Though there are a few silver liningsÂ
Democratic institutions have held firm, but the political mess will go on
Leaders are finally fixing the mess they inherited from the Soviet Union
The disaster may entrench a brutal regime
Both main parties may need their support
Narendra Modi hopes to negotiate a trade deal with America that will unleash growth
The government is drawing new lines around acceptable speech
They care more about development than hard security
President Jokowi doesn’t seem to be in any mood to leave politics behindÂ
An aircraft-carrier is the last thing its navy needs