What the world is reading

An interesting article which compares how China 8212; where an earthquake took place on May 12, 2008...

No time to sit back, The Economist

An interesting article which compares how China 8212; where an earthquake took place on May 12, 2008 8212; is not averse to foreign aid and coverage of its calamities, while Myanmar, where a cyclone struck on May 2, resulting in the deaths of thousands 8212;thanks to its military junta 8212; is reluctant to allow foreign aid. Whatever aid arrived in Myanmar only trickled in, not reaching those it was meant for. The article analyses the main reason for the change in China8217;s attitude 8212; where earlier the Communist regime was opposed to aid from other countries and coverage of the calamities which took place there. The main change in China8217;s approach towards international aid and coverage of calamities took place after the SARS tragedy. It realised that hiding calamities or problems could take its toll on economic growth and it is better to adopt some degree of openness. Finally, it examines the options before the international community, which is keen to provide aid to Myanmar. While the UN did adopt a provision in 2005 to protect oppressed people from their prosecutors, the recent tragedy falls outside the scope of the provision. The international community 8212; especially members of the UN Security Council 8212; should not relent, however, and look at other options.

Blurred Vision, Slate

Fred Kaplan in this article highlights how while addressing the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of Israel, President Bush actually equated negotiations with Iran and Hamas to negotiations with the Nazi Germany! While he borrows the famous 8220;I have a dream8221; line from Martin Luther King, Bush has not even gone close to converting his foreign policy dream into a reality.

We are all Kemalists, Prospect

This is an interesting article to understand the changing role of religion within the Turkish polity ever since the ruling AK party removed the ban on women wearing head scarves in universities. Nicholas Burch makes an interesting point, Turkey is liberal, but not secular. Scholars, he interacted with, made two points to strengthen this assertion. Firstly, Sunni Islam has always dominated the Turkish state. Secondly, the biggest paradox of the Turkish state is that ever since 1924, Diyanet, directorate of religious affairs, has been responsible for the propagation of Islam in the country. This organisation, established by the army, is liberal in its approach. But in a secular state the government should have nothing to do with religion. Rather than blaming the present regime for its policies, it is important to understand that earlier regimes used religion. The edifice for religious intolerance in the land of Kemal Pasha was built much earlier.

BLOG: Daily Kos

An interesting political blog with liberal leanings. The most interesting post is 8220;LA Times wields 8216;elitist8217; hatchet8221;. This article counters the May 17 article 8212; 8220;Obama8217;s wealth has skyrocketed8221; 8212;written by Dan Morain in the LA Times. The post argues that as an Illinois Senator, he is mostly dependent on his salary and his wealth is nowhere near Hillary Clinton8217;s or McCain8217;s. It further says that such articles are part of a wider conspiracy to label Obama as an 8220;elitist8221;.