News for 'American Democracy'

American Democracy in Shambles

American Democracy in Shambles

Rediff.com9 Jan 2021

Biden is best qualified to address the root cause of the polarisation in American politics before it turns into terminal malignancy, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Are Trump and Musk Dismantling American Democracy?

Are Trump and Musk Dismantling American Democracy?

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

We the people are left in the wind, waiting on the whims of an unengaged president and an oligarch with a nearly bottomless wallet, observes Sree Sreenivasan.

Why Arcadia Mayor Is Pleading Guilty As Illegal China Agent

Why Arcadia Mayor Is Pleading Guilty As Illegal China Agent

Rediff.com12 May 2026

The mayor of Arcadia, California, Eileen Wang, has agreed to plead guilty for acting as an illegal agent of China, according to the US Department of Justice. Wang, along with her then-fiance, Yaoning 'Mike' Sun, were charged with promoting pro-China propaganda in the US at the behest of Chinese government officials.

Trump unhurt as shots fired at White House press dinner, shooter arrested

Trump unhurt as shots fired at White House press dinner, shooter arrested

Rediff.com26 Apr 2026

Gunshots fired at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents' Dinner led to the evacuation of President Donald Trump and other senior officials, causing chaos and a security lockdown.

Trump Evacuated After Gunman Opens Fire Outside Dinner

Trump Evacuated After Gunman Opens Fire Outside Dinner

Rediff.com26 Apr 2026

President Donald Trump and other top White House officials were evacuated unharmed from the annual White House Correspondents' dinner after a gunman opened fire outside the hotel ballroom. The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, has been arrested. World leaders have expressed relief that Trump and other guests were unharmed, emphasising that political violence has no place in a democracy.

'Pakistan Has Been Betraying Everyone'

'Pakistan Has Been Betraying Everyone'

Rediff.com24 Apr 2026

If Trump wants peace with Iran, Pakistan will offer to help. If Trump seeks Pakistan's aid to spy on Iran, then too Munir will not hesitate to chip in. At the same time, the ISI will not hesitate to tip off Iran now and then, points out M R Narayan Swamy.

New deal will export more American farm products to India: US leaders

New deal will export more American farm products to India: US leaders

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

Trump announced that India and the US agreed to a trade deal under which Washington will charge a reduced reciprocal tariff on Delhi, lowering it from 25 per cent to 18 per cent.

Trump Evacuated After Gunman Opens Fire At Dinner

Trump Evacuated After Gunman Opens Fire At Dinner

Rediff.com26 Apr 2026

US President Donald Trump and other top officials were evacuated unharmed from the annual dinner of the White House Correspondents' Association after a man armed with multiple weapons fired shots outside the hotel ballroom.

Not drugs or democracy, but...: Kamala, Mamdani slam Trump over Venezuela

Not drugs or democracy, but...: Kamala, Mamdani slam Trump over Venezuela

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has voiced his opposition to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro by the US military, calling it an 'act of war' and a violation of international law. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi also criticized the action, citing lack of congressional authorization.

Even If US, Iran Signed Deal Today, Hormuz Strait Won't...

Even If US, Iran Signed Deal Today, Hormuz Strait Won't...

Rediff.com23 Apr 2026

...reopen for up to six months. Until then, the Strait stays nearly closed. The world pays. And no one, including the man who started this, can say when it ends, notes Prem Panicker in his must read blog on the Iran War.

Impeachment move an attack on American democracy: Trump

Impeachment move an attack on American democracy: Trump

Rediff.com2 Nov 2019

"These people are sick. And here's the good news: the people get it," he said

US-Iran ceasefire: 'Is Pakistan acting for China?'

US-Iran ceasefire: 'Is Pakistan acting for China?'

Rediff.com8 Apr 2026

After the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire and expressed hope for lasting peace, Pakistan took much of the credit for playing mediator between the two countries. However, Jonathan Schanzer, Executive Director at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies and former US Treasury counterterrorism analyst, said Pakistan is deeply indebted to China.

US-Iran: The Weekend Has Left The World In A More Dangerous Place

US-Iran: The Weekend Has Left The World In A More Dangerous Place

Rediff.com13 Apr 2026

The ceasefire is still technically holding, to the extent that no overt hostilities have been reported yet, but the rhetoric has hardened dangerously. The week ahead will also clarify whether the Islamabad failure was a negotiating tactic or whether Washington has genuinely locked itself into a position from which the only exits are climb-down, escalation, or the slow bleed of a new status quo that nobody chose and nobody controls. Prem Panicker continues his must read blog on the Iran War.

War Exposes Cracks in US-Israel Alliance

War Exposes Cracks in US-Israel Alliance

Rediff.com20 Mar 2026

Alliances fight wars effectively only when they share an endgame. If Israel acted without US knowledge, then the military alliance is operating without real coordination at the level of strategic targeting. Neither picture is reassuring in a war that is no longer regional in its consequences. Prem Panicker continues his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.

Pak man with Iran ties convicted for plotting to kill Trump

Pak man with Iran ties convicted for plotting to kill Trump

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

A Pakistani man with ties to Iran has been convicted in a US court for plotting to assassinate former US President Donald Trump and other American politicians.

Fighting 'existential war' against US, Israel: Iran

Fighting 'existential war' against US, Israel: Iran

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

Amid escalating tensions, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh declares Iran's unwavering commitment to a 'heroic nationalist defence' against perceived American and Israeli aggression, vowing to resist what he calls an 'invasion' to the very end.

Trump announces trade deal after call with Modi, cuts tariffs

Trump announces trade deal after call with Modi, cuts tariffs

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

India and the US have agreed to a trade deal that will see Washington reduce reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%, according to US President Donald Trump. The deal also includes commitments from India to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers against the US and to increase purchases of American products.

Aiyar versus Tharoor: Congress's men of letters in war of letters

Aiyar versus Tharoor: Congress's men of letters in war of letters

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

A public exchange of open letters between Congress leaders Mani Shankar Aiyar and Shashi Tharoor reveals a significant rift over foreign policy, particularly concerning Israel and the Sabarimala temple issue.

Mohamed Nasheed: Democratic Institutions, Not Bombing, Can Bring Change

Mohamed Nasheed: Democratic Institutions, Not Bombing, Can Bring Change

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed advocates for building democratic institutions over military intervention in resolving international conflicts, particularly in the context of the escalating West Asia crisis. He also discusses the impact of the conflict on the Maldives' tourism-dependent economy and calls for a stronger, more understanding India in the Indian Ocean Region.

The Fall of India's Development Ambitions

The Fall of India's Development Ambitions

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Like the realisation on the failure of development, we have also internalised the failure on democracy, argues Aakar Patel.

India, US to bolster defence ties for Indo-Pacific peace: US Admiral

India, US to bolster defence ties for Indo-Pacific peace: US Admiral

Rediff.com15 Feb 2026

Admiral Samuel J Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, lauded India's military restraint during Operation Sindoor and emphasized the growing India-US defence partnership aimed at maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Big thanks to President Trump from 1.4 billion Indians: Modi

Big thanks to President Trump from 1.4 billion Indians: Modi

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

Modi also said that President Trump's leadership is vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity.

Lack Of Political Unity Is India's Greatest Challenge

Lack Of Political Unity Is India's Greatest Challenge

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

'No, India and China were not about to go to all-out war over a few rocks of Galwan.' 'The full picture of what went on at the highest level between two heads of State will not be known for a very, very long time and rightly so,' points out Colonel Anil A Athale, former head of the history division, ministry of defence.

'When We Come Together, We Can Move Mountains'

'When We Come Together, We Can Move Mountains'

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

'I want to show bearded men actually caring and loving for their sons or a woman from Pakistan in a position of power. How radical is that?'

Iran War Exposes Washington's Strategic Chaos

Iran War Exposes Washington's Strategic Chaos

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

What we are watching is something different: A fog manufactured and maintained by the people who started the war, so that the question of why it was started never has to be answered, observes Prem Panicker in his must read blog on the war in the Middle East.

'Pakistan Can Only Disintegrate If Any External Power Intervenes'

'Pakistan Can Only Disintegrate If Any External Power Intervenes'

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

'If this region destabilises, then we are not far away. This region should not destabilise.'

Economic Survey 2026: Rupee valuation does not accurately reflect India's stellar economic fundamentals

Economic Survey 2026: Rupee valuation does not accurately reflect India's stellar economic fundamentals

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The value of the rupee, which has slipped to the 92 per dollar mark, does not accurately reflect India's stellar economic fundamentals, the Economic Survey said on Thursday.

'Money Is Trump's Driving Vice'

'Money Is Trump's Driving Vice'

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

'His love of money goes beyond all reasons,' says Trump watcher Arjun Appadurai.

'Venezuela's Current Leaders Gave Maduro As A Trophy To Trump'

'Venezuela's Current Leaders Gave Maduro As A Trophy To Trump'

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

'Trump had done a deal with the current regime minus Maduro. The current regime is giving Trump entry into Venezuelan oil. They are obeying him and doing whatever he says.' 'They are happy because they have saved their heads by sacrificing only two, Maduro and his wife. Thousands of Venezuelan military leaders would have been jailed or killed in American action had Maduro stayed in power.'

'Law of jungle prevails': Cong on US action in Venezuela

'Law of jungle prevails': Cong on US action in Venezuela

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

The Congress party in India has expressed "grave concern" over the US action in Venezuela, stating that settled principles of international law cannot be violated unilaterally. India has also voiced "deep concern" and called for a peaceful resolution through dialogue.

Govt-Oppn tussle flares up in Lok Sabha; 8 MPs suspended

Govt-Oppn tussle flares up in Lok Sabha; 8 MPs suspended

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

The House has been witnessing uproar after Rahul Gandhi was disallowed to cite an article based on excerpts from an unpublished 'memoir' of former Army chief General M M Naravane (retd).

The US Is Turning The World Topsy-Turvy

The US Is Turning The World Topsy-Turvy

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

A bewildered world is at a loss to find bilateral and multilateral measures to stop President Trump from pursuing his vision of a world unabashedly dominated by the United States, points out T P Sreenivasan.

8 To 1 Trump Won't Start A Gulf War

8 To 1 Trump Won't Start A Gulf War

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

The threat of wars hovers over the negotiations in Oman, but the good part is that Trump called the talks to be 'very good' and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian responded that they 'constitute a step forward', points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

'For Them, A Woman Is A Body. Nothing More'

'For Them, A Woman Is A Body. Nothing More'

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

''Women are coming into public spaces in larger numbers than ever before. They are educated, capable, opinionated, and determined.' 'But the more women push for access to public space, the harder they are pushed back -- through attacks like this, through discrimination, through the glass ceiling, through the deliberate denial of recognition.'

What Will Xi Jinping Do Next With All That Power?

What Will Xi Jinping Do Next With All That Power?

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

'For the first time in a hundred years, the army has been taken out of the political equation. And for the first time ever, there is only one man who calls the shots. Not even Mao had this kind of power.'

Was US India's Ally Or Foe In The 1962 War?

Was US India's Ally Or Foe In The 1962 War?

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

What appeared to be a generous act of friendship was, in truth, a manoeuvre within a much larger strategic game. The United States used the 1962 war not just to aid India but to test how far it could be pulled into the Western fold, points out Dr Kumar.

Why Dhurandhar Is Unsettling

Why Dhurandhar Is Unsettling

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

Dhurandhar does not ask audiences to cheer blindly, notes Kumar Abhishek. It asks them to see how power operates in grey zones, and at moral cost.

60 Years On This Week, Indira Gandhi Became Prime Minister

60 Years On This Week, Indira Gandhi Became Prime Minister

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

In a culture where children take up the profession of their father, her becoming a politician was seen as natural and acceptable.

Not just Zohran Mamdani, these PIOs too win US mayoral polls

Not just Zohran Mamdani, these PIOs too win US mayoral polls

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

Ghazala Hashmi, an India-born American politician, has been elected as Virginia's Lieutenant Governor, marking a historic moment as the first Muslim and South Asian American to hold the position.

Modi, Trump speak 'pretty frequently': White House

Modi, Trump speak 'pretty frequently': White House

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump feels "very positive and strongly" about the future of India-US relationship.