Sunday, January 26, 2020

Talibinization And The Security Threat For Pakistan Politics Essay

Talibinization And The Security Threat For Pakistan Politics Essay A fundamentalist Muslim movement whose militia took control of much of Afghanistan from early 1995 and in 1996 took Kabul and set up an Islamic state. The Taliban were overthrown by US-led forces and Afghan groups in 2001 following the events of September 11  [1]  . In generic terms, the word Taliban is derived from Talib (a student) which means the one who seeks for knowledge. According to Pashto language, Taliban generally denotes the students who are studying in deeni (religious) madrassas. The term Talibanization generally used to be perceived as a process being implemented at the religious centers in terms of imparting religious education to students (Taliban)  [2]  . The modern kingdom of Afghanistan was founded in 1747.  [3]  It was Great Britain and Russia who, in 1893, agreed, between themselves, that the river Oxus should be the northern frontier of Afghanistan. In 1893 the Durand Line was established by Sir Mortimer Durand to demarcate boundaries between Russia and British Empire.  [4]  The Talibans are considered as Islamic extremist students, who believe in rigid values of Islam and have firm belief on Quran and Sunnah. Taliban prefer the implementation of Shariat law in Islamic countries and make stress to lead life according to the teaching of Islam. During their rule ethnic and Islamic minorities were cleansed and development was all but ceased as the youth were turned out of secular education to memorize the Quran and female forced out of public life altogether.  [5]   Talibans tradition mentioned their creation as a reaction of the injustice that was practice during the mujahedeen era of Afghan politics. The high degree of social injustice with women was seen in Afghanistan. At some point it is assumed Pakistans Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) came to notice villages Mullah and his rag-tag bunch of Islamic student/fighters (Taliban) began go land support  [6]  . The danger to the Taliban is that the Pashtun centrist may be acquiescent to cooperation in a new Afghanistan, and that the jihadist with a more global view may be marginalized into criminals and simple terrorists. Talibinization refers to the political and social process following or imitating the political system, religious laws and life style of Taliban. The process of Talibanization in tribal areas was gradual and they were successful in establishing parallel justice and administrative systems. Taliban leaders statements suggested that their agenda was to enforce their system not only in FATA or NWFP but all over the country. The Taliban matured into a full-fledged insurgent movement within four to five years.  [7]  The short-term objective of the Taliban was to initiate a Taliban insurgency in Pakistan and a counterinsurgency in Afghanistan for the US-led occupation forces through jihad and to enforce a new social, political and economic order based on their ideology or interpretation of Islam. Immediately after 9/11, the United Nation responds to the emerging situation and builds a consensus to fight against the religious militants. In 2001 Afghan War established against Taliban and A l Qaida. During this war the US was backed by large number of states and was given the right to take action under UN Charter, Chapter 7, Article 51 which recognizes the inherit right of individual or collective self defense if an arm attack occur.  [8]   Pakistan strategically linked with Afghanistan. Pakistan is bordered by Afghanistan in west and India in east. Since the late 1970s Afghanistan has suffered brutal civil war in addition to foreign interventions in the form of the 1979 Soviet invasion and the 2001 U.S. invasion. When we see Pakistans security dilemma, it is necessary to analyze the Afghanistan complex situation, the resistance movement, afghan civil war, afghan refugee problem, Talibanization, and then evaluate the security situation.  [9]   Pakistan is a Muslim religion with weapon and has a long rival potential enemy with India since 1947. Pakistan is the front line state of American anti-terror war and important Muslim country Pakistan had many aspects to study. Strategically it had been noted that Afghanistan and Pakistan are two nations which have the most strategic impact on the current anti terror war. The notion of Talibinization not only combines the two nations together in real politics but also helps us understand the political and social development in the North Western border of Pakistan. The Pakistan sided tribal areas are natural home for Taliban. The could not only grab political power in Afghanistan and increase their own impact, but also have a large number of support from radical religious student and can be protected by tribal elders and the mosques while the government of US, Pakistan and Afghanistan could do nothing at all. Talibinization in tribal area of Pakistan can figure deeply down to the comp licated ethnic and religious conflicts and the relationships between federal and local governments within border and shows the internal reasons why the anti terror wars have had little effect in Afghanistan. It would also offer a reference for the China-Pakistan relationship. The Talbinization is not limited to the tribal areas of the FATA. Since 2006, it spread deeper towards north of Pakistan. We have also seen the incident of Lal Masjid took place in Islamabad in July 2007 shows that Taliban is trying to enter the heart of the city. After 2007, the government has sent more than ten thousand soldiers to Swat Region; Pakistan Military has killed more than 130, while the local resident suffered no small loss. The Lal Masjid event shows the end of alliances between military and mullahs since the 1980s. Lal Masjid has played two roles in promoting national policies First one is to organize the mujahedeen to resist the soviet invasion in Afghanistan and launch attack against India. Sec ond one is to support the Saudi funded Sunni Islamists against the Iranian backed Shiite groups in sectarian conflicts. In 2008 the impact of Islamic militant was spreading in most parts of Pakistan. Undoubtedly the Talibanization is not only the unique political and social phenomenon in FATA, but also a major issue for the whole Pakistan.  [10]  Pakistan is today facing four dangerous allegations and one of them is that we are being responsible for giving rise to terrorism in Afghanistan from our tribal areas. Moreover, a new generation of militant is comprised of battle-hardened jihadis with fewer allegiances to religious and tribal leaders and customs. One western press report called Pakistans Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) the most ungoverned, combustible region in the world, and an unrelenting surge in Islamist-related violence in Pakistan has some observer fearing a total collapse of the Pakistani state  [11]  . The so-called Pakistani Taliban and Pakistan i-based al-Qaeda has emerged in Pakistan since 2004. Initially, the Talibanization gathered in the North and South Waziristan area, and later spread to Bajur area in the northern part of FATA. Pakistani Taliban forces are also constantly growing and expanding in agencies such as Momand, Aurakzai and Kurram etc, which were relatively stable areas before. Suicide bombing within Pakistan has increased in 2008. CID Director Hayden said in March 2008 that the situation on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border presents a clear and present danger to Afghanistan, to Pakistan, and to the West in general, and the United State in particular. He agreed with other US top officials who believe that possible future terrorist attack on the US homeland likely would be originate from that region  [12]  . Moreover, frustration is developing in the region regarding the extended presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan. While we witness an increase in drone attacks inside the tribal areas and the social control of Taliban is expanding with the passing of each new day. Another main reason is that the democratic government, political parties and civil societies have yet to come out of the shock the Musharaf regime had imposed. At that time Pak Army is fighting in tribal areas against Taliban. Except navy all departments of armed forces are being utilized in this war. Pakistan faces double-edged media propaganda, internally as well as externally. The popular national press is very critical of Pakistans counterinsurgency collaboration with the US and the West. And the international press is doubtful about Islamabads operational efforts. The national and international media are oversimplifying the complex nature of the insurgency and its regional dimensions. This is fueling misperceptions among the international community about the issue and hurts Pakistans diplomatic efforts to find a comprehensive solution. Statement of Problem: The rise of Talibanization had created a great threat to the security of Pakistan. Significance of Studies The Issue of security causes a widening gape between the developed and developing countries. The importance of this study is that currently Pakistan is facing a great security threat from Taliban and after 9/11 it is a front line state against terrorism. Today the Taliban and al Qaeda insurgencies are equally active in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Severe threats are faced by Pakistan in the past era due to its border with Afghanistan. And Pakistans participation in 1989 during Soviet invasion in Afghanistan had spread Talibanization in Pakistan. This study tells that how the Talibanization concept had started and emerged in Pakistan in past eras due to the past blunders and how Pakistan had to face severe damage after 9/11. The United States claimed that FATA and some adjoining areas were serving as a safe haven for Al-Qaeda leadership and command and control of this leadership provide a source of reinforcement for the Taliban who crossed into Afghanistan to attack the American-led coal ition forces, including ISAF and NATO. Al Qaida had got firm grip over Pakistan territory and created a danger situation in the region. Pakistans security threat and perception can easily be understood by this study. This study enables one to understand the pattern of Talibanization in Pakistan clearly and focuses on the security related domestic threats and problems confronted by Pakistan. So the research study will identify the security problem in Pakistan caused by talibanization. Hypothesis: Talibanization is adversely affecting the security of Pakistan. Dependent Variable: Talibanization Independent Variable: Security of Pakistan Literature Review: Talibanization in the tribal area of Pakistan taken from Journal of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies (in Asia) Vol 1.4 No1, 2010 by Wang Lian, Institute of IR, Peking University. It tells that how corrupt government and political structure had led to spread of talibanization in Pakistan. It tells that talibanization is an extremist, armed violence and mass participation which will seriously affect the political stability in Pakistan and is a great challenge. Aryana Institute for Regional Research Advocacy AIRRA. Emerging scenario of talibanization in the region: is there to be a spring offensive? AIRRA Special Edition/Analytical Report by Khadim Hussain and Mohammad Arif. In the article the author tells about how talibanization emerges in the region and what consequences in the region are. It urges all the state holders to cooperate in elimination of terrorism. An overview of Domestic Threats. Constraints to Pakistans Security written by Mubeen Adnan tell about the domestic security challenges and threats which Pakistan is facing. The paper generally focuses on the security related domestic threats and problems confronted by Pakistan. Tracing the domestic dynamics of the threats/constraints confronted, the paper examines the consequential repercussions for the security of Pakistan. To eliminate these threats Pakistan needs development in political social as well as in economical fields. CRS Report for Congress: Islamist Militancy in the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Region and U.S. Policy November 21, 2008 by K. Alan Kronstadt (Specialist in South Asian Affairs Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division) and Kenneth Katzman (Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs Foreign Affairs Defense, and Trade Division). In this article security threat for Pakistan from Afghanistan is discussed as well as US policy any some measures are also discussed. It also discusses the militant activities increasing in western Pakistan. A Break from The Past: Trends in Pakistans Security Policy After 9/11, Shabana Fayyaz; SASSU Research Paper No. 2, August 2005.in this article writer discusses the reason that why Pakistan ally itself with America after 9/11 and what were the policy changes of Pakistan, major disputes which effects the security of Pakistan as well. It also discusses some aspects of Pakistans foreign policy changing trends during 9/11 and the role of leadership as well. How leader changes their vision for policy making is also presented in this journal. Relevance of Study: This study tells about the rise of Taliban which causes security threat for Pakistan. In this research proposal it is critically examined that due to sharing same border with Afghanistan and entering of Taliban in tribal areas of Pakistan, the Pakistans western borders were active in fomenting trouble inside Pakistani territory. The Taliban have reacted by resorting to suicide bombings that have rendered military personnel, defense installations and public places unsafe. The investigations into various incidents of the suicide bombing have revealed that, along with FATA and NWFP, the southern Punjab has become the breeding ground of suicide bombers. The process of Talibanization is likely to get strengthened if the random use of force by the Pakistani troops continues. The killing of innocent people, including women and children, is fast estranging the Pashtoon population from the state. While foreign troops are fighting revolts in this area, people are able to cross the border into Afghanistan from tribal areas of Pakistan. There are a lot of Kashmiri-based resistance organizations that have links with the Taliban in Afghanistan. These organizations include Lashkar e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad, and these have been added to the U.S State Department list of terrorist groups. NATO and U.S officials have increased their pressure on Pakistan to do more in the war against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Missile strikes in Pakistan launched by armed, unmanned American Predator Aircraft have been a notorious method in remote region of Pakistan. Such drone attacks Violate Pakistani airspace on a daily bases. War on Terror was imposed on Pakistan. Therefore without regional cooperation and constant military means the task of expelling the Taliban from power in Afghanistan could not have been achieved. Methodology: Primary sources mean that it is original article or book created by an individual or sometimes a group of people. In simple terms primary sources come firsthand from the source or person. In my research I have not used the primary source because of lack of resources. Secondary sources are sources that are written about primary sources. Secondary sources analyze, interpret, and discuss information about the primary source. Secondary Sources include journal articles, books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, reviews, newspaper articles, specific essays, etc. I have used secondary source, and have taken much of my research data and ideas from news papers articles, reviews and journals articles. Division of Chapters: Chapter 1: Talibanization, a concept and its emergence In first chapter the meaning of the term Taliban its general perception and how they emerge in the region are discussed briefly. It focuses on the main issues which created social injustice between common people and the intervention of different states in internal matters of Afghanistan, which give a way to Rise of Taliban in the region. It is also discussed here what were the mission of Taliban and how they imposed law and order in the region during their rule. Chapter 2: Talibanization in Pakistan In chapter 2 it is briefly described that how Pakistan is strategically linked with Afghanistan and how this link create destability in Pakistan. The coalition between Pakistan and United State After major event of 9/11 in War against terrorism and at the result of this coalition emergence of Talibanization in the tribal areas of Pakistan is also the main theme of this chapter. Chapter 3: Talibanization in Pakistan created Security threat for Pakistan In this chapter internal and external security threats that Pakistan is facing today due to talibanization is discussed. It also focuses on that Talibanization has spread more and more into the tribal area of Pakistan and is mainly represented as an extremist, armed violence and mass participation, which will seriously affect the political stability and security in Pakistan Chapter 4: Conclusion The main security threat which Pakistan faced from emergence of Taliban to onward is the main frame of this chapter. Conclusion To sum up, it is obvious that talibanization in Afghanistan and in tribal areas of Pakistan appears to be enduring and threaten the territorial integrity of the Pakistani state. From the time of Taliban emergence in Pakistan to onward they began to warm up their muscle in areas which affects Pakistan internally as well. Suicide bombing in major cities of Pakistan, attacks on security and intelligence officers, Swat operation, and incident of Lal Masjid are the major events that affect the Pakistans national integrity. At the same time, the violation of Pakistani airspace by the US drones in search of militant hideouts and missile attacks on suspected targets became more frequent. The military action in the Pashtoon areas has reduced our once proud national army to the position of Para-military operating against its own people and that suits others more than Pakistans own State Interest. It is not only a risk for Pakistans strategic interests but many regional and global powers also w ant to secure their interests in this area. In the whole country there is security high alert against any act of terrorism. When will this war end this is unpredictable now.

Saturday, January 18, 2020

The weight of the nation

The movie we watched is called â€Å"The weight of the nation†. I learned that:Worldwide obesity has nearly doubled since 1980.In 2008, more than 1.4 billion adults, 20 and older, were overweight. Of these over 200 million men and nearly 300 million women were obese.35% of adults aged 20 and over were overweight in 2008, and 11% were obese. >65% of the world's population live in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight.More than 40 million children under the age of five were overweight in 2011.Obesity is preventable.Most of the food commercials make you want to eat.My reaction to this movie is that people started eating more food over the 30 years so they should start taking food seriously.  What makes people obese is  an increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat and an increase in physical inactivity due to the increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of work, changing modes of transportation, and increasing urbanizati on.Not only the food matters but your physical activities that you do every day. Childhood obesity is associated with a higher chance of obesity, premature death and disability in adulthood. But in addition to increased future risks, obese children experience breathing difficulties, increased risk of fractures, hypertension, early markers of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and psychological effects. Overweight and obesity, as well as their related noncommunicable diseases, are largely preventable. Supportive environments and communities are fundamental in shaping people’s choices, making the healthier choice of foods and regular physical activity the easiest choice (accessible, available and affordable), and therefore preventing obesity. At the individual level, people can:limit energy intake from total fats and sugars;increase consumption of fruit and vegetables, as well as legumes, whole grains and nuts; >engage in regular physical activity (60 minutes a day for children and 150 minutes per week for adults).

Friday, January 10, 2020

A Raisin in the Sun & the American Dream

The American dream in the ’50s was close to materialism. The ownership of consumer goods was believed to bring joy into a family’s life. This stereotypical view governs the dream of one of the main characters in Lorraine Hansberry’s play.The title of the play is based on â€Å"Harlem† by Langston Hughes, a poem that raises a question about a dream that is deferred. â€Å"Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? †¦ Or does it explode?† (Rampersad, 1995, pg. 426) There are three main characters and all three of them of have dreams that have been prolonged for too long. A Raisin in the Sun is about the rocky journey they go through to acquire their dreams.  The Younger’s family has just received a $10,000 dollar check for their dead father’s life insurance policy. They live in a two bedroom apartment on the black side of town in Chicago. Racial prejudices against blacks in that era and a low income are the root of conflict in the f amily.Mama, deceased Mr. Youngers widow wishes to buy a house and fulfill the dream she once saw with her husband. Beneatha, Mama’s daughter, hopes to find her identity through looking towards true African heritage. Walter, Mama’s son, wishes to one day become rich. He wants to replenish his marriage and provide his son with all the opportunities he never had growing up.Walter wants to invest money in the liquor business with a few of his friends. Although the idea appalls Mama at first, she trusts and supports her son with his decision. The night before making the investment Walter tells his son about the business transaction he about to make while tucking him into bed. He tells the little boy that their lives will change soon and paints an elaborate and vivid picture of the future. He tells his son that when he’s seventeen years old he’ll come home and park the Chrysler in the driveway.The gardener will greet him and when he’s inside the house he ’ll kiss his wife and come up to his sons room to see him browsing through brochures of the best colleges in America. He then tells his son that he will give him whatever he wants. Although Walter is somewhat materialistic in what he wants at the core he just wants a happy family and a son who should have all the chances he never had.During this time Mama buys a house to fulfill the dream she saw with her husband; the only one she can afford is in a white suburban neighborhood. Mr. Lindner a man from the neighborhood comes to the Younger house trying to convince them to not destroy the white community. He offers a lot of money in exchange for their acceptance.Meanwhile Walter looses all the money he has invested in the liquor store because I friend has run away with it. When he looses the majority of their financial resources the entire family falls into a deeper level of depression. At this time, Walter decides to take the money the white man has to offer. The thought of sel ling away their right vexes Mama, Walter’s sister and his wife. They detest Walter for dealing with his dead fathers money so easily and feel that he has lost his soul when he days we wants to be bought out by the white Mr. Lindner.Ultimately, loosing everything they have unites them because at the last moment Walter changes his mind about taking money from Mr. Lindner. Walter tells him that they have moved into the house because their father earned it for them. He continues by saying that they don’t want to disturb the neighborhood peace or protest for bigger causes, and that they’d be nice neighbors.He tells Mr. Lindner that he doesn’t want the money. At this moment the entire family’s spirits are lifted and they are proud of the decision Walter has made. This act of standing by your family to achieve the American dream of succeeding no matter who you are and where you come from unites them. They learn to support each other and put their families before their own. By owning a house, having a high morale, and the support of their family, each of them is on their way to fulfill their American dream.ReferencesFoulis, Rhona (2005, March, 14). A Raisin in the Sun. Retrieved March 8, 2008, from Culture Wars Web site: http://www.culturewars.org.uk/2005-01/raisin.htmPotter , G and Struss, Joe. (2002, April, 02). Iowa State University. Retrieved March 8, 2008, from ISU Play Concordances Web site: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~spires/concord.htmlRampersad, A (Ed.). (1995). The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc..   

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Diego Rivera Renowned Artist Who Courted Controversy

Diego Rivera was a talented Mexican painter associated with the muralist movement. A Communist, he was often criticized for creating paintings that were controversial. Along with Jose Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siquieros, he is considered one of the â€Å"big three† most important Mexican muralists. Today he is remembered as much for his volatile marriage to fellow artist Frida Kahlo as he is for his art. Early Years Diego Rivera was born in 1886 in Guanajuato, Mexico. A naturally gifted artist, he began his formal art training at a young age, but it wasn’t until he went to Europe in 1907 that his talent truly began to blossom. Europe, 1907-1921 During his stay in Europe, Rivera was exposed to cutting-edge avant-garde art. In Paris, he had a front-row seat to the development of the cubist movement, and in 1914 he met Pablo Picasso, who expressed admiration for the young Mexican’s work. He left Paris when  World War I  broke out and went to Spain, where he helped introduce cubism in Madrid. He traveled around Europe until 1921, visiting many regions, including southern France and Italy, and was influenced by the works of Cezanne and Renoir. Pintura mural en la Alameda, ciudad de Mà ©xico hecha por Diego Rivera.   Frà ©dà ©ric Soltan/Getty Images Return to Mexico When he returned home to Mexico, Rivera soon found work for the new revolutionary government. Secretary of Public Education Jose Vasconcelos believed in education through public art, and he commissioned several murals on government buildings by Rivera, as well as fellow painters Siquieros and Orozco. The beauty and artistic depth of the paintings gained Rivera and his fellow muralists international acclaim. International Work Rivera’s fame earned him commissions to paint in other countries besides Mexico. He traveled to the Soviet Union in 1927 as part of a delegation of Mexican Communists. He painted murals at the California School of Fine Arts, the American Stock Exchange Luncheon Club and the Detroit Institute of the Arts, and another was commissioned for Rockefeller Center in New York. However, it was never completed because of a  controversy over Rivera’s inclusion of the image of Vladimir Lenin in the work. Although his stay in the United States was short, he is considered a major influence on American art. Diego Rivera mural of NYC at MOMA.  © MOMA Political Activism Rivera returned to Mexico, where he resumed the life of a politically active artist. He was instrumental in the defection of Leon Trotsky from the Soviet Union to Mexico; Trotsky even lived with Rivera and Kahlo for a time. He continued to court controversy; one of his murals, at the Hotel del Prado, contained the phrase â€Å"God does not exist† and was hidden from view for years. Another, this one at the Palace of Fine Arts, was removed because it included images of Stalin and Mao Tse-tung. Marriage to Kahlo Mexican artist Frida Kahlo pets a monkey, possibly Fulang-Chang, clinging to the jacket of her husband, Mexican artist Diego Rivera. (circa 1945). Photo by Wallace Marly / Getty Images Rivera met Kahlo, a promising art student, in 1928; they married the next year. The mixture of the fiery Kahlo and the dramatic Rivera would prove to be a volatile one. They each had numerous extramarital affairs and fought often. Rivera even had a fling with Kahlos sister Cristina. Rivera and Kahlo divorced in 1940 but remarried later the same year. Final Years Although their relationship had been stormy, Rivera was devastated by the death of Kahlo in 1954. He never really recovered, falling ill not long afterward. Although weak, he continued to paint and even remarried. He died of heart failure in 1957. Diego Rivera murals. Richard IAnson / Getty Images Legacy Rivera is considered the greatest of the Mexican muralists, an art form that was imitated around the world. His influence in the United States is significant: His paintings in the 1930s directly influenced President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s work programs, and hundreds of American artists began creating public art with a conscience. His smaller works are extremely valuable, and many are on display in museums around the globe.