I love reading Franz Kafka (1883-1924), a master story-teller. Thanks to his classic novels, The Metamorphosis and The Trial, “Kafkaesque” is now a synonym for senseless, disorienting and bizarre storylines with menacing complexity. Take The Trial, where Kafka writes about Josef K, who wakes up one morning, gets arrested, then prosecuted for an unspecified crime. Now, the real-life developments in an Italian court would easily have failed even Franz Kafka’s imagination, I bet.
Tag Archive for 'Terrorism'
Peacemaking is not a peaceful business. When Sweden hosts the international Iraq conference on May 29, this will definitely bug Carl Bildt, the Swedish foreign minister. During a recent press briefing, Bildt was asked whether representation for Iraqi opposition movements would be present at the conference. His answer: “Al-Qaeda will not be invited.” Well, no one is asking Osama bin-Laden to attend the meetings, with his beard combed. But, apparently Bildt has missed a crucial point here: peace will be a far cry in Iraq without negotiations with the Shia and Sunni militant groups active in the conflict, especially the Mahdi Army of Muqtada al-Sadr. It is high time, these groups are invited to the table.
Jihad moves to South Asia
Continue reading ‘Jihad moves to South Asia’