Word: regions
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...World,” and even the “Middle East” are emblematic of the politicization and division of our present geographic world-view. The “Middle East” is itself a relational term: middle to what? Clearly, the Middle East, or the region commonly referred to as Middle East-North Africa (MENA), is defined by contemporary politics rather than a geographic relationship. In scholarship, the term is often clarified with a list of included countries—something unnecessary for conventional continents such as Asia. Yet the media, policymakers, and military strategists alike...
...subcontinent, as physically isolated as Europe is from Asia. A continental Middle East would mean added political strength—both in terms of international opinion as well as an increased sense of internal solidarity. Moreover, and more importantly in my mind, it would implant the distinctiveness of the region in the minds of children from the age of their first geography lesson. It is embarrassing and unjust that Middle Eastern nations must continue to identify themselves with respect to Europe and in accordance with its geography, given the brutal legacies of colonization and exploitation at its hands...
...independence and sovereignty are finalized with the erection of borders and the drawing of demarcation lines. But within the system of representational geopolitics that we have, power requires a discrete entity that can itself wield power. A discrete entity does not, however, necessarily require cultural assimilation; were the region to proclaim its collective autonomy, each nation would have to join willingly and in a way that respects the linguistic, ethnic, economic, and political diversity that the region contains...
...Military commanders in the region foresee more attacks in Afghanistan if negotiations succeed. Nearly 100,000 Pakistani troops have been deployed to the border regions, and they have suffered significant losses, leaving the government without the strength to insist on not talking. "We will have to swallow the consequences of [the Pakistan army's] incapacity for the next two or three years," says one NATO official in Afghanistan. "Which means the potential for terrorism increases over here...
Some may even note a snub of sorts. John Paul visited San Giovanni Rotondo in 1987 to mark 100 years since Padre Pio's birth. But Benedict is making his second papal visit to the Puglia region in June, and has left the town off his itinerary both times...