Bangladesh: Fertile Ground for Democracy or Extremism?

The Bangladeshis have much to be proud of. They achieved independence and a pluralistic state after a hard fought war. They took to the streets nearly twenty years later dissatisfied with military rule and stood united for democracy. Devastating annual floods covering a third of the country does not deter their commitment to entrenching democracy and promoting modernity. Lately Bangladesh has gained notoriety for the spread of Islamic extremism, but jihadis don’t spring from the ground like mushrooms.

Extremists Should Not Be Allowed to Disfigure Bangladesh Democracy

Bangladeshis have much to be proud of. They achieved independence and a pluralistic state after a hard-fought war. Nearly twenty years later they took to the streets dissatisfied with military rule and stood united for democracy. Devastating annual floods covering a third of the country does not deter their commitment to democracy and modernity. Lately Bangladesh has gained notoriety for the spread of extremism, but jihadis don’t spring from the ground like mushrooms.

Housekeeping in Bangladesh

Several weeks ago, a beloved political figure and ex-governmental minister was killed in a massive explosion. Hundreds were injured and the country is still reeling. No, it was not in Lebanon. The assassinated minister’s name is Shah AMS Kibria, and the country is Bangladesh. Having been through so much to achieve their democracy, the people of Bangladesh deserve much better.

In 1971 Bangladesh seceded from Pakistan after a bloody war. The transition to democracy from military rule came in 1990 after weeks of demonstrations. Bangladesh is a young democracy in the hands of immature parties. The Bangladesh National Party (BNP) is currently in power under Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, opposed by the Awami League (AL), lead by Sheik Hasina. Neither has put the national interest before party politics.

Religious Reconcilliation in Iraq and Beyond

With the stunning election in Iraq, and the accompanying rise of expectations for greater participatory democracy throughout the Middle East, the call has gone out: Democracy is much more than elections. And it is so true.

The courageous Iraqis have led the way by dramatically demonstrating their commitment to universal emancipation and self-representation. Let up hope they can establish another precedent for the region: minority protection.

The US Declaration of Dependence

It is unusual to see a country as large and as lumbering as the US reverse itself. With so much momentum propelling it toward seeking ‘stability’ in its foreign relations, George Bush made a U-turn as nimble as any football player and is now heading for the goal of ‘freedom.’

During his Inaugural speech, setting the tone for his second term, President Bush shocked even the most seasoned observers by changing US policy. ‘So it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world,’ he announced.

A Double Standard Too Glaring to Ignore

What a glaring double standard. The Arab world is enraged over the shooting of a wounded, unarmed Iraqi insurgent by a uniformed US soldier.

There is no similar outrage for Margaret Hassan. Is it because she was an Anglo, a woman, or because a Muslim killed her?

The video of the soldier shooting is proof, we are told, of America’s evil. And the kidnapping, torture and murder of Mrs. Hassan is then proof of what? That America is evil! Muslims wouldn’t do that unless evil America forced their hand.

Joy to the World, Kofi Has Spoken

great glee, Kofi Annan’s personal assessment that the Iraq War was illegal was received as vindication by many around the world who opposed the war. It was received with jubilation by those who would support nearly anyone who could humiliate the hated US. As a practical matter, it surely empowered the ideology of the bombers, the beheaders and the kidnappers in Iraq.

Profiling A Bush Voter

There has been much debate and speculation in the media in the Middle East, Europe and elsewhere as to the identity of the “Bush voter.” The large majority of analyses has been wildly absurd, from the notion that a hard core of evangelicals wanting Armageddon is the true face, to the old theories that only a stupid and manipulated American electorate could support President Bush.

It is important to remember that the election of 2000, highly disputed, complicated and seemingly unending, awakened the American electorate, who were riveted by the twists and turns of the contentious process. This politically alert public then faced together Sept. 11, and together emerged stronger.

The World’s Mayor

Aghast, the world watched the horrific events of September 11, unaware that it was a foreshadowing of a barbaric phenomenon that would spread to Istanbul, to Bali, to Riyadh, to Islamabad, to Baghdad, to Moscow, to Madrid and to Beersheba, that civilians the world over would be threatened with random death, beheading and kidnapping within a few years. The atrocities have become commonplace in 2004.

Kerry and the Middle East

WASHINGTON, 1 August 2004 — During John Kerry’s speech accepting his party’s nomination at the Democrat’s National Convention in Boston, he spent a great deal of time defining himself by the four months he spent in Vietnam 30 years ago. Old comrades were trotted out, old war stories were told, old pictures shown as evidence of his fitness to be Commander in Chief of the US military.

Kerry spoke only three sentences regarding the 20 years he spent in the US Senate and did not mention his consistent pattern of voting to remain unengaged internationally.

A Multipolar World Fails in the Sudan

NEW YORK, 11 June 2004 — Of the million Sudanese that have fled their home to the edge of the Sahara, 300,000 will die within months. That is the best-case scenario, according to Anthony Natsios, USAID chief. He predicts that without an immediate and enormous international effort, nearly all the displaced population — up to a million people — may perish. None of the European, African or Middle Eastern states so vehemently opposed to the US’s role as global policeman are willing to assume for themselves the burden of the prevention of genocide.

In the last year, the Sudanese government has systematically targeted its black population in Darfur, an Iraq sized area of six million. Families have been driven from their homes by bombings, crop destruction, and well poisoning and mass executions.

A Breach of Law at Abu Ghraib

In Iraq, the US strives to implement a political system based on the idea that pluralism and equality among humans is correct and that states are obligated to provide protections to all their citizens. The foundations of democracy include an unmolested media, a robust civil society, and majority affirmation of minority rights. The abuses at Abu Ghraib demonstrate that a just society also depends on the rule of law.

The international anger generated by the photos of prisoner pyramids is linked in part to the identity of the perpetrators, US soldiers, and the audacity necessary to both preach and torture. Another global response is glee at American shame. Anti-American sentiments have been reinforced and hostility vindicated. Some laud America’s vigorous response to the violation of human dignity. Others see a double standard, the tyranny of power and a campaign against Muslims. Few opinions have changed.

Zarqawi vs. Democracy

Terrorism has struck in Riyadh, Bali, New York, Kabul, Jakarta, and in Istanbul. In the nine months since the toppling of Saddam’s statue, al-Qaeda has been slaughtering Iraqis to protect Sunni Muslims from the scourge of democracy.

Al-Qaeda now faces 150,000 Iraqi security forces, 120,000 coalition soldiers, an Iraqi population that demands self-determination, and an American population that stands firm if bloody, in the face of scorn.

Iraqi officials and civilians have been executed by a series of searing suicide bombings. A letter from Musab al-Zarqawi, Bin Laden’s close associate, was intercepted en route to Afghanistan. Zarqawi gives an update on al-Qaeda’s status in Iraq. He reports: “We were involved in all the martyrdom operations.”