Pakistan and Iran: Gas Pipeline Fallacy Continues
During last week’s meeting between Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Iranian President Hasan Rowhani, the two leaders trumpeted their efforts to restart the stalled Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. Sharif stated … Continue reading
Technology: Choice of Margins vs. Market Penetration for Apple
The conventional wisdom regarding Apple is that it has lost its way and these complaints have only grown louder following the release of the company’s two new iPhones, the 5S … Continue reading
India: Economy Slows but Defense Sales Retain Potential
Reflecting the structural weakness of the Indian economy, the country’s currency (Indian rupee) has fallen 20 percent since the beginning of the year. Consequently, the initial $37.7 billion defense budget … Continue reading
Pakistan: Islamabad should Negotiate an Agreement with the Taliban
Over the past few months, Pakistan has undergone the first democratic transition in its history. Unfortunately, this change has done nothing to solve the country’s problems, which include, but are … Continue reading
India: If it was the US, there would be no Economic Doldrums
After many years of warnings and dire predictions, the bad news for the Indian economy is finally coming true. I have to admit that as one of the soothsayers who … Continue reading
Pakistan: Elections Won’t Change Status Quo; Media Darlings Unlikely to Generate Votes
Pakistan is preparing to hold general elections sometime in the next two months and even though the country’s relative importance has dimmed, its presence as a fulcrum on a number … Continue reading
Pakistan: Iran’s Plan to Develop Gas Pipeline and Refinery Unlikely to Amount to Anything
Energy shortages are fast becoming the norm in most nations and nowhere is this truer than in Pakistan where energy demand far outpaces resources and supplies. These shortages hurt multiple … Continue reading
Industry: The Consistent Strength of the Defense Market Continues to Provide Opportunities
The basic assumption behind multinationals corporations (MNCs) is that a weakness in one geographic region – setting aside the vicissitudes of market sectors – can be compensated by a corresponding … Continue reading
India: FY 2013-14 Budget Intended to Help Congress Party Win Upcoming General Election
India is a democracy and the country’s fiscal year (FY) 2013-14 budget reflects this political philosophy as it’s designed to ensure the ruling Congress Party remains in power for the … Continue reading
India: Cuts in Defense Spending Neither Surprising or Permanent
New Delhi recently announced plans to cut its 2013-14 fiscal year defense budget by over $2.5 billion as part of an overall $21 billion spending reduction. These cuts are due … Continue reading
All Sorts of Things 