A moment in History - Cuba

With Castro, now, out of the picture, western rhetoric for democratic elections will usher in the presidency of Castro's younger brother and reformist Raul Castro. Raul, the head of the military, will help bring Cuba into mainstream political practice should the West be open to dialogue. 2008 seems to be a year of change for many...

A moment in History - Pakistan

It is Ironic that allies can sometimes be so opposite in circumstance. With the western media and politicians overlooking (what seems to be a fair and transparent process) elections in Pakistan, Pakistan and it's neighbours are faced with more uncertainty. Musharraf has the constitutional authority to remain president and the backing of the military. The rowdy bunch of civilians (Mr. 10 % Asif Zadari and Mr. equally corrupt Nawaz Sharif - Mr. 10 % is Benazir's Widower, 10 % because that was the bribe he'd take for an approval from the Govt. when Buhtto was PM) don't have a stellar record for reforms or control over Pakistan. Both (Zadari/Bhutto and Sharif) have used the extremist element for propping up their own power by sending them off to fight in India, both are/were corrupt and both have tried to imprison the other. Imran Khan (ex cricketer), seems to be the only politician in Pakistan with some sort of credible reputation. The religious orthodox right has lost in the NW frontier province, yet the violent extremists still remain, unchallenged, hiding in those hills. The Pakistani military is trying to clean up the NW frontier province while Pakistanis flee into Afghanistan (for a change). The future could not seem any cloudier, with such a diffuse power base. However, it is clear, that oppression in the form of Military or Religion isn't going to be tolerated any more. What can the West and Pakistan's neighbours do to steer Pakistan into a stable environment that will finally uproot the violent extremist element ? Good question. Whoever or whatever power centre emerges in Pakistan, the world community must nurture it, in the form of economic partnerships and tactical military support, as and when required. The sooner this happens the sooner Pakistanis can join the globalised community.

A moment in History - U.S.A.

There comes a rare moment in History when the disenfranchised masses huddle together, despite their differences, and cling to a hope that tomorrow will be a better day. When the tried and tested methods of divisive politics fail and when individuals reach out to the ones they differ with, because they know that the other, too, is suffering. The critical mass of disenfranchised individuals are no longer the minority, but a majority of clamouring voices, clamouring for attention only to be silenced by a lone voice filled with belief. A belief, that together as a people, they can overcome the tyranny of the powerful few that control their lives in each and every way. The once apathetic individual , now, clings onto the dim light of hope so that their winter of despair becomes the bright promise of spring tomorrow.