Thoughts in Tangles

The Sri Lankan Civil War, spanning from 1983 to 2009, emerged from long-standing ethnic tensions between the majority Sinhalese and the Tamil minority. Following the end of British rule in 1948, the government, primarily led by the Sinhalese, rolled out policies that sidelined the Tamil population, notably with the introduction of the Sinhala-only language policy in 1956. The actions taken sparked feelings of resentment and a push for autonomy among the Tamil population, paving the way for the rise of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the late 1970s. The LTTE sought to create an independent Tamil Eelam in the northern and eastern parts of the country.  Even in the face of the war's brutality, marked by rampant violence and human rights abuses, Sri Lanka's economy showed remarkable resilience throughout this challenging time. The conflict has largely been concentrated in the northern and eastern regions, which has allowed the southern and western areas, includin...

Dr. Mahbub ul Haq is a name that resonates globally, particularly in the sphere of development economics. He is best known for pioneering the concept of the Human Development Index (HDI), which revolutionized how the world evaluates progress by shifting the focus from mere economic growth to human well-being. However, while Haq's legacy has had a profound international impact, particularly through his work at the United Nations, Pakistan—his homeland—has failed to fully harness his expertise to transform its own economy. Mahbub ul Haq’s work was groundbreaking because it challenged the traditional measures of development that focused solely on economic metrics like Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He argued that economic growth alone did not capture the true essence of development, which should be about improving people's quality of life, health, education, and overall well-being. This led to the creation of the HDI in 1990, a composite index that considers life expectancy, educat...

Grigori Rasputin, Painting by Sergey Levin Gregory Rasputin remains one of the most enigmatic figures in Russian history. Born in 1869 in the Siberian village of Pokrovskoye, Rasputin’s journey from peasant to mystic is nothing short of extraordinary. While he had no formal education, Rasputin developed a reputation for having spiritual gifts after embarking on a religious pilgrimage that he claimed deepened his connection to God. He believed he could heal the sick and foresee the future, abilities that would later draw him into the inner circle of the Russian royal family. The Romanovs’ fate became inseparably linked to Rasputin when he was introduced to them in 1905 as a healer capable of treating their son Alexei’s hemophilia, a genetic disorder that caused severe, often life-threatening bleeding. Tsarina Alexandra, desperate to save her son, was convinced that Rasputin’s prayers and presence were the only things that could soothe Alexei during his crises. Robert K. Massie, in his a...

When it comes to the exhilarating sport of field hockey, few names resonate with as much power and precision as Sohail Abbas. Known for his incredible drag flicks, Abbas has left an indelible mark on the sport, earning his place as one of the greatest hockey players of all time.  Despite joining the Pakistan national hockey team at the relatively late age of 23 in 1998, Sohail Abbas quickly made up for lost time. His entry into the international arena was nothing short of spectacular, and he soon became a formidable force on the field. Abbas's journey is a testament to the adage that it's never too late to chase your dreams. Sohail Abbas's career is studded with remarkable achievements and records. Among his most notable accomplishments is the staggering total of 328 international goals, a world record in the realm of hockey. His precision and power in drag flicking set him apart, allowing him to dominate the scoring charts consistently. In 1999, Abbas shattered the record ...

Social media stands as a mighty force that not only catalyzed but sustained the remarkable wave of change known as the Arab Spring. It served as the lifeblood of organic social movements, fueling the collective outrage against oppressive regimes and igniting the flames of revolution across the Middle East. In the tumultuous landscape of the Arab Spring, social media emerged as a beacon of hope, empowering ordinary citizens to challenge entrenched dictatorships and demand their rights.  Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube provided a space for dissent to flourish, allowing individuals to connect, organize, and mobilize on an unprecedented scale. Attempts to censor or regulate social media proved futile in the face of determined activists and the viral spread of information. In countries like Syria, where the regime sought to silence dissent by cutting off internet access, social media remained a vital lifeline, enabling citizens to document atrocities, organize resistance, ...

Few stories rival the audacity and sheer determination of Steven Jay Russell. Born on December 31, 1957, Russell's life is a rollercoaster of deception, fraud, and a relentless quest for freedom. His real-life exploits of this American con artist surpass even the most imaginative Hollywood script. Russell's early life seemed unremarkable, growing up in the care of his adoptive parents, Georgia and David Russell, owners of a produce business. He married, had a daughter, and appeared to lead a conventional life until the revelation of his homosexuality shattered his marriage. From there, Russell embarked on a journey marked by deception and crime. His repertoire of scams ranged from faking slip and fall accidents to peddling counterfeit Rolex watches, landing him in trouble with the law multiple times. However, it was his relationship with fellow inmate Phillip Morris that would catalyze Russell's most daring escapades. His exploits included fabricating documents such as his ...