South Sudan became a United Nations 193rd member state Full name: Republic of South Sudan Population:7.5-9.7 million (UN estimate, 2006) Capital: Juba Area:619,745 sq km (239,285 sq miles) Major languages: English, Arabic (both official), Juba Arabic, Dinka, others Major religions: Traditional religions, Christianity President: Salva Kiir Mayardiit South Sudan is bordered by Ethiopia to the east; Kenya to the southeast; …
Read More »Charter for Compassions
The western people mistakenly believe that Islam is a violent and cruel religion but the truth is that compassion is absolutely central to the Islamic tradition. Karen Armstrong is one of the most original thinkers and writers on religious and political issues in the modern world. Her primary focus has been to help develop a better understanding of Islam. Karen …
Read More »The Role of Intelligence Agencies
An intelligence agency is a government secret service that is devoted to collect information for national security and defence. An intelligence agency is a government secret service that is devoted to collect information for national security and defence. Means of information gathering may include espionage, communication interception, cryptanalysis, cooperation with other institutions, and evaluation of public sources. Intelligence agencies can …
Read More »Obama and the Middle East Conflict
We believe that the Palestinian-Israeli peace process is one issue that requires priority and concerted efforts of all states, and that the United Nations which was central to the establishment of the State of Israel must not remain on the sideline in the process. Recently, President Barack Obama while speaking to the famous Israeli lobby in Washington remarked that ‘The …
Read More »IRAQ
The withdrawal of American forces from Iraq has been a contentious issue within the US since the beginning of the Iraq war. Capital (and largest city): Baghdad Official language(s): Arabic, Kurdish Demonym: Iraqi Government: Federal parliamentary republic President: Jalal Talabani Prime Minister: Nouri al-Maliki Independence: From the Ottoman Empire: October 1, 1919 From the United Kingdom: October 3, 1932 Republic: …
Read More »Another Failed Military Coup in Turkey
The change in the constitution paves the way for trial of army generals responsible for the 1980 coup, consequently sending a warning to those who may engage in future coups. Turkey arrested and jailed Air Force Academy commander along with three other officers on the charge of overthrowing the government in which more than 200 officers are accused. Their detention …
Read More »Hamass, Fatah Heading for Unity Govt
Hamas, the militant group known for suicide bombings, rocket attacks and hatred of Israel, is sending subtle signals of moderation as it prepares to join a Palestinian unity government. Hamas officials speak of reconciliation with the West and a halt in armed confrontation with Israel, and even hint at some sort of political accommodation with the Jewish state. While Israel …
Read More »World Revolutions at a Glance
The Russian Revolution of 1917 is also called the Bolshevik Revolution or the October Revolution. French Revolution French Revolution also called Revolution of 1789, the revolutionary movement that shook France between 1787 and 1799 and reached its first climax there in 1789. Hence the conventional term ‘Revolution of 1789’ denoted the end of the ancient regime in France and serving …
Read More »When Minority Becomes Authority
The double standards of the Western powers are once again quite evident from the Bahrain conflict. For the past few weeks, while the world has mainly focused its attention on the mysterious circumstances surrounding Osama bin Ladin’s death, it seems to have largely ignored the volatile situation prevailing in Bahrain, which may at any time, explode into a major regional …
Read More »Should USA Continue Aid to Pakistan?
In the wake of Osama bin Laden’s death in a U.S. special forces raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 1, U.S. lawmakers have raised pointed questions over the legitimacy of Pakistani counterterrorism efforts (Reuters) and the viability of tenuous U.S.-Pakistan relations. A major component of this relationship is billions of dollars in U.S. foreign aid to Pakistan, much of it …
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