Open Arms in 2015 In September 2015, Angela Merkel uttered the phrase that would define her legacy: “Wir schaffen das.” We can do it. Germany opened its borders as war drove Syrians, Afghans, and Iraqis into exile. That year saw … Continue reading Germany’s Refugee Debate: Ten Years After Merkel’s “We Can Do It”
By Munaeem Jamal – January 4, 2025 The year 1971 remains one of the most consequential in Pakistan’s political history, fundamentally reshaping the relationship between civilian leadership and military power. The Pakistani Army’s role during this tumultuous period was paradoxical—simultaneously serving as the instrument of state repression that led to national dismemberment and as the catalyst that elevated Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to power amidst its own institutional humiliation. The Army as Enforcer: Operation Searchlight and State Violence The Pakistani military’s descent into infamy began on the night of March 25, 1971, with the launch of Operation Searchlight. Under the orders … Continue reading The Pakistani Army’s Complex Role in 1971: Power, Politics, and the Making of Bhutto’s Pakistan