Word: seculare
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...embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998 with the loss of more than 200 lives. In its pursuit of its own narrow - if understandable and perhaps laudable - goals, the U.S. has ignored the radicalizing effect that its actions will have on Somalis. Somalis have a long tradition of moderate, secular Islam and regard al-Qaeda's call to arms against the U.S. and its allies as more exhortations by interfering foreigners. But that could change. Iraq showed how calling someone al-Qaeda and then attacking them can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Add in the unhappy American experience of Somalia...
...fate of the peace process, in other words, may be decided by what happens in places like Migron. As Israeli society has grown more secular and less attached to the vision of a greater Israel, ideological splits have emerged among the settlers. The most radical "hilltop youths" are ready to mobilize and resist the government's attempts to remove them. Many like Harel are second-generation settlers, the sons and daughters of older Zionists. They have grown up steeped in holy books and prophecy and see themselves as the first line of defense against the Arabs. They consider themselves divorced...
...This political mayhem has its roots in the compromises sometimes required in Asia's more fragile democracies. After Bangladesh returned to civilian leadership in 1991 following 15 years of mostly military rule, the two main political parties-the secular, nationalist Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina and the more Islamic-leaning and pro-business Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by outgoing Prime Minister Khaleda Zia-agreed that the incumbent party would step down a couple of months before every election. A neutral caretaker government would briefly run the country and the election commission until a new government was elected...
...differences between the two parties go much deeper than the personal feuds of their leaders. The Awami League came of age during the liberation struggle in the early 1970s when Bangladesh broke away from Pakistan. The party paints itself as the protector of those early secular, nationalist ideals, and a bulwark against radical Islam. The BNP, which is closer to Pakistan and embraces political Islam, argues that it is more religious and tougher on crime. During its recent stint in power the BNP counted on the support of fundamentalist Islamic parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami, sparking Western concerns that...
...Nationalism in Turkey has been fueled in recent years by the lukewarm reception of Turkey's bid for membership in the European Union. Many in Europe have voiced misgivings over embracing the populous, mostly Muslim (although officially secular) country. The accession process, which began with great optimism in 2004, has slowed significantly in recent months. With Europe appearing ever distant, ambitious politicians on all sides have stepped up their nationalist, ethnocentric rhetoric ahead of elections slated for November this year. The country's right-wing parties especially have gained strength. So much so that even traditional leftist organizations like...