Month: December 2024

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562: BOOK REVIEW: THE PERSONAL IS POLITICAL

 

 

BOOK REVIEW

THE PERSONAL IS POLITICAL

 

Review by: Air Marshal Anil Khosla (Retd) PVSM, AVSM, VM

Former Vice Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force.

 

Aruna Roy’s memoir, The Personal Is Political: An Activist’s Memoir, offers an in-depth exploration of her journey from a privileged upbringing and a position in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) to becoming a grassroots activist dedicated to empowering marginalised communities in rural India. The title reflects the feminist slogan popularised during the second wave of the movement in the 1960s, encapsulating the central theme of her book: the intersection of personal experiences with broader political issues.

 

Roy’s narrative is a testament to her belief that personal activism, fuelled by empathy and commitment, can bring about systemic change. She recounts her resignation from the IAS in 1975 to join the Social Work and Research Centre (SWRC) in Tilonia, Rajasthan, founded by her husband, Bunker Roy. This decision marked the beginning of her deep engagement with grassroots movements, leading to the establishment of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) and significant contributions to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Right to Work, and the Right to Food movements in India.

 

Throughout the memoir, Roy reflects on her experiences as a woman activist navigating male-dominated spaces and grappling with deeply ingrained social conditioning of masculinity. She shares stories of women she regards as her teachers, friends, and fellow activists, contributing to the oral history tradition in modern times. Her narrative underscores a profound humility and willingness to listen and learn, enriching the discourse on grassroots activism and social change.

 

Roy challenges the misconception that women, particularly those in rural areas, need skill training for better remuneration. She contends that this notion undermines these women’s immense labour and marginalises their work by labelling it “unskilled.” Through personal anecdotes, she illustrates the skill and effort required in these roles, advocating for proper recognition of their contributions.

 

The memoir operates as a profound meditation on two distinct yet intertwined levels. Roy introspectively examines herself on one level—her ideas, choices, rationality, and conscience. On the other hand, she questions broader societal structures: patriarchal norms, the exploitation of labour, and caste-based discrimination. Her unwavering commitment to social justice is evident as she emphasises the transformative power of empathy. This empathy, she argues, is crucial in understanding the struggles of the marginalised and in fuelling the relentless struggle to overturn these injustices.

 

Roy’s insights into gender, labour, friendship, organised resistance, and social justice challenge readers to rethink their perceptions and engage more deeply with the world around them. Her memoir, serving as a historical document, is both a guide and an inspiration for those seeking to understand and challenge systemic inequalities. Her journey from an IAS officer to a grassroots activist illustrates the transformative power of empathy and commitment, making her memoir a vital contribution to understanding and addressing social inequities.

 

In addition to her activism, Roy’s memoir delves into her reflections on various topics, ranging from oral history and literature to feminism and multiple aspects of democracy, including decentralisation. She provides thoughtful commentary on the importance of grassroots movements and the crucial role of ordinary people in bringing about sustainable change, instilling a sense of empowerment and hope in the readers.

 

Roy’s narrative is enriched by her tributes to colleagues, particularly women from poorer rural families, whom she considers her mentors. She highlights their resilience and extraordinary resistance to oppression, emphasising that every issue, whether poverty, discrimination, inequality, or corruption, has personal and political ramifications. Roy demonstrates that each individual can make a difference by connecting the personal and the political.

 

The memoir has received praise for its depth and insight. Economists Amartya Sen and Jean Drèze describe it as a reflection on “a life of deep engagement, weaving the personal and the political,” calling it “a great inspiration.” Similarly, author Perumal Murugan notes that the book reinforces the proverb “Actions are the best words spoken,” highlighting the importance of action in bringing about change. The book’s reception not only underscores its literary merit but also its significant contribution to the discourse on social justice and activism.

 

In conclusion, Aruna Roy’s The Personal Is Political: An Activist’s Memoir is a compelling and thought-provoking account of a life dedicated to social justice and grassroots activism. Roy illustrates the profound connection between individual experiences and broader political movements through her journey, offering valuable insights into the transformative power of empathy, commitment, and organised resistance. Her memoir serves as both an inspiration and a guide for those seeking to understand and challenge societal systemic inequalities.

 

Your valuable comments are most welcome.

 

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561: OPERATION PAPER CLIP: A MORAL PARADOX

 

Pics Courtesy Net

 

Operation Paperclip was a secret program conducted by the U.S. government at the end of World War II. It aimed to recruit German scientists, engineers, and technicians—many of whom had worked for the Nazi regime—to work in the United States. The program was driven by the desire to leverage their expertise in science and technology, particularly in rocketry, aeronautics, and chemical and biological weapons, to gain an advantage over the Soviet Union during the early Cold War.

 

Origins and Motivation. The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) initiated the program, which later became the CIA and was overseen by the Joint Intelligence Objectives Agency (JIOA). The primary goal was to secure German scientific expertise before it could fall into Soviet hands as part of the larger geopolitical rivalry between the U.S. and the USSR.

 

Key Figures. Over 1,600 scientists were recruited, including figures such as Wernher von Braun and Kurt Blome. Many of these individuals were members of the Nazi Party or implicated in war crimes, raising ethical concerns.

 

    • Wernher von Braun. Director of the V-2 rocket program, which used forced labour from concentration camps like Mittelbau-Dora. Thousands of prisoners died due to harsh conditions and mistreatment. He became a central figure in the U.S. missile and space programs and developed the Redstone rocket, America’s first operational ballistic missile. He also played a pivotal role in NASA, leading the team that developed the Saturn V rocket, which launched Apollo missions to the moon. He is celebrated as a visionary of space exploration, but his involvement with the Nazis and the use of slave labour cast a shadow on his achievements.

 

    • Kurt Blome. Deputy Surgeon General of the Third Reich and head of Nazi biological warfare research. He conducted experiments on prisoners, including attempts to weaponise plague and other diseases. Despite being tried at the Nuremberg Doctors’ Trial for war crimes, he was acquitted and recruited to work on U.S. biological warfare programs. His expertise influenced Cold War bioweapons research.

 

    • Arthur Rudolph. Production manager of the V-2 rocket program at Mittelwerk, which used concentration camp labour under brutal conditions. He became a key figure in the U.S. missile program, helping to develop the Pershing missile and Saturn I rocket. He was forced to renounce U.S. citizenship in 1984 after his Nazi ties were publicly exposed.

 

    • Hubertus Strughold. He conducted human experiments related to aviation medicine, such as exposing prisoners to extreme cold and low oxygen conditions. He is known as the “Father of Space Medicine” in the U.S., contributing to the physiological understanding required for human spaceflight. His name was removed from a NASA award in the 1990s following revelations about his Nazi past.

 

Contributions to U.S. Programs. Paperclip scientists’ expertise gave the U.S. a significant edge in the arms race and space race against the Soviet Union. These scientists significantly advanced U.S. military and space capabilities, including the development of ballistic missile technology, including the Redstone and Saturn rockets, early contributions to the U.S. space program, culminating in the moon landing, and advancements in aerodynamics, chemical weapons, and medical research.

 

 

Moral Paradox. Operation Paperclip remains a moral paradox. On the one hand, it contributed to remarkable achievements such as the moon landing and advancements in military defence. On the other, it allowed individuals complicit in atrocities to escape accountability, reflecting how Cold War exigencies often overrode ethical considerations. The program showcased the tension between moral accountability and pragmatic decision-making during the Cold War. Some of the scientists were accused of direct involvement in atrocities, including forced labour and experiments on concentration camp prisoners. The U.S. government sanitised their records to avoid public backlash and legal challenges, concealing their Nazi affiliations and war crimes. The U.S. government’s willingness to whitewash war crimes for geopolitical advantage remains controversial.

 

Operation Paperclip was a double-edged sword. While it accelerated U.S. technological progress and Cold War readiness, it also highlighted the moral compromises made to pursue geopolitical advantage. The program remains controversial as an example of prioritising strategic gains over justice and accountability.

 

Your valuable comments are most welcome.

 

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References and credits

To all the online sites and channels.

References:-

  1. Jacobsen, Annie. “Operation Paperclip: The Secret Intelligence Program That Brought Nazi Scientists to America.” New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2014.
  1. Lasby, Clarence G. “Project Paperclip: German Scientists and the Cold War.” New York: Atheneum, 1971.
  1. Neufeld, Michael J. “The Rocket and the Reich: Peenemünde and the Coming of the Ballistic Missile Era.” Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1995.
  1. Simpson, Christopher. “Blowback: America’s Recruitment of Nazis and Its Effects on the Cold War.”, New York: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1988.
  1. Broad, William J. “Teller’s War: The Top-Secret Story Behind the Star Wars Deception.” New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992.
  1. Biddle, Tami Davis. “Technological Knowledge and Ethical Ambiguity: The Legacy of Operation Paperclip.”, Journal of Military History, Vol. 62, no. 4 (1998): 781–810.
  1. Simpson, Christopher. “The Ethical Quandary of Postwar Science: Operation Paperclip and its Long Shadow.” American Historical Review, Vol. 93, no. 3 (1995): 543–567.
  1. Neufeld, Michael J. “Wernher von Braun, the SS, and the Concentration Camps.”, Technology and Culture, Vol. 31, no. 3 (1990): 569–599.
  1. Fox, Robert J. “Nazi Scientists in America: Scientific Advancement or Moral Compromise?”, Ethics & International Affairs, Vol. 8 (2002): 112–129.

Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from reliable and accurate sources. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for wider dissemination.

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560:OPERATION BASHAN ARROW: ISAREL’S STRATEGIC NEED OR OPPORTUNISM

 

Pics Courtesy Net

 

My Article published on the EurasianTimes Website on 16 Dec 24.

 

Operation Bashan Arrow, a pivotal Israeli military campaign, commenced in a volatile and fractured Syria on 08 December 2024. Named after the ancient biblical region of Bashan, which included parts of the modern-day Golan Heights, the operation targeted the dismantling of Syrian military capabilities following the fall of the Assad regime. The operation has profound implications for regional stability, geopolitics, and military strategy.

 

Background and Objectives. The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in late 2024 led to a chaotic power vacuum. This collapse came amidst years of internal strife, international intervention, and the rising influence of extremist factions like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). For Israel, the disintegration of the Assad regime posed both risks and opportunities. The risk was the proliferation of advanced weapons to hostile actors, especially Iranian proxies and extremist groups. The opportunity was to secure the strategically vital Golan Heights further and neutralise long-standing threats from the Syrian military. Israel launched Operation Bashan Arrow to prevent advanced weaponry, including missiles and aircraft, from falling into hostile hands, notably Iranian-backed militias or extremist groups. This was critical for securing the Israeli-Syrian border and neutralising threats to Israel’s northern front.

 

Execution of the Operation. The Israeli Air Force (IAF) deployed an unprecedented 350 aircraft, about half the Israeli Air Force, conducting hundreds of sorties across Syria. It was one of its most comprehensive air campaigns in history. Key targets included military bases, air defence systems, missile stockpiles, and command centres in Damascus, Tartus, Homs, and Latakia. The operation obliterated Syrian air capabilities, including MiG-29 fighter jets and cruise missiles. Simultaneously, the Israeli Navy targeted Syria’s naval fleet, destroying 15 missile-equipped vessels at the al-Beida and Latakia ports. This eliminated maritime threats, securing Israel’s coastal borders and reducing risks to international shipping lanes. On land, Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) moved to establish a buffer zone in the demilitarised area along the Golan Heights. The IDF denied crossing into core Syrian territory, maintaining operations within the zone to prevent spillover effects from the conflict. Operation Bashan Arrow was a comprehensive demonstration of the effectiveness of coordinated multi-domain operations. Israel’s use of air, naval, and ground forces, combined with intelligence-driven targeting, underscores the evolution of military strategy in asymmetric conflicts.

 

Strategic and Tactical Impact. Operation Bashan Arrow dismantled 70–80% of Syria’s military assets. The destruction of strategic stockpiles prevented terrorist organisations from utilising advanced weaponry. Notably, this operation has significantly shifted the balance of power in the region. Iran, a key backer of Assad, now faces reduced influence in Syria, while Israel solidifies its strategic position. However, this could push Iran to intensify its proxy activities elsewhere, such as in Lebanon or Iraq.

 

Regional and International Reactions. The operation drew criticism from Arab nations and international observers, who accused Israel of overreach and destabilisation. The concerns of the international community were palpable, with Arab states condemning the operation, particularly the IDF’s occupation of the buffer zone. They viewed it as a violation of Syrian sovereignty, even in the absence of a stable Syrian government. Qatari media labelled it an “escalation” and accused Israel of exploiting Syria’s disarray. The United Nations expressed grave concerns over regional instability, urging de-escalation to foster a political transition in Syria. Geir Pedersen, the UN envoy to Syria, emphasised the need for de-escalation to facilitate Syria’s political transition. Critics argued that Israel’s actions could further complicate humanitarian efforts in the region.

 

Regional Security and Israel’s Position. For Israel, the operation underscored its military superiority and willingness to act unilaterally for national security, even at the risk of provoking a backlash from neighbouring countries and militant groups. The campaign also demonstrated the Israeli military’s advanced capabilities in air, sea, and cyber warfare.

 

Challenges and Future Implications. While the operation was a tactical success, it strained Israel’s relations with the international community at large. The creation of a buffer zone may temporarily stabilise the border but could invite retaliatory actions from groups opposed to Israel’s presence. With significant infrastructure destroyed, Syria faces additional challenges in rebuilding. This could prolong instability and make the country more vulnerable to external manipulation by regional powers. Additionally, HTS’s rise complicates Israel’s security calculus, as the group with an Islamist ideology creates uncertainty about pragmatic coexistence with Israel. The long-term implications of these developments are complex and uncertain, adding a layer of gravity to the situation.

 

Conclusion. Operation Bashan Arrow represents a defining moment in Middle Eastern geopolitics; it reflects the complexities of modern warfare and the Middle East’s geopolitical challenges. By neutralising Syrian military capabilities, Israel has secured its borders in the short term. However, the operation’s long-term ramifications for regional stability are yet to be fully understood. As Syria grapples with reconstruction and a new political reality, Israel would have to navigate a complex web of alliances and adversaries to maintain its strategic edge. The operation’s impact on the balance of power in the region and the potential for increased proxy activities by Iran in other countries underscores the need for continued analysis and vigilance.

 

Your valuable comments are most welcome.

 

Link to the article on the website:-

https://www.eurasiantimes.com/op-bashan-arrow-how-350-israeli-fighte/

 

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References and credits

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References:-

  1. Jerusalem Post. “Israel destroys 80% of Assad’s army in Syria.” December 2024.
  2. All Israel News. “IDF strikes 320 targets in Syria during Operation Bashan Arrow.” tps://allisrael.com/idf-we-destroyed-up-to-80-of-syr

​3. Middle East Monitor. “Operation Bashan Arrow and its implications.”

UN Reports on the Middle East, December 2024

  1. Times of Israel, “IDF announces conclusion of Operation Bashan Arrow, says Syria no longer a threat”.
  1. Haaretz, “Israel’s bold military campaign: What Bashan Arrow means for the region”. Dec 2024.
  1. UN Reports on the Middle East, “Regional stability in question after Israeli strikes in Syria”, December 2024.
  1. Al Jazeera, “Israel’s strikes in Syria spark Arab world criticism”, Dec 2024.
  1. BBC News, “Syria in turmoil: The aftermath of Assad”, Dec 2024.
  1. Jane’s Defence Weekly, “Israel’s Operation Bashan Arrow: A case study in air supremacy”, Dec 2024.
  1. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), “Preemptive Defense: Israel’s new doctrine in Operation Bashan Arrow”, Dec 2024.

Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from reliable and accurate sources. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for wider dissemination.