Critical Appreciation – Constructive Criticism

Gender violence is an old problem worldwide. It is not an exception in the Bhutanese Community. However, the severity of the problem has grown substantially within the Bhutanese American Community following resettlement. In most cases, the victims are women and girls. A deeper investigation and historical authenticity might require finding the cause – whether the problem has grown following resettlement, or it was subdued while living in exile. This research was aimed to dig out the causes of growing gender violence in a newly resettled community and seek solutions to the problem. An anonymous survey was conducted, and the author held a conversation with a number of community members and victims. Educating the victims to speak against their perpetrators while still providing social and other support would change the way the newly established community prosper. Dedicated service and support are required from local law enforcement agencies to encourage them to tell their stories. They need easy access to and guarantee of privacy and security from the police department, sexual assault hotline, medical practitioners, school and community organisations. Read Full

ABSTRACT Security threat posed by rising China in Indo-Pacific region has raised fear of possible shift in the world order – that had remained under tight fist of the United States for over a century. China is flexing its economic and military muscles that is likely to substitute America’s dominance in international politics. As China crawls into Asia Pacific region, the US has unveiled its new strategy to counter the rise of Communist China. Regional allies and stronger security relation are of paramount importance for this strategy to succeed. This paper examines what Indo-Pacific Strategy means for South Asia and Bhutan in particular. How this tiny Himalayan Kingdom would play its role and what are possible advantages? It also includes the role of India in courting Bhutan into the bigger international gambit to surround China and what India and US must do jointly to ensure the success of the strategies. Key words: communism, democracy, diplomacy, military, politics, strategies, Indo-pacific Introduction While unveiling Indo-Pacific Strategies in 2018, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said “American people and the whole world have a stake in the Indo-Pacific’s peace and prosperity. It’s why the Indo-Pacific must be free and open (Hartman, 2019).” US state department describes this statement as ‘an ironclad and enduring commitment’ (US State Department, Office of the Assistant Secretary, 2018)  to the region. The strategy basically targets creating more democratic and open society in Indo-Pacific region to counter China’s undemocratic growing influence. Bhutan is small country but can be a major player under this flagship strategy within the Indian domain. India’s involvement in engaging Bhutan on this strategic initiative of the US government is of paramount important. The initiative must not ignore the undemocratic behaviours of Bhutan government– past and present. India is not an alien when it comes to the Bhutanese refugee issue. For decades, a democratic country aligned with an absolute monarchy to curb the voice for democratic…