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Caliphate Mania
Following topics are discussed Introduction Aiding and Abating Insurgencies Motives of Overt Operators Digital Revolution and Consequences of Two US Wars Motives of Covert Operators Unintended Consequences Impact of Demographic Changes Caliphate Dream Victims of New Muslim Political Reality Conclusion Reference and notes Introduction In an Op-ed, “Harsh lessons from regime change,” Irfan Husain commented on the state of political upheaval caused by the Arab Spring revolutions and arrival of Islamist militants’ leaders to replace previous dictators. Mr Husain is against Islamist militancy and he observed, “The path to hell is indeed paved with good intentions.” Mr Husain has covered obvious parts played by various international actors. The Islamists have filled the political vacuum to set the stage for political upheavals in the Middle East (ME) that is home to the ideological Islamic states. By its constitution Pakistan (PK) is an ideological Islamic state. … Read entire article »
Economies and Political Ideologies of Democratic vs Welfare States
The article focuses on economic impacts of the political ideologies used by Muslim welfare states and market economies of constitutional democratic capitalist nations. It suggests that recent actions of TTP (Tehrik-Taliban-Pakistan), TMQ (Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran headed by Dr Muhammad Tahirul Qadri or TQ), the army and political establishment may be contributing to internal destabilization of PK (Pakistan). The destabilization may be detrimental to on-going peace process in South Asia. The following topics are presented. Rocky Peace Process Youth in Welfare States Welfare States Economy and Institutions Dynamic and Static Political Ideologies References and notes: star (*) means see references and notes Rocky Peace Process The killing of Pakistan and India soldiers starting Jan 6, 2013 on both sides of LoC is fueling war hysteria in South Asia and making it harder for the peace process to remain on tracks. Politically … Read entire article »
Filed under: America, China, Christianity, Economy, India, Islam, Pakistan, Politics
Analyzing Muslim Asymmetric Wars
Following points are discussed: Introduction Evolution of Asymmetric Wars Statistical Islam Muslim Terrorism Conflicts in Middle East and South Asia Arab Springs UN and Muslims Peace on Earth References and notes Introduction Some Muslim nations as well as non-state actors (NSA) such as al Qaeda in many Arab lands and the Af-Pak region, Taliban of Pakistan and Hamas of Palestine, etc use terrorism to wage asymmetric wars hoping to resolve territorial disputes with militarily powerful neighbors. Al Qaeda, the most notorious organization was organized (1988-89) by Osama bin Laden, a billionaire Saudi Arab. Al Qaeda is a globally diffused Muslim terrorist organization engaged in asymmetric wars to challenge the US and Muslim dictators aligned with the US. Osama was killed (2011) in a raid by a US special ops force in the garrison town of Abbotabad, Pakistan. The global arms of al Qaeda … Read entire article »
Filed under: America, Christianity, India, Islam, Politics, World
Analyzing US 2012 Election Results
Introduction A post mortem of the US 2012 election victory by President Obama is in order to explain voter choices. The articles identified issues that explained why Republicans lost 2012 election. The following topics are discussed: Moochers, Takers and Makers Changing Demographics, Culture and Ethnicity Two Philosophies Swing States and Entitlements References and Notes Moochers, Takers and Makers Economy, taxes, federal budgets, jobs, healthcare, women issues and immigration reforms dominated the election rhetoric. Romney-Ryan maintained that the 47% Americans were ‘moochers and takers.’ Purist in the Republican Party called high annual income earners ($50,000+) as ‘makers’. They ignored a reality that 75% Americans earned less than $50,000 and with existing loopholes they can avoid paying income tax. Loopholes also helped Romney and other wealthy to pay income taxes on unearned income at a rate lower than salaried secretaries. The 2010 … Read entire article »
US Healthcare Insurance and Pro-life Ideology
The 2012 October surprises came in spurts. The biggest October surprise was hurricane or tropical storm Sandy essentially leveled parts of water fronts in several NJ towns. The devastation brought together President Obama and Republican Governor Chris Christy into a bipartisan alliance to help people in the devastated areas. Other surprises included a private political meeting video made in September 2012 went viral in October and it showed Romney explaining his strategy to get elected and views on a variety of issue to potential donors. The Romney labeled 47% Americans as moochers and takers. A couple of Tea Party candidates for senate used voodoo science to classify rape. Some other candidates used religious beliefs to justify the pro-life stance and opposition to reproductive health care rights for women. Mitt Romney appeared … Read entire article »
USA Elections 2012
The following topics are covered Introduction Democrat vs GOP Job Creation and Economic Record The GOP Mantra Social Engineering Impacts of Changes in Demographics Obama and GOP Political Tricks Introduction I watched two conventions; 3 days (August 28 – 30) of GOP and three days (Sept 5 – 7, 2012) of democrats’. One convention was full of passionate attendees who believed in government initiatives to help solve national problems and other had delegates essentially to answer a roll call as they believed in keeping government out of solving people’s problems. The GOP nominee for President with an etch-a-sketch persona focused on pleasing the audiences he was with and most of convention was for reinventing and polishing his image. At the convention the etch-a-sketch attempted to switch from a politically moderate robot to a likable most conservative … Read entire article »
Religion, Arts and Understanding Life
The following topics are considered: Introduction Religion and Politics Political Ideologues Numerous Dichotomies God and Justice The Force, Energy and God Scriptures and Psychology Arts References and notes: Star (*) followed by a bracketed number (#1, etc) identifies applicable specific reference and notes. Introduction Comparative religion, arts and science are tools for understanding life. Terrorism was examined from social and cultural angles in previous article. Second article on introduction to Understanding Life series of four articles discusses how religious dogma is exploited by political establishments. Life is dynamic and ever changing or evolving. Known is history, unknown is future and present is what counts. Understanding life challenges mind. Life revolves around belief systems, arts and material world. Tools for understanding life include comparative studies of religions, art and science. The tools define the various people groups – cultures and societies – across the world. Religions and Politics We have … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hinduism, India, Islam, Pakistan, Politics, Vedic Knowledge
Modern Science and Understanding Life
The following topics are discussed in the last of four articles. Introduction God Particle and South Asian Scientists Science and theologians Science and Quality of Life Outlook for Future Modern Science References and notes: Star (*) followed by a bracketed number (#1, etc) identifies applicable specific reference and notes. Introduction First article – “Terrorism and Cultural Wars”* (#1) - of this four parts serie discussed how social and cultural upbringings can explain terrorism. The second article – “Religion, Politics and Arts”* – presented aspects of religion used for political exploitation and comments on arts to history. For understanding life scientific knowledge of the universe is essential. The third article presented Pre-17th Century Sciences* For improvements in quality of life, the third article described reliance of modern men on expanding use of energy or power. The another article titled, “Tides of Ideas”* … Read entire article »
Filed under: India, Islam, NRI, Vedic Knowledge
Pre-17th Century Sciences and Understanding Life
First article – “Terrorism and Cultural Wars”* – of this four parts series discussed how social and cultural upbringings can explain terrorism. The second article – and “Religion, Politics and Arts”* – presented aspects of religion used for political exploitation and arts. For understanding life scientific knowledge of the universe is essential. The following topics are discussed in this third article. Introduction Energy Ancient Vedic Science Pre-17th century Science Science References and notes: Star (*) followed by a bracketed number (#1, etc) identifies applicable specific reference and notes. Introduction Comparative religion, arts and science are tools for understanding life. An objective of four part series is to illustrate the central place of science in life. The relevance of science is to improve knowledge of material world for humanity. Another two part series – Tides of Ideas* (#3) and the Golden … Read entire article »
Filed under: Christianity, India, Islam, Politics, Vedic Knowledge
Terrorism, Cultural Wars and Understanding Life
This is first of a four parts series on Understanding Life The following topics are covered: Introduction Cultural Wars References and notes Star (*) followed by a bracketed number (#1, etc) identifies applicable specific reference and notes. Introduction Comparative religion, arts and science are tools for understanding life. Terrorism is examined from social and cultural angles. Some references and introductions to contribution of ancient Vedic people and scientists of Indian origin are identified in the second article of this series. The third and fourth articles of the series introduce accomplishments of the pre-17th century sciences and modern science, respectively. Identifying relevance of science in improving knowledge for humanity through religions, arts and science is a comprehensive subject; this series is an introduction to it. Domestic terrorism* (#1) is being blamed on two recent (August 2012) crimes by hate mongers in the US. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Christianity, Islam, Pakistan, Politics, World
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