1/ I’ve spent the week at NatCon, listening closely. I learnt plenty, with no cynicism, but I also saw its problematic side. Dr. Yoram Hazony and his team are gracious, thoughtful hosts. Yet there’s a deep lack of self-awareness about where they now find themselves. 🧵

The world’s largest democracy is cancelling trains reaching New Delhi, 7000 CRPF personnel called in, a total of 23 thousand central armed police forces deployed in delhi. Not for a foreign aggression but against its own citizens who want to protest for their rights

Again, the third-worldification of the United States did not happen because of the influx of Haitian, Nigerian, Mexican, and Indian immigrants It happened because of the white Evangelical population

Welcome to India, Elon. Wait till you discover the other guy.

Two truths can coexist. I have said before that one group controlling a large share of India’s airports and ports is not healthy for the country’s development. The group is also spreading fast into other critical areas such as power, renewables, cement, copper and mining. That needs to change. Equally, Elon Musk has spent the last few days pressing India to clear Starlink. Starlink is not just a technology, and Musk is not merely an entrepreneur. In a national crisis, Starlink could be used in ways that threaten India’s security. Musk is now one of the most influential private actors in America, not just the richest person or a leading tech entrepreneur. He should not be treated as a neutral commercial partner. Elites in the US establishment do not want India to reach the kind of self sufficiency China has achieved. In a major crisis, Musk and his companies could align with US policy in ways hostile to Indian interests. In the latest move, the US has suspended green card sponsorship filings by Indian IT companies, including TCS, Infosys and Wipro, along with several other firms. I would not be surprised if India faces tariffs as high as 100% for continuing to import oil from Russia. The relationship between the US and India is under very serious strain. America is becoming more and more hostile towards India. The coming times are going to be very tough. It is true that oligarchy exists in India. It is equally true that Elon Musk cannot be relied on in a crisis and could become hostile to India. Oligarchy is the internal problem that needs to be addressed. Starlink is the external threat that should not be allowed in India. We need to be extremely wary of Elon Musk.

Unfortunately, we are being blocked by certain oligarchs in order to maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people. You can guess who they are … This is a crime against the people of India!

“You don’t study for the spelling bee” is a deep and important aspect of American culture. I was at a baseball game discussing some young players with a buddy one time and he said to me offhandedly, “hard work is fine, but nothing beats talent.” Americans have this sort of sense that there’s something a little off about working really hard to get good at something that you’re not naturally good at. You’re never really going to be on the same level as the guy who has a natural talent. We have room in our hearts for scrappy little guys who work hard, but we are by default suspicious of grinders and strivers. If you were really meant to do it, then you’d be naturally good at it. You sign your kids up for little league, but you don’t take it too seriously unless they show remarkable early talent. Yes, this sounds sort of ridiculous if you take it too literally. No, nobody is saying that there’s any kind of practical test for this or that anybody should be excluded because we found out that they secretly studied too hard. But this is a part of American culture. And if you can’t understand it, then that just marks you out as foreign to that culture to an even greater degree.

There is a difference between meritocracy (apportioning opportunity and reward to those most deserving) within a culture that encourages kids to have a range of hobbies, experiences, and interests outside career and education optimization....and a culture of hyper-competitive striving where absolute optimization for education and career advancement (which treats anything that doesn't show up on the attainment scorecard as waste) is the only way to achieve economic security.

Wife of Indian army officer wishes to have a picture with the Pakistani Rangers Soldier. He responded courteously and at the end saluted the Indian officer.

Never bothered to speak for Muslims in Gaza. Never uttered a single word against Israel for committing a genocide in Palestine. But Machchhar ko shabashi denay foran agaya. Aik machchhar waqaye admi ko WOH bana deta!!!