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VOA's Coverage
Jun 10, 2009
Troubles in South Asia
South Asia is a center of international conflict and a region rife with dramatic paradoxes. Home to India, the largest democracy in the world, it also is the center of religious extremism in the form of the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Hindu extremists, Maoist guerrillas and other violent quasi-religious organizations. Home to powerful women leaders like Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, Sheikh Hasina, Khaled Zia and Sonia Gandhi, the region has suffered through assassinations of some of those female leaders, women rights violations and extensive girls’ illiteracy. The region, in its entirety, is ethnically similar; yet it is full of tribal and cultural differences.
While Pakistan and Afghanistan currently cover the front pages of newspapers, other counties in South Asia are also experiencing rampant turmoil. South Asian countries have histories of troubles that often spill over the region. Tamil expatriates from India started a civil war in Sri Lanka in 1976 which, according to many, ended recently in May 2009 after the insurgents were defeated by Sri Lankan army. The massive loss of civilian lives, for which both sides are responsible, is largely unaccounted for. Similarly, Bhutanese refugees who have been staying in Nepal since the early 1990s raise important security questions and are threat to political stability in the region. The civil war in Nepal came to an end on paper but not on streets. India and Bangladesh have not forgotten their animosity over the partition of Bengal. Last but definitely not the least, a nuclear weapons threat overshadows the India-Pakistan rivalry.
One thing has been constant in most of these troubles -- international intervention has not improved the corruption it gave rise to. Bangladesh and Pakistan are renowned for extreme corruption and Nepal is currently catching up. Foreign intervention has led to concentration of power in the hands of a tiny elite population who controls a big chunk of country’s assets. The ever widening gap between the ruler and the ruled is the reason we see unhappy people on streets and chaos everywhere. Foreign aid has rarely empowered people and, for all intents and purposes, foreign aid must be reformed.
Asia America Initiative was created seven years ago, after the 9/11 tragedy to curb the cycle of poverty and underdevelopment that feeds extremism. The lack of hope in many areas of the world is intensified by corrupt governments. We must go right where the problem lies and where the solutions can be found through local empowerment -- among common people, in their communities. Peace can only emerge when people feel empowered and can change their lives for the better. The articles below show the consequences of failed local governments and shortsighted or violence-driven international military intervention.
While Pakistan and Afghanistan currently cover the front pages of newspapers, other counties in South Asia are also experiencing rampant turmoil. South Asian countries have histories of troubles that often spill over the region. Tamil expatriates from India started a civil war in Sri Lanka in 1976 which, according to many, ended recently in May 2009 after the insurgents were defeated by Sri Lankan army. The massive loss of civilian lives, for which both sides are responsible, is largely unaccounted for. Similarly, Bhutanese refugees who have been staying in Nepal since the early 1990s raise important security questions and are threat to political stability in the region. The civil war in Nepal came to an end on paper but not on streets. India and Bangladesh have not forgotten their animosity over the partition of Bengal. Last but definitely not the least, a nuclear weapons threat overshadows the India-Pakistan rivalry.
One thing has been constant in most of these troubles -- international intervention has not improved the corruption it gave rise to. Bangladesh and Pakistan are renowned for extreme corruption and Nepal is currently catching up. Foreign intervention has led to concentration of power in the hands of a tiny elite population who controls a big chunk of country’s assets. The ever widening gap between the ruler and the ruled is the reason we see unhappy people on streets and chaos everywhere. Foreign aid has rarely empowered people and, for all intents and purposes, foreign aid must be reformed.
Asia America Initiative was created seven years ago, after the 9/11 tragedy to curb the cycle of poverty and underdevelopment that feeds extremism. The lack of hope in many areas of the world is intensified by corrupt governments. We must go right where the problem lies and where the solutions can be found through local empowerment -- among common people, in their communities. Peace can only emerge when people feel empowered and can change their lives for the better. The articles below show the consequences of failed local governments and shortsighted or violence-driven international military intervention.
May 26, 2009
Crisis in Pakistan - Afghanistan border
In the North-West Frontier Province in Pakistan, the growing strength of Taliban militants is a serious threat. A research by the BBC News shows that only 38% of the area is under full government control. The number of displaced people in the Swat valley is skyrocketing, the current UNHCR estimate being almost 2.4 millions. Similarly in Afghanistan, casualties among civilians are rising across the country. These are tough times for the region. And, if proper actions are not taken now, things can go nasty and the worst we fear might be possible.
The last thing that Pakistan wants at the moment is the rising influence of the Taliban among people. Sadly this seems to be happening and the irony is that the government is indirectly helping the cause. The government has been highly criticized for the way it has handled the crisis. The government-run camps have below par facilities for displaced people and are substantially inadequate. They can assist only a small fraction of civilians. The result is that it has encouraged the rest to seek help from the very forces the Pakistani army is fighting against. This has jeopardized the prospect of peace and stability as refugee camps have become recruiting grounds for different militant groups.
On the other side of the border in Afghanistan, UN reports that civilian deaths have increased by 39% from last year. In Helmand province, the place with the maximum number of displaced civilians, as long as civilians get security, they don’t care where that is coming from – the Taliban or the government. The situation is critical. The stakes of the government’s failure are high, for the Taliban will try to increase its influence in areas where the government and foreign troops fail.
With the rising Taleban insurgency, children continue to suffer in Afghanistan. Illiteracy has always been a major issue in Afghanistan where more than two-thirds of people over the age of 15 cannot read and write. But in the recent years, the situation has worsened. Schools have been blown away, children have been attacked. Some schools serve as refugee camps to displaced people. Children have haunted memories in attacked schools. Things are unlikely to go better and children are unlikely to get back to schools unless we replace fear with hope.
The going seems tough in the region and in times like these smart decisions need to be taken. The government has an opportunity to win the hearts of people by providing stability and security to people. Any mismanaged funds and foreign troops hereafter would only alienate the population.
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