Dr Stanly Johny | Jawaharlal Nehru University,New Delhi,India (original) (raw)
Papers by Dr Stanly Johny
India's interests and capabilities extend well beyond the subcontinent. This series explores the ... more India's interests and capabilities extend well beyond the subcontinent. This series explores the geopolitical dimensions, economic ties, transnational networks, and other aspects of India's links with the Middle East (West Asia) -- a region that plays a vital role in India's economy and its future.
Economic and Political Weekly , Aug 24, 2013
The popular uprising against the authoritarian President Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s first democratica... more The popular uprising against the authoritarian President Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s first democratically elected leader, culminated in his removal by the army and the subsequent massacre of his Muslim Brotherhood supporters. The unfolding events have nullified any democratic gains which the country had made after the January 25, 2011 revolution. Today, Egypt stands deeply polarised and is perhaps on the precipice of civil war.
Economic and Political Weekly, Jul 28, 2013
In an ideal world, a whistleblower like Edward Snowden – an insider who threw light on the dystop... more In an ideal world, a whistleblower like Edward Snowden – an insider who threw light on the dystopian mass surveillance conducted by the US’ secretive security agencies – would have been regarded as the truth-teller he wanted to be known as. He would have been provided sanctuary by any government that would have been outraged at the US’ intrusive surveillance apparatus. The world’s other nations would have offered sympathy and demanded that the US rollback the programme and Snowden would have been hailed for his catalytic efforts.
In the real world that is clearly dominated by a lone superpower to which every other nation regardless of standing or power has some entwined interest related relationship, Snowden is a headache for the state establishments. With the US cancelling his passport, pressing criminal charges and seeking to imprison Snowden, the state establishments elsewhere - irrespective of being the US’ formal allies (and are invariably targets of the NSA’s surveillance) – have been coy with regards the question of his asylum. This is despite public opinion that is clearly favourable to Snowden across such countries, from those in Europe to even in Russia and China and within the US. If ever there was an example of the disconnection between the state and society the world over – it is this.
Economic and Political Weekly, Jun 8, 2003
Ever since protests erupted against the Ba’athist regime in Syria in March 2011, foreign leaders,... more Ever since protests erupted against the Ba’athist regime in Syria in March 2011, foreign leaders, as well as international political analysts, have made several predictions about the eventual fall of President Bashar al-Assad. Four dictators in the Arab world have been toppled since‒Tunisia’s Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak, Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi and Yemen’s Ali Abdullah Sale. Will Assad be the next? It is difficult to find answers because no consistent pattern is visible in the uprisings in West Asia, popularly known as the “Arab Spring”. The movements in Tunisia and Egypt were spontaneous and non-violent. In both countries, the national armies defied their rulers and decided to side with the protesters. The dictators had to give up power without much resistance when popular pressure mounted. In Libya, anti-government demonstrations were initially concentrated in the eastern parts of the country, and turned violent when the Gaddafi government sent troops to crush the protests. Soldiers defected in large numbers, set up bases in places where the opposition was strong and along with a wide variety of anti-Gaddafi forces waged a civil war. Finally they won. Though the credit goes to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), which crushed the government’s military capabilities through aerial bombing. In Yemen there were violence, counter-violence, foreign intervention (in favour of the government), mediation and finally a change of guard. The dictator had to resign, but the regime continued to exist. Is the position in Syria close to any of the scenarios outlined above?
Articles by Dr Stanly Johny
The Oslo Accord may look pretty on paper, but Israeli border restrictions leave the West Bank a f... more The Oslo Accord may look pretty on paper, but Israeli border restrictions leave the West Bank a far cry away from a land of peace and parity.
Russia’s assessment is that if Assad falls, the balance of power in West Asia would turn in favou... more Russia’s assessment is that if Assad falls, the balance of power in West Asia would turn in favour of hostile countries and also weaken the Iran-Hizbollah network, another pillar of support
The intervention was morally corrupt because the Western moral rage against dictatorships in the ... more The intervention was morally corrupt because the Western moral rage against dictatorships in the Global South is shamelessly selective.
The Hindu, Jul 24, 2015
A confluence of factors led to the nuclear deal between Iran and the U.S. While in Iran it was th... more A confluence of factors led to the nuclear deal between Iran and the U.S. While in Iran it was the factor of popular protests against the regime, in the U.S., it was the ascendance of Barack Obama to presidency
The Hindu, Jul 8, 2015
A blend of military experience and jihadist ideological vigour is what makes IS the most formidab... more A blend of military experience and jihadist ideological vigour is what makes IS the most formidable terror machinery of our time. Needless to say, the geopolitical situation in West Asia is clearly in its favour
The Hindu , Jun 15, 2015
Saudi Arabian-Iranian rivalry is now no longer about two nations vying for supremacy, but intertw... more Saudi Arabian-Iranian rivalry is now no longer about two nations vying for supremacy, but intertwined with regional geopolitics and sectarian equations.
The Hindu Business Line, Apr 7, 2015
Recent history tells us that external interventions can be disastrous. A political, and not milit... more Recent history tells us that external interventions can be disastrous. A political, and not military, solution is called for
The Hindu Business Line, Mar 25, 2015
Will exiting the Eurozone free the Greeks from their economic and human nightmare?
Centre on Asia and Globalisation Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Feb 10, 2015
Will the renewed enthusiasm in Indo-US ties affect New Delhi’s China policy?
The Hindu Business Line, Jan 20, 2015
Radical Islamism, unlike Shiism in Iran or Palestine’s Hamas, does not pursue political goals. It... more Radical Islamism, unlike Shiism in Iran or Palestine’s Hamas, does not pursue political goals. It targets all ‘enemies’
The Hindu Business Line , Jan 1, 2015
US and Russia are at loggerheads, while Islamic revivalism has gathered momentum. Welcome to 2015
The Hindu Business Line, Oct 30, 2014
Saudi Arabia and US have engineered a glut to squeeze rivals, Russia and Iran. But after that, ca... more Saudi Arabia and US have engineered a glut to squeeze rivals, Russia and Iran. But after that, can OPEC bounce back?
The Hindu Business Line , Sep 28, 2014
It should play hard to get, as China and US seek to dominate the Asian stage. Both need India’s s... more It should play hard to get, as China and US seek to dominate the Asian stage. Both need India’s support
The Hindu Business Line , Sep 3, 2014
Nothing except the wrath of the world. It certainly didn’t win the war
The Hindu Business Line, Aug 19, 2014
The US’ single-minded intent to remove Bashar al-Assad culminated in the rise of the ISIS. Air st... more The US’ single-minded intent to remove Bashar al-Assad culminated in the rise of the ISIS. Air strikes may not help now
India's interests and capabilities extend well beyond the subcontinent. This series explores the ... more India's interests and capabilities extend well beyond the subcontinent. This series explores the geopolitical dimensions, economic ties, transnational networks, and other aspects of India's links with the Middle East (West Asia) -- a region that plays a vital role in India's economy and its future.
Economic and Political Weekly , Aug 24, 2013
The popular uprising against the authoritarian President Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s first democratica... more The popular uprising against the authoritarian President Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s first democratically elected leader, culminated in his removal by the army and the subsequent massacre of his Muslim Brotherhood supporters. The unfolding events have nullified any democratic gains which the country had made after the January 25, 2011 revolution. Today, Egypt stands deeply polarised and is perhaps on the precipice of civil war.
Economic and Political Weekly, Jul 28, 2013
In an ideal world, a whistleblower like Edward Snowden – an insider who threw light on the dystop... more In an ideal world, a whistleblower like Edward Snowden – an insider who threw light on the dystopian mass surveillance conducted by the US’ secretive security agencies – would have been regarded as the truth-teller he wanted to be known as. He would have been provided sanctuary by any government that would have been outraged at the US’ intrusive surveillance apparatus. The world’s other nations would have offered sympathy and demanded that the US rollback the programme and Snowden would have been hailed for his catalytic efforts.
In the real world that is clearly dominated by a lone superpower to which every other nation regardless of standing or power has some entwined interest related relationship, Snowden is a headache for the state establishments. With the US cancelling his passport, pressing criminal charges and seeking to imprison Snowden, the state establishments elsewhere - irrespective of being the US’ formal allies (and are invariably targets of the NSA’s surveillance) – have been coy with regards the question of his asylum. This is despite public opinion that is clearly favourable to Snowden across such countries, from those in Europe to even in Russia and China and within the US. If ever there was an example of the disconnection between the state and society the world over – it is this.
Economic and Political Weekly, Jun 8, 2003
Ever since protests erupted against the Ba’athist regime in Syria in March 2011, foreign leaders,... more Ever since protests erupted against the Ba’athist regime in Syria in March 2011, foreign leaders, as well as international political analysts, have made several predictions about the eventual fall of President Bashar al-Assad. Four dictators in the Arab world have been toppled since‒Tunisia’s Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak, Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi and Yemen’s Ali Abdullah Sale. Will Assad be the next? It is difficult to find answers because no consistent pattern is visible in the uprisings in West Asia, popularly known as the “Arab Spring”. The movements in Tunisia and Egypt were spontaneous and non-violent. In both countries, the national armies defied their rulers and decided to side with the protesters. The dictators had to give up power without much resistance when popular pressure mounted. In Libya, anti-government demonstrations were initially concentrated in the eastern parts of the country, and turned violent when the Gaddafi government sent troops to crush the protests. Soldiers defected in large numbers, set up bases in places where the opposition was strong and along with a wide variety of anti-Gaddafi forces waged a civil war. Finally they won. Though the credit goes to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), which crushed the government’s military capabilities through aerial bombing. In Yemen there were violence, counter-violence, foreign intervention (in favour of the government), mediation and finally a change of guard. The dictator had to resign, but the regime continued to exist. Is the position in Syria close to any of the scenarios outlined above?
The Oslo Accord may look pretty on paper, but Israeli border restrictions leave the West Bank a f... more The Oslo Accord may look pretty on paper, but Israeli border restrictions leave the West Bank a far cry away from a land of peace and parity.
Russia’s assessment is that if Assad falls, the balance of power in West Asia would turn in favou... more Russia’s assessment is that if Assad falls, the balance of power in West Asia would turn in favour of hostile countries and also weaken the Iran-Hizbollah network, another pillar of support
The intervention was morally corrupt because the Western moral rage against dictatorships in the ... more The intervention was morally corrupt because the Western moral rage against dictatorships in the Global South is shamelessly selective.
The Hindu, Jul 24, 2015
A confluence of factors led to the nuclear deal between Iran and the U.S. While in Iran it was th... more A confluence of factors led to the nuclear deal between Iran and the U.S. While in Iran it was the factor of popular protests against the regime, in the U.S., it was the ascendance of Barack Obama to presidency
The Hindu, Jul 8, 2015
A blend of military experience and jihadist ideological vigour is what makes IS the most formidab... more A blend of military experience and jihadist ideological vigour is what makes IS the most formidable terror machinery of our time. Needless to say, the geopolitical situation in West Asia is clearly in its favour
The Hindu , Jun 15, 2015
Saudi Arabian-Iranian rivalry is now no longer about two nations vying for supremacy, but intertw... more Saudi Arabian-Iranian rivalry is now no longer about two nations vying for supremacy, but intertwined with regional geopolitics and sectarian equations.
The Hindu Business Line, Apr 7, 2015
Recent history tells us that external interventions can be disastrous. A political, and not milit... more Recent history tells us that external interventions can be disastrous. A political, and not military, solution is called for
The Hindu Business Line, Mar 25, 2015
Will exiting the Eurozone free the Greeks from their economic and human nightmare?
Centre on Asia and Globalisation Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Feb 10, 2015
Will the renewed enthusiasm in Indo-US ties affect New Delhi’s China policy?
The Hindu Business Line, Jan 20, 2015
Radical Islamism, unlike Shiism in Iran or Palestine’s Hamas, does not pursue political goals. It... more Radical Islamism, unlike Shiism in Iran or Palestine’s Hamas, does not pursue political goals. It targets all ‘enemies’
The Hindu Business Line , Jan 1, 2015
US and Russia are at loggerheads, while Islamic revivalism has gathered momentum. Welcome to 2015
The Hindu Business Line, Oct 30, 2014
Saudi Arabia and US have engineered a glut to squeeze rivals, Russia and Iran. But after that, ca... more Saudi Arabia and US have engineered a glut to squeeze rivals, Russia and Iran. But after that, can OPEC bounce back?
The Hindu Business Line , Sep 28, 2014
It should play hard to get, as China and US seek to dominate the Asian stage. Both need India’s s... more It should play hard to get, as China and US seek to dominate the Asian stage. Both need India’s support
The Hindu Business Line , Sep 3, 2014
Nothing except the wrath of the world. It certainly didn’t win the war
The Hindu Business Line, Aug 19, 2014
The US’ single-minded intent to remove Bashar al-Assad culminated in the rise of the ISIS. Air st... more The US’ single-minded intent to remove Bashar al-Assad culminated in the rise of the ISIS. Air strikes may not help now
Ever since Israel started bombing Gaza on July 7, Israeli propaganda mills, with support from the... more Ever since Israel started bombing Gaza on July 7, Israeli propaganda mills, with support from the Western media, are working overtime to justify the attack. The justifications are not new, though. They repeat the ‘Hamas-as-terrorist’ narrative and that the attack is nothing but “self-defence”. The Americans and most European nations endorse this “right to self-defence” of Israel, and deflect any meaningful international pressure to stop the violence it’s unleashing on the people of Gaza. Critics of this violence are often painted as “biased” or even anti-Semites. Let’s take a look at their key arguments one by one.
The Hindu Business Line , Jul 15, 2014
The excuses offered by the Jewish nation do not stand the test of logic and justice
NewsClick.in, Jun 23, 2014
This writer is not a fan of Saddam Hussein. But given the slaughtering, anarchy and madness Iraq ... more This writer is not a fan of Saddam Hussein. But given the slaughtering, anarchy and madness Iraq is witnessing today, ordinary Iraqis must be missing their former President.
The Hindu Business Line, Jun 18, 2014
By invading Iraq in 2003 and dabbling in its fractious polity all these years, the US has turned ... more By invading Iraq in 2003 and dabbling in its fractious polity all these years, the US has turned it into a basket case
The Hindu Businessline, May 22, 2014
The West will be wary of the new-found love between Russia and China. Clearly, it’s not all gas
The Hindu Business Line, Apr 3, 2015
The Iran-West pact will tilt the balance of power in West Asia
The Hindu Business Line, Mar 16, 2015
Everyone’s responsible, and not Assad alone
The Hindu Business Line, Feb 13, 2015
Violence for its own sake — that’s Islamic State for you
The Hindu Business Line, Jan 16, 2015
Rajapaksa may be down, his brand of divisive politics is not
The Hindu Business Line , Dec 23, 2014
The US realises the folly of its Cuban ways
The Hindu Business Line, Dec 18, 2014
The Taliban is out to devour Pakistan, its creator
The Hindu Business Line, Dec 5, 2014
Hate mongers have no business to be in the government
The Hindu Business Line , Nov 24, 2014
Obama’s coming, but India’s addressing peripheral issues first
The Hindu Business Line , Oct 16, 2014
But only action will help eliminate child labour
The Hindu Business Line , Oct 11, 2014
Only talks will resolve the border wrangle
The Hindu Business Line , Oct 4, 2014
Why did Doordarshan telecast the RSS chief’s Dussehra speech?
Frontline magazine, Apr 27, 2015
The veteran journalist Patrick Cockburn’s latest book traces the history of the Islamic State and... more The veteran journalist Patrick Cockburn’s latest book traces the history of the Islamic State and identifies the reasons for the rise of this Sunni terrorist group.
The Hindu Business Line , Feb 8, 2015
Despite the odds, the prospects for democracy globally remain good, writes Francis Fukuyama in Po... more Despite the odds, the prospects for democracy globally remain good, writes Francis Fukuyama in Political Order and Political Decay
Frontline , Dec 26, 2014
An overwhelming focus on the state and the CPC is both the strength and the weakness of the book.... more An overwhelming focus on the state and the CPC is both the strength and the weakness of the book. The author explains clearly the ideology and rationale behind China’s economic transformation.
Frontline Magazine , Nov 14, 2014
The book argues that global jehad is a “myth” used by the U.S. “military-industrial-congressional... more The book argues that global jehad is a “myth” used by the U.S. “military-industrial-congressional complex” which wants wars for its survival.
Frontline Magazine, Oct 31, 2014
A key to understanding the challenges India and the United States face in upgrading their bilater... more A key to understanding the challenges India and the United States face in upgrading their bilateral ties.
The Hindu Business Line, Aug 17, 2014
A new book details its double game in Afghanistan. But is US beyond blame?
Business Standard , Jun 17, 2013
The Southern economies are emerging as potential challengers to the neoliberalism of the Global N... more The Southern economies are emerging as potential challengers to the neoliberalism of the Global North, says a US academic
Business Standard , May 5, 2013
A definitive account of one of the most significant network actors in the geopolitical puzzle tha... more A definitive account of one of the most significant network actors in the geopolitical puzzle that is Af-Pak
Pragoti , Sep 25, 2012
Stanly Johny reviews Vijay Prashad's book, "Arab Spring, Libyan Winter".
Business World
Donald Rumsfeld memoir is a compressed account of his life before becoming the defence secretary ... more Donald Rumsfeld memoir is a compressed account of his life before becoming the defence secretary in the Bush administration in 2000 and the turbulent times of war thereafter
Business World , Dec 7, 2011
Barely critical of China, Henry Kissinger's new book says the Red Kingdom is an indispensable tra... more Barely critical of China, Henry Kissinger's new book says the Red Kingdom is an indispensable trading partner for all. Above all, it is a country with a historical vision of itself
Business World , Dec 27, 2011
Former US vice-president Dick Cheney's memoir conveniently omits thorny issues
Business Standard , Jan 30, 2012
Irshad Manji's Allah, Liberty and Love lacks in scholarship even though it challenges many conven... more Irshad Manji's Allah, Liberty and Love lacks in scholarship even though it challenges many conventional notions about Islam
Business World , Feb 12, 2012
Veteran journalist and bestselling author, Jason Burke, documents an exhaustive account of the 10... more Veteran journalist and bestselling author, Jason Burke, documents an exhaustive account of the 10 years of 9/11 wars and the devastating impact it has had on the nations involved
Business Standard , Jan 2013
Journalist Hiranmay Karlekar's presents a uniformly grim view of Afghanistan after the Americans ... more Journalist Hiranmay Karlekar's presents a uniformly grim view of Afghanistan after the Americans withdraw
The Colombo Telegraph , Feb 2013
The Sri Lankan government doesn’t want to dig up the past. It says everyone should now concentrat... more The Sri Lankan government doesn’t want to dig up the past. It says everyone should now concentrate on the future. But in Sri Lanka, the past is still alive. As an aid worker is quoted in the book as saying: “The war is not over in Sri Lanka; you don’t solve these kinds of problems on the battlefield.”
Business Standard , Mar 2013
Economic sustainability and democratic consolidation will help the country more than obsessions w... more Economic sustainability and democratic consolidation will help the country more than obsessions with security, says historian of South Asia Ian Talbot
Business Standard , Oct 2012
Stanly Johny examines two books on the Af-Pak challenge once the US-led international forces exit... more Stanly Johny examines two books on the Af-Pak challenge once the US-led international forces exit in 2014.