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Frank F Islam

Articles by Frank F Islam

H-1B debate is a vote on America’s future

The H-1B visa debate intensifies under Trump, impacting tech growth and the Indian American community.

The H-1B visa programme has been instrumental in driving the growth of America’s tech industry over the past four decades (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Opinion

Updated on Jan 29, 2025 08:33 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Democratic Party needs to chart a citizen-centric path

The Democratic Party has considerable work to do in order to reposition and revitalise itself as a winner in a presidential election.

The Democrats must grapple with the perception of being out of touch with what issues matter most to the majority of Americans and/or where Americans stand on those issues (REUTERS)

Opinion

Published on Nov 27, 2024 07:01 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Independent voters in swing states will decide US elections

For those who feel disillusioned by the stark polarisation in US politics, issues like inflation, health care, immigration, and national security play a more significant role than partisan loyalty

People cast their ballots during early voting for the US general election at the University of Michigan Museum of Art Gallery in Ann Arbor, Michigan on October 31, 2024. (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP) (AFP)

Opinion

Published on Nov 01, 2024 09:24 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Trump vs Harris battle is more than an election

The world will soon know whether Kamala Harris will make a historic entry into the presidency. But one thing is clear: Her candidacy is symbolic of a changing America and the face-off against Trump is already a significant chapter in US history.

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. August 20, 2024 and former U.S. President Donald Trump in Bedminster, New Jersey, U.S., August 15, 2024 are seen in a combination of file photographs. REUTERS/Marco Bello, Jeenah Moon/File Photo (REUTERS)

Opinion

Updated on Sep 20, 2024 09:40 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Harris’s candidacy is a symbol of US progress

Harris’s nomination marks a pivotal moment in American history for several reasons.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event at Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence on the Scott Northern Wake Campus of Wake Tech Community College in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. AP/PTI(AP)

Opinion

Published on Aug 18, 2024 11:39 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

How Indian Americans are shaping the future of the US

A landmark report by Indiaspora and BCG highlights the significant contributions of Indian Americans in shaping the US economy, culture, and society.

San Francisco: Indian-Americans gather outside the Consulate General of India in support of India, in San Francisco, USA. (PTI Photo (PTI)

Opinion

Updated on Jul 16, 2024 08:50 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Trump trial will change US politics, presidency

If the people decide that Trump should be the next president, it will not only be Trump who has been put on trial, it will be the country’s political system.

CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 26: Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump raises his fist as he looks on during the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26, 2024 in Concord, North Carolina. Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Jared C. Tilton / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

Opinion

Published on May 27, 2024 10:07 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

What Baltimore tragedy says about ocean trade

Failure to address the serious global trade issues exposed by the Baltimore accident could lead to even more tragic economic, and relationship consequences

The collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge lay on top of the container ship Dali, Monday, April 15, 2024, in Baltimore. The FBI confirmed that agents were aboard the Dali conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)(AP)

Opinion

Published on Apr 20, 2024 10:07 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Nikki Haley’s future is in good hands, hers

For now, Haley’s path forward remains uncertain. What is certain is she will carve out her own path.

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks on stage at her watch party during the South Carolina Republican presidential primary election in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S. February 24, 2024. REUTERS/Brian Snyder(REUTERS)

Opinion

Published on Mar 30, 2024 09:50 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

What a Biden-Trump rematch entails for the US

The stage is definitely set for a potential Biden-Trump rematch. What might such a rematch entail?

After Trump lost to Biden in 2020, many believed that his political career would come to an end (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, REUTERS/Russell Cheyne/File Photo)

Opinion

Published on Feb 19, 2024 10:11 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Indian Americans ready for a bigger political role

With candidates representing both parties, reflecting the diversity within the Indian American population, the community’s influence is set to rise further.

Republican presidential candidate businessman Vivek Ramaswamy speaks at a campaign event, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)(AP)

Opinion

Updated on Jan 23, 2024 02:06 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Illegal, uncared for: The other Indian Americans

The Indian American community should actively engage in conversations with policymakers to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform in the US.

People from the Indian American diaspora pose for a picture as they hold a unity rally ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to the United States, in Washington on Monday. (ANI Photo)

Opinion

Published on Dec 18, 2023 05:13 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

US walks the thin line on Canada-India rift

The US faces a challenging position in the India-Canada diplomatic conflict over the killing of a Sikh Canadian citizen

In reality, the India-Canada dispute came at a very inopportune moment for the US(REUTERS)

opinion

Updated on Oct 01, 2023 08:30 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Green card backlog is hurting US innovation

Canadian work permit program attracts Indian tech professionals entangled in the prolonged US green card waiting process, highlighting flaws in US immigration

File photo of a US visa.(Courtesy issa.house.gov)

opinion

Updated on Sep 03, 2023 06:31 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Indian Americans must back affirmative action

Despite affirmative action ruling, however, statistics show that African Americans and Hispanics are still underrepresented in elite universities.

The argument that Asian Americans face discrimination in school admissions contradicts the evidence. (AP)

opinion

Updated on Jul 23, 2023 12:05 AM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Lax gun control in the US is birthing a tragedy

Aishwarya Thatikonda, and many others were unsuspecting victims of what has now, unfortunately, become an American pastime: Gun violence

Americans need to choose between the second amendment and the constitutional rights of all American citizens(AFP)

opinion

Updated on May 28, 2023 03:39 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

The influence of US as a global leader is waning

There is no conclusive evidence, but the influence of the US as the leader internationally appears to be on the wane. Will China replace the US in that leadership position? Time and what transpires over the next decade or so — in the US, in China, and around the world — will shape that story.

Now the US dominance is threatened by China, the second largest economy in the world. What is undermining a US-dominated world order, however, is not just the rise of China and the Sino-Russian alliance, or the de-dollarisation drive, but also dwindling support for a US-led order domestically. (REUTERS)

opinion

Updated on Apr 04, 2023 07:30 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

How tech layoffs will affect the H-1B worker economy

It is too early to predict what the full and permanent impact of these layoffs will be on the H-1B programme and the Indian economy. If the reading of the tea leaves by the US tech industry on recession turns out to be correct, its effect will be enormous.

This reduction in workforce has occurred across the US, especially among the tech behemoths. (Representative Image/Unsplash)

opinion

Updated on Feb 17, 2023 07:37 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

G20 presidency: A crucial responsibility

PM Modi is likely to use the G20 platform to showcase the country’s economic muscle and convert the challenge of the G20 presidency into an opportunity to move India to the forefront of world leaders

The G20 summit will be the biggest multilateral event held in India in four decades, the last being the 7th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1983 (ANI)

opinion

Updated on Dec 31, 2022 08:48 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Economic headwinds are hurting the world

There are a whole range of reasons — from systemic and structural ones to the pandemic-related supply-chain disruption and the geopolitical power play by Russia in Ukraine — that are triggering massive economic headwinds

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which led to highly punitive western sanctions against Moscow kept prices high despite measures to contain inflation. (AP)

opinion

Published on Oct 29, 2022 08:13 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Why Indo-Americans must speak up on race relations

As a significant demographic, they must speak out on race relations, engage other minority groups and civil rights organisations, and use our formidable resources to work for racial equality and justice for all in the US.

Hate crimes against immigrant groups have been rising in the US since 2015, when Donald Trump launched his toxic campaign for president and stoked anti-immigration sentiments. (AP)

opinion

Published on Sep 22, 2022 07:10 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

India, US should look at deepening defence ties

The Khanna amendment provides an excellent platform to make that partnership even stronger. It will accomplish this by enabling India to buy the time necessary to diversify its defence acquisitions, without compromising the country’s immediate security needS

There have also been a number of defence-related joint initiatives between the two countries lately. The US granted India “Strategic Trade Authorization tier 1” status in 2018, allowing the country to acquire a number of military and dual-use technologies. (ANI)

opinion

Updated on Jul 25, 2022 08:30 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Runaway inflation is a global problem. It needs global solutions

Those solutions can only be crafted by those who care about the world and not just themselves or their own little corner of it

Janet Yellen, US Treasury secretary, listens during a Senate Finance Committee hearing in Washington, DC, June 7, 2022 (Bloomberg)

opinion

Updated on Jun 08, 2022 07:32 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

What the successful completion of the 2+2 Dialogue signifies

It demonstrates that India and the US can work together despite their differences in these key areas

A collaborative tone for the dialogue was set by President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, in their hour-long virtual summit, stressed their commitment to working together on a range of issues (PTI)

opinion

Updated on Apr 25, 2022 05:51 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine throws world order into disarray

The brazenness with which Russia attacked Ukraine signals that the multipolar world order Moscow and Beijing are seeking may be near — or already here.

Putin would not have embarked on the Ukraine project without the tacit approval of China, which is why he waited till the end of the Beijing Winter Olympics. (AFP)

opinion

Published on Mar 03, 2022 07:39 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Remembering Nobel Laureate Khorana

The failure to recognise the contributions of Khorana this year . The origin of the PCR test, one of modern medical science’s best tools in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, traces its beginnings to Khorana’s foundational research on the ribonucleic acid gene

Khorana’s journey from Raipur, a small village now in Pakistan on the Jammu border, to being a Nobel laureate and a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is awe-inspiring. It was a circuitous journey. (HT Archives)

opinion

Updated on Jan 29, 2022 08:03 PM IST

ByFrank F. Islam

Democracy summit: A first step for renewing democracy worldwide

The US and India must be leaders in that renewal process by demonstrating what they are doing within their countries to strengthen democracy and serve as examples for the rest of the world

President Joe Biden speaks at the Democracy summit, December 9, 2021 (AP)

opinion

Updated on Dec 21, 2021 08:18 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

Facebook won’t reform. Strong regulation is key

The absence of regulation, or minimal regulations, makes social media the modern-day Wild West. Many activists have complained that the largely unregulated social media ecosystem is having a corrosive effect on democracies around the world

The recent release of a trove of whistleblower documents, dubbed the Facebook Papers, was so damaging that the company was forced to rebrand itself (REUTERS)

opinion

Updated on Nov 13, 2021 10:46 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

AUKUS won’t affect the US-India relationship. But it will affect Quad

The US-India relationship remains steady and focused and where its leaders want it to be at this point in time with each other and in Quad. There was a little churn over AUKUS but it is time to set the noise aside and get to work on issues that really matter.

Despite knowing that AUKUS would ruffle some feathers, the Biden administration proceeded with the new alliance. This speaks volumes of the importance the Biden administration gives to countering Beijing’s belligerence in the Indo-Pacific. (AP)

opinion

Updated on Oct 18, 2021 11:46 AM IST

ByFrank F Islam

The India story is back. But it needs courage and perseverance

The rollback of the tax legislation was one of the most positive signals New Delhi has sent to investors in a long while

2030 is less than a decade away. It may take a bit longer than that to achieve true leadership in the world (Shutterstock)

opinion

Updated on Aug 29, 2021 08:05 PM IST

ByFrank F Islam

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Frank F Islam

The H-1B visa debate intensifies under Trump, impacting tech growth and the Indian American community.

The Democratic Party has considerable work to do in order to reposition and revitalise itself as a winner in a presidential election.

For those who feel disillusioned by the stark polarisation in US politics, issues like inflation, health care, immigration, and national security play a more significant role than partisan loyalty

The world will soon know whether Kamala Harris will make a historic entry into the presidency. But one thing is clear: Her candidacy is symbolic of a changing America and the face-off against Trump is already a significant chapter in US history.

Harris’s nomination marks a pivotal moment in American history for several reasons.

A landmark report by Indiaspora and BCG highlights the significant contributions of Indian Americans in shaping the US economy, culture, and society.

If the people decide that Trump should be the next president, it will not only be Trump who has been put on trial, it will be the country’s political system.

Failure to address the serious global trade issues exposed by the Baltimore accident could lead to even more tragic economic, and relationship consequences

For now, Haley’s path forward remains uncertain. What is certain is she will carve out her own path.

The stage is definitely set for a potential Biden-Trump rematch. What might such a rematch entail?

With candidates representing both parties, reflecting the diversity within the Indian American population, the community’s influence is set to rise further.

The Indian American community should actively engage in conversations with policymakers to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform in the US.

The US faces a challenging position in the India-Canada diplomatic conflict over the killing of a Sikh Canadian citizen

Canadian work permit program attracts Indian tech professionals entangled in the prolonged US green card waiting process, highlighting flaws in US immigration

Despite affirmative action ruling, however, statistics show that African Americans and Hispanics are still underrepresented in elite universities.

Aishwarya Thatikonda, and many others were unsuspecting victims of what has now, unfortunately, become an American pastime: Gun violence

There is no conclusive evidence, but the influence of the US as the leader internationally appears to be on the wane. Will China replace the US in that leadership position? Time and what transpires over the next decade or so — in the US, in China, and around the world — will shape that story.

It is too early to predict what the full and permanent impact of these layoffs will be on the H-1B programme and the Indian economy. If the reading of the tea leaves by the US tech industry on recession turns out to be correct, its effect will be enormous.

PM Modi is likely to use the G20 platform to showcase the country’s economic muscle and convert the challenge of the G20 presidency into an opportunity to move India to the forefront of world leaders

There are a whole range of reasons — from systemic and structural ones to the pandemic-related supply-chain disruption and the geopolitical power play by Russia in Ukraine — that are triggering massive economic headwinds

As a significant demographic, they must speak out on race relations, engage other minority groups and civil rights organisations, and use our formidable resources to work for racial equality and justice for all in the US.

The Khanna amendment provides an excellent platform to make that partnership even stronger. It will accomplish this by enabling India to buy the time necessary to diversify its defence acquisitions, without compromising the country’s immediate security needS

Those solutions can only be crafted by those who care about the world and not just themselves or their own little corner of it

It demonstrates that India and the US can work together despite their differences in these key areas

The brazenness with which Russia attacked Ukraine signals that the multipolar world order Moscow and Beijing are seeking may be near — or already here.

The failure to recognise the contributions of Khorana this year . The origin of the PCR test, one of modern medical science’s best tools in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, traces its beginnings to Khorana’s foundational research on the ribonucleic acid gene

The US and India must be leaders in that renewal process by demonstrating what they are doing within their countries to strengthen democracy and serve as examples for the rest of the world

The absence of regulation, or minimal regulations, makes social media the modern-day Wild West. Many activists have complained that the largely unregulated social media ecosystem is having a corrosive effect on democracies around the world

The US-India relationship remains steady and focused and where its leaders want it to be at this point in time with each other and in Quad. There was a little churn over AUKUS but it is time to set the noise aside and get to work on issues that really matter.

The rollback of the tax legislation was one of the most positive signals New Delhi has sent to investors in a long while

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