Throughout the entire semester the course of War and Peace has been focused on the macro-level of war theory. This is illustrated by the paradigm discussions in Michael Doyle’s book and the statistical analysis of suicide bombing campaigns within Robert Pape and James Feldman’s novel Cutting the Fuse. Their investigations helped explain war as military operations, showing how certain decisions could effect the chance of victory and how to avoid severe casualties. But there is one component of war that they did not touch on, which is the fact that individual humans are fighting and are effected by these conflicts. Greg Mortensen’s novel Stones Into Schools: Promoting Peace Through Education in Afghanistan and Pakistan brings the human aspect back into the conversation. Using a hands-on approach through the organization he founded, the Central Asia Institute (CAI), Mortensen has aspired to bring peace to the impoverished nations of Afghanistan and Pakistan through education. His stories show how the individual lives are effected by armed conflict along with success stories of the schools he helped built. What his book does is shed some light on these individual stories while also providing information on the complex relationships active within the Afghanistan and Pakistani regions. In this paper I will examine a some of the personal narratives from within Stones Into Schools that highlight the people these schools benefitted while also using these stories as a way to better understand political relationships in the Middle East. Furthermore, I will also provide my defense of Greg Mortensen for the “scandal” he faced after a 60 Minutes exposé on him.
In the beginning of the book, specifically chapter 2, we are introduced to the char...
... middle of paper ...
...n was utilizing donations for personal expenses that might or might not have involved helping the CAI. Either way, the organization and Mortensen owned up to their mistakes and worked diligently to fix them. Just because they made some financial mistakes does not mean that there message is any less important.
In the end, Stones Into Schools is an excellent book that provides two things for the reader. First, it gives the conflict in the Middle East a human identity by describing characters that you feel an emotional connection too. Secondly, the stories in the book help illustrate the complex relationships between the locals that military personnel must navigate in order to be successful. I believe that Stones Into Schools is a must read for anyone who wants a better understanding of the value of education and the complexity of the Pakistan and Afghanistan regions.
War is the means to many ends. The ends of ruthless dictators, of land disputes, and lives – each play its part in the reasoning for war. War is controllable. It can be avoided; however, once it begins, the bat...
The book Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston explores many subjects and ideas, including our universal concept of power, our theme of justice, and events happening during World War II. Throughout the book I learned many things I did not know that have really benefited towords the way I think. From reading this book I have gained a new knowledge of this time in history and what it might mean to teenage Americans today.
For the great lesson which history imprints on the mind…is the tragic certainty that all wars gain their ultimate ends, whether great or petty, by the violation of personality, by the destruction of homes, by the paralysis of art and industry and letters…even wars entered on from high motives must rouse greed, cupidity, and blind hatred; that even in defensive warfare a people can defend its rights only by inflicting new wrongs; and that chivalrous no less than self-seeking war entails relentless destruction.
The Soviet-Afghan War changed the course of millions of lives. Samady’s father is no exception. He went from an engineering student to a person devastated by war. Without the war, he would have never endured a coma or known what it was like to live in a refugee ghetto. More importantly, he would not be the person his daughter has
Anderson, Mary. Do No Harm: How Aid Can Support Peace – Or War. Boulder: Lynne
From past, present, to future, conflict has defined history. In a world full of battles, revolutions, and seemingly random acts of evil, it is impossible to escape the reality of it all. Many of today’s great classics have been inspired by generations of conflict. Using World War II as the background for John Knowles’ novel A Separate Peace brings up the question if it is ever possible to live in a world without fear, hate and ultimately inevitable conflict. Knowles uses contrasting characters, the innate nature of humans, and contradictory symbols in order to reflect that conflict is inevitable.
As we progress though the novel, we a introduced to a variety of characters in the story like Rachel Turner
There is an average of twenty ongoing wars in the world at any given time. Some are internal civil wars, others are between nations. But the purpose of this thesis is not to report warfare, but the act of it. This includes the evolution of conventional and nuclear warfare, the potential effect of a nuclear war and why it is necessary for nations to fight war. This analysis will be based on a study of Gwyn dwyer's seven-part series, "War". The only other references used to compound this thesis will be statements from former heads of state, as corresponding to the subject of war.
protagonist throughout the book as well. Even earlier in the chapter, a reference to Edgar
The Warrior’s Honour by Michael Ignatieff conveys the harsh realities of ethnic war to the reader. It opens a window to pictures and experiences that most cannot, and do not , think of on a daily basis. Michael Igantieff has experienced there realities as he travelled around the world in his work as a journalist, and it is in this book that he shares with us his thoughts and ideas about these war torn countries. In this paper I will review the book and discuss major themes and arguments, as well as the downfall and shortcomings of it.
First, war is universal due to its violent nature, violence in its application knows no bounds, and it is the common factor that identifies the war and without it the war is nothing more than a diplomatic effort to reach the end. However, wars blow out only when the diplomacy fails. Violence is the war engine. Although the application of violence evolved through time and its severity varies according to communities, cultures, and the means and methods used. Demonstrating the violence through the application of force to subjugate the enemy is the central idea of war. “War is a clash between major interests,
McLaughlin, Greg, and Stephen Baker. The Propaganda of Peace. Bristol, UK: Intellect Ltd., 2010. Print.
I was confused upon reading the book because I expected Bhonco, who you are first introduced to, to be a main character, but apparently the first chapter dealt with a more historic perspective.
The frontline documentary shows the rise of ISIS in Afghanistan and the extent ISIS militants are willing to go to recruit young jihads. ISIS is an INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM organization that uses VIOLENCE against citizens with different political ideologies than their own in order to intimidate or coerce them into accepting their goals or idea. The documentary takes place In the Kunar province and shows the effect ISIS has had on the people living in this area. The most senior commander in the village, Abu Rashid, a former member of the Taliban who defected and joined ISIS, shows the frontline correspondent around the village introducing him to many ISIS fighters and the young people they are recruiting. The film features children as young as three learning how to properly handle weapons and the STEREOTYPES of the western world as evil. With no government help, these areas taken over by ISIS are rendered helpless to their rules and regulation of the ISIS leaders. Many families were separated and forced to leave their homes in order to escape ISIS control. These families’ values of AUTONOMY are contradicted by the reality of ISIS. Speaking up for one’s self in an effort to gain autonomy would result I death. This documentary outlines the devastating effects ISIS has on Afghanistan and people stricken by ISIS rule.
David, L. (2012). Afghanistan: Pathways to peace, New Directions for an Inclusive Peace in Afghanistan. Peace Build , 5-12.