As the first few days of 2012 slide by, there is very little indication that the new year will bring much relief from the political tensions and turmoils that embroil humanity from one side of the globe to the other.   The simmering tensions between the religious sects in Iraq continue to  heat up, the war between the Taliban and the government forces in Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to be  more explosive and destructive than ever, the much sought-after political reforms in Egypt, Libya and Bahrain continue to be elusive, and …

Few people would dispute that 2011 has not been a really  good year for the concept of  “peace on Earth”.   Popular rebellions have spread across North Africa, from Tunisia and  Sudan to Egypt and Libya. The Middle Eastern countries of Bahrain, Syria, Yemen and Jordan have also experienced violence and social unrest brought about by years, even decades, of oppression and economic deprivation.  In addition to the newly-hatched revolutions occurring in North Africa and the Middle East are the ongoing, long-term, terrorist-driven conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.   The flames …

A startling number of “honor suicides” has emerged in Turkey. This is a process whereby a woman who ostensibly shamed her family, chooses to commit suicide under pressure from her family so they may avoid penalties for murdering her.