Although they are often in the limelight the lives of politicians and thinkers often pass under the radar. Contextualizing their lives, achievements and often downfalls provides great insight on their place in politics.
With diplomatic relations interrupted since the First Gulf War, Kuwait and Iraq have been regaining each other’s trust based on the idea that both share important economic and political interests in healing the scars of the past. The appointments of Kuwaiti ambassador to Iraq in 2008 and Iraqi ambassador to Kuwait last May could signify a new era for bilateral relations between the two countries.
The death of Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi, Arab writer and Saudi Miniter of Labour, has touched many in the Arab world. Al-Gosaibi's contributions to his home country through public policy works, and to his people by building on a rich Arab literature, speak to the influence his life will have even after his death.
Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd was regarded as a controversial figure, dividing religious and political opinion in Egypt. On an intellectual level Zayd was considered most inflammatory for his claim that socio-political and cultural factors would always inform any process of interpretation. His thinking, which led to his apostasy, however revealed to Zayd that a siege mentality had formed in Egyptian public intellectual space.
The Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is generally seen with a great degree of suspicion, particularly in the US, where it often stands accused of links with the militant threat in Pakistan, and of wrongly obsessing with India. The current ISI head, in office since October 2008, is on a mission to renew ISI’s image in what is an effort to reposition his agency as a responsible stakeholder in Pakistan’s shaky democratization process.
Shahram Amiri is in his own words a “normal man.” His story however, is anything but. The defected/kidnapped Iranian scientist recently returned to Iran after a 13-month sojourn in the US. What happened during those 13 months is the subject of a hot debate between Washington and Tehran; a debate which could have important implications when the two sides return to the negotiating table next month.
The death of Ayatollah Hussein Fadlallah has been received with mixed emotions throughout the world. Despite his influence and the obvious loss that is felt by many Lebanese, Fadlallah’s death has brought to light the type of divisions he incited in life. Although he was pegged a terrorist by the US for his support of suicide attacks, in Islamist circles he was faulted as a liberal for his stance on women's rights, and yet in other circles he was criticized for his meddling in politics. Despite the contradictions that are attributed to him, his teachings will likely continue to shape the rival Shiism that contests Iran's Khomeinist brand.
General McChrystal’s tenure has marked a change in the US’s course of action in Afghanistan, turning this conflict into the focus of US military operations. Although McChrystal’s past is clouded in mystery, in recent days his image as the ideal intellectual warrior has been tarnished, and the future of his career and his strategy in Afghanistan are on the line.
Over the past three years Putin’s man in Grozny has consolidated his power, ruling Chechnya with an iron fist, and Russian roubles. Between rebuilding the country and terrorizing human rights workers Ramzan Kadyrov has been making overtures to the country’s Sufi leaders and brandishing his own credentials as a devout Muslim and former mujahedeen.
Dashti was one of the first women to be elected to government in the 2009 Kuwaiti elections. A prominent activist for gender equality, she was at the forefront of the campaign that gave women suffrage in Kuwait. Her commitment to the advancement of women is unwavering, and the progress she has instilled in Kuwait is slowly becoming a model for other countries in the Gulf. Her achievements are not limited to the sphere of women’s rights, as an economist she has also been the driving force behind economic reform, dedicated to the advancement of the entire country.
Iyad Allawi, Iraq’s former interim prime minister and a current contender for the position, has been a prominent figure in most of the turning points in Iraq’s recent political history. Although his position as interim prime minster earned this secular Shia the stamp of American puppet, Allawi has managed to secure a political come-back in the recent elections.
Upon coming to office, Obama promised to close the infamous prison at Guantanamo Bay. The deadline to close the prison, however, has long since passed proving that some things are easier said than done. However, Special Envoy Daniel Fried has been appointed to make sure that the challenges that have prevented the closing of the prison are overcome.
As the current US special envoy for the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Rashad Hussain may just be America’s answer to closing the gap between East and West. As a Muslim of Indian descent, having grown up in the Deep South, his life story reads as an inspirational example of integration and understanding between cultures. A close relationship with the Whitehouse will give Hussain considerable sway over future US policy in the Islamic world. The tough part will be convincing Muslims and Americans alike that he represents their best interests.
A global survey shows a steep decline in US approval ratings in Muslim countries
As many regional variables begin to play into the future defi nition of Saudi-US ties, the formula that was once used to characterize their rapport no longer applies writes Caryle Murphy
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A brilliantly well-measured piece of thought-provoking reflection which should merit the attention a ...
Dr. Kwaku Asante-Darko at Aug 18, 2010 5:36 PM
I believe that egypt has to
1. Free its dependency on US for aid.
2. Have an assertive pol
...
Mike Edwards at Aug 10, 2010 6:16 PM
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