South Asia is going through turmoil -- some inflicted by nature, some by fellow humans. Myanmar's cyclone has mercilessly claimed lives in ways that we can't begin to fathom, no thanks to the Junta and its closed-door policies. Paddy fields in the Irrawaddy Delta have been washed away with bodies, bang in the middle of a global food crisis.

I've been reading the posts about Hillary Clinton, the language she used and the shades of intended meaning about her remarks. Maria Niles covered this aspect in her post. Beneath the surface of her remarks there is so much more going on.

The Project for Excellence in Journalism has released this year's annual State of the News Media report. While much of the blog talk has been about the report's conclusion that user-generated content now drives news consumption (Duh!

Amidst all the bickering over stolen speeches, questionable values, hope and reality, presidential candidates are keeping an eye on changes in Pakistan, a country the U.S. has identified as a crucial ally in its efforts to curb the Taliban and growing fundamentalism in the region.

I will steer clear of what Benazir Bhutto's assassination means to the U.S. and the war on terror. The ramifications are just too obvious. Being an Indian and Pakistan's neighbor, however, I can't help feeling sorry for the common Pakistani. As I had mentioned in an earlier post, for 60 years, India has watched (and dealt) with some apprehension, some incredulousness and largely helplessness, as her neighbor and brother-separated-at-birth swung between shaky democracies and determined dictatorships, and now, a growing militancy.

I knew it would be hard, but I did not have this in mind when I said Pakistan's next stab at democracy would be a turning point for the nation, as it tries to redefine its destiny.

Pakistan and India have turned 60. On August 14 (Pakistan) and 15 (India), the two countries celebrated six decades of independence from the British (and each other, following a bloody partition).