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The Untold Story of the Vagabond Princess Gulbadan — With Ruby Lal
Ruby Lal joins New Lines’ Rasha Elass on this week’s episode of The Lede, to discuss the fascinating life of Mughal Princess Gulbadan, who left the walled harem of her nephew Emperor Akbar in Agra to undertake a dangerous extended pilgrimage to Mecca.
Caste, Democracy and Buddhism
Bhimrao Ambedkar helped write the Indian Constitution, campaigned against caste oppression, and remains a household name for many in the country. His democratic vision combined the pragmatist ideas of the American philosopher John Dewey with his novel Navayana or “new vehicle” form of Buddhism.
The Sink-Or-Swim Politics of Mexico City’s Water Crisis
Mexico City is in the midst of a water crisis so severe it may soon run completely dry. As the nation heads to the polls in June, water is becoming a sink-or-swim issue for those vying to take on the presidency.
The Dark Underbelly of Korea’s Economic Miracle
Observers have long marveled at the breathtaking economic success of the Republic of Korea. But there is a dark side to the Korean miracle: It has been made possible, in part, by the Joseonjok, Chinese citizens of Korean descent, who are widely treated as second-class residents.
As College Campuses Erupt in Protest, Some See a Political Transformation
A wave of protests across the United States has brought over 1 million mostly young people to the streets. It signals to some observers that U.S. support for Israel has become anathema to a new generation, which sees the struggle in Palestine as akin to past fights against U.S. support for South Africa and the Vietnam War.
Teaching Middle East Journalism in the Midst of a Crackdown
In a scene I would have found familiar in Cairo, Tehran or the West Bank, the university’s president and the governor of Texas sent dozens of state troopers in riot gear marching down the pedestrian thoroughfare lined with mossy oak trees that is the heart of student life on campus.
Local Communities Are Leading the Rehabilitation of a Malaysian River
In Kuala Lumpur and its environs, many berate the public for lacking commitment to sustainability and tolerating river pollution. Yet people’s apathy feeds on a belief that the government doesn’t work for the common good or for the country, leading to mistrust and inaction.