THE HINDU EDITORIAL : OCTOBER 20, 2018
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THE HINDU EDITORIAL : OCTOBER 20, 2018
Dear Banking Aspirants,
THE HINDU EDITORIAL – October 20, 2018, is one of the must-read section for the competitive exams like IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk 2018, Indian Bank PO & LIC HFL 2018. These topics are widely expected to be asked in the reading comprehension, Cloze Test or Error Detection in the forthcoming exams. So gear up your Exam preparation and learn new words daily.
A) L’affaire Khashoggi
There are limits to Saudi Arabia’s defiance even within the ambit of narrow national interest
The gory, gruesome and ghastly details of the last few moments in the life of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as reported in the government-controlled Turkish media, have reaffirmed the continuing validity of the universal truth: the pen is mightier than the sword.
Authoritarian regimes not only do not fear open, violent acts of defiance but they also welcome them. It helps them identify opponents of the regime and deal with them with ruthlessness and brutality. Most such acts of opposition would be dismissed as terrorism, as is routinely done by totalitarian regimes. It is the written word, even more than the spoken one, that scares regimes. Khashoggi, after all, was just one person, at one time even close to the ruling circles in Riyadh. He welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s reform moves in the country such as permitting women to drive cars unaccompanied by male members of the family. But the regime felt so threatened by Khashoggi’s dissident and heretical views that it felt compelled to liquidate him physically.
Nor are those responsible for his suspected murder necessarily unhappy that the horrible details of his torture have come out in the public domain, something they themselves might have greatly hesitated to do. They have achieved the purpose of sending a clear, unambiguous message to all potential trouble makers. The message will no doubt be effective in silencing dissent for a long while.
Tokenism in reactions
Saudi Arabia is defiant. It has warned all those who may be thinking of isolating or even moving sanctions against the regime with dire consequences. Some token action is being taken by some western governments such as demanding a thorough, impartial inquiry into the incident. The chief of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, has cancelled her participation at the ‘Davos in the Desert’ Conference, in Riyadh. Significantly, the U.S. Treasury Secretary has joined the boycott. The outrage is universal in the developed world, though the developing countries seem to have decided their own counsel. The Bretton Woods institutions will still need Saudi funding.
This writer has long and firmly believed that foreign policy is all about promoting national interest and that sentiment should have no place in it. This continues to be his conviction. U.S. President Donald Trump follows this principle quite ruthlessly. He is open about it, and not at all hypocritical. He is unabashed in proclaiming that hundreds of billions worth of arms sales are on the line and that he is not prepared to put them in jeopardy.
For all we know, the complicity of the highest levels of the Saudi monarchy may never be fully established; already fall guys are being projected which will give Mr. Trump the fig leaf to continue his cozy relationship with the regime. It remains to be seen if the noises made by some U.S. Senators about imposing sanctions or blocking the arms sales amount to any meaningful action.
It is the same principle of national interest that has inhibited us from confronting the Saudis as well as the Iranians about their open, unchecked support, financial and otherwise, by funding radical Sunni and Shia mosques in India. This is reported to have been going on for decades, perhaps before Independence. Yet, successive governments have not found it possible to protest such behaviour which amounts to direct interference in India’s internal affairs and in radicalising sections of the Muslim community. It was felt that India’s national interest, India’s dependence on West Asian energy sources and anxiety not to upset them too much lest they voted against us in meetings of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, or side with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, is what made us cautious.
India’s deck of cards
Is there a lesson for India in the Saudi Arabian stance of defiance? India does not have the kind of money to throw around as the Saudis have. If India needs their oil, they also need to sell it. They need to sell as much oil as they can to continue with their disastrous misadventure in Yemen. The high level of crude price enables them to prosecute the war with comparably less cost, yet the Crown Prince’s ambitious reform plan will need more money than the kingdom can produce.
If India is forced to reduce the import of Iranian oil to zero in the next few weeks, India does not have to worry about alternate sources of which there are plenty, as the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas has assured us. Saudi Arabia has no choice but to continue to make up the shortfall, first, because it needs to sell its oil, but second and more important, it must do all in its power to weaken and destroy its mortal enemy, the leader of the Shias of the world. As King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia told the U.S. a few years ago, “the head of the snake needs to be cut off”. If it becomes useful to befriend India in its relentless campaign against Iran, it will be a small price to pay.
There is yet one more weapon that India can selectively use. Next to the Saudis, we are the largest buyer of weapons in the world. The U.S., France, Russia all have only one interest in India — to sell their extremely expensive war material. They not only earn money, they even earn our gratitude. India has an insatiable thirst for weapons of war and apparently bottomless pockets to pay for them. Mr. Trump, who advocates, for his country as well as for others, to follow the principle of ‘my country first’ would be the last to impose penalties on India in case we do something that might not fit in with his agenda, either vis-à-vis Iran or Russia. The government seems to be conscious of this advantage that India has.
The principle of national interest can run into conflict with respect to other higher principles especially in democracies. Thus, the Khashoggi affair might eventually result in action in the U.S. Congress which the President then will have no option but to abide by. This is what happened in Congressional action against Russia and which Mr. Trump then had to follow. Vox populi will on occasion trump narrow national interest.
B) Taliban surge: on Kandahar attack
With the Kandahar attack, the militants strike a blow to Afghan election and peace processes
The attack on a high-level meeting inside the Governor’s compound in southern Kandahar on Thursday, killing top security officials, is yet another reminder of the sharply deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan. In recent years, the Taliban had shown its capability to infiltrate official meetings and attack any government building, notwithstanding claims by the authorities of heightened security. A year ago, the Kandahar Governor’s office had come under attack by militants, resulting in the death of a Deputy Governor, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates and members of Parliament. Thursday’s assault happened at a meeting that was attended by General Austin ‘Scott’ Miller, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan. U.S. troops later said he was unhurt, while Gen. Abdul Raziq, the Kandahar police chief, and Abdul Momin, the Kandahar intelligence chief, were killed. Kandahar Governor Zalmai Wesa was also targeted in the attack, but there were conflicting reports about the status of his health. Raziq was arguably the most powerful police commander in southern Afghanistan. A close ally of the U.S., he had previously survived several attempts on his life and was instrumental in coordinating the local police networks in the fight against the Taliban. His death will leave a security vacuum in the south, especially at a time when the Taliban has launched an all-out offensive.
Significantly, the Kandahar attack happened two days ahead of the much-delayed parliamentary election. From the day the election dates were announced, the Taliban had warned those participating in the process. The security situation is so dire in the country that one-third of the polling stations will not open on Saturday, election day. Over the past couple of months, the Taliban has repeatedly targeted election offices and gatherings, killing at least 10 candidates and dozens of their supporters. The already overstretched Afghan security forces will now have to deal with the fallout of the Kandahar strike. The attack is a setback for the U.S. plan for direct talks with the Taliban as a way out of the 17-year-long conflict. Zalmay Khalilzad, the American special envoy to Afghanistan, recently met Taliban representatives in Qatar. The push for talks comes from a realisation that the war has drifted into a stalemate and an outright military solution could be impossible. And as it finally comes around to the idea of direct talks, the U.S. is trying to turn up pressure on the militant group through Pakistan. But this strategy will work only if the Afghan forces and their allies make some advances on the ground, and bring the Taliban under military pressure. What is actually happening, as incidents such as the Kandahar attack suggest, is the opposite. Both the U.S. and Afghan forces appear to be clueless about how to stop the Taliban’s advances.
VOCABULARY
1) reaffirmed
Meaning : state again strongly.
Tamil Meaning : மீண்டும் உறுதிப்படுத்து
Synonyms : continue , prolong
Antonyms : destroy
Example : “the prime minister reaffirmed his commitment to the agreement”
2) regimes
Meaning : a government, especially an authoritarian one.
Tamil Meaning : ஆட்சிகள்
Synonyms : establishment , government
Antonyms : disorder
Example : “ideological opponents of the regime”
3) defiance
Meaning : open resistance; bold disobedience.
Tamil Meaning : எதிர்ப்புத் தெரிவித்தல்
Synonyms : contempt , opposition
Antonyms : calm
Example : “an act of defiance”
4) ruthlessness
Meaning : the quality of lacking pity or compassion for others.
Tamil Meaning : இரக்கமற்ற தன்மை
Synonyms : atrocity , brutality
Antonyms : kindness
Example : “the real-world ruthlessness of business”
5) dissident
Meaning : a person who opposes official policy, especially that of an authoritarian state.
Tamil Meaning : கருத்து வேறுபாடு கொண்ட
Synonyms : discordant, dissenting
Antonyms : conforming
Example : “a dissident who had been jailed by a military regime”
6) heretical
Meaning : believing in or practising religious heresy.
Tamil Meaning : பேதம்
Synonyms : agnostic , atheistic
Antonyms : orthodox
Example : “heretical beliefs”
7) unambiguous
Meaning : not open to more than one interpretation.
Tamil Meaning : குழப்பமற்ற
Synonyms : explicit , obvious
Antonyms : indefinite
Example : “instructions should be unambiguous”
8) dissent
Meaning : the holding or expression of opinions at variance with those commonly or officially held.
Tamil Meaning : எதிர்ப்பை
Synonyms : discord , disunity
Antonyms : agreement
Example : “there was no dissent from this view”
9) dire
Meaning : extremely serious or urgent.
Tamil Meaning : கொடிய
Synonyms : acute , critical
Antonyms : calm
Example : “misuse of drugs can have dire consequences”
10) boycott
Meaning : withdraw from commercial or social relations with (a country, organization, or person) as a punishment or protest.
Tamil Meaning : புறக்கணிப்பு
Synonyms : avoid , spurn
Antonyms : accept
Example : “we will boycott all banks which take part in the loans scheme”
11) outrage
Meaning : an extremely strong reaction of anger, shock, or indignation.
Tamil Meaning : கோபத்தை
Synonyms : shock , violence
Antonyms : benefit
Example : “her voice trembled with outrage”
12) conviction
Meaning : a formal declaration by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law that someone is guilty of a criminal offence.
Tamil Meaning : தண்டனை
Synonyms : faith , view
Antonyms : doubt
Example : “she had a previous conviction for a similar offence”
13) ruthlessly
Meaning : without pity or compassion for others.
Tamil Meaning : இரக்கமற்ற
Synonyms : barbarous , callous
Antonyms : calm
Example : “they fell prey to money lenders who ruthlessly exploited them”
14) unabashed
Meaning : not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.
Tamil Meaning : வெட்கமற்ற
Synonyms : blatant , bold
Antonyms : timid
Example : “he was unabashed by the furore his words provoked”
15) jeopardy
Meaning : danger of loss, harm, or failure.
Tamil Meaning :
Synonyms : peril , hazard
Antonyms : safety
Example : “the whole peace process is in jeopardy“
16) stalemate
Meaning : a position counting as a draw, in which a player is not in check but cannot move except into check.
Tamil Meaning : இக்கட்டான நிலை
Synonyms : delay , impasse
Antonyms : advance
Example : “last time I played him it ended up in stalemate”
17) inhibited
Meaning : unable to act in a relaxed and natural way because of self-consciousness or mental restraint.
Tamil Meaning : தடுக்கப்படுவதாக
Synonyms : frustrated , guarded
Antonyms : extroverted
Example : “I could never appear nude, I’m far too inhibited”
18) confronting
Meaning : face up to and deal with (a problem or difficulty).
Tamil Meaning : எதிர்கொள்ளும்
Synonyms : accost , defy
Antonyms : dodge
Example : “we knew we couldn’t ignore the race issue and decided we’d confront it head on”
19) radicalising
Meaning : cause (someone) to adopt radical positions on political or social issues.
Tamil Meaning : தீவிர
Synonyms : extremism zealotry
Antonyms : conservatism
Example : “some of those involved had been radicalized by the Vietnam War”
20) disastrous
Meaning : causing great damage.
Tamil Meaning : பேரழிவு
Synonyms : adverse, calamitous
Antonyms : assisting
Example : “a disastrous fire swept through the museum”
21) prosecute
Meaning : institute or conduct legal proceedings against (a person or organization).
Tamil Meaning : சட்டரீதியாக
Synonyms : indict , sue
Antonyms : exonerate
Example : “they were prosecuted for obstructing the highway”
22) insatiable
Meaning : (of a person) having an insatiable appetite or desire for something, especially sex.
Tamil Meaning : திருப்திப்படுத்தப்படாத
Synonyms : insistent , rapacious
Antonyms : fulfilled
Example : “‘You’re insatiable!’ she cried as she pushed him away”
23) ambitious
Meaning : having or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed.
Tamil Meaning : மூர்க்கமான
Synonyms : aggressive , determined
Antonyms : lethargic
Example : “a ruthlessly ambitious woman”
24) abide
Meaning : accept or act in accordance with (a rule, decision, or recommendation).
Tamil Meaning : என்றென்றும்
Synonyms : accept , tolerate
Antonyms : disallow
Example : “I said I would abide by their decision”
25) assault
Meaning : make a physical attack on.
Tamil Meaning : தாக்குதல்
Synonyms : charge , incursion
Antonyms : retreat
Example : “he pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer”
26) ally
Meaning : a state formally cooperating with another for a military or other purpose.
Tamil Meaning : கூட்டாளியான
Synonyms : associate , colleague
Antonyms : detractor
Example : “debate continued among NATO allies”
27) fallout
Meaning : the adverse results of a situation or action.
Tamil Meaning : சண்டையின்
Synonyms : effect , outcome
Antonyms : development
Example : “he’s prepared to take calculated risks regardless of political fallout”
28) envoy
Meaning : a messenger or representative, especially one on a diplomatic mission.
Tamil Meaning : தூதுவர்
Synonyms : delegate , diplomat
Antonyms : receiver
Example : “the UN special envoy to Yugoslavia”
29) drifted
Meaning : be carried slowly by a current of air or water.
Tamil Meaning : விலகினர்
Synonyms : amble , float
Antonyms : stay
Example : “the cabin cruiser started to drift downstream”
30) outright
Meaning : immediately or instantly.
Tamil Meaning : அப்பட்டமான
Synonyms : absolute , pure
Antonyms : indefinite
Example : “the impact killed four horses outright”
31) polling
Meaning : record the opinion or vote of.
Tamil Meaning : வாக்கு
Synonyms : count , opinion
Antonyms : reply
Example : “over half of those polled do not believe the prime minister usually tells the truth”
32) conflict
Meaning : be incompatible or at variance; clash.
Tamil Meaning : மோதல்
Synonyms : battle , clash
Antonyms : peace
Example : “parents’ and children’s interests sometimes conflict”
33) deteriorate
Meaning : become progressively worse.
Tamil Meaning : மோசமடைந்து
Synonyms : crumble , decline
Antonyms : approve
Example : “relations between the countries had deteriorated sharply”
34) conscious
Meaning : aware of and responding to one’s surroundings.
Tamil Meaning : உணர்வு
Synonyms : certain , aware
Antonyms : dubious
Example : “although I was in pain, I was conscious”
35) apparent
Meaning : clearly visible or understood; obvious.
Tamil Meaning : வெளிப்படையான
Synonyms : possible , probable
Antonyms : unlikely
Example : “for no apparent reason she laughed”
36) campaign
Meaning : a series of military operations intended to achieve a goal, confined to a particular area, or involving a specified type of fighting.
Tamil Meaning : பிரச்சாரம்
Synonyms : crusade , drive
Antonyms : inaction
Example : “a desert campaign”
37) anxiety
Meaning : a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.
Tamil Meaning : பதட்டம்
Synonyms : concern , doubt
Antonyms : blessing
Example : “he felt a surge of anxiety”
38) sanctions
Meaning : a threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule.
Tamil Meaning : தடைகள்
Synonyms : approval , fiat
Antonyms : denial
Example : “a range of sanctions aimed at deterring insider abuse”
39) proclaim
Meaning : announce officially or publicly.
Tamil Meaning : அறிவிக்க
Synonyms : affirm , announce
Antonyms : conceal
Example : “the government’s chief scientific adviser proclaimed that the epidemic was under control”
40) ghastly
Meaning : causing great horror or fear.
Tamil Meaning : கோரமான
Synonyms : appalling , frightful
Antonyms : beautiful
Example : “one of the most ghastly crimes ever committed”
THE HINDU EDITORIAL : OCTOBER 17, 2018
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