WASHINGTON, DC: Secretary of State John Kerry, the hardest working man on the planet these days, took a couple of days off last week from trying to coax the Israelis and Hamas to end the Gaza conflict and racking his brains over Ukraine, Syria and numerous other global crises, to attend the annual India-US Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi. The fifth edition of the dialogue was the first high-level meeting between the two sides since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in May, and, as … [Read more...]
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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.
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Before the Congressional Recess: Two Steps Forward, Three Steps Back
In a stunning reversal of form, in the month or so before adjourning for recess, Congress managed to pass two meaningful pieces of legislation: The Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Veterans Access Choice and Accountability Act (VA reform bill) For a second it appeared that this "do-nothing" Congress was on to something and starting to take positive actions that might bring its approval rating with the American public out of the toilet. Then, in the … [Read more...]
US industry experts commend India-US strategic dialogue
US Secretary of State John Kerry, US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker & Arun Jaitley The recently concluded India-US Strategic Dialogue set the tone for improved strategic and economic ties at a pivotal point in bilateral partnership, representatives of American corporate sector and experts have said. "It is heartening to see that despite divergent views on certain issues, there is a sincere commitment towards the renewed bilateral strategic partnership," said Diane … [Read more...]
The Export-Import Bank Debate: Tempest in the Tea Party Pot
The charter of the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank or Bank) must be reauthorized by the end of September. Given the current heated debate it is likely that its fate will not be determined until the 11th hour. What is going on right now is essentially a confrontation between ideology and methodology. The ideology is that of the Tea Party and conservative Republicans who insist the government should not be interfering in the free market system. The methodology is the work of the Ex-Im Bank in … [Read more...]
Big Bank Financial Settlements: Get out of Jail Free Cards?
In mid-July, Citigroup agreed to pay $7 billion for what the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) called "egregious misconduct" related to its handling of subprime mortgages and mortgage securities in the run up to the financial crisis. This was not a singular result. It is part of a trifecta. In March of this year, Bank of America entered in to a $9.5 billion settlement with the Federal Housing Finance Agency as the conservator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for its alleged transgressions on … [Read more...]
Mr. Islam hosted first Iftar dinner at USIP.
WASHINGTON, DC: Nearly a hundred dignitaries, among them a number of current and former diplomats, attended the first ever iftar dinner hosted by the United States Institute of Peace at its headquarters in Washington, DC, on July 24. Among the attendees were Afghanistan Ambassador to the United States Ahmad Eklil Hakimi, his wife Sultana Hakimi; top Iraqi diplomat in Washington Ambassador Lukman Faily, Nigerian Ambassador Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye, USIP Vice Chairman George Moose, former … [Read more...]
Will the Delhi Bonhomie Lead to a New Era in Pakistan-India Relations?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been in office for two months now, and he has already taken several actions to change India's social and economic direction. The most surprising move the newly elected Indian leader has made to date, however, was his decision to invite Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to his swearing-in ceremony. It caught nearly all observers off-guard. It has yet to be determined whether this symbolic gesture will translate into substantive improvement in Pakistan-India … [Read more...]
Bilateral trade may be the key to bolster Indo-Pak relationship
WASHINGTON, DC: While Narendra Modi’s victory in the Indian elections was widely predicted, the newly elected Indian leader’s decision to invite Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to attend his swearing-in ceremony was a pleasant surprise catching almost all observers off guard. During his tenure as the chief minister of Gujarat, which shares a border with the province of Sindh, Modi had never given the impression of being a peace-maker, when it came to Pakistan. Indeed, during the campaign, … [Read more...]
United States Big Business: Acting Local. Paying Global
If you walked into the Walgreens at Bee Ridge and Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, Florida on this past 4th of July weekend, you would have found an end cap of American flags, plates, cups, and napkins. We imagine that you would have found similar displays of patriotic paraphernalia at the more than 8,000 Walgreen drugstores across the United States. There's only one problem, as Walgreens has shown over the past few weeks, this faux patriotism is more about profits than dedication to country. What … [Read more...]
How long will Modi’s US honeymoon last?
WASHINGTON, DC: Presidents — or for that matter, most incoming officeholders — are routinely given a honeymoon period at the beginning of their first term by the American public, the media and even the opposition. During this phase, which can last from several months to a year or so, people tend to refrain from criticizing newly elected leader unless criticism is absolutely warranted. Judging by the reactions in Washington and rest of the United States, it appears that the US foreign policy … [Read more...]