The people of the tribal areas, like many peripheral Muslim tribal groups, tend to be very zealous in their love for freedom and autonomy. For hundreds of years empires and nation states have tried to "subdue" them. As Akbar Ahmed presents in The Thistle and the Drone, perhaps they would be better served by having their autonomy respected, with development guided by elders and indigenous scholars. This could help heal the cycles of revenge, fanaticism and militarism that have caused so much misery in the region. The "steamroller" actions of Musharraf and the military create much misery and desperation among the tribal peoples, who have suffered 35+ years of trauma. The scourge of ignorance-fueled psychopathic fanaticism adds fire to fire. The real question is whether or not tribal peoples can remember the best of what makes them who they are, while adopting the best of what comprises modernity and what is beneficial from the nation state. Let's hope and pray it's not too late for that.
The people of the tribal areas, like many peripheral Muslim tribal groups, tend to be very zealous in their love for freedom and autonomy. For hundreds of years empires and nation states have tried to "subdue" them. As Akbar Ahmed presents in The Thistle and the Drone, perhaps they would be better served by having their autonomy respected, with development guided by elders and indigenous scholars. This could help heal the cycles of revenge, fanaticism and militarism that have caused so much misery in the region. The "steamroller" actions of Musharraf and the military create much misery and desperation among the tribal peoples, who have suffered 35+ years of trauma. The scourge of ignorance-fueled psychopathic fanaticism adds fire to fire. The real question is whether or not tribal peoples can remember the best of what makes them who they are, while adopting the best of what comprises modernity and what is beneficial from the nation state. Let's hope and pray it's not too late for that.