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Eat Your Heart Out, Homer
Keywords:
The Adventures of Amir Hamza is a story much like the Odyssey but set in the Persian, Central Asia Islamic world. It was born as far back as the 9th century. It has a South Asian version since the epic is retold in different settings and has a oral tradition of being recited by dastangos who used to recite these myths and legends . Amir Hamza is supposedly the uncle of the prophet Mohammed. Its South Asian version is in the Hamzanama that was commisssioned with painted manuscripts by the Mughal emperor Akbar. It has 1400 illustrations and formed the basis of Mughal art which was a fusion of the artistic worlds of Hindu India and Islamic Persia and Central Asia. In those times the Persian speaking world extended from Tabriz to Hyderabad in south of India and the Hamza Adventures were told around campfires and in the outdoors. The Hamzanama paintings commissioned by Akbar were shown at the Sackler Gallery around the time of the Iraq invasion in the summer of 2002 and show a world long forgotten. The Saudi type of Wahhabi Islam and religious zealotry is a far cry from this more open world of art and legend and life in central, south and western Asia, of commerce, trade and ways of life intermingled and flow of people across a large region in Asia. What it may suggest is that the current wave of religious zealotry is a kind of phase that like a passing wind comes and then is dispersed, maybe its a reaction to western interventions, maybe a failed response of tradition with modernization, maybe something else, a clinging to old outmoded patterns in areas that are most left behind by change, with ethnic and other strife mixed in with it. No single or simple response to it makes sense and a lot of patience is needed. Conflict of civilizations talk and the like may simply be overdone and way oversimplified things.
Pakistan groping for a new identity after failure of religion in the state.
09/29/2006
The failure of Islam as astate ideology to give Pakistan peace with its neighbors, and to modernize Pakistan. Instead of working it has proved dysfunctional and led to failures in economic development, failure in building ademocratic state, and left the country in abackward state with many divisions along political and tibal lines. The new identity being sought would keep Islam out of politics and set new priorities.
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 04/22/2013
Pakistan Vote to Test Army's Willingness to Cede Power
Wall Street Journal 05/09/2013
Morsi’s ouster spells trouble for region’s other Islamist movements - The Washington Post
Washington Post 07/04/2013
New York Times 07/04/2013
Egypt's Adly Mansour: Top Judge for Two Days, Now Interim President
Wall Street Journal 07/03/2013
Fouad Ajami: Egypt on the Brink—With No Clear Way Back
Wall Street Journal 07/02/2013
Democracy and democratic processes in Pakistan 2009-2013
01/04/2008
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 04/22/2013
Ex-Cricketer Shakes Up Pakistani Election
Wall Street Journal 05/08/2013
Pakistan Vote to Test Army's Willingness to Cede Power
Wall Street Journal 05/09/2013
Extremists Pursue Mainstream in Pakistan Election
New York Times 05/05/2013
Pakistan Gives Sharif a Mandate
Wall Street Journal 05/12/2013
Making History in Pakistan Simply by Serving a Full Term
New York Times 09/08/2013
The integration of Islamist parties into the democratic process in Pakistan
01/06/2008
The MMA alliance of Islamist parties run two provincial governments including Baluchistan, bringing a element of moderation in the parties. A the same time younger militants are operating outside the process.
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 04/22/2013
Ex-Cricketer Shakes Up Pakistani Election
Wall Street Journal 05/08/2013
Pakistan Vote to Test Army's Willingness to Cede Power
Wall Street Journal 05/09/2013
Extremists Pursue Mainstream in Pakistan Election
New York Times 05/05/2013
Morsi’s ouster spells trouble for region’s other Islamist movements - The Washington Post
Washington Post 07/04/2013
New York Times 07/04/2013
Could peace in the Valley (Kashmir) bring peace to South Asia?
12/06/2006
Is it better, safer and wiser for the US and the Western alliance to have soldiers on the ground in the mountains of Afghanistan or to find peace through diplomacy and negotiations. Diplomacy that knits together the South Asian region by connecting the dots, bring peace to Kashmir, demilitarization of the India-Pakistan border and redirecting the resources, in the trillions of dollars, to trade and investment inside and between South Asia, US and Europe.
Grouped Articles
U.S. Troop Pullout Affects India-Pakistan Rivalry
New York Times 08/16/2013
Pakistan to Release Senior Taliban Leader
Wall Street Journal 09/11/2013
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
What They Said: The Army in Kashmir
Wall Street Journal 07/10/2010
Before Taking Office in India, Modi Sends an Invitation to Pakistan
New York Times 05/21/2014
Pakistan Leader's Predicament Shows Power of 'Deep State'
Wall Street Journal 09/10/2014
India, Pakistan, Mexico and the achievements of Norman Borlaug, plant scientist.
01/06/2008
Norman Borlaug, a Minnesotan who was at Texas A&M since 1984, did the hard work that led to new rust resistant varieties of wheat that increased production.
Grouped Articles
Norman Borlaug, Plant Scientist Who Fought Famine, Dies at 95
New York Times 09/14/2009
Economist 09/17/2009
A Passage to India-Pakistan Peace
Wall Street Journal 04/16/2012
New York Times 01/06/2008
Ireland, Scotland and Great Britain-rapprochement and lessons for India-Pakistan and the Middle East
01/05/2008
Grouped Articles
Pakistan Gives Sharif a Mandate
Wall Street Journal 05/12/2013
Pakistani Leader Pursues India Ties
Wall Street Journal 05/15/2013
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
Before Taking Office in India, Modi Sends an Invitation to Pakistan
New York Times 05/21/2014
The Scotsman Who Forced the U.K. to the Brink of Disunion
Wall Street Journal 09/10/2014
Pakistan Leader's Predicament Shows Power of 'Deep State'
Wall Street Journal 09/10/2014
Richard Holbrooke and America's policy in Pakistan and Afghanistan
01/04/2008
Kristof of the New York Times brings out some of Holbrooke's ideas and understanding of the conflicts in South Asia which have never before been disclosed. Holbrooke preferred a diplomatic settlement and reconciliation policy for the region and believed this was the only policy that would work. He saw the emphasis on the military in the Obama administration's approach, first with Gen. McChrystal and then with Gen. Petraeus, as the wrong way to bring peace to the region. Throughout his diplomacy he earned the respect of Pakistanis he worked with, as he worked to find a diplomatic solution similiar to the one he helped build in the .ethnically fragmented Yugoslavia.
Grouped Articles
Pakistan to Release Senior Taliban Leader
Wall Street Journal 09/11/2013
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
Sharif and Karzai Try to Repair Ties
Wall Street Journal 10/30/2013
Leader of Pakistani Taliban Killed in Drone Strike
Wall Street Journal 11/02/2013
New York Times 06/11/2010
McChrystal article renews attention to split with Biden over Afghanistan
Washington Post 06/23/2010
The underlying simmering presence of Kashmir in the India, Pakistan, Afghanistan region, and the need for fresh thinking and starting anew.
12/06/2006
Behind the terrorist groups there is the Kashmir issue. And reports sugest no dimunition in capabilities and thin distance between the intelligence agency and these groups in Pakistan. With cooperation between Indian and Pakistan poice and intelligence at zero a year after 26/11 Mumbai, fresh thinking is needed. For 500 million people in North America and 1500 million people in South Asia these events threaten their economic future, infrastructure and development in South Asia, and economic renewal in North America.
Grouped Articles
U.S. Troop Pullout Affects India-Pakistan Rivalry
New York Times 08/16/2013
A Summer of Troubles Saps Indiaâs Sense of Confidence
New York Times 08/18/2013
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
New York Times 06/11/2010
Pakistan Leader's Predicament Shows Power of 'Deep State'
Wall Street Journal 09/10/2014
Afghanistan Presidential Rivals Sign Power-Sharing Deal
Wall Street Journal 09/21/2014
Search and struggle for the true soul of Islam.
01/04/2008
A seminarian from Qom, Iran, Mohsen Quadivar, student of Ali-Montazeri, takes up the challenge of interpreting Islam, searching for its true soul and struggling to see it in place. The same strugle in places from Iran, Iraq and Turkey to Afghanistan and Pakistan. India and America having to walk through this period carefully to see it bloom.
Grouped Articles
Extremists Pursue Mainstream in Pakistan Election
New York Times 05/05/2013
Morsi’s ouster spells trouble for region’s other Islamist movements - The Washington Post
Washington Post 07/04/2013
Pakistan: Struggling to See a Country of Shards
New York Times 05/03/2009
Fareed Zakaria: Let’s be honest, Islam has a problem right now - The Washington Post
Washington Post 10/10/2014
New York Times 11/19/2014
Turks Feud Over Change in Education
New York Times 12/08/2014
A Changing Pakistan- 2009-2013
01/06/2008
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 04/22/2013
Pakistan Gives Sharif a Mandate
Wall Street Journal 05/12/2013
Pakistan: A great deal of ruin in a nation
Economist 04/02/2011
India and Pakistan: The world's most dangerous border
Economist 05/21/2011
Economist 05/07/2011
General Kayani Is Said to Cling to Job in Pakistan
New York Times 06/15/2011
Creating a new model for fighting the war against religious extremism in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
05/10/2006
The new model is to make economic development akey part of every effort, and provide security for people to lead normal lives.
Grouped Articles
Extremists Pursue Mainstream in Pakistan Election
New York Times 05/05/2013
From the mountains to the sea: A Chinese vision, a Pakistani corridor - The Washington Post
Washington Post 10/24/2015
Wall Street Journal 05/10/2006
In Pakistan, Two Sisters Turn Up Heat on Musharraf
Wall Street Journal 07/18/2007
Pakistan Plunges Deeper Into Chaos
Wall Street Journal 11/10/2007
Economist 11/08/2007
Friedman on the wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan
01/06/2008
The $110 billion spent in these wars do not advance America's interests or its values. It is better spent at home where there are many pressing needs, especially today when Muslims in the Middle East are engaging in their own struggle for democracy.
Grouped Articles
New York Times 03/05/2011
New York Times 05/14/2011
Economist 05/07/2011
New York Times 11/01/2011
Book review: ‘The Unquiet American: Richard Holbrooke in the World’ - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/13/2011
New York Times 03/24/2012
The wisdom of Chuck Hagel as America faces difficult choices in South Asia and other parts of the world.
01/06/2008
Chuck Hagel talks about how the US must partner with other countries, to solve common problems we face with other large countries around the world. He says President Johnson told Senator Russell that the Vietnam war was not winnable but he did not want to be the first President to lose a war. He says its not about winning or losing anymore, which is a 20th century response to the new 21st century. He points to the interconnectedness and shared interests of all nations that makes it not ours to win or lose. The situation in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan and the US involvement costing upwards of one trillion dollars by one estimate, and the severe budget deficts at home in the US.
Grouped Articles
âBeyond War,â by David Rohde
New York Times 05/03/2013
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
Washington Post 11/17/2014
White House seeks a stronger hand at Pentagon to manage crises - The Washington Post
Washington Post 11/25/2014
Hagel Resigns Under Pressure as Global Crises Test Pentagon
New York Times 11/24/2014
Chuck Hagel Says About-Face on Syria Hurt Obama’s Credibility
New York Times 12/18/2015
India and Pakistan and the tensions in Kashmir and Afghanistan.
12/06/2006
Kashmir tensions are rising. And Indian assistance in Afghanistan reconstruction is opposed by Taliban. This complicates further negotiations between India and Pakistan as Pakistan already is going through political transition and the army runs foreign affairs for Pakistan.
Grouped Articles
Pakistan's New Top Diplomat Heads to Kabul
Wall Street Journal 07/19/2013
U.S. Troop Pullout Affects India-Pakistan Rivalry
New York Times 08/16/2013
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
Leader of Pakistani Taliban Killed in Drone Strike
Wall Street Journal 11/02/2013
Taliban Take Toll on Pakistan's Biggest City
Wall Street Journal 02/14/2014
Fractured State of Pakistani Taliban Calls Peace Deal Into Question
New York Times 04/20/2014
India-Pakistan relations
01/06/2008
Grouped Articles
Pakistan Gives Sharif a Mandate
Wall Street Journal 05/12/2013
Pakistan Vote Inspires Measured Optimism in India
New York Times 05/13/2013
Pakistani Leader Pursues India Ties
Wall Street Journal 05/15/2013
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
New York Times 06/11/2010
In India, U.S. Envoy Cites ‘Common Threat’
New York Times 04/09/2009
Michael Boskin on the pressing need for a free trade agreement between India and Pakistan
01/06/2008
Boskin says trade models suggest that with normal trade under a free trade agreement India and Pakistan's trade would grow from $2.7 billion today to $50 billion, and be 20 times larger. India-Pakistan trade is smaller today than trade between India and Sri Lanka. Boskin was head of the elder U.S. president Bush's Council of Economic Advisors and instrumental in setting up the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Grouped Articles
Pakistan Gives Sharif a Mandate
Wall Street Journal 05/12/2013
Pakistani Leader Pursues India Ties
Wall Street Journal 05/15/2013
A Summer of Troubles Saps Indiaâs Sense of Confidence
New York Times 08/18/2013
How Emerging Markets Can Get Their Mojo Back
Wall Street Journal 09/12/2013
Ex-Envoy Says Misunderstanding Runs on Both Sides of U.S.-Pakistan Ties
New York Times 10/22/2013
Pakistan to Ease India Trade Limits
Wall Street Journal 03/01/2012
U.S.- Pakistan relations
01/04/2008
Grouped Articles
Pakistan Gives Sharif a Mandate
Wall Street Journal 05/12/2013
Visiting Pakistan, Hagel Seeks to Shore Up Alliance
New York Times 12/09/2013
Wall Street Journal 05/05/2011
Wall Street Journal 05/06/2011
New York Times 05/14/2011
Economist 05/07/2011
The other human face of Afghanistan and Pakistan that Admiral Mullen and young officers are paying attention to.
01/04/2008
The book Three Cups of Tea and the story of a humanitarian running 78 schools in the remote poor mountainous areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan is drawing the attention of younger officers and the commanders. That General Petraeus has read the book and passed it onto his staff. The story of the Red Cross Center for prosthetic legs in Afghanistan, and the reverence its Italian doctor inspires among ordinary Afghans. Defense Secretary Gates also sees this in his interview with Charlie Rose on PBS Dec 17, 2008, where he sees the Islamis extremist challenge in adifferent light, as afailure of strategic communications with the US neglecting AID, State Dept and other ways of communicating to developing countries what the US stands for, and sees a lot of possibilities if this is met creatively. He also does not see the Islamic extremism as achallenge in the way the Cold War was.
Grouped Articles
Washington Post 10/18/2014
A Foreign Face Beloved by Afghans of All Stripes
New York Times 12/25/2008
Military Finds an Unlikely Adviser in School-Building Humanitarian
Wall Street Journal 12/26/2008
Pentagon Chief Sees Opportunities In Russia and the War on Terrorism
Washington Post 01/05/2009
Foreign Affairs 01/05/2009
Pentagon's Gates Keeps Single-Minded Focus on Dual Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
Washington Post 05/15/2009
Setting a new direction for the Arab and Muslim world.
01/06/2008
Obama's Cairo speech set the tone. But realities on the ground such as achieving reconciliation and efforts to work together among all political parties and factions as the US leaves Iraq, is crucial to set a new direction on the ground. Friedman says Iraq, Pakistan and Afghaistan are part of the same war. And he points out what other experts are saying that in Afghanistan what is done there stays there. Baghdad has the potential for setting anew direction for the Muslim world, as it has been a centre of education, culture and influence in the Muslim world, in the manner Cairo has.
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 09/25/2015
Wall Street Journal 06/03/2009
Addressing Muslim World, Obama Pushes Mideast Peace
New York Times 06/05/2009
Iran President and Challenger Clash in Debate
New York Times 06/04/2009
President Obama's Cairo Appeal
Washington Post 06/05/2009
Wall Street Journal 06/04/2009
A tolerant Islamic world- the world of Hamza
01/06/2008
A more tolerant world has existed in Islamic Central Asia, South Asia and Iran, over long perids that were also punctuated by periods of conflict. Europe has experienced this also as the ebb and flow of religious strife and of tolerance prevailed in different periods.
Linked Articles
New York Times 01/06/2008
New York Times 01/06/2008
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