From Stratfor: “The nuclear race between India and Pakistan is intensifying, thanks in large part to Islamabad's fear that its military is starting to lag behind New Delhi's. Over the past decade, Pakistan has become alarmed by the widening gap between its ability to wage conventional war and India's. Pakistan has turned to its nuclear inventory to level the playing field.”
Lisa Curtis writes: Modi’s surprise demonetization was a huge political gamble. Soon we’ll know whether it is likely to pay off. Nearly 700 state assembly seats will be decided in the five upcoming elections, including in Punjab, Manipur and Uttarakhand. If the BJP does relatively well, Modi will have reinforced that he has the political wherewithal to drive change in the world’s largest and most complicated democracy. – The National Interest