A conversation with
Robert Weil and Dave Pugh
Political Analysts

The broiling social situation in China is much in the news these days. This month's forum will examine both China's internal conditions and its relations with the U.S. and globally. Despite its ability to get through the current economic crisis relatively better than most, new weaknesses have been exposed, and its ability to maintain a "harmonious society" are under growing challenge. Though its relationship to the U.S. waxes and wanes, there are also deepening contradictions there.

The situation in India is even more explosive, with a full blown revolutionary struggle -- which calls itself "Maoist" --taking place in the heart of the country. There has been little attention paid to this in the U.S. -- despite its growing ties with the Indian establishment, in part to counter the Chinese. Also little reported is India's "Green Hunt" campaign, which is devastating the civilian population as the Army attempts to shut down the rebel insurgency.