Feature Post

Often, sex education is a topic that evokes discomfort and secrecy but it should be an integral aspect of one’s upbringing. It goes beyond reproduction theories but teaching young people to have good relationships, appreciate their bodies and make wise decisions.  The Importance of Comprehensive Sex Education-:  Individuals are equipped with the knowledge and skills for making informed choices on sexual matters by comprehending sex education program. Topics arising for discussion include-  Body Image and Anatomy – Understanding your physical self constitutes a foundation of sexual health.  Relationships - Emotional well-being requires the establishment of healthy relationships based on respect.  Consent - While learning about limits, regard, and mutual consent is important for safe and satisfying sexual experiences.  Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity - Educating about various forms of sexuality as well as gender identities enhances inclusivity and tolerance within societies.  Contraception and Pregnancy Prevention – Possessing knowledge on different methods of contraception enables people to make informed choices.  Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) – Information regarding STIs transmission, prevention or treatment is very essential in safeguarding one’s sexual health.  The Paybacks of Early Education  Starting sex education at an early stage enables age-appropriate conversations and forms a base for open communication between parents and children.It assists in debunking myths as well as providing young people with accurate information.Research consistently demonstrates that comprehensive sex education is associated with-  Postponed commencement of sexual activities  Decreased teenage pregnancies  Lesser chances of getting STIs  Enhanced self-esteem and body positivity.  Difficulties and Disputes  Sex education faces resistance despite its importance.Some argue that it encourages sexual activity,others believe it should be strictly left to the parents. Yet,evidence shows that abstinence only programs are ineffective and can actually lead to increased risk-taking behaviors.Sex education must be approached with sensitivity and age appropriateness.Having open, honest conversations creates a safe space where young people can ask questions or seek guidance.  A Collaborative Approach  Successful sex education requires collaboration among parents, schools, and community organizations.Together,we can build a society where adolescents have the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their health. Sex education is finally not an endorsement or discouragement of sex, but a way to empower individuals to be responsible and well-informed on issues of their sexuality and relationships.  Is there an area in sexual education that you are interested in highlighting – for instance,the responsibility of parents,the difficulties teachers face,or significance of consent?

Comprehensive sex education is key to informed choices about sexual health, fostering respect, inclusivity, and responsibility. Discover its benefits and importance.

Sex Education: A Cornerstone of Healthy Development

India is a nation brimming with vibrancy and resilience.Yet, beneath the bustling surface lies a growing concern - a mental health crisis demanding immediate attention. Millions of Indians grapple with depression,anxiety and other mental health issues,often in silence due to stigma and a lack of support systems. The numbers paint a stark picture.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India has one of the highest rates of depression globally,with an estimated 56 million people affected.The National Mental Health Survey (2015-16) revealed a staggering figure nearly 150 million Indians require active mental health interventions.This crisis is fueled by various factors.Academic pressure,demanding work environments,and societal expectations can take a toll on mental well-being.The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the situation,with social isolation and economic hardship pushing many towards the brink.Compounding the issue is the deep-rooted stigma surrounding mental health.Mental illness is often viewed with fear and shame,discouraging people from seeking help.Limited access to qualified professionals adds another layer of challenge.India has a severe shortage of psychiatrists and mental health counselors, creating a significant gap between need and availability.However,there's a flicker of hope.The growing awareness of mental health issues is a positive step forward. Organizations like The Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF) are championing mental health awareness campaigns,chipping away at the stigma. Policymakers are recognizing the urgency of the situation,with initiatives to integrate mental healthcare into primary care services. What can we do? Educating ourselves and others about mental health is crucial.Let's break the silence and create a space for open conversations.We can encourage those struggling to seek help and support helplines and mental health professionals.Advocacy for increased government investment in mental healthcare infrastructure is vital to ensure wider accessibility.India's mental health crisis is a complex challenge,but it's not insurmountable.With increased awareness, improved support systems,and a collective effort,we can build a future where mental well-being is not a privilege,but a right for all.

India's mental health crisis is critical, with millions affected by depression and anxiety. Growing awareness and support systems can help combat the stigma and improve access.

A Silent Struggle: India's Mental Health Crisis and the Path to Hope

We are living in times when the US, Europe, UK, Canada, and India, which collectively make up approximately 2.3 billion people, are affected by the dangerous virus of extreme leftism. Strange and irrational ideas are being touted as the most intelligent and logical. Initially, encountering the extreme left mindset might feel like a passing phase, similar to the temporary intoxication from weed. Sadly, this is not the case. This is not a fleeting phenomenon; it is here to stay and spreading rapidly, especially among millennials. It is gaining momentum so swiftly that it is changing the nature of public and polity discourse globally. Having lived in Punjab during the peak of the Khalistani movement in the 1980s, it is confounding to see Trudeau legitimizing a movement he has no connection with and has never experienced the violence it perpetrated. Families lost fathers, brothers, husbands, and countless lives were irreparably impacted. Trudeau's actions seem driven by personal gain, capitalizing on funding and electoral support from wealthy Khalistani supporters in Canada. However, left-leaning individuals, lacking the inclination, time, or capability to understand the historical context, blindly follow him. They become crusaders for a cause, brandishing placards about the "unjust occupation of Punjab by India," without any real understanding of the issue. The irony is that they are supporting a terrorist movement in the name of humanity, completely unaware of the complexities and consequences of their advocacy. And left unchecked the Left extremism go so far that the Canadian parliament has an official mourning silence on the death anniversary of a Khalistani terrorist.
 Consequence 1 Unchecked extreme left extremism can elevate terrorists into public figures. Consider the case of campus students in around the world protesting against Israel, fervently claiming that 8,000 Palestinian children have been killed. These students have never experienced conflict firsthand, nor do they understand the complexities of fighting a terrorist organization that hides in tunnels beneath densely populated residential areas, endangering its own people and using them as human shields. Moreover, they have not verified the accuracy of the figure they are protesting about. Question their understanding of the Palestine issue, most of them will not know that the land was under British control from 1920 - 48. And prior to the British the land was under the control of various empires, such as the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and eventually the Islamic Caliphate and the Ottomans. Anyone would have thought that what happened on October the 7th 2024 in Israel would be widely condemned across the globe. Irrespective of which side you sit on, on the historical debate over who has the right to the land, resolving any dispute via committing the darkest possible human crime of killing babies, women and men while they are attending a dance party has to be unitedly denounced. But strangely and sinisterly no, that is not what happened. Within weeks of the massacre the whole discourse shits to making the terrorists look like victims and then “All eyes on Rafah” follows. Consequence 2: Unchecked extreme left extremism can invert the roles, portraying the victimizer as the victim. In India, the left's vocabulary includes terms like secularism, justice, equality, feminism, women's rights, cultural diversity, LGBTQ+ pride, and parade. Their biggest adversary is Hindu fundamentalism. They express admiration for Mughals, Urdu, and ghazals. They support PETA, advocate for dogs and cats, and show extreme sympathy for animals until they're served on the dining table as dishes like ghost (a type of kebab), nargisi kofta, or kebabs, at which point they become celebrated culinary achievements. Hindu deities can be mocked and ridiculed, but criticizing any other God is considered intolerant. When asked about their objections to government schemes under the BJP rule, they often respond with judgment rather than specific critiques. Supporting the BJP is met with accusations of inhumanity, corruption, Nazism, greed, and even terrorism. Despite witnessing their passionate disdain, you hope it's a passing phase. As a reasonable human who values discussion, you persist with questions, seeking data, facts, and numbers on policies such as Sharia law, the triple talaq law, Article 370, and the Places of Worship Act. However, over the past decade, I've encountered few leftists willing to engage with concrete information. Instead, I've been met with harsh judgment and intense animosity toward my beliefs and identity. Consequence 3: Unchecked extreme left extremism fosters judgment, anger, and hatred by rejecting dialogue based on facts and figures. Having opinions about complex issues without a full understanding, background, and facts may be fine for living room conversations, but taking these uninformed opinions outside and organizing mass protests based on them is dangerous. It transforms naive, ill-informed thoughts into self-righteous ideology. Just as one bad apple spoils the bunch, one person can rally millions who are looking for a cause to fill the void in their lives, leading them to embrace and spread misguided beliefs. One of the symptoms of this virus attack of leftism is this sense of extreme self-righteousness which is the conviction of one's moral superiority and the unshakeable belief in one's own righteousness, making it highly detrimental. It leads to close-mindedness, and fosters hypocrisy and a lack of compassion, hindering empathy and resisting change or new ideas. This mindset not only hinders personal and collective growth but over mdi to long term it leads to bringing down the level of public discourse where there is no respect for truth or facts, the only space it allows is for emotion which comes from a pre conceived notion. It is very similar to a crying baby who feels that you need to listen to me because I am crying and it is your duty to pacify me. When adults behave like kids you can’t help but think these are kids who have grown up to be brats, a result of bad parenting. I've often felt that the more leftist an adult’s views are, the more they are struggling with their own personal unacknowledged failures. Their inability to look into the mirror at their own reality is what is getting shrouded as the hypocrisy of supporting these mass movements that they have little understanding or knowledge of. Just like their own lives they lack the courage to face the truth. I often say "Give me a rascal over a self-righteous person any day. At least the former has the courage to be true to themselves, whereas the latter is a coward and a liar. What we are seeing happen is described very well by the quote: “The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence.” ― Charles Bukowski (The antidote for the virus of extreme leftism is for unaffected individuals to voice their opinions. Promote discourse grounded in facts and data, where all ideas are welcomed without preconceived biases or judgments, and where courage in speaking and accepting the truth is respected.)

Extreme leftism is spreading rapidly, impacting global discourse, supporting misguided movements, and fostering judgment and hatred by rejecting fact-based dialogue.

The Perilous Threat of Extreme Leftism

Dr. Alon Ben-Meir *
With the best of intentions, President Biden allowed his unwavering commitment to Israel’s security to not only prolong the tragically horrific war in Gaza and severely taint America’s international moral standing, but also potentially miss a historic opportunity to help bring the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to a close
New York (The Hawk): I share the overall view of the 12 US government officials who have resigned in protest against the Biden administration’s policy in connection with the Israel-Hamas war. They wrote in their joint statement, titled Service in Dissent, that “America’s diplomatic cover for, and continuous flow of arms to Israel has ensured our undeniable complicity in the killings and forced starvation of a besieged Palestinian population in Gaza. This is not only morally reprehensible and in clear violation of international humanitarian law and US laws, but it has also put a target on America’s back.” I have supported Israel’s right to defend itself as well as the Biden administration’s support of Israel’s war efforts, standing by the US's iron-clad commitment to Israel’s security by providing it with all necessary military aid and political cover. I have stated time and again that Hamas’s unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack and Israel’s unparalleled retaliation have reinforced my own view, which I share with many others, that there will be no resolution to the 76-year-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict short of a two-state solution. I still hold to the position that it will be impossible to return to the status quo that prevailed before October 7, as a new paradigm was created that offered the inimitable opportunity to recommence the peace negotiations that could lead to a two-state solution. Personally, I was in favor of crippling Hamas militarily. Still, I have also repeatedly stated that while Israel may be able to crush Hamas militarily, it will be unable to destroy it as a political movement that holds a specific ideology that calls for Israel’s destruction. However, I have never subscribed to the notion that Hamas will ever be in a position to extinguish Israel for many reasons, including the fact that Hamas leaders know only too well that Israel is a formidable military power whose existence is irrevocable. The war has made it clear that challenging Israel's right to exist is tantamount to suicide. President Biden was the first global leader to affirm that, given the new developing circumstances, a two-state solution is a prerequisite to end this endemic conflict. As the war continued to grind on and as the Palestinians’ death toll and destruction were mounting, and Prime Minister Netanyahu categorically refused to even mention any solution along the lines of an independent state, the whole idea of a two-state solution was dropped from Biden's lexicon. But the flow of weapons to Israel, if anything, was increasing without any preconditions. Moreover, the US vetoed two UNSC resolutions that called for a ceasefire while food, water, fuel, and medical supplies were dwindling, and the displacement of Palestinians by the hundreds of thousands continued unabated. Meanwhile, Israel’s relentless bombing using American-made bombs, which were killing thousands in densely populated areas, made the US complicit in the horrific carnage. By now, more than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed, and more than half of Gaza lies in ruin. I mentioned the above because the US is the only power that can exert the necessary influence to prevail over Netanyahu’s resistance to a) articulate an exit strategy from Gaza, and b) agree to begin a negotiating process that will culminate in ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Regardless of its complexity and how long that might take, there is no other viable solution, and the US ought not to merely make statements about the need for such an outcome but act on it. This is an election year, and the Gaza war has exerted a tremendous burden on Biden because of the conflicting situation in which he finds himself. On the one hand, he feels compelled to come to Israel's assistance not only because of the US’ long-standing commitment but also because he has been a staunch supporter of Israel throughout his political career. On the other hand, even though he was inclined to slow the supplies of weapons by halting the delivery of 2,000 bombs that caused incalculable damage, especially in urban areas, the Republicans accuse him of risking Israel's security at such a fateful hour. It is time for Biden to act more decisively to help bring an end to the Israeli-Hamas war by taking four critical measures: Conditional supplies of weapons Notwithstanding the aforementioned, Biden must now condition any further supplies of American weapons to Israel on an exit strategy upon which both Israel and the US agree.   Netanyahu will no doubt resist, fearing the collapse of his government, which two messianic ministers, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, threaten to leave unless there is a total defeat of Hamas. Nevertheless, should Netanyahu fail to agree to any such plan, Biden ought to make it abundantly clear when he meets with Netanyahu on July 24 that he will no longer be able to count on the US's unconditional military and political support. Ceasefire Biden has already advanced a comprehensive plan that could lead to immediate cessation of hostilities involving an initial six-week ceasefire and the release of hostages in the first phase. Humanitarian aid should be allowed to flow into Gaza to avert further starvation, if not famine, while allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes. The second phase would involve permanent ceasefire negotiations. Here, where Biden has indicated that there will be details to iron out, I have stated in the past that the negotiations in the second phase must, at a minimum, address the general parameters of a permanent solution that involves addressing the root causes of the conflict, tackling issues such as the blockade of Gaza, settlement expansion, and the broader Israeli-Palestinian peace process.  Reconstruction of Gaza Even before reaching a permanent ceasefire, the US should raise $10 billion, along with some European and Arab states, to begin the reconstruction of Gaza. The prerequisites here are that Hamas and the PA must come to terms with one another and that both sides commit to a peaceful solution to their conflict with Israel. The provision and delivery of essential supplies should be managed by UNRWA, as it has extensive experience in the area, provided that it is supervised by parties that Israel can trust, such as the US and perhaps some European countries. This would help alleviate the humanitarian crisis and build trust between the parties.  Mediation and Negotiations Biden's administration should continue to work with regional partners, especially Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, to facilitate dialogue between Israel and Hamas. Not only can these parties aim to ensure that Hamas adheres to negotiated ceasefire agreements, which is crucial, they can also encourage Hamas to come to terms with Israel's existence. In that regard, these states can also work, in conjunction with China’s new effort to mediate between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, toward reconciliation between the two factions. This will be central to the creation of a newly-elected Palestinian government that will be in charge of both Gaza and the West Bank and that recognizes Israel’s statehood, which is in line with the PA’s position since the 1993 Oslo Accords.  The above represents the critically important four measures that Biden must pursue, albeit not to the exclusion of other vital steps. Indeed, much remains to further mobilize the international community to support such a general framework. It is urgent to engage allies in the European Union and the Arab League, especially Saudi Arabia, which can play a pivotal role in enticing both Israel, through the normalization of relations, and the newly-elected Palestinian government, by funding essential projects in the West Bank and Gaza. Such efforts will create a unified front, encouraging Israel and Palestinians to commit to reconciliation and peace.  Given the US's unsurpassed position and influence, Biden still has a unique opportunity to change the dynamic of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and use the tragedy of the Gaza war to promote Israeli-Palestinian peace. His unequivocal support of Israel thus far has raised serious questions about the US’ moral standing while inadvertently prolonging the Gaza war with all of its horrific consequences.  It is not too late to change course; even if Biden fails, he can justifiably claim that he has genuinely tried.
*Dr. Alon Ben-Meir is a retired professor of international relations at the Center for Global Affairs at NYU. He teaches courses on international negotiation and Middle Eastern studies.

I share the overall view of the 12 US government officials who have resigned in protest against the Biden administration’s policy

Biden’s Inadvertent Contribution To The Unfolding Horror In Gaza

The term "Left" in politics dates back to the 1790s when, during the French Revolution, socialist representatives sat to the presiding officer's left in the revolutionary parliament. These individuals represented the Leftist ideology, advocating for the interests of the working class and opposing the elites, wealthy, and aristocracy. They leaned towards socialism, with the more radical Leftists favouring communism. On the other hand, those seated to the right of the presiding officer, the nobles or aristocrats, came to represent the right-wing ideology, which upheld authority, tradition, and capitalism with minimal government intervention. In 1992, I first stepped into Jawaharlal Nehru University to visit a cousin who had enrolled in a French degree program. At 17, I was all for rejecting aristocracy and tradition, standing firmly with the working class. Though I never equated my stance with communism or socialism, I didn't fully understand the connection between economic models and political ideologies at that time. What was extremely refreshing about the campus atmosphere was the environment where elite professors and academicians mingled freely with students from poor and backward areas of India, creating a space without class divides. It was my first experience in India where a person wasn't judged based on their family background, wealth, or social status. Everyone was treated as an equal and given a chance at higher education, including the opportunity to prepare for careers in bureaucracy and other government services, which were the most popular choices for JNU students in those days. While pursuing my engineering degree at Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh, I frequently visited JNU over the years and eventually lived there while working for companies like HCL and GE until 2012. However, I discovered many contradictions to the initial impression of JNU being a place that treats people of all backgrounds equally. The façade of equality had a carefully and craftily woven bias that was pre-set. From caste and economic background to connections in bureaucracy and politics, and to those who could enable scholarships or grants for foreign tours, the deceit was slyly disguised as a philosophy of egalitarianism. The scenario where PhD students constantly seek professors' approvals, even performing tasks like buying groceries and acting as unpaid research assistants, was deemed acceptable. Ironically, these professors never hesitated to mention their own children's salaries as research assistants at prestigious institutions like Oxford, Berkeley, or Howard. They firmly believe their children deserve compensation, yet they advocate socialism and communism in public discourse. Furthermore, it's common to see these professors traveling twice yearly to the U.S., Europe, or the U.K. for lectures, seminars, or visits with their children. I have longed believed in the saying that never go by what a person says go by what they do. So clearly applying this adage to the JNU academicians most of them were extremely hypocritical. While lauding Marx, Lenin, CPI &amp; CPM and aligning to Congress to secure grants and VC positions they were making the most of socialism at home and capitalism abroad.  So the question is why did learned intelligent people like the JNU professors choose leftism as a political ideology but capitalism as their own personal economic philosophy. Well the answer is simple leftism doesn’t lead to wealth creation for all and they knew it all along. The only equality is economic equality. As long as you are not economically equal to your neighbour you will always be seen as the lesser one. And while there is nothing wrong in an individual in wanting wealth for himself and his children and family what is wrong is pretending to be a Gandhian while relishing all the good things of life that capitalism brings. The only way you can do that is by being a hypocrite. Say one do another.  The reality is that the class divide at JNU was so deeply ingrained in its culture and foundation that it became an accepted norm. This created a situation where living a double life was the only viable option. The prevailing mantra was to publicly oppose capitalism while quietly reaping its benefits from both sides. Meanwhile, students from underprivileged backgrounds languished in hostels, often finding university life preferable to their own homes, all while being enticed with promises of education, principles, and revolution. Behind the scenes, academics and their families prospered from economic opportunities in markets that thrived in places like the US, Europe, and the UK from 1950s’ onwards. There is a famous quote by Steve jobs that says “Stay hungry, Stay foolish”, while that is classic coming from the GURU of capitalism, alter it to “Keep them hungry, Keep them foolish” and that pretty much summarizes the vision the leftist, elite academicians and politicians had for the students of JNU.

Explore the origins of Leftist ideology, experiences at JNU, and the stark contrast between academic ideals and real-life hypocrisy, highlighting the ongoing debate between socialism and capitalism.

The Dichotomy of Ideologies: Leftism and Capitalism at JNU

Dr. Alon Ben-Meir*
The election of the reformist Masoud Pezeshkian as Iran’s president augurs well for the Iranian people and for relations between the West and Iran. With the best intentions, Pezeshkian may not be able to deliver on all his foreign and domestic agenda; nevertheless, it serves the US’ and Israel’s interests to give him every opportunity to succeed
New York (The Hawk): The victory of reformist Masoud Pezeshkian in Iran's presidential runoff election should not have surprised many observers of the Iranian political scene. President-elect Pezeshkian is well-known for his progressive ideas on domestic and foreign relations. He knows that he rose to power at a pivotal time in his country’s domestic and foreign state of affairs. Given the domestic cynicism, lack of trust in any government, and the opposition of ultra-conservatives to any reformist, he is fully aware of the uphill battle he will have to wage, for which he needs the support of Khamenei to succeed. Finally, he recognizes that fixing the economy, which is in dire straits and directly linked to the sanctions imposed by the West due to the impasse over Iran’s nuclear program, needs to be on top of his agenda because of its immediate implications domestically and in relations with the West. It is true that the role of any Iranian president essentially is to carry out Ayatollah Khamenei’s orders with limited leeway in implementing a socio-economic agenda. The fact that Pezeshkian was tightly vetted by the Guardian Council and was still allowed to run despite his reformist stances suggests that Khamenei will give him more room to maneuver for two reasons. First, Khamenei desperately needs to assuage the public’s outcry about the harsh socio-economic condition in the country, which Pezeshkian promised to make his top priority to improve. Second, Pezeshkian’s election will signal that Iran will be more amenable to mending its relations with the West and prevent putting the country once again on a collision course with the US and Israel, reduce regional tension, and open the door for a constructive dialogue which ultimately serves Iran’s economic and political interests. Had Pezeshkian’s hardline rival Saeed Jalili won the election, Iran could have instead become even more determined to strengthen its military capabilities and aggressive posture while further bolstering the forces of its ’axis of resistance,’ Hezbollah and the Houthis, and replenish Hamas’ crippled military capability should it manage to reconstitute itself in Gaza. Iran would have also continued more aggressively to seek regional hegemony, further strengthening its relations with Russia and China and advancing its nuclear threshold to become a nuclear power. Many reasons warrant some optimism about Pezeshkian's victory, not only because of what he said and promised to do but also because many prominent Iranian politicians have openly expressed such optimism based on their knowledge and experience with Pezeshkian, both as a former member of Parliament and former Minister of Health. Former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who served under the Rouhani government, campaigned for him and said the choice was between “day and night.” Another prominent politician, Ali Akbar Behmanesh, a reformist and head of Pezeshkian’s campaign in the province of Mazandaran, posted on X, “The end of the rule of the minority over the majority. Congratulations for the victory of wisdom over ignorance.” Saying as much publicly strengthens the argument that Khamenei tacitly supports and approves of what is expected from Pezeshkian. It is still legitimate to doubt Pezeshkian's ability to move quickly and unimpeded to implement his aggressive domestic agenda and improve Iran’s relations with the West, chiefly the US. Nevertheless, the United States needs a new strategy to encourage Pezeshkian to move in the desired direction. Behind the scenes, the US should convey its willingness to work with the new president, assuring that any measure of moderation he takes will be fully and correspondingly reciprocated. Pezeshkian can demonstrate that Iran is ready to change course and constructively become a more moderate player in three areas. First, Pezeshkian should signal that Iran is ready to resume its indirect negotiations with the US over its nuclear program. The new Iranian president will find the US more receptive to such openings, mainly because it is an election year in the US. Any improvement in the bilateral relations between the two countries will be welcome. Both sides are vested in improving the relationship. For the US, it is a win-win because regardless of the progress or lack thereof in the negotiation, it will not worsen. For Iran, any discernable progress in the talks could translate to lifting some of the sanctions, which is essential. The public is eagerly awaiting some relief from the horrendous economic hardship they have been experiencing for years. Any appreciable progress in this area will bolster Pezeshkian's standing and enable him to be more flexible in addressing other issues, such as the outcry of women against the mandatory wearing of the hijab, a law he supports relaxing. Second, given the substantial influence that Iran exerts on Hezbollah and the likelihood that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could potentially be consummated, Pezeshkian is in an improved position to lean heavily on Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader, to lower the tension with Israel by substantially reducing the trading of cross-border fire to prevent an all-out war with Israel, which Iran wants to avoid by any means it can. The violence would end entirely as soon as an agreement on the ceasefire is reached; in any case, Nasrallah has already stated that he would. This would allow the more than 70,000 Israelis who left their villages and towns along the Lebanese border to return home after a painful eight months of being displaced. Third, to demonstrate further willingness to calm the tension in the region, Pezeshkian is undoubtedly in a position to demand that the Houthis in Yemen desist from firing missiles and drones to disrupt commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Iran is the leading supplier of such weapons, and it is within the prerogative of the president to halt any future shipments. This will go a long way to assuage the Biden administration's concerns, especially at this juncture when President Biden needs to focus on the campaign and not be constantly distracted by the mounting tension in the Middle East. The Biden administration should take several necessary steps to facilitate Pezeshkian's taking such moderating measures. To begin with, as soon as the negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program recommence, Biden should instruct his negotiating team to show some flexibility that would allow Pezeshkian to take some credit for his initiative and develop interest-based negotiating positions by identifying specific areas from which both sides can mutually benefit and on which they can build further progress. Second, President Biden must make it clear to Netanyahu (when he meets him on July 24) that a) under no circumstances should he publicly criticize the resumption of the nuclear negotiations, and b) he must not allow any targeted assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists or high-level military commanders, regardless of how tempting the target may be. Indeed, any provocation by Netanyahu will cause tremendous consternation throughout the Iranian military and civilian apparatus, making it impossible for Pezeshkian to show any flexibility or take any initiative along the lines above. I do not suggest that Iran will change its stripes overnight because of reformist President-elect Pezeshkian's election. I do believe, however, that his election provides a new opportunity to dramatically reduce regional tension and avert another war. President-elect Pezeshkian should be given every chance to succeed. The potential gains for the US and Israel will far outweigh the risks.
*Dr. Alon Ben-Meir is a retired professor of international relations at the Center for Global Affairs at NYU. He teaches courses on international negotiation and Middle Eastern studies.

The victory of reformist Masoud Pezeshkian in Iran's presidential runoff election should not have surprised many observers of the Iranian political scene

Cooperating With Iran’s President-Elect Pezeshkian Will Far Outweigh The Risks

The words uttered by Leader of Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi on July 1, 2024 inside the Parliament are not just the utterances of an immature 54-year-old man trying to be a politician. The plot behind the words of Mr. Gandhi is much more sinister and grave than that. These are not his words in fact are the words of the mindset that was rooted in this country way back in 1920s’. Let’s look at some of the significant events of those times. In 1919, the Khilafat Movement was a political campaign launched by Indian Muslims in British India over British policies towards the last Sultan of Ottoman empire after World war I. Khilafat meetings in Malabar region of Southern India in 1921 fueled communal sentiments among the Moplahs (the Muslim tenants inhabiting the Malabar region where most of the landlords were Hindus), leading to Moplah Rebellion. The Moplah rebellion of 1921 was marked by extensive anti-Hindu violence, resulting in the massacre of over 10,000 and forced expulsion of 1,00,000 Hindus, destruction of over 2,000 temples, and countless forced conversions.  The so-called “Bapu” or the father of the nation at that time who everyone was looking to seek direction in the aftermath of such a tragedy responded by saying that “The Moplahs were right in presenting the Koran or sword to the Hindus. And if the Hindus became Mussalmans to save themselves from death, it was a voluntary change of faith and not forcible conversion.” On December 23, 1926, Abdul Rashid, a Muslim assassin, killed Swami Shraddhananda, a leader of the Arya Samaj, while he was praying. Shraddhananda had initiated a program to reconvert Malkana Rajputs to Hinduism, bringing him into conflict with Muslim clergy.  After the assassination, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi controversially referred to Rashid as "brother" and did not blame him for the murder, instead holding those who incited hatred responsible. He said “If you hold dear the memory of Swami Shraddhanandji, you would help in purging the atmosphere of mutual hatred and calumny. Now you will perhaps understand why I have called Abdul Rashid a brother, and I repeat it. I do not even regard him as guilty of Swamiji’s murder. Guilty indeed are all those who excited feelings of hatred against one another.”  It is important to understand the significance of the timing of these two incidents and how it impacted the psyche of a common Indian. The 1920s in India was a time of profound transformation, where the environment was fertile for the blossoming of new ideas and narratives. This era, characterized by the struggle against British rule and the quest for self-identity, witnessed a surge in revolutionary fervour and cultural renaissance. The introduction of new technologies such as trams and silent films further fuelled this dynamic period of change. Amidst this backdrop, the nation was a crucible of innovation and ideological shifts, setting the stage for a new era of independence and self-discovery. Hence, it was an opportune moment for influential figures and storytellers like Gandhi to shape the emerging narrative. Through his speeches and actions, Gandhi was acutely aware that he was establishing the framework and standards that would endure for generations. It was a pivotal time to rewrite the history of the nation.  If you examine Gandhi's words regarding both incidents, it's evident that he was establishing an expectation for Hindus to remain passive and submissive. Regardless of the extent of unprovoked violence they faced, they were not to raise an eyebrow, flinch, or complain. Gandhi took it upon himself to equate being a Hindu equivalent to being nonviolent. He said “If I were asked to define the Hindu creed, I should simply say: Search after truth through non-violent means”. Paradoxically while Gandhi kept perpetuating “Ahimsa Paramo Dharma” an incomplete verse picked from Mahabharata to push his narrative. While in Mahabharata Lord Krishna talked about “Ahimsa Paramo Dharma. Dharma Himsa Tathaiva Cha.” This means that non-violence is the greatest duty, so too is all righteous violence. Lord Krishna taught Arjuna that as a Kshatriya, it is his duty to fight, even if it means confronting and potentially killing his own family in battle. He instructed Arjuna to control his mind, advising him not to become attached to the outcomes or emotional turmoil, but instead to remain steadfast in his commitment and take decisive action.  When you examine the narrative forced upon the Indian and Hindu psyche in the 1920s, it becomes clear why Rahul Gandhi, in 2024, feels such angst and rancour, repeatedly ranting about "Hindu violence." His perspective and representation are shaped by the same narrative where Bapu taught the average Hindu that their only duty is to be subservient. Imagine how challenging it is for Rahul Gandhi to accept a Hindu, Narendra Modi, becoming Prime Minister for the third time. For him, just being the PM is an act of violence. By merely existing, Hindus are perceived as victimizing the minority. An ecosystem that remained silent in the face of mass Hindu genocides, celebrated the perpetrators of violence against them, and propagated this narrative for over 100 years is now bound to feel extremely frustrated and helpless.  One of the biggest lessons of history is to learn from it. If we want to learn from what all happened after 1920s’ when mere mortals were allowed to wrongfully shape religious identities for personal gains, then we know this time around we don’t allow the same to happen. Hindu identity is much bigger and broader and profound to be shaped by a uni-dimensional concept like violence or non-violence. Gita teaches us the sense of duty and staying true to that. Our sense of duty is to send a clear message to parliamentarians like Rahul Gandhi that you are on tax-payers money in the parliament today to not to try and become another story teller and shape narratives.

Rahul Gandhi's Parliament remarks echo deep-rooted historical tensions from the 1920s, reflecting on Gandhi's non-violence ideology and its impact on Hindu identity today.

Promoting Hindu phobia is a Part of Greater Conspiracy

By Shammi Duggal  Born in 1975 to a middle-class family in Punjab, I grew up in an environment that aspired to everything Western. We attended English medium schools, spoke in English, read English classics, and surrounded ourselves with English clubs and crockery.   As a child, I distinctly remember looking up at my family members who lived in the West. Shows like The Lucy Show and Different Strokes, as well as the Grammys, Michael Jackson, and Madonna, were our role models. The glamour of the American lifestyle, where the middle class was empowered to be assertive, free, and expressive, was intoxicating.   Back home, Indian-ness seemed very confusing. There was a Pundit on DD's Discovery of India, holding a rose and speaking in a very British manner about his passion for India. Then there was a lot of talk about so-called “the father of the nation'', portraying a weak and feeble personality, with a stick in his hand, preaching "If an enemy strikes your left cheek, offer him your right."   The child in me rejected the idea of a weak father. Yet the sense of duty and the lack of courage and clarity kept me confused for a very long time. Why did an English speaking, very British seeming lover of Lady Mountbatten become the Prime Minister and earned the power, luxury and the respect that comes with it? And why did the father get only a dhoti and a stick? A man who did not look after his own children and wife was made the father of the most ancient civilization. These questions kept haunting me.   I rejected this idea of a father deep inside me. Glued to Enid Blyton then moving to Nancy Drew and graduating to Ayn Rand. While physically I was in India my head and heart could never find anything common between what I wanted to stand for or what came naturally to me to admire and gravitate towards and what I found in India.   It's often said that children have an innate sense for truth within their families. Even when adults withhold it, the atmosphere, unspoken tensions, visible ironies, and unacknowledged issues are palpable and understood, communicated not through words but through an unspoken language of emotions and perceptions. As a child of Mother India I realised soon in our society hypocrisy and double standard is prevailing. And while at that stage I wasn’t dedicated to exploring truth as I devoted myself to my career and studies. But the nagging feeling that all is not right never left me.  As a young management executive I saw a lot of growth working for US companies while living in Delhi. The Lutyen media outlets were my source of truth to understand the world around me. The political scene was fraught with corruption and instability with scams and riots and terrorist attacks rampant. Modi and Shah were the villains destroying the Ganga-Yamuna tehzeeb of India. Teesta Setalvad was the tormented woman lawyer who was the messiah of human rights representing the fight against everything wrong in India.   Yet, nothing seemed to fit into its place. Modi and Shah the villains managed to bring so much development to Gujarat. The BIMARU states were home to the most corrupt governments with the self-proclaimed secular parties engaged in never ending greed of cleaning out the state coffers. The Congress at the centre under the leadership of a mute but extremely cunning leadership seemed so deceitful.   Brain drain and exodus of the best and the brightest was extremely high. I graduated from Engineering in 1997. Not even 10% of my batch mates were in India within a span of 10 years of passing out. The United States, Europe, Australia or Canada were the chosen destinations. People like me who ended up staying because of a variety of other reasons were increasingly feeling defeated by having made the choice to stay back. As I said nothing seemed to fit. The hypocrisy and the lies I had always sensed in the ecosystem continue to pervade more and more and made me so ill at ease with the country and place and culture I called home.   I distinctly remember the first video of a freelance right wing journalist I watched. I can never forget that moment. The year was 2014 and I was riveted. The next couple of hours I searched every possible talk of his and heard each one of them. I have never been the same since. It finally all made sense.   And this is what I realised. The idea of India that was propagated by so called liberals and secularists was a lie. The strategy was simple. The best way to destroy a civilization is to teach them to be ashamed of themselves. Write history such that none of their own are made to look like heroes. Instil a deep sense of inferiority and a sense of defeatism where anyone who still has any brains left chooses to run away. The ones that are left behind continue to live in a slavery mindset which was a second habit as that is what they had known from 200 years of colonization and a sense of inertia and ennui pervaded.   It was liberating to finally accept my discomfort with viewing a politician as the father of our great nation. I felt an immense relief unburdening myself of a figure who, in my eyes, embodied weakness and made me feel ashamed of my heritage. I rejected a father who instilled self-pity and instead embraced the legacy of Subhash Chandra Bose and Veer Savarkar. These were the true heroes who taught me to stand up for myself and fight for what is rightfully mine.   While we believe India gained independence in 1947, it never truly did. The transfer of power in 1947 by the British to their stooges, was merely a facade. One family who mostly produced deeply troubled and unhappy narcissistic leaders, saw it as their birthright to rule over India. They treated the country like their personal backyard, running it autocratically.   Finally, the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that no adult ever helped me with as a child, that no media in print or TV ever honestly and factually helped me put together, had finally been assembled for me by an independent retired freelance journalist.   Once the cloud of gas lighting lifted, I found the real heroes and made peace with my roots and my motherland, India. The voices of Veer Savarkar, Shivaji, Sardar Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose , and the cries of millions subjected to emergency rule resonated with me. The ghosts of millions of Indians massacred in the name of secularism and tolerance, the deceit behind it, the racism, the divide-and-rule strategy, and the systemic impoverishment brought the light of clarity and with it came back the confidence and pride that was always mine to have been born in such a rich and old civilization, but was denied to me.   In my mind, India became truly independent when Article 370 was removed. That was the moment when India, or Bharat, felt independent. I felt a sense of pride and belonging, realizing this was my nation.   Life, however, had different plans for me. Just as I felt closer to my roots and proud of where I came from, I happened to move to Sydney. Once you have felt Bharat in your blood you always remain Bharatiya. I can leave India but India can never leave me now. The essence of being truly Bharitya is also the essence of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' which means 'world is one family. ' This very notion of considering the world as one family, also instilled in me with the sense of responsibility of 'One Earth'. And as I live in Australia which is my Karma-Bhumi I continue to draw my essence from my Janm-Bhoomi Bharat.   (Author has worked at senior positions with renowned corporate houses and writes about nationalism and the right wing in India. Currently lives in Sydney, Australia)

Raised in 1970s Punjab amidst Western influences, I navigated cultural dissonance and political hypocrisies to rediscover pride in my Indian heritage and identity.

My Realisation of Real Bharat

Dr. Alon Ben-Meir*
If you are planning to watch the Biden-Trump debate this Thursday, June 27, please keep in mind two things: their record and their truthfulness. One of the two men will be the next President of the United States. Which of the two will you trust to protect and preserve all that this country stands for: Democracy, Freedom, Equality, and Justice, and where no one is above the law?
New York (The Hawk): Throughout my career as a professor and columnist, I have and continue to adhere to one principle: I govern myself based on what I consider factual and morally justifiable. Over the years, I have supported many conservative and liberal policies and found no contradictions in my approach precisely because the validity and the humanitarian justification of the issues involved mattered the most, regardless of whether they were embraced by liberals or conservatives. I have voted in the past for Republican and Democrat presidents, and my decision was always based on the realism of the policies they have advocated, their moral standing, and their record of achievements and failures. I must admit that I am extremely concerned about this year’s presidential election because so much is at stake. America’s very future as the leading democracy that offers an example to the whole world of its unsurpassed achievements in just about every field of endeavor, stands at a perilous crossroads. Who will be elected president this fall will chart America’s future for the next generation, if not beyond that. To this end, I listed where these two men—former President Trump and President Biden—stand today and what can be expected of each if he is elected. If you plan to watch the debate on Thursday, June 27, the following is what you must remember. TRUMP’S NUMEROUS LEGAL WOES AND FELONY CONVICTIONS 1973: settled a lawsuit from the federal government for violating the Fair Housing Act over alleged racial discrimination November 2016: paid $25 million to settle lawsuits over fraud allegations by former students regarding Trump University November 2019: ordered to pay $2 million in damages for misusing Trump Foundation funds, including to further his political interests; the Foundation was ordered to be dissolved December 2019: impeached for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress (failed—48 voted guilty on Article I, 47 on Article II – 67 votes needed to convict) January-February 2021: impeached for incitement to insurrection on January 6, 2021 (failed—57 voted guilty, 67 needed for conviction) January 2023: fined $1.6 million after conviction on 17 counts, including conspiracy, criminal tax fraud, falsifying business records May 2023: civil case concluded that Trump defamed E. Jean Carroll; Carroll awarded $5 million (and while not a legal ruling, the judge stated that Trump, in fact, did rape Carroll in the 1980s) (under appeal) January 2024: second defamation case between Trump and Carroll; Carroll awarded $83.3 million (under appeal) February 16, 2024: he and Trump Organization executives made false statements “with the intent to defraud”; fined $355 million (under appeal) May 31, 2024: convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to his affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Sentencing is scheduled for July 11. ONGOING LITIGATIONS March 2021: sued by 2 Capitol Police officers for allegedly inciting the riot at the Capitol on January 6  April 2021: sued by 11 members of the House of Representatives for conspiring to prevent them from carrying out official duties on January 6  June 2023: 37 felony charges of willful retention of national-security information, obstruction of justice, withholding of documents, false statements over removal of documents from White House (Mar-a-Lago classified documents case, trial date not set)  August 2023: racketeering case in Fulton County, GA, over attempted interference in 2020 election (trial date proposed for August 2024) August 2023: 4 federal felonies in connection with his attempt to overturn the result of the 2020 election (indicted August 1, 2023; trial on hold pending SCOTUS ruling) Overall, Trump has been convicted of 34 felony counts and is currently facing 57 felony counts in two state courts and two federal districts. Bankruptcies Six of his hotels and casinos have declared bankruptcy, including three in one year—the Trump Castle Hotel &amp; Casino and Trump Plaza Associates, both in Atlantic City, NJ, and the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan. And this is what he promised to do should he be reelected: Deport over 11 million migrants; Withhold funds appropriated by Congress at his own discretion; Allow red states to prosecute anybody violating abortion bans; Pardon everyone involved in attacking the Capitol on January 6; Refuse to aid allies if he feels they aren’t paying enough for their own defense; Deploy the National Guard to cities on his whims; Fire the Attorney General if they don’t prosecute someone on his orders; Seek retribution against his “enemies;” Appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Biden; Resume construction of the border wall; Extend 2017 tax cuts; Impose a minimum 10 percent tariff on all imports; Deny Ukraine any military aid; Approve Justice Department grants only to police departments that use his preferred policies (like stop and frisk); Rescind Biden’s executive orders on diversity and racial equity; Enforce Schedule F, which allows him to fire any nonpolitical government official; Roll back environmental regulations; and Expand oil and gas drilling. BIDEN’S WIDE-RANGING ACHIEVEMENTS During his term in office, President Biden realized a plethora of social, economic, and environmental achievements, some with the support of Republicans, that made a huge difference in the lives of millions of Americans and committed to continue to improve the lives of every American relentlessly. Here is what he has achieved: Increased access to affordable healthcare; under his watch, the number of uninsured Americans decreased to a record low of 7.2 percent in the second quarter of 2023. The number of people signed up for an Obamacare (ACA) health plan increased from 12 million in 2020 to 21.3 million in 2024.  Created more jobs in the first three years of his term than under any other president in history  Inflation decreased from 9.1 percent in 2022 to 3.1 percent as of March 4  Violent crimes have decreased, with an 8.2 percent decrease nationally in 2023, according to the FBI  Established the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and, in 2023, awarded $286 million to schools for student wellness and school mental health professionals  Ended junk fees in higher education, including “loan origination” fees, college banking junk fees, automatic textbook charges  Canceled nearly $138 billion total in student loan debt for approximately 3.9 million borrowers through over two dozen executive actions; fixed Public Service Loan Forgiveness program Passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which will spend $20 billion on “climate-smart” agricultural practices to reduce carbon, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions  Issued an executive order directing the Department of Health and Human Services to review all current cannabis science and recommend whether cannabis should be reclassified to a lower Schedule per the Controlled Substances Act  Signed the CHIPS Act, which provides $50 billion to subsidize building microchip plants in the United States and fueling research and development  Brokered a de-escalation in hostilities between Congo and Rwanda  Brokered the first-ever trilateral summit between the US, Japan, and South Korea to ease hostilities and create an alliance to counter China  Launched the cancer Moonshot 2.0 to reduce cancer death rates by half over 25 years, which includes significant funding toward cancer-related research  Expanded access to telemedicine, particularly allowing telemedicine for ADHD treatment, gender-affirming care, and opioid use disorder treatment  Signed infrastructure deal for $1.2 trillion in investment into roads, bridges, airports, and more (over 40,000 projects have already been started under this law)  Strengthened consumer protections for airline passengers, including cash refunds instead of vouchers for canceled flights and clarity of airline fees. I do not believe that any fair-minded person will accept or reject all the good and bad deeds I have gathered about the two men to support my case. But, overall, this is what we are faced with today. As you watch the debate, ask yourself, who is more likely than the other to safeguard everything dear that America stood for, for two and a half centuries? The stakes cannot be higher. What we do collectively in embracing or rejecting one of these two men will have monumental implications that will affect every one of us for good or evil.
*Dr. Alon Ben-Meir is a retired professor of international relations at the Center for Global Affairs at NYU. He teaches courses on international negotiation and Middle Eastern studies.

Throughout my career as a professor and columnist, I have and continue to adhere to one principle

Why America’s Future Hangs In The Balance In November

'Dr. Alon Ben-Meir*
New York (The Hawk): The US Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Havener, recently stated that “The conclusion of this process [the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia] must be recognition between the two countries, because anything less than this does not fulfill the vision we have for a complete, free, prosperous and peaceful Europe.” The problem is that both sides need to make concessions to mitigate their differences and achieve mutual recognition. However, they must agree in advance that the purpose of the negotiating process, the ‘give-and-take,’ must lead to mutual recognition. The failure of past negotiations is primarily attributed to two aspects: first, the EU, as the mediator, did not insist on the need for reciprocal measures, especially on Serbia’s part, to advance the negotiating process. Second, as President Vucic stated repeatedly, Serbia will not recognize Kosovo, irrespective of the changing circumstances. What would it take to persuade Vucic to change his position, given that he knows full well that Kosovo's sovereignty is irrevocable? Vucic also knows that Serbia’s prospective membership with the EU, which he seeks, will be impossible unless Serbia and Kosovo recognize each other. Refusing to recognize Kosovo clashes with his interest in joining the EU. Nevertheless, he chose to stick to his principle due to some aggregating circumstances, including the objection by Russia’s Putin, with whom Vucic wants to maintain strong ties, awaiting to secure major concessions from Kosovo, a lack of concerted pressure from the EU, his sense that he has the upper hand because Kosovo needs Serbia’s recognition more than the other way around, and finally, a lack of urgency to join the EU. The Franco-German plan “Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue: Agreement on the path to normalization between Kosovo and Serbia,” presented on February 27, 2023, contains all the elements that, if implemented, would have led to mutual recognition. Although Vucic and Kurti agreed to adopt the plan, they refused to sign it. The Germans and the French stated that both sides had committed to executing the plan and that their verbal commitment was presumably sufficient. Now we know neither side made any significant move to implement any of the plan’s provisions. Since then, not only has there been no progress in the dialogue between the two countries, but the relationship has further deteriorated. In some ways, the EU leaned much heavier on Kurti than on Vucic, particularly on the fundamental issue of the municipality association, to break the impasse. Article 7 of the Franco-German plan called on “Both Parties [to] commit to establish specific arrangements and guarantees, in accordance with relevant Council of Europe instruments and by drawing on existing European experiences, to ensure an appropriate level of self-management for the Serbian community in Kosovo and ability for service provision in specific areas, including the possibility for financial support by Serbia and a direct communication channel for the Serbian community to the Government of Kosovo.” Although the Association of Serb Municipalities was agreed upon by Kosovo more than a decade ago, and Kurti committed to it verbally, he subsequently reneged, fearing that such a move was inconsistent with Kosovo’s constitution and would eventually cede the territory to Serbia. Kurti’s objection to the Association plan further strained relations with Brussels and Washington because of the way he handled many issues of concern to the Serbian community in Kosovo, including license plates, tightening the government’s grip on Serbian-majority areas, introducing the euro to replace the Serbian dinar, his deployment of heavily armed special police to the north, installing Albanian mayors in the predominantly Serbian communities who won their elections that had less than 3.5 percent turnout, and other measures which often seemed arbitrary and extremely counterproductive. As a result, the EU imposed sanctions, including banning some high-level meetings between EU and Kosovar officials, pausing EU projects, and curbing funding streams for Kosovo. Now that the EU elections are over and a new mediator will soon be appointed to restart the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, I believe that he or she ought to start afresh. First, the sanctions on Kosovo should be lifted, and a new negotiating strategy should be established based on a reciprocal negotiating process between the two countries and providing incentives to the party that demonstrates genuine willingness to cooperate. Article 2 of the German-French plan should be reintroduced as the basis for new dialogue and set the tone for the negotiation as articulated in the plan, which states: “Both Parties will be guided by the aims and principles laid down in the United Nations Charter, especially those of the sovereign equality of all States, respect for their independence, autonomy and territorial integrity, the right of self-determination, the protection of human rights, and non-discrimination.” The negotiation should commence with the Association of Serb Municipalities, which is the most critical issue. A resolution to this particular problem could pave the way for further progress on many other fronts and gradually over time advance the negotiating process toward mutual recognition. Serbia must reciprocate by not impeding Kosovo’s membership to any international organization of its choice as the association process progresses. Moreover, Serbia must agree to implement Article 1, which calls for both sides to “develop normal, good-neighborly relations with each other on the basis of equal rights.” Serbia can demonstrate that which, in any event, is necessary to reduce the tension with Kosovo and help create a conducive atmosphere for continued collaboration. Another example is if Kosovo “[formalizes] the status of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and afford[s] a strong level of protection to the Serbian religious and cultural heritage sites, in line with existing European models,” as called for in Article 7, Serbia should reciprocate by recognizing Kosovo’s “documents and national symbols, including passports, diplomas, license plates, and customs stamps,” per Article 1. Cementing such collaboration is articulated in Article 9 of the plan, which calls on “Both Parties [to] take note of the EU’s and other donors’ commitment to establishing a special investment and financial support package for joint projects of the Parties in economic development, connectivity, green transition, and other key areas [emphasis added].” “Joint projects” are particularly important as they create day-to-day encounters that further improve their neighborly relations. Since the Franco-German plan requires both sides to take equal measures to advance mutual recognition and the process of integration into the EU, the EU mediators will need to create incentives for the party that demonstrates willingness, readiness, and ability to act on the plan that calls on both sides to take measures in many areas. In the final analysis, since Kosovo wants to integrate into the EU as quickly as possible, it would be incumbent upon Kurti or his successor to fully cooperate with the EU and the US. Kurti has not shown in the past such a level of cooperation and ended up alienating the EU to the point where he ended up being sanctioned. This is a lesson Kurti should keep in mind, especially at this juncture when a new EU mediator is appointed to facilitate mutuality of recognition between Serbia and Kosovo.
*Dr. Alon Ben-Meir is a retired professor of international relations at the Center for Global Affairs at NYU. He teaches courses on international negotiation and Middle Eastern studies.

The US Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Havener, recently stated that “The conclusion of this process [the dialogue between Kosovo

Mutual Recognition Between Serbia And Kosovo: How Do We Get There?

Majestic venue for tomorrow's official swearing in ceremony of Narendra Modi as PM again --- 3rd time in a row --- plus his Council of Ministers. A visit to the spot / venue reveals the true democratic relevance of the world's largest democracy: Bharat. That Bharat naturally, confidently, assuredly, strikingly strides over all democracies in the world is fully evident in the sight of the huge all-side-sprawling dimension of the venue...Gigantic, Paramount, Past-Columbia...

Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony for his third term as PM showcases Bharat's democratic grandeur. Witness the historic event at a majestic venue.

Swearing In Here

The Winner, Loser: Both Unbelievable But True To The Core --- According to the Election Commission --- as far as the result of Lok Sabha MP election in Ayodhya comprising world-impressing Ram Temple is concerned: The BJP's Lallu Singh (right in the pic) has convincingly but gratuitously lost to Awadhesh Prasad (left in the pic) of the Samajwadi Party by over 50,000 votes. Precisely, 54,567 votes. Both "senior" personalities contested the election extremely soberly evoking no controvesy of any kind whatsoever showing utmost respect / reverance to Maryada Puroshottam Ram. The same protocol was maintained by other party contestants as well, say officials. The polling went off extremely peacefully sans any "objection" of any kind thereby denoting that the Bhagawan Ram's "strict surveillance" was tacitly maintained all through and through...When the poll results came out or declared, the outcome of course was a surprise to numerous many: BJP lost, no where-in-picture SP won by convincing margin. Obviously even today, wagging toungues are surprisingly / shockingly wonder, how come BJP lost in Ayodhya that too, defeated by, of all, the SP that was actually responsible for its persistent anti-Mandir stand. How come it has won in Ayodhya?!? That then is the saga of Ayodhya winner / loser.&nbsp;

Ayodhya Lok Sabha election: BJP's Lallu Singh lost to Samajwadi Party's Awadhesh Prasad by 54,567 votes. The election result was surprising to all.

The Winner, Loser

My fellow Indians, The biggest festival of democracy, the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, are concluding today in our nation, the Mother of Democracy. After a three-day spiritual journey in Kanniyakumari, I have just boarded the plane for Delhi. Through the day, Kashi and numerous other seats have been in the midst of voting.  My mind is filled with so many experiences and emotions... I feel a boundless flow of energy within myself. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are the first in the Amrit Kaal. I began my campaign a few months ago from Meerut, the land of the First War of Independence of 1857. Since then, I have traversed across the length and breadth of our great nation. The final rally of these elections took me to Hoshiarpur in Punjab, the land of the great Gurus and a land associated with Sant Ravidas Ji. After that, I came to Kanniyakumari, at the feet of Maa Bharti.  It is natural that the fervour of the elections was echoing in my heart and mind. The multitude of faces seen in rallies and road shows came in front of my eyes. The blessings from our Nari Shakti…the trust, the affection, all of this was a very humbling experience. My eyes were getting moist... I entered into a 'sadhana' (meditative state). And then, the heated political debates, the attacks and counter-attacks, the voices and words of accusations which are so characteristic of an election…they all vanished into a void. A sense of detachment came to grow within me...my mind became completely detached from the external world. Meditation becomes challenging amidst such huge responsibilities, but the land of Kanniyakumari and the inspiration of Swami Vivekananda made it effortless. As a candidate myself, I left my campaign in the hands of my beloved people of Kashi and came here. I am also grateful God for instilling me with these values from birth which I have cherished and tried to live up to. I was also thinking about what Swami Vivekananda must have experienced during his meditation at this very place in Kanniyakumari! A part of my meditation was spent in a similar stream of thoughts. Amidst this detachment, amidst the peace and silence, my mind was constantly thinking about the bright future of Bharat, the goals of Bharat. The rising sun at Kanniyakumari gave new heights to my thoughts, the vastness of the ocean expanded my ideas, and the expanse of the horizon continuously made me realize the unity, the Oneness, embedded in the depths of the universe. It seemed as if the observations and experiences undertaken in the lap of the Himalayas decades ago were being revived. Friends, Kanniyakumari has always been very close to my heart. The Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanniyakumari was built under the leadership of Shri Eknath Ranade ji. I had the opportunity to travel extensively with Eknath ji. During the construction of this Memorial, I had the opportunity to spend some time in Kanniyakumari as well. From Kashmir to Kanniyakumari... this is a common identity that is deeply ingrained in the heart of every citizen of the country. This is the 'Shakti Peeth' (seat of Shakti) where Maa Shakti incarnated as Kanya Kumari. At this Southern tip, Maa Shakti performed penance and waited for Bhagwan Shiva, who was residing in the Himalayas at the northernmost parts of Bharat. Kanniyakumari is the land of confluences. The sacred rivers of our country flow into different seas, and here, those very seas converge. And here, we witness another great confluence-the ideological confluence of Bharat! Here, we find the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, a grand statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar, Gandhi Mandapam, and Kamarajar Mani Mandapam. These streams of thought from these stalwarts converge here to form a confluence of national thought. This gives rise to great inspirations for nation-building. This land of Kanniyakumari gives an indelible message of unity, especially to any person who doubts Bharat's nationhood and the sense of unity. The grand statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar in Kanniyakumari seems to be looking at the expanse of Maa Bharati from the sea. His work Thirukkural is one of the crown jewels of the beautiful Tamil language. It covers every aspect of life, inspiring us to give our best for ourselves and for the nation. It was my great fortune to pay my respects to such a great figure. Friends, Swami Vivekananda once said, 'Every nation has a message to deliver, a mission to fulfil, a destiny to reach.'  For thousands of years, Bharat has been moving forward with this sense of meaningful purpose. Bharat has been a cradle of ideas for thousands of years. We have never considered what we have acquired as our personal wealth or measured it purely by economic or material parameters. Therefore, 'Idam-na-mama' (this is not mine) has become an inherent and natural part of the character of Bharat.  Bharat's welfare benefits our planet's journey to progress as well. Take the freedom movement as an example. Bharat gained independence on August 15, 1947. At that time, many countries around the world were under colonial rule. Bharat's independence journey inspired and empowered many of those countries to achieve their own freedom. That same spirit was seen decades later when the world came face to face with the once in a century COVID-19 pandemic. When concerns were raised about the poor and developing countries, Bharat's successful efforts provided courage and assistance to many nations. Today, Bharat's governance model has become an example for many countries around the world. Empowering 25 crore people to rise above poverty in just 10 years is unprecedented. Innovative practices such as Pro-People Good Governance, aspirational districts, and aspirational blocks are being discussed globally today.  To Be Continued) Our efforts, from empowering the poor to last-mile delivery, have inspired the world by prioritizing individuals standing at the last rung of society. Bharat's Digital India campaign is now an example for the entire world, showing how we can use technology to empower the poor, bring transparency, and ensure their rights. Inexpensive data in Bharat is becoming a means of social equality by ensuring the reach of information and services to the poor. The whole world is witnessing and studying the democratization of technology, and major global institutions are advising many countries to adopt elements from our model. Today, Bharat's progress and rise are not just a significant opportunity for Bharat alone, but also a historic opportunity for all our partner countries around the world. Since the success of the G-20, the world has been increasingly envisioning a bigger role for Bharat. Today, Bharat is being acknowledged as a strong and important voice of the Global South. The African Union has become a part of the G-20 group at the initiative of Bharat. This is going to be a crucial turning point for the future of African countries. Friends, The development trajectory of Bharat fills us with pride and glory, but at the same time, it also reminds the 140 crore citizens of their responsibilities. Now, without wasting a single moment, we must step forward towards greater duties and larger goals. We need to dream new dreams, convert them into reality and begin living those dreams. We must see Bharat's development in a global context, and for this, it is essential that we understand Bharat's internal capabilities. We must acknowledge Bharat's strengths, nurture them, and utilize them for the benefit of the world. In today's global scenario, Bharat's strength as a youthful nation is an opportunity from which we must not look back. The world of the 21st century is looking towards Bharat with many hopes. And we will need to make several changes to move forward in the global scenario. We also need to change our traditional thinking regarding reform. Bharat cannot limit reform to just economic reforms. We must move forward in every aspect of life towards the direction of reform. Our reforms should also align with the aspirations of a 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India) by 2047. We must also understand that reform can never be a unidimensional process for any country. Therefore, I have laid out the vision of reform, perform, and transform for the country. The responsibility of reform lies with leadership. Based on that, our bureaucracy performs, and when the people join in with the spirit of Jan Bhagidari, we witness a transformation taking place. We must make excellence the fundamental principle to make our country a 'Viksit Bharat'. We need to work quickly in all four directions: Speed, Scale, Scope, and Standards. Alongside manufacturing, we must also focus on quality and adhere to the mantra of 'zero defect-zero effect'. Friends, We should take pride in every moment that God has blessed us with birth in the land of Bharat. God has chosen us to serve Bharat and fulfil our role in our country's journey towards excellence. We must redefine our heritage in a modern way while embracing ancient values in a modern context. As a nation, we also need to reassess outdated thinking and beliefs. We need to free our society from the pressure of professional pessimists. We must remember that freedom from negativity is the first step towards achieving success. Success blossoms in the lap of positivity. My faith, devotion, and belief in the infinite and eternal power of Bharat are growing day by day. Over the past 10 years, I have seen this capability of Bharat grow even more and have experienced it firsthand. Just as we utilized the fourth and fifth decades of the 20th century to impart a new momentum to the freedom movement, we must lay the foundation for a 'Viksit Bharat' in these 25 years of the 21st century. The freedom struggle was a time that called for great sacrifices. The present times call for great and sustained contributions from everyone. Swami Vivekananda had said in 1897 that we must dedicate the next 50 years solely for the nation. Exactly 50 years after this call, Bharat gained independence in 1947. Today, we have the same golden opportunity. Let's dedicate the next 25 years solely for the nation. Our efforts will create a strong foundation for the coming generations and the coming centuries, taking Bharat to new heights. Looking at the energy and enthusiasm of the country, I can say that the goal is not far away now. Let us take swift steps...let us come together and create a Viksit Bharat.
These thoughts were penned by PM Modi on 1st June between 4:15 PM and 7 PM during his return flight from Kanniyakumari to Delhi.

The biggest festival of democracy, the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, are concluding today in our nation, the Mother of Democracy

New Sankalps From The Sadhana In Kanniyakumari

Dr. Alon Ben-Meir*
New York (The Hawk): Hamas’ October 2023 attack and Israel's massive retaliation have shredded every script that Prime Minister Netanyahu and his followers wrote in their fictitious play that portrays the Palestinians as an irredeemable foe, citing Hamas’ attack as proof to support their contentious claim. From this, they concluded that Hamas will not be allowed to reconstitute itself in Gaza, which is justified given Hamas’ obdurate existential threat to Israel, but then they stick to their old scripts and insist that no Palestinian Authority (PA) of any stripe should have a say about the future governance of Gaza. And while ruling out even the prospect of a new moderate PA to rule Gaza, Netanyahu is not saying who should or what the ultimate solution should be that can mitigate rather than further intensify the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Here, blind ideology and dubious beliefs clash head-on with reason and reality. Netanyahu, who formed a messianic government and shares his extremist partners’ burning lust to possess the whole land from the Mediterranean to the Jordan River, seems to have lost not only his way but also his soul. He placed his political fortunes ahead of his country’s future survival. Hence, regardless of how perilous it is for Israel to impose indefinite military rule in post-war Gaza, as several of his disturbed ministers demand, Netanyahu seems to be yielding to their whims. It suits him to be shielded by a monstrous government of his creation, trying to avoid the unavoidable. Still, neither time nor circumstances will accommodate his lack of courage or design. Regardless of how much longer Netanyahu can prolong the agony of not making a decision, he must face the bitter truth sooner than later. The leader of the National Unity party, Gantz, who joined the war cabinet, could not have put it more succinctly when he recently addressed Netanyahu, stating, “Personal and political considerations have begun to invade the holy of holies of Israel’s security. Prime Minister Netanyahu, the choice is in your hands. If you prioritize the national above the personal, you will find us to be partners to the battle, but if you choose the path of zealots and lead the entire country to an abyss—we will be forced to quit the government.” Gantz further committed to this view by submitting on May 30 a bill to dissolve the Knesset and hold an early election. Adding to that, Netanyahu’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has also called on Netanyahu “to make a decision and declare that Israel will not establish civilian control over the Gaza Strip.” Every keen observer of the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will agree that there is now a historic opportunity for a breakthrough to bring closure to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, albeit the road to peace is long, winding, and treacherous. How the Gaza war ends and what governing authority will be in place will shape Israel’s future for generations. Netanyahu, who does not want to resign or be forced out and craves to end the war triumphantly and leave his post as a hero, must act now. Without the prime minister’s office, he will face a commission of inquiry about how Hamas’ horrific October 7 attack took place under his watch, on top of the prospect of jail time on three criminal charges that are still pending. The question is, what can Netanyahu do, and what would it take to end the Gaza war in a manner that would meet Israel’s ultimate national objectives as well as serve the Palestinians’ best interests? It is clear that if Israel wants to emerge victorious from the war and justify the horrific cost that Israel and the Palestinians have paid, it must first prevent Hamas from ever reconstituting itself in Gaza, categorically rule out a prolonged military and administrative rule, facilitate a newly elected Palestinian Authority to assume power in Gaza, and finally, pave a clear path that leads to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Forming a new government Given the composition of the current Israeli government, which includes several messianic ministers who vehemently insist on imposing military rule in Gaza while continuing the occupation of the West Bank, Netanyahu must dissolve his government and establish a new one that supports the above general outline, prior to June 8, Gantz’s deadline for quitting the government. As Gantz stated, “A small minority took over the bridge of the Israeli ship and is sailing it toward a wall of rocks.” The new coalition government, still led by Netanyahu, would include Likud with 32 mandates, Lapid’s Yesh Atid (24), Deri’s Shas (11), Gantz’ National Unity (8), Sa’ar’s New Hope (4), and Labor (4). This coalition will have an overwhelming majority of 83 mandates in the Israeli Knesset. Potentially, Lieberman’s Yisrael Beytenu, with six mandates, could also join. Admittedly, this may well be extremely difficult to achieve, as there are many reservations on behalf of leaders of various parties, especially Yesh Atid, which has ruled out sitting in a government with Netanyahu. Nevertheless, every member of such a unity government, including Netanyahu himself, will have to show considerable flexibility and must make all the necessary compromises to meet Israel's historic fateful hour if they want to save the country, as the situation in Israel today warrants a complete departure from their old positions. If Netanyahu manages this transition, he could emerge from this dire situation with some integrity by demonstrating that he put the country’s interest above his own, which he is being accused of, and he may even earn himself a pardon for the three crimes he has been indicted for. Agree on an immediate ceasefire The government must agree on a temporary ceasefire for six weeks to achieve several critical objectives. First, facilitate the flow of food, drinking water, medicine, and fuel in quantities and speed to prevent the humanitarian crisis from becoming a complete catastrophe. Second, release as many hostages as possible, and third, make a supreme effort to provide safe passage and shelter to the more than one million Palestinians who fled to Rafah and seek to relocate to central and northern Gaza. It is a monumental task. Should Hamas refuse to accept these terms, Israel must still implement measures one and three. Prevent Hamas from ever reconstituting itself The massive sacrifices that Israel and the Palestinians have made will all be in vain unless Israel ensures that Hamas will never be allowed or able to reconstitute itself in Gaza. Israel should not agree to a permanent ceasefire until Hamas is totally defeated in Rafah and achieves that surgically to prevent collateral damage, even at the expense of risking some Israeli lives. Preventing Hamas from re-governing Gaza is not only the best outcome for Israel but also for the Palestinians who have been used, abused, and deprived of decent living for nearly 20 years under Hamas’ merciless rule. To disabuse the Palestinians of Hamas’ portrayal of the Israelis as the most vicious enemy and the cause behind their suffering, Israel must genuinely exhibit compassion and care while making it clear that it is fighting Hamas, not the Palestinian people. In the end, as David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s founder and first prime minister, stated, “The State of Israel will be judged not by its wealth, nor by its army, nor by its technology, but by its moral character and human values.” Reaching a US-Israel agreement on an end-game Israel and its most indispensable ally, the US, must agree on the endgame. It is not too early to plan for the only feasible long-term solution, which is for a newly-elected Palestinian Authority to assume power in Gaza after at least a year, to allow the Palestinians to organize politically. Both sides should also agree on an international peacekeeping force's size, composition, and duration while the PA assumes administrative responsibility. The length of the Israeli military presence in Gaza should be limited to a maximum of a year while the PA is preparing to take charge of security in full coordination with the Israeli military, which must continue beyond the withdrawal of all Israeli forces. Raising billions for the reconstruction of Gaza A major international effort led by the US and Saudi Arabia to raise billions for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Gaza must begin now, even before the war comes to an end. This will signal to the Palestinians that there is hope and that the losses and suffering they endured will end, and create a new, promising, and prosperous future. Negotiating Saudi-Israeli normalization of relations Once this process begins and to encourage Israel to embrace the above, Saudi Arabia should resume the negotiations over the normalization of relations with Israel. Although at that time, the Saudis were willing to embrace an enhanced autonomous rule for the Palestinians, short of a full-fledged independent state as an intermediate step, after the Israel-Hamas war broke out, the Saudis have now been insisting that there will be no normalization of relations with Israel unless a clear path is established that leads to a two-state solution. Israel, the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan must begin to lay the foundation for peace negotiations that lead to that end. Turkey and Qatar play a mediating role It would be an illusion to assume that after Hamas has been militarily crushed in Gaza, it will neither survive as a radical movement nor resort to terror to disrupt any prospective peace process. Turkey and Qatar, who have a special relationship with and can exert pressure on Hamas, should start a dialogue with Hamas to help them internalize the fact that Israeli-Palestinian coexistence is irreversible and there will be no Palestinian state unless the Palestinians, including Hamas, accept Israel’s unshakable reality and permanently cease violent resistance. Losing their rule over Gaza and the massive death and destruction they sustained will not be lost on Hamas. Facing a historic point of departure There is no neat way to end the Gaza war and satisfy all the players' wants and aspirations. Israel must realize that it can win a thousand battles and still lose the war. The Palestinians can lose every battle and never win a war, but still endure, rise again, and violently resist Israel's occupation and subjugation regardless of how high the price may be and how long it will take. To be sure, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will never be resolved by violence, and peaceful coexistence under a two-state offers the only sustainable solution. This is the time when leadership matters the most. Netanyahu has a historic opportunity to seize the moment and rise to the occasion if he can only muster the courage. Some will say that what I have suggested above is naïve, as Netanyahu will never change his political stripes and ideological convictions. True, knowing his background and his political position over the years, one will have to agree. But then, in his heart, Netanyahu cares deeply about Israel’s future and its place among the nations. The crisis in which he finds himself, which in part is of his own doing, may awaken him to listen to Gantz’s and Galant’s advice and face reality. This may well be Netanyahu’s last chance not only to redeem himself but also to prevent Israel from becoming a theocracy, a pariah, and an apartheid state, reviled by the community of nations and living by the sword. A state that betrayed its founder’s vision—the fulfillment of the Jews’ millennia-old dream to be free, grow, and thrive in a state of their own and become a lasting beacon of hope to all people who yearn to be free.
*Dr. Alon Ben-Meir is a retired professor of international relations at the Center for Global Affairs at NYU. He teaches courses on international negotiation and Middle Eastern studies.

Hamas’ October 2023 attack and Israel's massive retaliation have shredded every script that Prime Minister Netanyahu and his followers wrote

Netanyahu Must Abandon Blind Ideology And Face Reality

Dr. Alon Ben-Meir*
New York (The Hawk): The recent recognition of a Palestinian state by Spain, Ireland, and Norway is the latest blow to Netanyahu’s horribly misguided policy toward the Palestinians, which he pursued throughout his political career to prevent them from ever establishing their own state under his watch, as he stated time and gain. This recognition is in addition to the overwhelming majority of United Nations General Assembly member states that have recognized Palestinian statehood. In truth, none of the above should come as a surprise, as the writing was on the wall for decades, and it was only a question of time before this inevitability unfolded. The recent decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant against Netanyahu, charging him with war crimes, was another degrading rebuke of Netanyahu for his ruthlessness in the way he is conducting the Gaza war. The horrific death and destruction that has been inflicted on Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza as a result of Hamas’ October 2023 attack that resulted in the slaughter of 1,200 Israelis and the ongoing and unprecedented war against Hamas that killed 35,000 Palestinians, and the unspeakable human suffering has created a new paradigm. The establishment of a Palestinian state, which has been particularly resisted by Netanyahu for the past 16 years, has become front and center in the search for a permanent solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide could not have put it clearer when he stated: “The fact that this Israeli government, led by Netanyahu, has been so clear that it has no intention to negotiate with the Palestinian side and has been so accepting and even supportive of new illegal settlements, all that has contributed to the recognition decision. In some sense, it's a reaction to that.” The tragic dimension of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is that a majority of Israelis bought into Netanyahu’s false argument that a Palestinian state will pose an existential danger to Israel, and hence, the continuing occupation is necessary to prevent the Palestinians from realizing their aspiration for statehood. But what is the alternative to a two-state solution? After 57 years of occupation, even a fool would have concluded that the occupation is not sustainable. How much more death and destruction must both peoples endure before Netanyahu and his blindly misguided followers come to understand that if it takes a hundred more years and the deaths of a million Palestinians, they will never give up or give in on establishing a state of their own. What is further baffling is that the multitude of right-wing Israelis keep complaining about Palestinian violence. They ignore the elementary understanding that any people who have been living in servitude for decades under the harshest conditions would rise against the occupier, especially when they have a legitimate right to have their own state, enshrined by the same 1947 UNSC Resolution 194 that granted the Jews the right to establish their independent state. For 80 percent of all Israelis (those born after 1967), the occupation is a normal state of existence irrespective of the daily suffering and often inhumane mistreatment of the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, to which they have been and continue to be subjected. On January 10, 2024, I wrote: “Sadly, it took the Israel-Hamas war to awaken both sides to their tragic reality. They must now realize there will be no return to the status quo ante. The circumstances that led to the Israel-Hamas war only reinforced the inescapable requirement for a two-state solution. Simply put, there is no other viable option other than continuing the bloody conflict for decades to come.” But then, what would it take for Netanyahu and his messianic ministers, especially Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, to wake up and realize that every day that passes without a solution, not only will more Israelis and Palestinians be killed in vain, but the conflict will become ever more intractable. It will exact a mounting price in blood and treasure from both sides without any prospect of changing the inescapable requirement for a Palestinian state to reach a sustainable, peaceful coexistence. The hurdles to reaching this noble goal are massive; there is the psychological dimension to the conflict that must be mitigated, territorial claims and counterclaims, the dispute over the administration of the Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif), mutual concerns over security, the final status of Jerusalem, and more. But then, regardless of how obdurate these conflicting issues may be, they will become far more daunting and perilous short of peace based on a two-state solution. US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby recently stated: “The president still believes in the promise and the possibility of a two-state solution. He recognizes that it’s going to take a lot of hard work. It’s going to take a lot of leadership there in the region, particularly on both sides of the issue, and the United States stands firmly committed to eventually seeing that outcome.” Whereas I applaud President Biden’s position and sentiment regarding the requisite of a Palestinian state, he needs to move the needle further and warn Netanyahu that he can no longer take for granted the US position that the creation of a Palestinian state must emerge from direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. While Biden may choose, for political reasons, not to follow the footsteps of the prime ministers of Spain, Ireland, and Norway by recognizing the Palestinian state, he should, at a minimum, permit the Palestinian Authority to reestablish its mission in DC, and reopen the American consulate in East Jerusalem. That is, if Biden is truly committed to that outcome, then he must demonstrate that by taking real action on the ground. This is the time when leadership is truly needed, and no head of state worldwide can demonstrate that more at this crucial hour than President Biden to bring closer the two-state solution to reality. Surely, Biden believes in what Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated: “This recognition is not against anyone; it is not against the Israeli people. It is an act in favor of peace, justice and moral consistency.” And I might add, it is a moral imperative on which Israel itself was founded. It is time for Netanyahu to pay the price for dragging Israel into this perilous morass. But then again, he who has resisted the creation of a Palestinian state with all his might made it now more likely than ever before.
*Dr. Alon Ben-Meir is a retired professor of international relations at the Center for Global Affairs at NYU. He teaches courses on international negotiation and Middle Eastern studies.

The recent recognition of a Palestinian state by Spain, Ireland, and Norway is the latest blow to Netanyahu’s horribly misguided policy toward the Palestinians

How Netanyahu Made The Creation Of A Palestinian State Irreversiblehttps://chat.openai.com/

How Netanyahu Made The Creation Of A Palestinian State Irreversible

As the fifth round of polling for the Lok Sabha poll 2024 took place on last May 20 in various parts of the country, now only two rounds of polling are left. After the final round of polling on June 2, the nation would know who would become the prime minister of India, which political party would emerge as the single largest party and whether NDA or INDIA block to get more seats on June 4. That is the day when results of the Lok Sabha poll would be announced.  Of course, people would also be interested to know the results of key seats across the country. When we talk about key seats, we refer to those constituencies where big leaders are in the fray. For instance, seats like Varanasi ( Narendra Modi), Rai Bareilly, ( Rahul Gandhi), Amethi ( Smriti Irani), New Delhi ( Bansuri Swaraj), Lucknow ( Rajnath Singh), Nagpur ( Nitin Gadkari). Unquestionably, they are among the most VIP seats.  As now everyone is forecasting about the possible results of the Lok Sabha poll, Mumbai based acclaimed astrologer, columnist and author Dr. J.P. Trikha has also done deep research on the basis of astrology to find which party is emerging as the single largest party. Says J.P. Trikha - “ My astrological research clearly says that BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to win the largest number of seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. There should not be any debate on this matter. Therefore, the president of India would invite Mr Modi to form the government for the third time in a row.”  According to Dr. J.P. Trikha, “ The moon sign of Mr Narendra Modi is Scorpion. He was born on 17 September, 1950. He is sub-ruled by Mars. Those who are Scorpion are very intelligent and astute people with qualities to lead from the front. They are the born leaders. Modi ji has proved it time and again.” Interestingly Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden is also Scorpion. Scorpio leaders are often characterized by their determination and intensity. They are known for their assertive and strategic leadership style.  Scorpios are known for being passionate, determined, and resourceful. Scorpios are good at handling crises and overcoming challenges.  Is June 4, 2024 is an ideal date for the BJP in terms of astrology? Will it bring cheers in the faces of all those who are connected with the party? Says Dr. J.P. Trikha, “ My study says that the horoscope for June 4, 2024 would be favourable to anybody who is either holding key position in his/her office. I, however, do not see landslide victory for the NDA. I do not think BJP alone or NDA would get 400 plus seats. Further, once new government would take over, it would face plethora of issues to handle. It would not be the cakewalk for the new government. ”  Will Modi remain prime minister of the country till 2029 or quit his post after reaching the age of 75 years? Recently, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had created a political storm when he claimed that Modi ji would leave his post once he reaches the age of 75 years? Dr. Trikha, who also writes as Pandit J.P. Trikha claims that he does not see Modi leaving the coveted post before 2029. It may be recalled that Jawaharlal Nehru remained prime minister for little less than 17 years and Indira Gandhi remained prime minister for 15 years and 11 months. If Modi is looking forward to surpass Nehru's record, he needs to remain in office till June 2031.  Meanwhile, astrologers are getting so many queries related to general elections results from candidates to their supporters. It is said that during the Lok Sabha election time, astrologers work overtime to answer the queries of people. Mrs. Indira Gandhi was perhaps the first big time leader to seek the advice of astrologers. Mrs Gandhi was widely believed to consult astrologers before making any major move. It is said that once she delayed her swearing-in as prime minister to a day that her astrologer called auspicious. According to noted writer Rashid Kidwai, “ A firm believer in astrology, PV Narashmia Rao used to say his ‘janam patri’ (astrological birth chart) had a roller coaster ride essayed for him. There was a great deal of truth in his belief.”  In 1991, Rao had packed bags and was shifting to his birthplace Warangal when destiny signalled that it had something more in store for him. On May 21, 1991, the news of Rajiv Gandhi’s gruesome assassination at Sriperumbudur stunned everyone and caused a huge void in the political arena. After the death of Rajiv Gandhi, Rao became the prime minister of India.  Meanwhile, a Delhi based BJP leader says that he declined the party ticket for the last Delhi assembly poll after he was told by his astrologer after doing lot of research of his Janampatri that he should better declined the party ticket. If he fights the poll, he would be defeated. He obeys the advice of his astrologer.  Meanwhile, a big Real- estate company Chairman says that he starts his projects after consulting his astrologer. Once he gives him the nod, he moves forward. " I am surprised that people from even far-flung areas are calling me to discuss the fate of parties and leaders in respect of Lok Sabha poll. It's like flood of queries. I am sure I would get queries till June 3," said Dr. Trikha.  Meanwhile, India is perhaps the only country where apart from pollsters, journalists, political experts and common men make predictions for the poll. The predications of astrologers are considered very important. India cannot live without astrological predications.  For a while, let us talk about America.According to a report published in www.scientificamerican.com, as many as 70 million Americans read their horoscopes daily. This is a huge number. According to a study done the Pew Forum on Religion &amp; Public Life, 25 percent of Americans believed that the positions of the stars and the planets affect our daily lives. The General Social Survey found that 34 percent of Americans surveyed consider astrology to be "very" or "sort of scientific" and also reported a decrease—from two-thirds to around one-half—in the fraction of people who consider astrology "not at all scientific." That’s mind-boggling. As results for the Lok Sabha poll would be declared soon, will astrologers like Dr Trikha would also make any predication for the American presidential poll schedule to take place in the month of November ?

Lok Sabha poll 2024: With results due on June 4, astrologer Dr. J.P. Trikha predicts a BJP victory under Modi. Key VIP seats and political forecasts dominate discussions.

Result time: Who would become India’s next PM? Will NDA to form next government?

Why Not Vote?!? Why Hide? Why Be In Your Lair? Why Shying Away? How Come You Are Democratic? How Is It That You Are An Inherent Rep C/o Largest Democracy In The World? Why Is It That You Are A Non-Voter? How Do Accomplish The Fact That You Are Pro-Democracy? And That You Are In Favour Of Your Fundamental Rights As Ensconced In The Constitution? Your Answers Please To These Pressing Questions? Being Self-Claimed Bharatiya, How Are You Reconciling To The Flagrant Fact That You Are A Non-Voter And That, Yet, You Are Rep Of A Free Country Like Bharat Varsha WhereIn As Your Democratic Right, You Obviously Opt For Exercising Your Franchise Freely, Spontaneously, Automatically? How Can You Hang On / Hang Around Without Casting Your Vote + Sans "Vote Cast" Mark On Your Finger? Its indeed ominous. Sure signs of ensuing turbulence, unsettling topography writ large all over...Date of that? No idea of it as yet or is it being hidden to avert scare, chaos, lawlessness? But in either case, the actual fact will be out any moment...Then What?...To avert that, why not vote?

Explore why voting is crucial in Bharat's democracy and how non-voters affect the essence of freedom and rights. Cast your vote, make a difference!

Why Not Vote

Taporee All But, [S]he...Weird. Ironical, Paradoxical, Quixotic, Cadaverous, Cartoon-Like, Contradictory, Jingoistic, JamboreeLike, Circumspecting, Obviating, Obdurating, Obfuscating...None Of Them So? OK, Then How Come They Are Quarelling Amid Themselves All The Time Displaying No, Not Even An Iota Of, Semblance Of Any Unity Amid Them? Instead, they are quarrelsome all the time in the true fashion of "You Scratch Mine, I Scratch Yours, Result:0". Maha------- in flames. Couldn't care less? Well, Well...

Explore the ironical and paradoxical nature of groups that display continuous quarreling, contradicting any semblance of unity.

Taporee All But, [S]he

Surprising, stunning, silencing Amethiites by and large --- their numbers are fast multiplying toward 100% --- is Kishori Lal Sharma, the Congress candidate here. Within few hours of official declaration of his name as the Congress candidate, sitting Amethi MP, Smriti Irani, is dwarfed, stymied, minisculed, pushed wayward. Amethiites now assert, "Hamey Kishori Lal Hee Chaaheeye Hamara MP-Ke Roop Mein". As for Smriti Irani, she is yet to utter a word on or against Kishori Lal in her election speeches as she is a cabinet minister while Kishori Lal is "only a sort of Yes Sir / Yes Madam type as visible in TV" and that's why, she continues to dwarf Rahul Gandhi so much so that till the time of writing, he is no where near filing his nomination from Amethi leave alone campaigning, electioneering for himself in Amethi that before her was "Amethi is Rahul, Rahul is Amethi". Today, it is, Smriti Aaee, Rahul Bhaagee (not, bhaga, mind you)...Smriti Charao, Rahul Ootaaro...etc, etc, all denigrating, downgrading, dissipating Rahul Gandhi turning him in to mere non-entity, dwarflike in Amethi. Smriti Irani on the other hand is "Amethi Kee Betee 24×7". Numerous persona of Amethi --- it has repertoire of swashbuckling entities who have the adequate might to influence entire UP the way they want --- are still to digest the fact that Smriti Irani has rival against her that too, a "non-entity, unheard of, insignificant, ephemeral" rival in Kishori Sharma. Nonetheless, opine many, she is contemplated in "dwarfing Rahul" and, "driving him out of Amethi".&nbsp;

Congress's Kishori Lal Sharma rises as a prominent candidate in Amethi, challenging Smriti Irani and altering the traditional support dynamics in favor of Congress.

Smriti Dwarfs Rahul

No More Merely Defeat Them, Or, Devastate Them, Or, Demolish Them, Or, DownGrade Them, Or, Demean Them But, Just Vanquish Them...Courtesy, Unprovoked, uninitiated, unsponsored, unpatronised self-claimed, self-tomtomed, self-propelling, self-initiated, self-publicising as "for Modi" minus his assent / knowledge / consent / diktat / prompting / egging of any kind whatsoever. Vanquish Them is not Rpt not at all Modi's lingo or parlance or any where near them. Nor are: Devastate Them, Demolish Them, Or, DownGrade Them, Or, Demean Them. All these are strict "no-no" for him, 100% clear to his workers. Howsoever politically provoked, tempted, initiated, egged on they be, they are 100% required to "follow Gandhism every moment, no losing of control in any form will be tolerated at all, come what may". Subhan Allah, they blurt out, No Ism, only plagiarism extraordinaire aplenty involving George Bernard Shaw, Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, philosophers names, political scientists names, sociologists' names et al...Power is supreme, superior, superlative, not-soporofic. Power is for fiddling 24×7×365 to the crescendo...To uninterruptedly maintain, and, carry on with it, "Vanquish Them, Be Victor Like Him".

Dive into the ethos "Vanquish Them," a phrase that defies Modi's usual discourse, promoting Gandhism and maintaining control under any political temptation.

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