Another one joins the Club!

The elite but dubious club of nations possessing nuclear weapons just got another member last week when North Korea muscled its way in. It was a nightmare come true for the international community as North Korea conducted an underground nuclear explosion on October 9th. The country had been threatening to conduct the test over the last few weeks and it finally let the nuclear genie out of the bottle.

This incident has changed the geo-political equations in one sweep as North Korea has a fairly advanced ballistic missile program. It has missiles which are quite capable of reaching most cities in Asia and possibly the United States. This means that countries in the immediate vicinity; which are allies of the US, such as South Korea and Japan are under direct threat from the North Korean N-bomb. It now remains to be seen whether North Korea actually has the technology to miniaturise the weapon to be able to fit it on a ballistic missile.

The test was clearly aimed at unsettling the United States as the US had been increasingly upping the ante against the Communist State over the past few months. Initially the US did not openly confirm the test inspite of confirmations from neighbouring countries like Russia and South Korea. The condemnation was swift nevertheless with President Bush threatening widespread sanctions on North Korea. The official US confirmation came only today, a week after the test.

What happens now? Well, a nuclear North Korea has opened a can of worms. This will surely encourage other countries to speed up their quest to go nuclear. Another, more practical scare is the potential, clandestine export of nuclear technology from North Korea to other rogue nations. This trade will be quite tempting to the North Koreans considering the blockade on the import of almost every modern technology. This will also encourage otherwise peaceful countries like Japan and South Korea to aim for nuclear weapons if they feel threatened. Suddenly the largest continent in the world will become a ticking nuclear time bomb.

What can be done? The most obvious step that will be taken is imposing sanctions against North Korea. However, this will not achieve much except starve the already impoverished citizens of the country. Adapting a hawkish stand will only push the country further into a corner and force it to adopt an aggressive stand. The best bet would be to recognize the real dangers of a nuclear North Korea and allow it some breathing space. The need of the hour is to involve and engage the North Korean people and make them feel part of the world community. The South Koreans would have to play a major role here if this is to succeed. The US should stop its trigger happy stance and agree to sit across the discussion table. History has shown that military invasion has achieved very little. Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq are shining examples and these were not even close to possessing nuclear weapons(although Saddam Hussein did try his best). The US and the world community should work out a reasonable development package for North Korea in return for dismantling the nuclear program. The package should be comprehensive and aimed at improving the quality of life of the average North Korean. The idea should be to win over the hearts and minds of the people and not just a fancy gift meant for the elite. And the most important thing is - stay away from making threatening, rash and irresponsible comments in the media.

The last thing we want is a couple more nuclear states springing up and changing the world order forever!

To Hang or not to Hang?

This is the question that is on everyone's mind; from the President of India to the prison guard keeping vigil over Mohammad Afzal, one of the key conspirators involved in the suicide attack on the Parliament on December 13th, 2001.

Afzal's wife and his family have met the President today with a mercy petition for the terrorist. Her plea is that because Afzal has lost faith in the Indian Justice system. Yeah right, since when have terrorists started believing in Justice Systems? The attack on the Parliament was a daredevil stunt and was a slap for all that Indian democracy stands for. Adding weight to the voice of Afzal's wife were so called social activists who feel that hanging Afzal would be a stigma on Indian Democracy? One such voice was Arundhati Roy, who off late has come to oppose anything and everything under the sun! Why are these guys so obsessed with the human rights of only one individual? What about the scores of guards who died in that attack? Didn't these guys have human rights too? Didn't they deserve to live? Who had given people like Afzal the right to kill them? Is this the meaning of Democracy?

If we spare Afzal today, what will stop the terrorist outfits from hijacking another Indian aircraft and demand that he be released? Besides, why should one invest time, money and energy in keeping a hardened terrorist alive and well? These guys think that India is a "soft state" and it is high time the we set an example that some insane individuals cannot hold a nation of 1 billion people to ransom. A strong example that we dont want anything to do with terrorists and we wouln't shy away from eliminating them.

Its Even!!

Two races left in the Championship and the score is tied at 116! Yes, both Alonso and Schumacher are at 116 points each with Schumi nosing slightly ahead on the basis of more race wins.

The Chinese Grand Prix was full of drama as wet conditions during qualifying gave the cars with Michelin tyres an advantage over their Bridgestone counterparts. The Renaults of Alonso and Fisichella qualified one-two with Schumacher qualifying in a lowly sixth position.

The start of the race was no better as the conditions were wet and windy. Both the Renaults made a quick start and Alonso pulled away from the rest of the pack in no time. Three laps down, it looked as if Alonso was in a different league altogether. Schumacher looked barely in form to challenge him anytime soon. However, the track began drying and Schumacher began putting in some stonking laps. The intermediate Bridgestones began to gain grip and Schumi's lap times went into a free-fall. He made up places and was soon in the third spot behind Alonso and Fischella.

Renault then started playing the team game with Alonso allowing a faster Fisichella to overtake him while he held back Schumacher. Alonso then "overtook" Fisichella to regain the top spot. Isn't this going against the spirit of Formula One, an accusation Renault has often leveled against Ferrari. Schumacher had nothing to do with it and managed to overtake both the Renaults to take the lead. Alonso looked like he was really struggling and the Renault pit crew messed things up further.

Finally, the German crossed the chequered flag to bring up the 91st Grand Prix victory of his career and drew level with Alonos in the Drivers' Championship. Alonso finished second whereas Fisichella finished third. Ferrari's second driver Felipe Massa failed to finish the race after a collision forced him to retire.

The Japanese Grand Prix is next with both Alonso and Schumacher tied at 116 points and Renault just one point ahead of Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship. Over to Suzuka for the penultimate race of the season and also of Schumacher's racing career.