Europe
Stop the politics of vengeance
Aristotle defined politics as the process of solving problems through discussions among different parties without resorting to violence, for the sake of achieving a noble goal. Through countless conflicts, bloodshed and struggles, human civilisation has managed to establish a fair and beautiful democratic system. The modern European democratic system emerged out of debates and disputes, evolving from the ancient Greek model. Among all the forms of governance in the world today, democracy has proved to be the most reliable. Without a democratic environment, truly nothing else remains.
China-India relations in new world order
Everyone knows that a new world order has been formed. In this new system, the position of each country—who is forming new friendships with whom, who is supporting whom militarily and economically—is being re-shaped. For instance, the long-standing bond between Europe and the United States saw a crack, particularly after Donald Trump became President. Their relationship is now more commercial and win-win rather than cordial. Their common interest is in standing against socialism and maintaining Western influence. Beyond that, the blind support the United States had previously given to Europe, and the various benefits extended, were withdrawn by the Trump administration. This has put Europe in a somewhat difficult position, and Europe is now busy rapidly increasing its military strength. That is, it no longer wants to be fully dependent on the United States as before. As a result, alongside the United States, Russia, and China, Europe is likely to emerge as a visible military power soon.
Battles in Europe using gunpowder from Bengal
When the sun sets in the East, the Western sky is tinged with the light of dawn. Today, the Middle East trembles under Western arms; on either side of the Wagah border, foreign aircraft or drones ignite the lands of India and Pakistan. Yet, in earlier times, the soil of Europe shuddered under the weaponry of India and medieval Bengal.
A new Bangladesh through the eyes of an expatriate Bengali
I am a village boy. I grew up walking muddy paths, enduring storms and rain, and studying under the light of a hurricane lamp. A few years in the village school, then at a school in a sub-divisional (now district) town, and later at Dhaka Residential Model School and College (DRMC)—this was the path of my education. From there, I passed HSC and set off for distant Sweden. Back then, I didn’t realise how uncomfortable the simplest questions in life could make someone, and how even speaking the truth could sometimes be seen as a fault. I learnt Bengali in the village—from my mother’s mouth, from the scent of the earth. The accent may not be urban, but it is full of heart. To many, this language might seem ‘broken’, but it is in this broken language that I have been writing for the last 10 years. I know that words require not only grammar but also the essence of the heart. My language is not for paper, but for life.
Immortality, saltpetre and Bengal’s first weapon of war
His father was the ruler of Fergana in Uzbekistan. Conspirators overthrew him and seized the throne. The king was killed. The son took refuge in the remote mountains surrounded by deep forests. From there, he carried out rapid raids, capturing small caravans to gather troops and resources. Each successful attack made him stronger. Later, he regained control of Fergana. Growing even more powerful, he advanced further south. At one point, he even conquered the whole of Afghanistan. Then he set his sights on India, like a bird aiming for its prey. His dream grew bigger. With a vast army and entourage, he arrived at the banks of the Indus River. At that time, the throne of India was held by Ibrahim Lodi — a formidable emperor. Defeating him required something extraordinary. That special thing the young man had acquired from the Turks: a large iron pipe with two wheels on either side.
Half-eaten apple, world war and Alan Turing
“On the day I disappear, you will understand, from the twilight stars beyond the west, you will then inquire about me…”—just like this poem by Kazi Nazrul Islam, by the time the government of the United Kingdom admitted its mistake, it was already too late. Alan Turing, the theoretical pioneer of the modern computer, had already ended his own life over 5.5 decades before British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, in 2009, said that the UK government had made a mistake in the 1950s. “The fault lay in the UK’s judicial and legal system. As a result, one of the most brilliant individuals in our history was unjustly sentenced. For this, the UK government is ashamed and apologetic,” he said.
Iran-Israel war puts global economy at risk
From the beginning of creation to the present day, the history of the world has been soaked in the blood of Adam’s descendants. Thousands of innocent people have been sacrificed in the name of asserting one's greatness. Throughout the ages, the ruling class has been desperate to assert power or establish dominance over others. As a result, the soil of earth has been soaked with the blood of millions of innocents. Although wars are initiated by the ruling class, it is the ordinary people who lose their lives. The current history of the world is no exception. The global population has already witnessed the devastation of two world wars.
No place for independent thinking in creativity environment of Bangladesh
When thinking about the intellectual world and arts-literature of Bangladesh, many thoughts arise that I wish to write and express; but I cannot. Looking at the surrounding scenes, writing on this subject feels very difficult. It seems as if the very active people are moving through a kind of intense frenzy, almost everyone else is indifferent. No one wants to look toward anything exceptional. Is this environment conducive to creation? Where is the all-encompassing creation now in the world of thought and literature in Bangladesh?
Europe, US: A fractured relationship
The relationship between Europe and the United States traces its origins back to the battlefields of World War II. From those war-torn grounds emerged the foundations of geopolitical blocs. In the post-war world, the growing influence of the socialist bloc led by the Soviet Union heightened anxiety and sparked escalating tensions. A multi-dimensional competition took shape between the two blocs, each accusing the other of trying to destroy its internal unity. Just as American troops couldn’t establish a presence in Eastern European countries, Soviet tanks couldn’t roll into the Prussian fields due to the U.S.'s opposition. This attempt to separate the U.S. from Europe was once termed “decoupling.” What decades of Cold War hostility failed to accomplish, former U.S. President Donald Trump has moved to achieve within mere weeks.
Ask yourself once, please
Vandalism in Bangladeshi politics is nothing new. Since the 1990s, we have repeatedly witnessed destruction in various movements, demands, strikes, blockades, and protests. Over the past three decades, we have even seen fires set to moving passenger buses and trains, causing casualties. Yet, we have failed to establish a political culture free from such destruction.