On August 19, the Business Roundtable (Roundtable), an organization comprised of America’s largest corporations redefined its statement of purpose. The statement was revised from placing primacy on shareholders to promoting “an economy that serves all Americans.” This new focus expanded the Roundtable’s scope of stakeholders from a universe of one to include: customers, suppliers, communities, and employees. For the employee stakeholder, the statement called for “Investing in our … [Read more...]
Articles
Frank blogs regularly for the Huffington Post and writes occasional columns and articles for publications such as the International Business Times and The Economic Times of India.
Frank writes on a wide variety of topics that are critical to shaping the future of America and the American dream and to making the United States and the world a better place. These include: Business; education; poverty and inequality; politics and public policy; immigration; manufacturing; innovation; leadership; citizenship; and social commentary.
Frank’s most recent blogs are highlighted on this page. To read other blogs or articles by Frank, click on the categories or publications links on the left.
India needs unifying nationalism, not religious nationalism, says eminent Indian-American Frank Islam
New Delhi/Washington: Eminent Indian American Frank F Islam says Indian needs a unifying nationalism, not the religious nationalism espoused by the BJP, for surviving and thriving as a vibrant democracy and a peaceful developed nation. ”Unfortunately, there are some people whose voices of intolerance, prejudice, hostility and bigotry are dividing India along the lines of faith. I firmly believe India has long succeeded because of democracy, diversity, inclusiveness and … [Read more...]
Frank View: Advancing Interdependence plea on Independence Day of India
In his first speech after winning the election for his second term, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proclaimed that "...we have to win Sabka Wishwas (everyone's trust)." What will be required to win that trust is establishing a true state of interdependence that can be achieved by creating a country in which there is a shared understanding of the value of each citizen and a reliance on one another to eliminate discrimination, hostility, and prejudice and to provide equality … [Read more...]
The Enemy of the U.S. Democracy is Us
In a famous 1970 Earth Day poster, cartoonist Walt Kelly had his title character Pogo, a possum, who lived in the Okefenokee swamp, say to his friend Porky Pine, a porcupine, after they have walked through a contaminated area, “Yep, son, we have met the enemy and he is us.” Approaching five decades later, the United States democracy is becoming a swamp. The enemy creating that swamp in the U.S. is the enemy within. In 2019, we have met the enemy and he is us. Donald Trump … [Read more...]
India must resolve differences with America to seize opportunities from US-China trade war
Earlier this week, the United States and China escalated their trade war with Beijing letting its currency, Renminbi, fall by 1.4 per cent and Washington accusing the communist nation of being a currency manipulator. Earlier this week, the United States and China escalated their trade war with Beijing letting its currency, Renminbi, fall by 1.4 per cent and Washington accusing the communist nation of being a currency manipulator. The latest round of tit-for-tat moves came … [Read more...]
NEW NATIONALISM
Our American democracy is at risk. It is being threatened from without by interventions such as the “sweeping and systematic interference” by Russia in the 2016 presidential election. It is being threatened from within by the pseudo form of “nationalism” being promoted by President Donald Trump. Trump first proudly pronounced himself a nationalist in October of 2018 at a rally for U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (D-TX). Trump’s proclamation at that time evoked a … [Read more...]
Kashmir: Time to give peace a chance
U.S. President Donald Trump created astir when he told reporters in the presence of Prime Minister Imran Khan during his recent visit to Washington, D.C. that Prime Minister Modi had asked him to mediate the decades long Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan. Upon learning of Trump’s assertion India immediately issued an official denial that Modi had made such a request. As is often the case, President Trump claims were questionable. Even more questionable is Trump’s competency … [Read more...]
India and the US must approach the bilateral ties cautiously
Both sides must now look past Trump’s unfortunate statement and focus on addressing contentious issues. The India-United States (US) relations were thrown off course last week when President Donald Trump offered to mediate between New Delhi and Islamabad on Kashmir. Much to the bewilderment of Indian officials and South Asia watchers in Washington, the president said, at a joint White House press conference with the visiting Pakistan Prime Minister, Imran Khan, that Prime Minister Narendra … [Read more...]
Reform the Supreme Court to Help Preserve the American Democracy
On June 27, the Supreme Court handed down a 5–4 ruling in Rucho v. Common Cause that harmed the American democracy by permitting virtually unrestricted gerrymandering at the state level. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts justified this action by explaining, “Partisan gerrymandering claims present political questions beyond the reach of the federal court.” Justice Roberts did admit, however, that “Excessive partisanship in districting leads to … [Read more...]
The Elephant in the Room in Growing Indo-US Ties
US President Donald Trumps trip to the DMZ to meet with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un and his conciliatory get together with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit in Osaka Japan got most of the headlines in the US and world press at the end of June and beginning of July. The most consequential conversations during that time period, though, may have been those held by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during his visit to India before the Osaka summit and by … [Read more...]