Prashant Shukla

Ireland is experiencing a profound demographic and economic transformation. As our population becomes increasingly diverse, the structures and cultures within our workplaces must evolve in tandem. Yet, while the moral and strategic imperatives of diversity and inclusion (D&I) are now widely acknowledged, the lived realities of ethnic minority professionals in Ireland tell a different story- one of persistent barriers, missed opportunities, and a gap between rhetoric and action. Earlier this week, I had the privilege of attending the launch of the report Fostering Ethnic Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace , commissioned by the Bank of Ireland. This document offers a vital and timely assessment of the state of diversity in Irish workplaces. It pulls no punches in its analysis and offers a vision of what could—and must—be achieved if Ireland is to remain globally competitive and socially cohesive. The Data Behind the Narrative According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), o...

A New Reality for Countries Receiving US Support: The Risk of Compromised Sovereignty in the Age of Trump's Policies As the world navigates a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, countries traditionally relying on the United States for military, economic, and diplomatic support grapple with a new and unsettling reality, the risk of compromising their sovereignty in exchange for continued American aid. The case of Ukraine, caught in a high stakes negotiation with the Trump administration over a controversial minerals deal, offers a striking example of this dilemma. However, it is not alone. Across the globe, countries dependent on US support are now facing increasingly harsh terms, forcing them to weigh the immediate benefits of aid against the long-term erosion of their national autonomy. Under the Trump administration, US foreign policy has shifted from traditional alliances and mutual benefits towards a transactional approach driven by economic interests and geopolitical calc...

  India's economic ascent is facing a critical test. After registering an impressive 8.2% GDP growth in the fiscal year 2023–24, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised its projection for 2024–25 downward to 6.6%, a marked drop from the earlier estimate of 7.2%. Manufacturing growth has slowed to 2.2% in the third quarter of 2024, down sharply from 7% a year prior, while private investment has shown signs of stagnation. Though India continues to outperform most major economies, its recent loss of momentum, exacerbated by internal weaknesses and an increasingly volatile global trade environment, signals a decisive moment for its $4 trillion economy. India's Position in the Global Economic Landscape To understand India's trajectory, it is helpful to compare it with four other leading economies: Vietnam, the United States, China, and Ireland. Each exhibits distinct growth dynamics.  With a projected GDP growth of 6.8% in 2025, Vietnam has emerged as a formidable competitor...

  Photo Courtesy Andrew Harnik/Getty Images   FBI Director Kash Patel, from left, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe appear during a Senate Committee on Intelligence.  The recent leak of sensitive military communications via the Signal messaging platform, in which operational details regarding airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen were inadvertently shared with  The Atlantic  editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, represents a significant security lapse for the Trump Administration. This incident, occurring in mid-March 2025, provoked intense scrutiny of the administration's approach to national security, procedural rigour, and overall competence. While officials have sought to downplay the breach, claiming no classified information was disclosed, the nature of the leak and its consequences indicate systemic failures that warrant critical examination. The Incident: A Failure of Operational Security The leak originated fro...