The flare-up began on Nov. 7, when Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi told her parliament that a Chinese military attack on Taiwan would be an “existential issue for Japan” - justifying a Japanese armed response. China responded with sharp diplomatic protests, military posturing, economic signaling aimed at reminding Tokyo of its vulnerabilities and swaying public opinion in Japan against Takaichi. China today looks a lot like the United States in the late 1870s - when America emerged as the world’s … [Read more...] about Japan–China Tensions: The Emerging Signals and Impact on India and US-India relations
Archives for November 2025
Why Cash Transfers Work: Lessons from Bihar and Beyond
The Bihar election quietly highlighted something much bigger than an electoral result: the growing power of Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs). 1.5 crore women received ₹10,000 directly. We can argue about the politics, but the economic impact is worth paying attention to. 1. From Leakage to Delivery For decades, public money leaked through layers of departments and intermediaries. With DBTs, a rupee sent is finally a rupee received. No middlemen. No delays. No “come tomorrow.” That … [Read more...] about Why Cash Transfers Work: Lessons from Bihar and Beyond