The Italian term sprezzatura—a studied nonchalance that conceals intention—best captures the spirit of Trump’s foreign policy so far. The pattern is unpredictability, transactionalism, and disruption as diplomacy.
With 20.2 percent of its total loans in default by the end of last year, Bangladesh had the weakest banking system in Asia. Despite reforms, it will take time to recover.
This world is being restructured and redrawn by one man, and what’s his power? It’s not his formidable military. It’s trade. With China, it turned on him.
What is it about the caliphate that is so seductive to millions of Muslims? This archaic institution was relevant in the early days of Islam when Muslims enjoyed some semblance of unity. But those days are long gone. Perhaps some believers think the restoration of a caliph and the emergence of a caliphate would somehow bring back the glory days when Islam ruled a large part of the known world.
But these pipe dreams prevent Muslims from doing the hard work needed to catch up with the rest of the world. Instead of focusing on education and economic growth, they indulge in fantasies and conspiracy theories. So when a Bin Laden or a Baghdadi arrives, they think he is Saladin reincarnated to lead Muslims to regain their lost empires.
Terrorism is no substitute for toil, just as fantasises cannot replace facts and figures. Both show how far behind we are. Irfan Hussain in DAWN
What is it about the caliphate that is so seductive to millions of Muslims? This archaic institution was relevant in the early days of Islam when Muslims enjoyed some semblance of unity. But those days are long gone. Perhaps some believers think the restoration of a caliph and the emergence of a caliphate would somehow bring back the glory days when Islam ruled a large part of the known world.
But these pipe dreams prevent Muslims from doing the hard work needed to catch up with the rest of the world. Instead of focusing on education and economic growth, they indulge in fantasies and conspiracy theories. So when a Bin Laden or a Baghdadi arrives, they think he is Saladin reincarnated to lead Muslims to regain their lost empires.
Terrorism is no substitute for toil, just as fantasises cannot replace facts and figures. Both show how far behind we are. Irfan Hussain in DAWN