By A Representative   In a major pre-budget mobilization, the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA), India’s leading public health advocacy network, has issued a sharp critique of the Union government’s health spending and demanded a doubling of the health budget for the upcoming 2026-27 fiscal year. 

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak*    The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has been a dominant regional party in Odisha, governing the state continuously for twenty-four years. During this period, it faced no significant political opposition capable of challenging its authority. In 2024, however, the party lost both the national and state elections to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), enabling the rise of a BJP-led government in Odisha. The BJD’s long-standing strategy of political equidistance, combined with its cooperation with the BJP at the Centre, contributed to the creation of an opposition-free political environment in the state.  

By Nava Thakuria*  For millions of fans of Zubeen Garg, who died under unexplained circumstances in Singapore on 19 September last year, disturbing news has emerged from the island nation. Its police authorities have stated that the iconic Assamese singer died while intoxicated and swimming in the sea without a mandatory life jacket. 

By Bharat Dogra  A key aspect of the US National Security Strategy released in November 2025 is its commitment to “ energy dominance .” The document states, “We reject the disastrous ‘ climate change ’ and ‘ Net Zero ’ ideologies that have so greatly harmed Europe, threaten the United States and subsidize our adversaries.” It further asserts, “Restoring American energy dominance (in oil, gas, coal and nuclear) and re-shoring the necessary key energy components is a top strategic priority.”

By Shamsul Islam*  According to the ideological worldview of the current RSS-BJP establishment , Indian Muslims are treated as the villains of Indian history. Labelled as Babar zade —children of the first Mughal ruler—they are held responsible for every crime attributed to rulers with Muslim names, beginning with the Arab general Muhammad bin Qasim ’s conquest of Sindh in 711 CE . 

By Valjibhai Patel*  Rajiv Shah, who is among those esteemed journalist friends who have stood by the issues of the Dalit and oppressed communities, has raised a question regarding our 1972 protest in a recent blog,  “Would breaking idols, burning books annihilate caste? Recalling a 1972 Dalit protest” ( Counterview , January 9, 2026): Why did Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar feel the need to burn the Manusmriti? Why did Periyar lead a procession crowning the idol of Rama with a garland of footwear? Why did Jyotiba Phule write so harshly against Rama, Krishna, the Gita, and Varnashrama in his book Gulamgiri? And why did we feel the need to break the idol of Krishna?

By Harsh Thakor*  The Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela, launched under President Hugo Chávez starting in 1999, represented a major attempt to transform the country's political, economic, and social systems. It drew inspiration from Simón Bolívar's vision of Latin American unity and independence, while aiming to reduce poverty, challenge foreign influence (especially from the United States), and promote a form of socialism suited to the 21st century.

By Harsh Thakor*  Zhou Enlai (1898–1976) served as the first Premier of the People's Republic of China (PRC) from 1949 until his death and as Foreign Minister from 1949 to 1958. He played a central role in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for over five decades, contributing to its organization, military efforts, diplomacy, and governance. His tenure spanned key events including the Long March, World War II alliances, the founding of the PRC, the Korean War, and the Cultural Revolution. 

By Bharat Dogra    It is now widely recognized that the global humanitarian crisis has reached an extremely serious stage. Even more worrying is the growing likelihood that conditions will deteriorate further during 2026. The reasons are clear. Conflicts and destabilisation are increasing due to aggressive and short-sighted policies promoted by powerful actors, coupled with the weakening of peacebuilding efforts at local levels. Although the overwhelming majority of people desire peace, this sentiment does not translate into organisational strength, as the forces driving violence are far more powerful.