welcome to the programme. iraq s president has said an early election could resolve the political unrest gripping the country. to those who have taken their eye off iraq, the violence that broke out in baghdad yesterday, might have looked like a sudden eruption of rage. in fact, the sectarian anger has been simmering for years. the country is riddled with corruption, it has not had a functioning government since the october elections and the spiralling cost of living is pushing iraq towards an existential crisis. the spark that ignited these protests yesterday was the sudden announcement by the shia cleric, muqtadr al sadr, that he was withdrawing from political life. sadr has been a major player in iraq since 2003, when his supporters known then as the mehdi army, began attacks on coalition troops. in october, the sadrists won the most seats in parliament but refused to form a coalition with the mostly shi ite iran backed parties. injune, sadr asked all of his mps to resign
Hafsa Kanjwal's "A Fate Written on Matchboxes" delves into the complex dynamics of state-building in Kashmir in the post-1947 era, focusing particularly on Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad's governance in the 1950s. The book critically examines the 'paradox' of development under Bakshi, where state-building practices aimed at integration coexisted with increased modernization. Kanjwal highlights Bakshi's emphasis on empowerment and development to foster loyalty, yet reveals the simultaneous fuelling of resentment and suppression of dissent. Chapters detail Bakshi's effective use of propaganda, tourism, and cinema to reshape narratives and project a façade of normalcy. The economic challenges, education reforms, and cultural interventions under Bakshi are scrutinized, exposing the tensions between short-term political imperatives and long-term economic growth.The book sheds light on Bakshi's authoritarian rule, deploying oppressive state machinery, dr
A report by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies reveals 15 Iranian "proxy" militias that are actively working to oppose Israel and the United States in the Middle East.