Contents

Agenda Making the news this month

8 The Warsaw Pact to keep Palestine off the map 9 ‘I am the first to divorce for Guatemala’ 10 Merchants of death go shopping 11 Stop stalling on climate action! 12 Tajik women rally after divorce-by-text 13 Gender warrior wins name-change battle in Ecuador

Analysis Special feature: Pakistan

12

Andy Hall

22 Pakistan – the facts 24 The boy with no identity Red tape is not enough to stop one keen student getting his education, discovers Ziauddin Sardar.

26 A spirit of enterprise Merryl Wyn Davies meets a community that has rallied after last year’s floods to create new hope and opportunity in their village.

28 Treasures of our history Pakistanis are waking up to their cultural heritage.

Ziauddin Sardar reveals some of its wonders.

30 What’s Left? The political Left is alive and active in Pakistan.

Qalandar Bux Memon and Ali Mohsin on a proud history and a promising future.

i s i/C o r b

K a s h

E d

14

30

14 Pakistan on the edge of hope Despite a turbulent past, Ziauddin Sardar finds reasons for optimism in Pakistan’s future.

17 Blasphemy and the law How rules with no basis in the Qur’an are used to terrorize religious minorities.

4 ● N ew I n t e r nat i o nal i s t ● S E P T EM B E R 2 011

/R e u t e r s i n

At h a rH u s s a Argument 34 Should foreign investment replace aid for

Africa? Donu Kogbara and Dereje Alemayehu go head to head.

What do you think? Join the debate by visiting newint.org/argument Plus: your feedback on last month’s debate,

‘Is animal testing necessary to advance medical research?’

39

Arts 39 Guns into guitars Colombian musician César López is turning destruction into creation. PLUS: revolutionary music from the Arab spring; an Oscar-winning film about what drives people to violence; and an exposé of how big business targets children.

l l

C h r i sH o n e y w e

Alternatives 48 Eco-city dreaming comes true

Brian Loffler on how some blue-skies thinking created a green inspiration. PLUS: John Jordan and Isa Fremeaux face a new challenge as they prepare to live off the land; and why we’re all wwoofing.

57

Action 57 Don’t just sit there! Events to tempt you off the sofa this month. Plus: a round-up of campaign news.

Regular Features 6 Letters Carrots for men; food for cars; and why we should all embrace Oneness. Plus: Scratchy Lines by Simon Kneebone.

32 Country profile: Armenia 44 Interview with

Arundhati Roy Activist, novelist and outspoken critic of India’s failings – Arundhati Roy is both revered and reviled. She talks to New Internationalist about democracy, people power and whether another world is possible.

44

50 Letter from Cairo The independent press has gained strength from the revolution, writes Maria Golia.

53 Mark Engler The ‘war on terror’ is 10 years old this month – and should never have been born.

55 Puzzle Page 56 Applause Askavusa – Fortress Europe’s Achilles heel.

60 Cartoon Corner Polyp’s Big Bad World, Marc Roberts’ Only Planet plus guest cartoonist Khalid Albaih, a Sudanese ‘virtual revolutionist’ now living in Qatar.

61 Anna Chen It’s time for the élite to get their manicured hands dirty.

62 And finally… Award-winning documentary filmmaker Kim Longinotto on her latest film, Pink Saris.

62

i n o t t o

L o n g i m

K

Front cover: Ali Imam / REUTERS Magazine designed by Alan Hughes / Andy Kokotka. All monetary values are expressed in US dollars unless otherwise noted.

/P a n o s

St u a r tF r e e d m a n

N ew I n t e r nat i o nal i s t ● S E P T EM B E R 2 011 ● 5