Saad Hafiz

Even at the best of times, democracy is a tough balancing act. It is easy to forget the shared purpose and destiny that bind a nation together as grievances and belligerence drive people poles apart. It’s a hard challenge to protect democratic values and principles. A vibrant democracy needs constant public action, engagement, and vigilance. […]

The brazen attempts since the November elections to overturn the popular vote failed. And after a not so peaceful transfer of power, a severe test, American democracy will prevail. President Donald Trump’s chaotic presidency is ending on an ignominious note. He can’t escape blame for actively promoting the false belief that the Democratic Party stole the […]

President Emmanuel Macron faces a stern test in the wake of the latest terrorist attacks by radical Islamists. He has to tread carefully between protecting the French way of life and discouraging a climate of fear, hatred, and persecution directed at French Muslims. It is a litmus test of ” liberty, equality, fraternity,” the inspiring […]

Serious concerns have arisen about the continued viability of American democracy against the backdrop of the 2020 presidential elections. There are a number of reasons for alarm. First, rising authoritarianism within the current administration is actively threatening the democratic order. Second, a sharp rise in exclusionary identity politics has polarized society like never before. Third, […]

The Israeli-UAE normalization agreement is an optimistic sign of old animosity between Israel and Arab states dissipating. Significantly, the deal comes decades after a similar thaw between Israel, Egypt, and Jordan. The reality is that the Israeli-UAE breakthrough, followed by Bahrain, is part of a trend where authoritarian Arab regimes choose self-preservation over any pretensions […]

Both India and Pakistan have common roots in terms of history and colonial legacy. But they have had divergent political paths since emerging as independent states in August 1947. India defied early skepticism, remained united, and mainly a secular democracy. In contrast, Pakistan struggled under military rule and with the politicization of religion. However, based […]

Humans are prone to hero-worship. Adoration of sports figures and film stars are part of the culture. But where hero-worship takes an ominous turn is when people start to idolize unscrupulous leaders. This trend can lead to the development of a cult of personality, a dangerous phenomenon not just restricted to autocratic societies but increasingly […]

Albert Einstein and Rabindranath Tagore saw nationalism as an infantile disease and a great menace. This fits India and Pakistan. Nationalism has bound diverse peoples within state boundaries. But it has also made inferior outsiders and evil enemies of each other. The major reason is that both countries have negated their common history and culture […]

The catastrophe triggered by COVID-19 has spread fear like no other event in recent memory. It has put the spotlight on indecisive leadership, bumbling governments, and misguided priorities. Right now, the daunting task is to stop the spread of the virus, and helping the sick and the needy. But few occurrences offer more potent ground […]

The gender rights movement in Pakistan faces tough going as many men and women in society view male supremacy as divinely-ordained and unquestionable. The big issue is that social and cultural norms are a serious obstacle to the progress of women in society. A volley of fatwas and references to religious strictures oppose any progressive […]