As Vladimir Putin announced in the Kremlin that Russia had taken control of four east Ukrainian regions, the West reacted with expected fury. Joe Biden announced a fresh set of sanctions and accused Putin of “trampling on the United Nations Charter”. The war that began in February this year had just taken another turn for the worse.
The “globalisation” that makes everyone ecstatic when it comes to trade also means that the fallout of such a prolonged war cannot remain contained. It impacts everything from food supplies in Africa to petrol prices in Asia to the production of neon for chips. There is an energy crisis and a refugee crisis in Europe. The grinding sanctions imposed by the US have disrupted supply chains and hiked commodity prices, slowing down global economic growth. As the war drags on, India too has been forced to change tack from the initial show of support for Russia to a more measured stand that takes into account its own geostrategic vulnerabilities.
Yes, it looks very much as if the world is looking at Cold War Ver. 2, so we roped in a range of experts to study the Russia-Ukraine conflict from various angles.
Meanwhile, Anando Bhakto visited Kashmir to track what the opening of cinema halls really means for the Valley, while Vikhar Ahmed Sayeed prepared a report card of the BJP government’s tenure in Karnataka ahead of the Assembly election next year.
I urge you not to miss the interview with graphic artist Sunandini Banerjee, whose covers for Seagull’s books have become practically collector’s items. Nor the special feature on Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the beloved director of classics such as Abhimaan, Anand, Guddi, Anupama, and more. His centenary falls this year.
All of which makes this issue of Frontline quite an edition for your library.
