2007: Looking back-Part 3

The Middle east and the Sub-continent continue to define the Geo-Politics of the world. The Middle east continues to be the most volatile region in the world, while a new powderkeg has emerged in the Sub-continent.

The Iraq conflict seems to be under control. The troop surge has helped deter the terrorists, so thats why the level of attacks this year reduced. Although they still continue, they are much less than 2005 or 2006. But, challenges are continued to be met by the 'Coalition'. The British withdrawal from Basra seems to send a signal that a sense of depletion is setting in due to the continued violence. Although secterian divisions remain, they have not manifested out violently as previous years. The Sunnis are now co-operating with the Americans, while the Shias have not indulged in large attacks for a while. But, one wonders about the stability of this scenario, and 2008 will test it even furthur.

This time, more than the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iran's nuclear programme continued to dominate headlines. The standoff between Iran and the United States led to a possibility of a Third World War. But, now, the tensions have eased off, but they still remain. Iran's president continues to defy the US, and the US is considering its options due to the continuing standoff in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Israel and Palestine still remain deadlocked, with an instance of reconciliation being Anapolis. The peace process may start in 2008, and one wonders whether the two sides will compromise.

Another volatile front has opened up in the Middle East. The Turkish military offensive against the Kurds in Northern Iraq threatens that stability. The perennial problem of the Lebanese government deadlock continues to be a threat to that country recovering from the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict, while Syria is not trusted by the United States. If there was one other nation which evoked emotional responses was Saudi Arabia. When the King of Saudi Arabia visited the UK, there was an uproar among several newspapers about his arrival and for the kingdom possessing a bad human rights record.

If there is a new powderkeg in the world, it is the Sub-continent. The process began slowly following 9/11, but has rapidly deteriorated following the Lal Masjid standoff in Pakistan in July. With the Taliban and Al-Qaeda becoming resurgent, the US war on terror seems to be heading nowhere. Now, the entire subcontinent is tense following the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. This has perhaps hastened the destruction of Pakistan as a state. This assassination is now leading into a vacumm, which will be filled up by the radical elements. Only a genius can solve the current problem Pakistan is into.

The situation in Pakistan will shape India's outlook to that country, combatting terrorism as well as negotiating peace in the Kashmir issue. With the economy in full throttle, India will have to get over Coalition Politics to deal with concrete problems. The Sri Lankan-LTTE battle enters into the 21st year, with the LTTE losing momentum. Whatever be the outcome of the conflict, this has scarred the subcontinent more deeply, and one which the world will welcome for peace. Everybody seems to have forgotten the plight of Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Myanmar may perhaps represent the tragedy of the year. The repression of the Military Junta coupled with the News of the Monks uprising gripped the whole world. Brave underground reporters managed to get some picture about the plight of ordinary Burmese and the role of the Monk in the struggle. But, it followed other tragedies, it died a forgotten lonesome death in the pages of the media. Due to the economic hypocracy of some nations, Myanmar's people were victims of Econocracy.

2007 has seen it all. The world will only increase in volatility in 2008, but there are hopes for a better future. 2007 can be safely said as the year where Environmental awareness protocols were launched and are looking to have a lasting impression. The people are starting to care for the Environment, but more than that, 2008 should be the starting where economics do not dictate political solutions