FEER: Why Islamic Extremists Hate India

October 2009

Why Islamic Extremists Hate India

by Salil Tripathi

EXCERPT: [...]India is a danger because by its pluralistic nature it is a real threat for Islamic extremists. Not only does India have the world’s third-largest Muslim population (Pakistan finally overtook India recently), despite domestic differences with the majority Hindus, Indian Muslims have remained loyal to the Indian state, and have fully embraced democracy. While many Muslims live in poverty in India, so do other Indians, including Hindus. And Muslims alone are not victims of human rights abuses in India. What’s more, talented Muslims have often reached the top of Indian corporations, judiciary, armed forces, bureaucracy, and other fields, entirely on merit. They are able to express their grievances through the democratic system. It is no surprise, then, that of all the recruits al Qaeda has been able to attract around the world, barely a handful of Indian Muslims have been swayed by al Qaeda’s nihilist ideology. [MORE]

-- The Kettle Rumbles

Far Eastern Economic Review: Burma's Last Chance

Burma's Last Chance

by Aung Din

Posted May 26, 2009

"As an exile supporting the democracy movement, led by Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, in my homeland, Burma, I have placed faith and confidence in the international community to help end the tyranny of the military regime. Many countries in the world, including the United States, the European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), China, India, Japan, Canada, Australia and Korea have been involved in addressing the situation in Burma with different levels of interest, influence and responsibility. We appreciate those efforts, but the time has come to re-evaluate how best to collectively engage the international community to push for freedom in Burma." (Click here for more)

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This is an interesting article that describes some of the geopolitics involved in Burma. The author calls for a different approach to Burma, and argues that doing nothing has not and will not work to bring about democratic change to Burma.

-- The Kettle Rumbles