama begins a crucial campaign for a second term of Presidency. As the announcement came out, news channels were keen to point out that defense forces of the USA and several other nations  will be on full alert to watch out for any backlash from the Al Qaeda.

Does the assassination of one man spell a major victory over a political ideology that has troubled several nations worldwide? The answer at this point seems to be affirmative. The elimination of the leadership of the LTTE in Sri Lanka created a sense of victory to the Sri Lankan forces and a semblance of stability in that region. Despite that, a permanent humanitarian solution for the ethnic conflict in the island nation of Sri Lanka is  yet to be found.

As President Obama reminded his audience of the resolve of his people after the infamous 9/11 attack - he definitely conveyed the opinion that elimination of one man, who masterminded several terrorist strikes that threatened civilians worldwide, an apt counter strike, akin to a victory in open war.

True change however will have to come as secular and inclusive ideology in countries where this ideology has been threatened - particularly by terrorist & extremist elements. Each country will have to respect the people of other countries in settling their own internal disputes. At this time there are several countries including Libya where their is internal turmoil threatening the stability & being of those nations. Despite what everyone may say, humanity has shown that concerns for people go beyond borders. As this influence beyond borders can only increase, people and leaders need to take great care in exerting their influence to initiate any change.

Here is another pragmatic, rather skeptic view of the claimed "triumph" - http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/05/02/neil-macdonald-osama-bin-laden.html