Category Archives: South Asia
Horizon scanning in Afghanistan
Mohamed El-Doufani* writes:
The Read more [...]
Seeking happiness beyond neoliberal consumerism
Graham Peebles examines the roots of unhappiness inherent in our neoliberal, consumption-and-competition-based world, and argues that true happiness is experienced when we cease searching and when we stop desiring. Read more [...]
Plight of Myanmar’s Rohingya: Islamist extremists’ next rallying call?
James Dorsey says calls for jihad in defence of Burma’s Muslim minority prompt fears of a second front against Islamic State-linked fighters in Southeast Asia, and – for Arab rulers – concerns the issue will re-energise extremists and opposition groups. Read more [...]
Climate change: The catastrophic impact on developing countries
Graham Peebles outlines the likely devastating impact of climate change on the poorest countries of the world – a likelihood that has increased with the USA’s leaving the Paris agreement – and stresses the urgent need for remedial action. Read more [...]
Blasphemy and terrorism: Catchall phrases to repress dissent
James Dorsey says the abuse of labels like terrorism and blasphemy by governments, institutions, groups and individuals creates an environment that fosters violence, intolerance and disrespect for the other, and enables vigilantism and extremism. Read more [...]
Protecting terrorists: China blocks UN listing of Pakistani as a globally designated terrorist
James Dorsey says China’s shielding of terror chief Masood Azhar on behalf Pakistan raises questions about the sincerity of Pakistan’s crackdown on terrorists and China’s willingness to pressure Pakistan not to use terrorists as proxies. Read more [...]
Pakistani crackdown on extremists: One hand works to neutralise the other
James Dorsey examines the belief in official Pakistani circles that terrorist groups can serve a geopolitical purpose without endangering the fabric of society, which has already been infused by ultra-conservative strands of Islam. Read more [...]
Taking on militants: A fight for the soul of Pakistan
James Dorsey argues that Pakistan’s social fabric is being fundamentally altered for the worse by official acquiescence and open support for Saudi-funded groups that promote intolerance, misogyny and sectarianism. Read more [...]
Blasphemy case highlights devastating impact of Saudi ultra-conservatism on Pakistani society
James Dorsey examines the corrosive impact of Saudi Arabia’s Wahhabi ideology on the Pakistani society and state, and argues that for both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia the outcome is a quagmire from which they will struggle to extricate themselves. Read more [...]
Dalit women and village justice in rural India
Graham Peebles details examples of the injustice suffered by Dalit – “Untouchable – women in India, where corruption and an endemic failure to implement the law result in untold prejudice and discrimination against millions. Read more [...]
