Trump’s invisible wall is not just for Muslims
by Rashmee
Posted on February 15, 2020 / The Arab Weekly
The virtual wall takes the United States back to a century ago, when being white was key to acquiring US citizenship. The battle to replace Donald Trump in the White House got properly under way with the Democratic Party primary election in New Hampshire, so it’s worth examining the state of Trump’s signature campaign promise … Continue reading “Trump’s invisible wall is not just for Muslims”
Read MoreWhy a small American state can have a big impact on the world
by Rashmee
Posted on February 12, 2020 / The National
The battle for the US presidency gets properly under way with Tuesday’s election in New Hampshire, a small north-eastern state, where the Democratic Party picks its preferred choice for presidential nominee. Meanwhile, two seemingly contradictory narratives are emerging. The first is that the Democratic Party is simply incapable of winning against incumbent president Donald Trump … Continue reading “Why a small American state can have a big impact on the world”
Read MoreIncarcerating jihadists ‘forever’ could run into logistical quicksand
by Rashmee
Posted on February 9, 2020 / The Arab Weekly
It’s a conundrum. There may not be a single solution to the threat of terrorists re-offending. Britain has declared a war on terrorists. It is only marginally better than US President George W. Bush’s “war on terror.” Unlike the United States, which has fought since 9/11 against an abstract noun, Britain will wage war against … Continue reading “Incarcerating jihadists ‘forever’ could run into logistical quicksand”
Read MoreWhat we can learn from the world’s greenest cities — and their kitchens
by Rashmee
Posted on February 5, 2020 / The National
This was supposed to be the year that Vancouver became the world’s “greenest city”, to quote the ambitious action plan adopted by its administrative council in 2011. On Monday, western Canada’s coastal, mountain-fringed metropolis acknowledged that it wasn’t quite there yet, when it launched a residents’ dialogue on how to “get real” about achieving its … Continue reading “What we can learn from the world’s greenest cities — and their kitchens”
Read MoreIowa caucuses show Middle East issues matter
by Rashmee
Posted on February 2, 2020 / The Arab Weekly
After the results of all 99 counties are tabulated, the Iowa caucuses are supposed to offer a clarifying moment for the United States and the wider world. On February 3, Iowa, a predominantly rural state in the American Midwest, kicks off the US presidential primary season. Across the state, Iowans will caucus, which is to … Continue reading “Iowa caucuses show Middle East issues matter”
Read MoreIowa is still unsure who it will vote for - just like the rest of the US
by Rashmee
Posted on January 28, 2020 / The National
The week before Iowa, a predominantly rural state in Midwestern United States, kicks off the presidential primary season, its rolling plains and cornfields are covered in snow and the political debate is heating up. On February 3, this overwhelmingly white and sparsely populated state of barely three million will fire the starting gun for the … Continue reading “Iowa is still unsure who it will vote for - just like the rest of the US”
Read MoreFear of the ‘other’ causes ructions in Britain and Norway
by Rashmee
Posted on January 26, 2020 / The Arab Weekly
Certain groups of people are being dehumanised and cast as the “other” because of fear. Because of that, the crime of hate is being normalised. In December, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson led his Conservative Party to a huge parliamentary majority, which gave him leeway to steer Brexit, controversial trade talks with the United States … Continue reading “Fear of the ‘other’ causes ructions in Britain and Norway”
Read MoreWhen it comes to peace, is the EU really a great power?
by Rashmee
Posted on January 21, 2020 / The National
Even before he became the European Union’s new foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, suggested that Europe should speak the “language of power”. And German foreign minister Heiko Maas called for a “strong and sovereign Europe”, which could be a bigger player on the world stage through a proposed European Security Council. It is fitting, then, … Continue reading “When it comes to peace, is the EU really a great power?”
Read MoreTrump’s threat to ruin Iraq financially has a historical parallel
by Rashmee
Posted on January 19, 2020 / The Arab Weekly
It is outrageous to expect Iraq, which has suffered the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and the destruction of its infrastructure and economy, to pay for its own occupation. When US President Donald Trump threatened to make Iraq pay for the sprawling US base west of Baghdad if it forced American troops to … Continue reading “Trump’s threat to ruin Iraq financially has a historical parallel”
Read MoreRaisina Dialogue 2020 is a nod to multi-alignment
by Rashmee
Posted on January 14, 2020 / The National
Today, exactly 11 days after the targeted US strike on Iran’s top general Qassem Suleimani, Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif will be under the same patch of New Delhi sky and talking to the same people as US deputy national security adviser Matthew Pottinger and senior US diplomat Alice Wells. That is reassuring, after fears … Continue reading “Raisina Dialogue 2020 is a nod to multi-alignment”
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Rashmee has lived and worked in several countries in the past decade, including Afghanistan, India, Haiti, Tunisia, the UAE, US and UK