Professor Adil Khan argues in favour of democracy to sustain Bangladesh’s economic gains and development which are challenged by a number of social and political deprivations. In his view, rising Islamist/Nationalist militancy threatening the security of not only the country but the region as a whole. The way to defeat fundamentalism is neither through repression nor ‘development’ but through unadulterated democracy. The sooner the government and those that care about regional security and stability understand this, better it is.
Simon Leitch argues that despite the dire warnings about increasing Saudi-Iranian tensions, the most recent inter-faith stoush between the Gulf powers is unlikely to boil over for a simple reason – both states are already doing as much as they reasonably can to undermine each other, and neither one has incentives to engage in open war.
Will Davies argues that the reality television has long pitted people against each other in various overtly competitive or pseudo-competitive environments. Viewers or judges rate their performances and cast judgement on their value to society, and although these shows are usually simple and rarely political they shine light on many aspects of the modern liberal psyche.
Against the backdrop of rising political and violent activities in the name of Islam, Dr Tariq Ramadan advances philosophical and historical bases and an analytical framework for critical thinking for Muslims in the East and the West.
Professor Werner Menski identifies recent remarkable developments in nation-building processes in Bangladesh, which remain marred by contested visions of the country’s identity and future.
Jon Kofas argues that one reason that EU and US investors are bullish on Spanish securities, despite a temporary setback the day after the elections is because they know that the anti-austerity PODEMOS party will conform exactly as SYRIZA in Greece and neoliberal policies will prevail no matter who is in government.
Alochonaa (Dialogue) 