THE NEXT 100 YEARS

Book Reviews, International Affairs

A forecast for the 21st Century

ONE MINUTE BRIEF

This speculative book (253 pages) by George Friedman published in 2009 is about identifying the major events that might take place in 21st century in the broadest way. US-Jihadist war will be replaced by a new cold war with Russia, European influence as a major power would decline, China’s role as a world power would diminish. Turkey, Japan, Poland, Mexico will become important countries on the geopolitical stage; new technologies and cultural trends will radically alter the way we live and fight wars. United States and its Allies will come out successfully from World War III around 2050, not accepting the hegemony of Turkey & Japan on Eurasia. United States of America (USA) will be the dominant power of the century because of its overwhelming economic and military power.

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THE BATTLE FOR PAKISTAN

Book Reviews, International Affairs, Pakistan

The Bitter US Friendship and a Tough Neighbourhood

One Minute Brief

The objective of this book review in about 2700 words (or 6 pages) is to provide a ‘Summary’ and reproduce Important ‘Excerpts’ to capture the sense of different chapters for those people who do not have the time or patience to read the full book (13 Chapters, 347 pages). A further quick read of the book is through 500 words Summary which is given below.

This book-length analysis by Shuja Nawaz first published in 2020 is about all important and complex dimensions of relationship between United States and Pakistan which has remained topsy-turvy in the past for so many decades. In this marriage of convenience with unequal partners, the author identifies the way forward for US and Pakistani leaders to make the right choices for a mutually beneficial long term interests. In short, USA needs to develop a long term Pakistan specific strategic policy while Pakistan for its development needs to rely on its own; attracting domestic investments, using its human capital and natural resources.

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About the Website

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In the present world of prompt information availability through social media platforms such as Youtube, Facebook, X, WhatsApp, Tiktok, Instagram mainly through visuals (videos /pictures) and audios, the space for serious and focused reading material is rather limited as people neither have the time nor the patience for reading long papers and books of couple of hundred pages. The objective of this website is to provide short articles and summary of books on various subjects to enable avid as well as casual Readers do quick reading; regular and concentrated reading is important as it involves multiple mental and physical faculties of a person which is helpful in absorption, retention, reflection and intellectual growth.

Old is Gold

Economy, Social Matters

The best reasons to retire (at age 60 or 62 or 65) are positive visions of the life you want in your retirement years. These often include more time for travelling, pursuing hobbies, spending more time with family and friends.

Retirement is not one phase of life but a transition into multiple phases of life especially with today’s increased life expectancy of 15-20 years or more; enough to start a new career. While some need to work after retirement to support their family, it is also an opportunity to pursue one’s interests & hobbies that had been put on the back burner during working life. The multiple phases spread over planning, contentment, disenchantment which is associated with emotional downsides such as loneliness, disillusionments, feeling of uselessness especially when you are experiencing failing health. As retirement life becomes more familiar, people in this phase tend to accept this situation and settle into a new set of routines generating a fresh sense of purpose and opportunity to enjoy life.

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Happy New Year 2024

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As we say good bye to 2023 and welcome 2024, most of us may have some mixed feelings of what they could do or not do in 2023. However, there should not be any major cause for regrets as long as you planned and made efforts to accomplish your ‘To do List’.

As we move into 2024, remember that time stays long enough for those who use it. As Abraham Lincoln said; ”If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I would spend six hours sharpening my ax”. So the secret of getting ahead is getting started.

Wish you all seasons greetings and a very happy New Year 2024.