Ready Or Not, Here I Come Osama bin Laden!

Not the Clinton, not the Bush but the Obama Administration has found and shot the Most Wanted Terrorist who was responsible for the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center causing a death toll of 2,752 bodies. Osama bin Laden quickly went into hiding after America declared War against Terrorism and more precisely on Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda. Of course a sense of satisfaction arises for everyone who wanted Osama to be found but did anyone think of what would happen after he was found and brought to justice. That is the next thought or action to be taken by International Leaders and any ordinary person.

Osama was the best of his group, wealthy, master of his plans and courageous towards the extremist actions of his religious beliefs. It does not suggest however that he was the only one from his large group who possessed these abilities which creates the new fear of our world today. Since the world is unsure of how many terrorist existed under his authority, it may be that Al Qaeda would recoup its best men to form an equally strong base that Osama has created in his reign. Osama was a man who believed his actions were true, who would act at the instant and take responsibility at the instance which is why Al Qaeda won't mourn his death but pray to him their final prayers and hope that their God accepts his death for the religion they believe is correct.

What are the chances that Al Qaeda has proclaimed a new leader? A new strategy? Chances are very high and likely. We can commend America on their heroic operation but we cannot hold a party for it since they have only extracted the brain of Al Qaeda and not the body.

I believe that America should be congratulated since they sought the highest revenge from Osama. The families, widows, children and the American population as a whole would have finally felt a long time despair put to rest. In addition to that, Obama was strict about his role for the war on terror and during his election campaign, he had declared his strategy to focus further and establish more research on the movement of Al Qaeda which was shown to be highly attractive in this breaking news.

The other side of the story nevertheless is the arrogance of America in tampering with Pakistan sovereignty and taking full credit. Pakistan is left with shame and a mysterious claim of giving Osama protection and security. Furthermore, America has shown its priority to invade in a foreign country for their own best interest, complete their work/mission and leave with no International support to answer the public of their own doings. Drone attacks, target killing, suicide bombings are all suffered by the Pakistani and Afghani citizens while America sends more and more troops only to catalyze the death toll taken by terror. An example is the recent bombing in the north-west of Pakistan that killed 80 people as an avenge for Osama's death by the Taliban.

The War Against Terror is not over and neither did it change a single bit. The avenging twin-bombing and America's hope to unite with Pakistan highlights this point. War On Terror is like a ladder with the first one eliminated and the second moving up a place to become the first. America still has a lot up it's sleeve and it knows that it requires the aid and permission of Pakistan and Afghanistan to do so. That nevertheless will only happen if America shares an equal part of the pie to the country too.

Wake Up Call for the Middle East

The internet, a connection that is accessible around the globe to something as big as a desktop computer to something as small as a smartphone. With that definition, I may have captured a little more than half of the world's population that own something of that technology and know what a powerful tool it can be. With the help of the internet, Mohamed Bouzizi's action of setting himself on fire on December 17th, 2010 became a rising issue that the corrupt Tunisian government had to consider. The university graduate, unable to find work and forced to sell fruits and vegetables at his stand without a license could not bare the harsh policies when the authorities took away his produces due to the absence of his license. This in turn made Mohamed germinate a message for the Tunisian people that change needed to come and his death would become their motivation.

Today, the Tunisian people recognize him as a true martyr with an act of courage since the corrupt governing President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was ousting a little less than a month later after 23 years in office. This became the Jasmine or Tunisian Revolution. At present, there are minor protest to remove the former and corrupt cabinet in order to install a new democratic government.

Seen as a successful revolt, the youth of Egypt then inspired for their democracy and once again, the mean of internet's social websites were used to attract the population of the African country. After 30 years and 18 days of demonstrations by the people, Hosni Mubarak resigned with allegations of corruption and abuse of power. The success of this removal was immense and congratulating as Hosni Mubarak made no intentions of stepping down until the September elections.

This spread like a virus through the internet to Libya that still fight for their rights and new future. Muammar Gaddafi has ruled as President of Libya for 42 years and neglects the work of International Leaders and United Nations' work to be remove Gaddafi and bring safety to the people of Libya. Being a man of the Army, Gaddafi does not seem to step down so easily in the future and this is shown by the NATO strike that killed his son and three grandsons while he was visiting with his wife. Gaddafi declared that there is room for negotiation but vowed to stay in Libya where people are loyal to him.

This is part of history and it would have come sometime soon if not today. The 2011 Revolution for Egypt is the third in its history and it has brought the opportunity for the youth and the working population of today to create their own new environment to their home. It is in this generation that everyone hopes to stay connected and becoming global citizen which was restricted in the Middle East. The death of Mohamed and any other die-hard citizen wanting a prosperous country for their future and their children was the factor that allowed that door to open.

The youth will soon have their opportunity to make their country stronger, developed, and brighter for the future generations which is why their democracy is important.

Have I Been an Active Character?

What would make or show my presence at the World Issues class through the year useful? I could say something as big as achieving the media's attention or something small as volunteering at a community centre or walking the downtown Hamilton streets raising awareness of a certain topic. Whatever it is, it relates to the purpose of the World Issues course and what it should have developed in me over the academic year.

World Issues is best when current news is discussed critically and to a point where one relates it personally.  This deepens the discussion as well as contribute new aspects that another individual may have never thought about. An example is how I never thought China is regulating and working to strengthen its base to overcome America's power and I can say that it may have been my negligence of not thinking in that way. Nevertheless, having been in that class and hearing that perspective, it made me realize that though China remains quiet in political issues, how would anyone not say that their regulations and economical structure suggests some competition to become the next World Power.

Furthermore, having constantly heard a new perspective, World Issues emphasized a teaching that I learnt from my parents. The teaching was that since I am an individual of my own character and have my own authority to thinking, it gives me the permission to believe what I would want to accept and reject what seems to be mockery, false or exaggerated. The recent news of Osama's death is a good example of how I synthesized what the broad media may have exaggerated and what is portrayed in true words. My first reaction to reading the 'destroyed helicopter', 'buried at sea' and '40 minutes' were indigestible since all of it was happening too fast. If I were a professional critique or even a journalist, would I not ask for proof to Osama's dead body or more over, why even shoot him when he was at home with his family. Why not arrest him and put him to trial? Over the next few days, I got new interpretations, some of which answered the questions I pondered to myself and some I heard but refused to accept.

Lastly, unlike maths and science, World Issues is a course that has shown me that there is no precise answer and methodology for one to go in their action of their belief. I learnt that anyone who wants to bring a change needs to know exactly what they hope to accomplish/achieve since that becomes their motivating force. In addition to that, that person should be well informed of what their opposition believes and how that differs to their objective.

It is therefore that World Issues has made me think critically, as an individual of my beliefs, to investigate and approach rather than approach and then investigate. These have brought a different reason to the way I interact with the news, peers and the outside world since I am strict to my beliefs but open to hear any other perspective which could result in enhancing my knowledge.

A Connected Theme for the World

I have given a lot thought to what I have heard, seen and participated in over the year of this World Issues course. There are many motives for an issue to exist however I believe that there is a dominant theme of 'Power' circulating the gist of every matter.

Beginning with the Arab-Israeli Conflict that stirred a lot of media attention at the beginning of the year with talks between Palestine and Israel through USA's Hilary Clinton, which made no difference, and  gradually disappeared to the last page of a journal with an unresolved preposition. During the AIC simulation, I was so attached to the Middle East Peace Talks which enhanced my knowledge greatly but I was left heartbroken at the end since the representatives of Palestine and Israel held their ego and boasted their power to the world. Furthermore, USA intervened in this political unrest as if it were the parent of both nations only to prove to the world that it held the higher authority and is the only and best option to bring the two nations together.

Moving on to China's economy and their strict policies, they hint China's climb of the ladder to overtake America in the near future with the advantages it hold over them. Trade, productions, foreign investment, resources and you name it, China knows it has it all which is why it can take a bigger leap than USA soon. Another example of one competing for power from another.

I further came to the thought of power coming in another form. The form of freedom and democracy. It initially struck me due to the recent revolutions/conflicts in the Middle East and draw more strings to past events that could have shared the same motif. An example of an individual seeking his/her freedom was seen in Pakistan, when a gunman shot Salman Taseer 26 times because of a law against blasphemy under his jurisdiction. Like Micro and Macro Economics, the role of power is individualized where youth and oppositions have risen to make their voice heard even if it means surrendering their life for the betterment of a cleaner, purer and safer country.

Lastly, the election held within Canada reflected the fight for power against parties who portrayed little information of their future strategies but mock their oppositions. Though I was unable to vote, the discussions taken place during my class gave me the thought that the election process was more of an entertainment or taken too lightly by some politicians. To some, it matters because it is four years of their lives that depend on a parties strategy to keep the environment safe and secure.

Over the year, I have been introduced and discussed on issues involving economics, politics and geography. There is always a history involved to any article published in the newspaper and being a person who wants to be informed of what's happening around the globe they live in, it is mandatory that they have some prior knowledge to the event being described.
I have realized that everyone is driven or motivated for their cause by power. If power did not exist in an individual, they would not succeed in making their purpose known as it provides the courage to take that extra step even if it germinates an opposition force of any kind.
Countries are always working to keep their image (power) stable amongst other countries, or in other words, keep their reputation rather than loosing it. Similarly, the other group is the ordinary citizen who wants to make his authority useful since he/she hopes for a changing future to the one he/she currently lives in.
I think, that power should definitely exist in every way since it brings a shift to what is dormant or in existence for too long of a time. It is therefore a catalyst to change. Nevertheless, the type of hands (words or weapons, etc.) used in such power will result to how successful the objective is accomplished.

CARE Model of Global Citizenship

I believe the 'CARE' values should be ranked in such way with the least important first however I may be bias due to the teachings of my religion.

The least important value I believe is 'Action' which involves being determined and motivated to make a difference for your belief. The solution you set out for requires perseverance and strength to 'act firmly' and 'face' difficulties. Action is the test of your integrity with society which can be better explained in the 'Compassion'.

The second value is 'Responsibility' that reflects an individuals real character and their commitments towards their own goals or of others. Being responsible, one is being truthful and transparent while always seeking to give for others and that leads to 'Actions' mentioned earlier.

Next comes 'Compassion' which accepts all perspectives, feelings, needs and motives in order to generate an outcome beneficial to all accounts. Compassion is reflected through personal traits and for the CARE Model, compassion would mean being kind, generous and concerned for everyone.

The most important value is 'Equality' which erases all differences between culture, practices and thoughts. There is acceptance to people's rites and rituals with utter respect even though you do not necessarily agree to them. The segments of class differentiation which has become very common in today's society lacks the value of 'Equality" which is why there is conflict and arguments.

I would first need to accept any other individual to be equal as myself and then, consider his/her feelings or perspectives to become half of a Global Citizen. The other half would be by being responsible and keeping my integrity as I act to initiate my commitments or decisions with the determination, motivation and belief from the previous three values.

Ironically, I watched a clip on YouTube yesterday that had the well known Karen Armstrong in Pakistan  and her purpose to generate compassion within the population of Pakistan. She summarized the way of being compassionate in 12 steps which were briefly discussed in the show.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPB7_HtAiAI)

Pakistan Becomes A Place Of Concern

Well, this event shook Pakistan's politics again with a new area for the Government to divert their attention to. The assassination of Salman Taseer, the Punjab Governor who was shot 26 times by his own security guard raises the question of 'how safe exactly is Pakistan?'

The assassin who surrendered himself upon shooting Salman had to blame the blasphemy law that recently put a Christian women to death. The law, according to 'The Economists' issue of January 8th 'is bad enough in itself, but also gives official sanction to a growing atmosphere of religious intolerance in Pakistan." (The Economist, Pakistan (A good man who did something) This is further backed by the former president of Pakistan, Parvez Musharraf to comment by saying, "rather than amend the laws, Pakistan needed to find ways to make sure they were not misused." (Dawn Website)

Blasphemy is 'an act or offence of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things' which in Pakistan would not be tolerated lightly being a country of Islam and labelled with terrorists. I believe the law needs to exist as it proves to be an identity for Pakistan however as Musharraf said, it must not be misused by the people with power over the people who don't have any.

This would make one ask if the assassin, Hussain Qadri is right to shoot Salman Taseer in the vengeance he held for what he believes is the misuse of law?
In a broad prospective of Pakistan presently, prices of commodities are increasing beyond the reach of normal class citizens, electricity low shedding that is effecting business and living, and the loss of hope by the people for their Government to work on any issue, the event clearly shows that Pakistan needs more economic stability as the populations becomes more frustrated with such chain of events.

Wikileaks. Too Much To Compromise?

Hilary Clinton, Secretary of State, announced on 1st December (2010) that Wikileaks recent documents published online were "an attack on the international community, the alliances and partnerships, the conventions and negotiations that safeguard global security and advance economic prosperity".

I believe that though the public of a country requires knowing certain aspects of their government’s projects and planning, they also have the right to keep confidential investigations, communications and strategies private and quite. The issue of Wikileaks in recent news has compelled countries to justify for the unknown truth, which can create conflict if the subject is not defended in white light.

The issue is becoming more and more risky for government officials, security institutions and most importantly the ordinary civilians as the information is piped through the highly accessible Internet worldwide. This puts Secret Intelligence and the military abroad at immense danger as their planning and strategies can be intersected at a very early age in time.

As the purpose of Wikileaks progresses, ordinary civilians who played little to the world politics would begin doubting their own government, institutions and people creating an opportunity for non-violent cival war within the country. It will take great effort for the government to keep the trust of their people as Wikileaks puts all countries on their toes for their private communications.

I though, still believe that the war on Iraq and Afghanistan need to be acknowledged for every individual, as it has created turmoil as tangents around the globe. I therefore write with an opinion that Wikileaks initial publishes were a great record put in public however the recent claims create doubts which can hurt the international community slowly.