Best book I know re: the importance of education for women: "Sex and World Peace," by Valerie Hudson, a Texas A&M professor.
5
All you have to do is go back to Charlie Wilson's request for $100mm dollars for schools in Afghanistan (which was denied), after spending half a billion dollars in black money to oust the Soviets from Afghanistan. He warned us that by leaving that education vacuum, we'd be back in 20 years -- he was spot on.
38
Cheney is an anti-patriot (I won't use the "T word") many times over. He deserted the interests of the U.S. and its people in favor of business interests and his own warped support for worldwide Armageddon. Why he is allowed to remain free when he's been responsible for so much suffering is mind-boggling.
57
We should educate women because it's the right thing to do.
However, it has nothing to do with our Middle East struggles.
Saudi Arabia (our "allies") and Iran (enemy) both have educated women. Yet Saudi Arabia is the world leader of fundamentalist Islamic terrorism through its madrassas that export Wahahbi jihadist thought throughout the Middle East. Iran does the same with its Shia indoctrination efforts.
I'm sorry, but there really only is one solution.
Get us out. Keep us out. Wall ourselves off from them and let them fight amongst themselves for 2,000 years. Eventually they will figure themselves out, just as Europe had to do last millennium.
We can reopen diplomatic ties in a few centuries when they have figured themselves out for themselves
However, it has nothing to do with our Middle East struggles.
Saudi Arabia (our "allies") and Iran (enemy) both have educated women. Yet Saudi Arabia is the world leader of fundamentalist Islamic terrorism through its madrassas that export Wahahbi jihadist thought throughout the Middle East. Iran does the same with its Shia indoctrination efforts.
I'm sorry, but there really only is one solution.
Get us out. Keep us out. Wall ourselves off from them and let them fight amongst themselves for 2,000 years. Eventually they will figure themselves out, just as Europe had to do last millennium.
We can reopen diplomatic ties in a few centuries when they have figured themselves out for themselves
5
Mr. Kristoff you are absolutely right. The combination of education and economic opportunity, and women's empowerment, as well as the elimination of violent foreign attacks (drones overhead), does take people's minds off blowing themselves up in the marketplace. Of course force must remain available for the foreseeable future, because some folks just haven't gotten the message. Over there, over here. "Walk softly," providing schools and economic opportunity and reduction of armed attacks, "and carry a big stick."
Cheney and Bush's "tactical victory" over Iraq was a strategic defeat for the United States. I don't see how they could have hurt our national interests, and the Middle East, more if they had that as their goal. Bush/Cheney policies buried us in debt followed by financial collapse and mass unemployment, empowered Shiite Iran to develop nukes, expand regional influence and promote terrorism, and Sunni jihadis, now morphed into ISIS, to engage in the most vicious "up close and personal" violence we've seen since Bosnia and Kosovo. Note that there was neither Al Qaeda nor ISIS in Iraq until the Bush/Cheney aggression created sectarian civil war there, Abu Ghraib, torture of prisoners and Guantanamo. All this amounts to crimes whose effects will be felt for generations. How can we, Iraqis, the rest of the Middle East, the world, ever repay you, Dick and George?
Cheney and Bush's "tactical victory" over Iraq was a strategic defeat for the United States. I don't see how they could have hurt our national interests, and the Middle East, more if they had that as their goal. Bush/Cheney policies buried us in debt followed by financial collapse and mass unemployment, empowered Shiite Iran to develop nukes, expand regional influence and promote terrorism, and Sunni jihadis, now morphed into ISIS, to engage in the most vicious "up close and personal" violence we've seen since Bosnia and Kosovo. Note that there was neither Al Qaeda nor ISIS in Iraq until the Bush/Cheney aggression created sectarian civil war there, Abu Ghraib, torture of prisoners and Guantanamo. All this amounts to crimes whose effects will be felt for generations. How can we, Iraqis, the rest of the Middle East, the world, ever repay you, Dick and George?
13
As GOP governors in this country shut down health clinics for women, and Dick Cheney is still permitted to speak in public[rather than from a jail cell, this country has a long way to go before we can be a beacon of truth in this world.
23
Thank you, Mr. Kristof. We have responded militarily too often. Supporting education for females in many areas of the world is a slower, but eventually more stable and equitable path to peace and prosperity.
6
Dear Mr.Kristof,
Great Article ! Simply put when you use half the brain power in the world you only progress at half the speed you would if you utilized 100 % of Human potential.Think of the potential we are wasting.Today most of the renowned Scientists, Engineers, Philosophers & leaders of Nations are men, while most of the population of the world are women. Is it because women are less capable than men in these areas, if this was true something happens from the time they graduate from High school to the time they become adults.The Girls I went to School with were always better students than the boys.Our so called civilized society has done it's best to stymy Women's Potential.The Man was the bread winner, the woman were the nurturers. In religion the Gods are always men, which seem unlikely as it's women who have the greatest responsibility in sustaining life.Today men don't even have to be present for procreation, as fertilization can be done with a syringe.Think of what the world would be like if the roles were reversed. Certainly there would have been less wars, as mothers would be more reluctant to sacrifice
their children for wasteful wars that do nothing to stop greed & the quest for power.Unlike Abraham, the so called father of three religions, if God said to Sarah his wife ,take your Son Isaac & sacrifice him to me, after an hour of Sarah yelling at God he would have resigned & turned his job over to Cupid,& people would make love,not war.
Great Article ! Simply put when you use half the brain power in the world you only progress at half the speed you would if you utilized 100 % of Human potential.Think of the potential we are wasting.Today most of the renowned Scientists, Engineers, Philosophers & leaders of Nations are men, while most of the population of the world are women. Is it because women are less capable than men in these areas, if this was true something happens from the time they graduate from High school to the time they become adults.The Girls I went to School with were always better students than the boys.Our so called civilized society has done it's best to stymy Women's Potential.The Man was the bread winner, the woman were the nurturers. In religion the Gods are always men, which seem unlikely as it's women who have the greatest responsibility in sustaining life.Today men don't even have to be present for procreation, as fertilization can be done with a syringe.Think of what the world would be like if the roles were reversed. Certainly there would have been less wars, as mothers would be more reluctant to sacrifice
their children for wasteful wars that do nothing to stop greed & the quest for power.Unlike Abraham, the so called father of three religions, if God said to Sarah his wife ,take your Son Isaac & sacrifice him to me, after an hour of Sarah yelling at God he would have resigned & turned his job over to Cupid,& people would make love,not war.
11
How about educating everybody?
4
Of course, listiening to Dick Cheney and the war hawks on the right (Bolton: Let's just bomb Iran), you know exactly what to do. The opposite. The Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld right-wing cabal of warriors (er, in the case of Bush, Cheney draft dodgers), have never admitted the horrific mistakes, miscalculations and outright deceptions that led to the ill-fated Iraq war and now the morass that is the mideast today. Absolutely a classic example of chutzpah and a desperate attempt to redeem a reputation that is simply beyond redemption.
22
On the same page as Mr. Petro below, we are the United States of Armaments. Can anyone imagine a world in which the U.N. Security Council nations actually worked together to ban their own arms production and sale to third world countries? What a change it would make.
8
It is interesting that with the ongoing chaos in Yemen there seems to be scant mention of the destabilizing effect of Obama's drone attacks in the country over the last few years?
4
Educating women in fanatically Islamic countries is a wonderfully sensitive message, but widely off the mark of practical reality. Mr. Kristof says that “Educated girls sometimes become terrorists” whereas in fact they most often become brutalized targets for misogynistic husbands, fathers, brothers and neighbors bent on keeping women subservient, obedient, and pregnant. The labor force is not expanded when women, educated or ignorant, are not allowed to work outside the never sweet home.
Mr. Kristof states the obvious when he says that a military solution to the Middle East Mess is not working. History from Korea to Vietnam and on to Syria proves that the military solution doesn’t work…never has and never will.
Islam and the Koran are against everything we in the West would view as productive change. The only solution is a complete reversal of how Islam functions at the social level. That can only come about when all Muslims read more than the Koran and find pleasure in progress. This will not happen in anybody’s lifetime, if ever.
“Sometimes a girl with a book is more powerful than a drone in the sky” makes no sense in countries where a woman with a book is more likely to be killed by her family than by any misguided missile.
Mr. Kristof states the obvious when he says that a military solution to the Middle East Mess is not working. History from Korea to Vietnam and on to Syria proves that the military solution doesn’t work…never has and never will.
Islam and the Koran are against everything we in the West would view as productive change. The only solution is a complete reversal of how Islam functions at the social level. That can only come about when all Muslims read more than the Koran and find pleasure in progress. This will not happen in anybody’s lifetime, if ever.
“Sometimes a girl with a book is more powerful than a drone in the sky” makes no sense in countries where a woman with a book is more likely to be killed by her family than by any misguided missile.
7
Cheney has some nerve calling someone, anyone. Traitor. This is the man who with his side kidck W dragged this coutry in to a destructive in winnable war on a false pretext. This is a man who has made billions from the wars he started and then Haliburton moves to Dubai. Cheney is a war criminal.
27
When will limousine liberal Nick Kristof learn that every time we klutzy American imperialist do-gooders attempt to change hearts and minds in an unstable region of the world no good comes of it? That's because when we eventually depart things all of our good will and good intentions are rapidly forgotten. Things quickly revert to the way they've been since the days when wars were settled at the point of a sword by guys wearing sandals. Besides Nick, remember a couple of columns back you bragged about how you schlepped your teenage daughter with you on assignment so she could experience the ambiance of Iran firsthand? I noticed she was dressed like an Iranian teenage girl to escape the ire of the local mullahs. American teenyboppers don't wear headscarves or cover up from head to toe. And if I remember correctly our main mission in Afghanistan was to hunt down and destroy Osama bin Laden and his Al Queda thugs who slaughtered 3000 people when the World Trade Center came tumbling down,
3
We could have "a girl with a book", young man with gainful employment, infants and toddlers with full bellies, and the rule of law in every country in the Middle East… but instead of building a democratic infrastructure we tried to impose it from the outside in and the top down and instead of providing money to citizens to seed a capitalistic economy we provided money to US based entrepreneurs. And here's what is sad: Obama COULD have reversed the actions and policies of his predecessor without pointing fingers. Instead he continued the misguided policies in place and extended them across the Middle East. Maybe 2016 will bring voters a candidate with a different policy agenda… but based on what I've read thus far it looks like we still believe democracy and capitalism can be imposed by force.
6
As individuals, we all have but a short time on this planet. As societies, cultures and civilizations, we have thousands of years. Yet, if we do not support education (which allows us to pass our accumulated knowledge to future generations) we remain as our distant forebears tramping the savanna and living in caves where the biggest guy with the biggest club controlled our small groups.
I am heartsick about the devolution of our society back to the us/them, I-got-mine-so-the-hell-with-you manichean worldview. We have gained the McMansion, Mercedes and gold Apple watch and lost our souls. No man stands taller who bends down to help a child. Look beneath your feet, Mr. One Percenter!
I am heartsick about the devolution of our society back to the us/them, I-got-mine-so-the-hell-with-you manichean worldview. We have gained the McMansion, Mercedes and gold Apple watch and lost our souls. No man stands taller who bends down to help a child. Look beneath your feet, Mr. One Percenter!
8
How does anyone come to imagine that education and woman's rights amount to "tools" meant to change other societies? Aren't they good in themselves? They are the means by which a person becomes herself. And to contrast favorably educated and free women with bombs? As Kristof would say, "wow"!
4
If it is a cultural tradition to treat females like chattel, uneducated, beaten, raped, pregnant, then we should just let it go, lest we appear insensitive? Some things in this world are just WRONG. No amount of cultural tradition can justify the mistreatment of half the world's population.
9
The Prophet Mohammad could not have made his mark without the wits and wealth of his first wife, Khadiga. I cannot fathom how Islam evolved to become as misogynistic as it seems to be today.
9
Our Department of Defense has become the Department of Offense and Terror. Our government makes George Orwell's "1984" real. We are our own worst enemy. The end of the United States of America will be self inflicted death, we are already bleeding. At least some of us can look to Nicholas Kristof and others for the "correct" way to handle foreign policy and many thanks to our President for successful Iran negotiations.
12
There is a temptation to rehearse this observation—that muslims are modern secular people, with modern political concerns, wearing medieval religious disguise—and make it fit the modern world we live in. In fact, much of what the Islam does (like closing swimming pools so no one will see them swimming?) does looks nonsensical except in light of a sincere, carefully considered commitment to returning civilization to a seventh-century human rights environment where women are goods and men rule by might. This schooling 'thing' is the same, however maybe an apartheid style boycott of Muslim countries that breach human rights, rather than sending teachers to their deaths in Yemen, may work better. It did against South Africa. Aren't women important enough these days?
2
Why are we still being subjected to Dick Cheney? Isn't Obama's job difficult enough? At least he is Trying to build bridges.
I wish Dick would crawl back into his bunker and stay there.
And who is Hugh Hewitt? Guess I need to do my neocon homework.
I wish Dick would crawl back into his bunker and stay there.
And who is Hugh Hewitt? Guess I need to do my neocon homework.
2
Educated girls will stand up to tanks.
What fantasy world do liberals inhabit?
What fantasy world do liberals inhabit?
4
Education and schooling are not the same. Is a madrassa a type of school? Does it educate? No, not in the broad sense of the liberal education I suspect that Kristof has in mind.
Return closer to home. Just about every kid in the USA either goes to school or is home-schooled. And what's the result? A populace that in general is so badly educated that the NYT can't even report for the US intelligentsia overseas news that uses metric units. Rather, the NYT has to translate and dumb down the overseas news using imperial units. And this for the liberal elite who reads the NYT - a tiny proportion of the US adult populace.
When both the general populace and much of the elite of the world's most powerful nation can't cope with basic science reporting that uses the SI system, it should be apparent that 'education' is the eyes of the beholder.
Return closer to home. Just about every kid in the USA either goes to school or is home-schooled. And what's the result? A populace that in general is so badly educated that the NYT can't even report for the US intelligentsia overseas news that uses metric units. Rather, the NYT has to translate and dumb down the overseas news using imperial units. And this for the liberal elite who reads the NYT - a tiny proportion of the US adult populace.
When both the general populace and much of the elite of the world's most powerful nation can't cope with basic science reporting that uses the SI system, it should be apparent that 'education' is the eyes of the beholder.
Apparently the cost in 2014 was an average of an eye-popping $2.1 million for every U.S. troop serving in Afghanistan. Why is that number not shouted over and over in the media?
During the Iraq War, the cost per troop hit approximately $400,000 in 2005. Factoring in inflation, the per-soldier cost projected for 2014 Afghanistan is 352 percent higher than in Iraq in 2005.
Even 400K is extremely large, and very few media outlets mentioned it.
During the Iraq War, the cost per troop hit approximately $400,000 in 2005. Factoring in inflation, the per-soldier cost projected for 2014 Afghanistan is 352 percent higher than in Iraq in 2005.
Even 400K is extremely large, and very few media outlets mentioned it.
3
Sorry Nick but America had other priorities right after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and worrying about educating girls and empowering women weren't even on the radar. We first had to defeat those responsible for slaughtering 3000 people. Why should we be the world's social workers? It hasn't made us too popular.
2
Of course we must help promote education, but for the sake of argument, what about those well-educated girls and boys who are fleeing Europe to fight "jihad" (war) in Syria? Have you not been reading your own newspaper? Many terrorists -- male and female alike-- are very well educated. You are so naive I think because you don't even bother to read your co-workers articles. We are seeing high-school and college educated people from Europe become terrorist, and here you say all we need is education to fight terrorism? Looks like you need some education yourself.
2
"If instead we had invested in girls’ education, it wouldn’t necessarily have stabilized Yemen. But it could hardly have done worse."
There is no denying that a society becomes less violent and kinder when more women are educated and have a say in the government. But when it is the WEST, with its own agenda, which is enabling women's education, then women will begin to look like a Fifth Column, and surely you do not want that?
Which country has the largest number of women elected to public office? It is India and the number is a million.
But when the West obsesses over the rape of that woman in Delhi (whose rapists have already been executed - and by India) then the ogre of The White Man's Burden rises again. Please do not go down that road!
There is no denying that a society becomes less violent and kinder when more women are educated and have a say in the government. But when it is the WEST, with its own agenda, which is enabling women's education, then women will begin to look like a Fifth Column, and surely you do not want that?
Which country has the largest number of women elected to public office? It is India and the number is a million.
But when the West obsesses over the rape of that woman in Delhi (whose rapists have already been executed - and by India) then the ogre of The White Man's Burden rises again. Please do not go down that road!
2
I don't know if Dick Cheney has always been crazy or is suffering some late in life emotional break down. But I do know retired Presidents are always careful not to criticize current presidents: they, better than anyone understand all the stresses and strains of holding office.
Disagreement is one thing: Accusal of treason is another.
We have all made mistakes in life. Those of us that have lived longer have made more. But, even when we suspect our mistakes are temporary set backs, we silence ourselves when it is apparent we are wrong. Why does Cheney speak publicly about foreign policy when--today--it appears the invasion of Iraq in 2003 was the largest foreign policy mistake in American history?
Frankly, his behavior seems crazy today. Was he crazy in 2003?
Disagreement is one thing: Accusal of treason is another.
We have all made mistakes in life. Those of us that have lived longer have made more. But, even when we suspect our mistakes are temporary set backs, we silence ourselves when it is apparent we are wrong. Why does Cheney speak publicly about foreign policy when--today--it appears the invasion of Iraq in 2003 was the largest foreign policy mistake in American history?
Frankly, his behavior seems crazy today. Was he crazy in 2003?
18
The U.S. is not responsible for the education of the women in the Muslim world.
We can not order or decree how women are treated by governments that use
the Quran as the basis for actions .Kristof can write
columns that mean nothing but this latest column indicates to me how out
of touch he really is. He continues to tilt at windmills. Maybe there should be a
drivers' ed program for the women in Saudi Arabia.
We can not order or decree how women are treated by governments that use
the Quran as the basis for actions .Kristof can write
columns that mean nothing but this latest column indicates to me how out
of touch he really is. He continues to tilt at windmills. Maybe there should be a
drivers' ed program for the women in Saudi Arabia.
4
US history is replete with knee-jerks that end up engaging us in conflicts, some of which --- like Korea --- we don't even care to fully acknowledge. For women, the outcomes of such military adventures are often rape and molestation, not exactly the type of learning experience that's ideal in promoting positive change. Let's face it, with our bloated military budget, it's hard to justify this disgraceful diversion of tax dollars without wielding that military like a bully with a club, something Mr. Cheney certainly excelled at. I'll always remember Dennis Kucinich's attempts to establish a Department of Peace and the complete lack of traction the idea received. Stop underwriting defense contractors and shift the money into global education initiatives for women and men, an ideal activity for that scoffed-at Department of Peace.
I wish that the dormant antiwar movement in this country would re-awaken --- loudly.
I wish that the dormant antiwar movement in this country would re-awaken --- loudly.
1
This is heart breaking. And your point about Cheney while disgusting is to be expect by such a degenerate.
But Nick, while I absolutely agree with this column please consider the religious fanatics in this country. While there is so much I admire and am thankful for about the subjects you write/report your near pollyannaish view of evangelicals in this country last week needs to juxtaposed with this column. It's not about the image of a Falwell-types and what they are doing. Yes evangelical girls (and boys) get educated in this country but for many oh so narrowly. And yes in this country mat have a chance to be experienced with ideas different than what they have been taught but only if they can how break away their home grown US cult.
But Nick, while I absolutely agree with this column please consider the religious fanatics in this country. While there is so much I admire and am thankful for about the subjects you write/report your near pollyannaish view of evangelicals in this country last week needs to juxtaposed with this column. It's not about the image of a Falwell-types and what they are doing. Yes evangelical girls (and boys) get educated in this country but for many oh so narrowly. And yes in this country mat have a chance to be experienced with ideas different than what they have been taught but only if they can how break away their home grown US cult.
2
How can we help girls in countries where they are oppressed if the leaders of those countries are not only uncooperative but outright resistant to that effort?
International condemnation of injustice to women doesn't seem to work.
International condemnation of injustice to women doesn't seem to work.
2
Bush/Cheney also happily complied with bin Laden's stated goal of involving us in endless warfare in the Mideast to deplete our military and treasury.
2
What I cannot fathom is why this psychopath Cheney is given space. He should be at the Hague. And he is talking about Obama's statement about Yemen? Does'nt he know (or should by now) that the Middle East is in a free-falling mode with shifting sands continually under the feet? And what was the beginning of this gruesome, macabre scene? This guy and his neocon friends' love of money and war. This is a guy who should be tried at the Hague for extreme Human Rights' Violations. I would even go to the extreme of comparing him with the ISIS although he has massacred hundreds of thousands of other peoples - more than the evil ISIS. Be very clear - I abhor the ISIS and am not an apologist for this subhuman species. Instead we get his venom against our President from all the media outlets. Let's stop enabling this poisonous,incoherent, wild, irrational, dangerous, creepy diatribe. Make him non-existent,totally irrelevant. He will never, ever see the little girl in white with her book because he will only want to see the evil black background.
2
The only educational thing about Cheney it that he proves that America is still the land of opportunity.
After all, where else could a Viet Nam draft dodging coward grow up to be a war criminal?
After all, where else could a Viet Nam draft dodging coward grow up to be a war criminal?
2
Don’t forget Cheney’s aggressive and successful effort to enable Halliburton to conduct commerce with Iran, circumventing our sanctions with wholly owned “foreign” subsidiaries like Halliburton Products and Services, with its “headquarters” at a Cayman Islands mailbox and its real office in Iran, right along the Axis of Evil. Of course back then the sanctions were pretty ineffective because the previous administration had so antagonized our allies and adversaries that cooperation was minimal among the former and nonexistent among the latter, especially Russia whose participation was crucial in turning up the pressure sufficiently to bring Iran to the nuclear bargaining table. Dick Cheney, consistent and invaluable economic, political, and military supporter of Iran.
1
Mr. Kristof is undoubtedly right in this opinion piece. However, the Congress would have never allowed $2 to promote girl education (or any education) abroad, let alone $2 billion. Nevertheless, the President does have a world stage, and he could have campaigned for this point of view for the last 6 years. No cost.
Arms make more money for American companies. How about instead subsidies to get laptops and tablets to not just girls but boys? And to pay for desks and chairs and libraries and musical instruments and gym equipment? And audiovisual equipment and cameras or even smart phones so kids can take pictures of their lives and share them.
It depends what Kristof mean by education. There are places in the US that believe creationism is a science that should be taught at school. What this comes down to is that humans are basically irrational, we have beliefs and look for rational reasons to support them. The only way to make education effective is to change beliefs, change attitudes.
1
These wise words of Nicholas Kristof lack the context of the social enablers that support the education of women. For example, democratically inspired rule of law, culture, religion, economic and physical security matter. As does women’s right to vote. If you look at American history as a guide, women’s suffrage and the necessary rapid economic expansion of WWII enabled women to come forward into the market space and place demands for and achieve better education. Our country and many others are better for it. However, some countries are too backward in their development to accept such radical change unless these are led by their own means and have a persisting will to transform. Yemen, Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria are examples of where external resources are squandered because the internal underpinnings of those enablers do not exist.
2
Very well said Mr. Kristof.
Though, hopefully, it comes as a shock to exactly no one that this country completely ignored the importance of both women and education in this regard. The only things more reviled by many in our current anti-Atlantis than women and education are minorities and the thought of healthcare as an inalienable human right.
Though, hopefully, it comes as a shock to exactly no one that this country completely ignored the importance of both women and education in this regard. The only things more reviled by many in our current anti-Atlantis than women and education are minorities and the thought of healthcare as an inalienable human right.
5
Girl empowerment received plenty of attention during the Bush years and particularly during the invasions and Afghanistan and Iraq. I was strangely offended that America was invading and overthrowing a regime in part to promote girls' education, particularly when girls don't even register for selective service here, but that's just me. I support more and better equality, but I disagree our progress to date is detestable.
1
America's weapons of mass construction are humanitarian aid including education, medical and health care, food, clean water and housing. Diplomacy, commerce and aid are likely more effective and less costly in blood and treasure options than is a military-industrial complex solution to an ethnic sectarian civil war.
The marginalization and oppression of females is a worldwide enduring phenomena that loses half of humanity's talent. Misogyny is a universal faith sectarian problem. Discrimination against women spans all continents, nation states and NGO's. Neither race nor color nor ethnicity are guarantees protecting the divine natural created equal certain unalienable rights of women.
American women have had the right to vote for less than a century. And they have been free from legally sanctioned discrimination in every phase of civil secular life for just over 50 years.
While the focus on educating girls like Malala misses a bigger Islamic historical truth. All of the nations with the most Muslims-Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh- have or had a female head of state or government. Women in Iran and Turkey have far more educational opportunities than women elsewhere in the Middle East particularly if they come from the middle class or more.
Education is a boon to humans everywhere. American ignorance about the ethnic sectarian political history of foreign nations dooms us to failure born of hubris. Smart humans?
The marginalization and oppression of females is a worldwide enduring phenomena that loses half of humanity's talent. Misogyny is a universal faith sectarian problem. Discrimination against women spans all continents, nation states and NGO's. Neither race nor color nor ethnicity are guarantees protecting the divine natural created equal certain unalienable rights of women.
American women have had the right to vote for less than a century. And they have been free from legally sanctioned discrimination in every phase of civil secular life for just over 50 years.
While the focus on educating girls like Malala misses a bigger Islamic historical truth. All of the nations with the most Muslims-Indonesia, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh- have or had a female head of state or government. Women in Iran and Turkey have far more educational opportunities than women elsewhere in the Middle East particularly if they come from the middle class or more.
Education is a boon to humans everywhere. American ignorance about the ethnic sectarian political history of foreign nations dooms us to failure born of hubris. Smart humans?
2
Perhaps we should stop "investing" our tax dollars to provide any "assistance" outside our borders. Don't arm the Yemenis, or the Saudis, or the Iraqis, or the Afghanis, or ...
Building schools and soccer fields in Afghanistan hasn't defeated the jihadists there. Ditto in Iraq. Let's stop helping people who don't appreciate individual rights and individual freedoms.
Building schools and soccer fields in Afghanistan hasn't defeated the jihadists there. Ditto in Iraq. Let's stop helping people who don't appreciate individual rights and individual freedoms.
3
The US is in a muddle about "rights and freedoms". You canno get a clear definition of those words from anyone.
We live under the law of contracts, where everything is negotiable. Liberty is the power to negotiate your contracts equitably.
We live under the law of contracts, where everything is negotiable. Liberty is the power to negotiate your contracts equitably.
Why just focus on the obvious impediments to female education based in Islamic countries? How about directing some of these efforts to educate girls closer to home. No need to have your daughter put on a head-scarf and send her on a publicity tour in Iran. Promote this idea in Kansas for starters. Given his recent attempts to outlaw access to abortion, wonder how Governor Brownback would react to women being educated.
6
Male education is just as repressed.
To enter the real world of learning, one must discard any notion that nature thinks or cares about people, or that the universe is somehow about this planet.
To enter the real world of learning, one must discard any notion that nature thinks or cares about people, or that the universe is somehow about this planet.
1
What better validation of one's policies and actions than to have them denounced by Dick Cheney?
47
Investment is needed in girls' education. However, it seems the boys need the same investment AND a lot of after-school tutoring given the problems they cause when they grow up.
6
As pathetic as Obama has been in NOT getting us out of the lost war in Afghanistan and by not cutting support to Egypt, all of Iraq is on Bush and Cheney, who created a trillion dollars of deficit and threw it away, along with thousands of US lives, to install al-Maliki, who then did everything he could to destroy Iraq.
10
Education alone is no solution to the Jihadi wave among Muslims today. Most Muslim terrorists worldwide are relatively well off and educated (Bin Laden, etc). And look at the educated Muslim girls in Britain, France and elsewhere in Europe who have access to western educations and opportunities but still give it all up to join ISIS. The problem is the appeal of the Jihad ideology, not lack of education or opportunities. Jihadism is not fueled by grievances, but by religion, specifically Islam. We need to combat the ideology that calls for jihad against the non-Muslims and glorifies martyrdom -- and stop blaming ourselves.
4
Jihad is waged in the mind, and it cannot be won without superior education.
Don't confuse jihad with banditry and nihilism.
Don't confuse jihad with banditry and nihilism.
If educated women can't reform the relatively enlightened Catholic church, how can we expect that they will reform a male-dominated fundamentalist version of Islam practiced by the tribes in poor remoted areas of Afghanistan, Somalia and North Africa? These places are ruled by the traditional tribal/religious leaders and those with guns. Even those who are nominally on our side in these areas are not interested in empowering women. That is one reason their support for us is lukewarm. They don't want us to revamp their culture.
A likelier place to promote empowerment of women is here at home. We find that while American women are well educated, really better educated than men for the below-40 cohort, almost all the power whether in elected leaders, the military, police, religion, finance, or industry is held by men.
A likelier place to promote empowerment of women is here at home. We find that while American women are well educated, really better educated than men for the below-40 cohort, almost all the power whether in elected leaders, the military, police, religion, finance, or industry is held by men.
5
My experiences traveling the globe and twenty years in the US military confirm every word written by Mr. Kristof. The worst mistake the US made following 911 was to allow the military to become the primary US foreign policy institution. The Cold War was not won by the military, we only made the price of conflict too high. What 'won' the Cold War was the West's decision to invest in its physical and social superstructure rather than its military allowing its people to thrive. Once 'new' technology of the day, the FAX and copy machine, ended the Soviet Union's ability to lie to its people, a long slow collapse was inevitable.
23
The US turned the martyrdom of 19 renegades into a global war.
1
Heart in the right place as usual, NK, but very weak ending. "Sometimes?" Bookish females versus drones? Aren't we the ones with educated women and drones?
An old song of Irish exile, too schmaltzy for this era, has the lines:
"The strangers came and tried to teach us their way,
And scorned us too for being what we are,
But they might as well go try and catch a moonbeam
Or light a penny candle from a star."
We need to start with respect for the rights of others and for their cultures and beliefs. Then understanding and dialogue may follow. Little to be gained in the "hearts and minds" game by tolerating the grossest ignorance and suppression at home while decrying it abroad. The video of the death of Walter Scott is a powerful drone.
An old song of Irish exile, too schmaltzy for this era, has the lines:
"The strangers came and tried to teach us their way,
And scorned us too for being what we are,
But they might as well go try and catch a moonbeam
Or light a penny candle from a star."
We need to start with respect for the rights of others and for their cultures and beliefs. Then understanding and dialogue may follow. Little to be gained in the "hearts and minds" game by tolerating the grossest ignorance and suppression at home while decrying it abroad. The video of the death of Walter Scott is a powerful drone.
5
Educating women in other nations is an American liberal ideal.
But respecting educated and strong women in America is another story. Even Democrats are whinging about Hilary Clinton, debasing her achievements in fear of a strong woman as president. They seem more than willing to lose the next presidential election rather than support one of our countries smartest and most accomplished women.
And of course there is the glass ceiling in Silicon Valley, home to America's bastion of technological strength
And let's not forget the rising tide aiming to eliminate all abortion rights as well as contraception.
Look to your own nation Mr. Kristof and think about educating MEN here so we can offer full respect, opportunity, and body control to our own women.
But respecting educated and strong women in America is another story. Even Democrats are whinging about Hilary Clinton, debasing her achievements in fear of a strong woman as president. They seem more than willing to lose the next presidential election rather than support one of our countries smartest and most accomplished women.
And of course there is the glass ceiling in Silicon Valley, home to America's bastion of technological strength
And let's not forget the rising tide aiming to eliminate all abortion rights as well as contraception.
Look to your own nation Mr. Kristof and think about educating MEN here so we can offer full respect, opportunity, and body control to our own women.
44
I think what Democrats fear is being embarrassed by a known liar and probable crook, not a "strong woman". Seriously, who has known Hilary well for a long time and themselves have a reputation for honesty and is willing to say that she is an honest person?
Dear Mr. Kristof,
In an ideal world where the people who "practice" religion versus using it as a tool of oppression and political (and material) gain, certainly "girls with books" can be more powerful than drones in the sky.
Until such a time as religions, including the knife wielding type used by DAESH or the Bible thumping types haunting our own legislatures, become more of the "do unto others as they'd do unto you" versions as actually promulgated in most of their "holy" books, any secular progress will be stymied.
The ignorance of so called "religious" people is appalling with Muslim leaders decrying any attempts at educating females and Senators in our country displaying "snowballs in February" as proof that man made climate change is a myth.
I'm pretty certain that if there is a god, he/she/it is becoming fairly disgusted with the whole lot of us. As for investing in education in places like Afghanistan or Yemen, just how long must we maintain a troop presence in order to achieve this equality of education? Right now, books alone won't cut it without an appropriate amount of bullets to go along with those books.
By the way, why are you surprised about the weapons being sold in Yemen? America is the largest arms supplier to the world and, apparently, plans on staying that way; one of our few "growth" industries.
In an ideal world where the people who "practice" religion versus using it as a tool of oppression and political (and material) gain, certainly "girls with books" can be more powerful than drones in the sky.
Until such a time as religions, including the knife wielding type used by DAESH or the Bible thumping types haunting our own legislatures, become more of the "do unto others as they'd do unto you" versions as actually promulgated in most of their "holy" books, any secular progress will be stymied.
The ignorance of so called "religious" people is appalling with Muslim leaders decrying any attempts at educating females and Senators in our country displaying "snowballs in February" as proof that man made climate change is a myth.
I'm pretty certain that if there is a god, he/she/it is becoming fairly disgusted with the whole lot of us. As for investing in education in places like Afghanistan or Yemen, just how long must we maintain a troop presence in order to achieve this equality of education? Right now, books alone won't cut it without an appropriate amount of bullets to go along with those books.
By the way, why are you surprised about the weapons being sold in Yemen? America is the largest arms supplier to the world and, apparently, plans on staying that way; one of our few "growth" industries.
8
"To counter terrorism, sometimes a girl with a book is more powerful than a drone in the sky".
One might argue that perhaps better educated women would also be drawn to terrorism. However, a good deal of research seems to support Mr. Kristof's assertion.
http://www.cgdev.org/doc/Events/Women%20Education%20and%20Support%20for%...
However, the process of women terrorist radicalization does exist, and for a variety of reasons and there are a variety of strategies for dealing with it.
http://www.osce.org/secretariat/99919?download=true
One might argue that perhaps better educated women would also be drawn to terrorism. However, a good deal of research seems to support Mr. Kristof's assertion.
http://www.cgdev.org/doc/Events/Women%20Education%20and%20Support%20for%...
However, the process of women terrorist radicalization does exist, and for a variety of reasons and there are a variety of strategies for dealing with it.
http://www.osce.org/secretariat/99919?download=true
2
Yes, good points all around. Education, including after high school, is one of our greatest gifts to/as humanity. I wish all of my students had at least the chance to try a year of college: for the intellectual focus, for the course variety, for the interactions between young adults in pursuit of something worthy of us. Grand.
Funny, the title had me thinking the article was about how women are portrayed as either nerdy or 'hot'. Ha. But, also a troubling part of how women are experiencing this world. The West's sexualization of so many things, commercializing women's beauty as source of seduction and sale, is belittling and rather coarse. The cover of this year's Sports Illustrated is a good/bad example. Sad to push such images at nearly every store you go into, with absolutely no regard to age or appropriateness. Wild gone cultural.
Let's push education and community as highest goal and motivator. And, to do this, our lust for wealth, property and material excess must diminish. We surely can't 'have it all'. I think the US is now the 17th most liveable place on earth, and moving downwards. No surprise: here money is our spiritual guide, with education of our children somewhere down the list. Probably about 17th.
Funny, the title had me thinking the article was about how women are portrayed as either nerdy or 'hot'. Ha. But, also a troubling part of how women are experiencing this world. The West's sexualization of so many things, commercializing women's beauty as source of seduction and sale, is belittling and rather coarse. The cover of this year's Sports Illustrated is a good/bad example. Sad to push such images at nearly every store you go into, with absolutely no regard to age or appropriateness. Wild gone cultural.
Let's push education and community as highest goal and motivator. And, to do this, our lust for wealth, property and material excess must diminish. We surely can't 'have it all'. I think the US is now the 17th most liveable place on earth, and moving downwards. No surprise: here money is our spiritual guide, with education of our children somewhere down the list. Probably about 17th.
19
I generally agree with all the points you've mentioned here, but what do you mean by "the West" and whats the point of it? It's quite a generalization and quite wrong too. It would have been more interesting to say that capitalism tout court, promotes a blurring of standards in favor of profit maximization, addressing the primary needs and there where it can creates new needs.
2
Historically, stable democracy only flows from nations with an educated middle class, so we should be promoting education around the world. We must remember, however, that democratization tends to take generations, so promoting education cannot be a partisan issue, and it cannot be a short effort.
7
In all of my international politics classes we learned about the importance and true potential of soft power. Unfortunately, U.S. foreign policy has revolved around the systemic use of hard power evident in our historical military campaigns and in the vast amounts of economic 'relief' packages we have given to nations we so desperately tried to transform. In an idealistic world, development would be the main focus of all forms of foreign aid but we do not live nor will we ever live in a world such as that. Women's empowerment and educational development are issues we so sorely lag behind on our home turf as well.
9
Education, and the schools to impart it, is the best 'weapon' to shake so much violence, violence based on ignorance and the intolerance it engenders. So far, 'bombs' seem to have the upper hand; we must fight to reverse it.
4
Education is essential for the children of our world. But, it is not a panacea providing assurance that peace will flourish because people are educated. Mr. Cheney and those who promote his rhetoric are educated. There are plenty of women in America who voice what I consider stupid (drill baby drill, for example) comments/propositions.
The youth everywhere need a reason to value their lives. Without employment and with death to too many family members it is extremely hard to envision peace. Many are drawn to retaliate for abuses to their families. Too many have no future. Peace will require much more than a good education to shift the curent war cries of terrorist groups.
The youth everywhere need a reason to value their lives. Without employment and with death to too many family members it is extremely hard to envision peace. Many are drawn to retaliate for abuses to their families. Too many have no future. Peace will require much more than a good education to shift the curent war cries of terrorist groups.
5
There is no more crucial goal. All good things will come from the global emancipation of women and gender equality. All progressive goals will be advanced by the dilution of patriarchy. That's why gender equality should be our first priority, and that's why conservative opposition resists it. What a battle it is, has been, and will be.
58
If the Republicans could make money with peace, we'd exalt Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. But the Military Industrial complex is the best generator of political funding ever conceived, so the drums of war will sound as long as the Republicans maintain control. And don't begin to think the plutocrats will lift a finger to enable challenges to male superiority from the other half of the human population.
32
"Former Vice President Dick Cheney probably had places like Yemen on his mind when he described Obama a few days ago as “the worst president we’ve ever had” and —incredibly — hinted that Obama may be a traitor who is deliberately weakening our country through his foreign policies."
This is more of what the editorial is saying in its:
A New Phase in Anti-Obama Attacks
editorial.
Cheney has been saying this for several years now, and there is a certain segment of the population that believes it. It is considered bad form to compare such things to the Nazis, but that is just what it is. Dick Cheney is the closest person we ever had, who acts like, talks like, and believes like a Nazi.
He is rated as among the worst VP we have ever had, right there with Aaron Burr. Not only was he one of the architects of the invasion and occupation of Iraq, he also profited from it. He comes close to being a traitor and a war criminal.
This is more of what the editorial is saying in its:
A New Phase in Anti-Obama Attacks
editorial.
Cheney has been saying this for several years now, and there is a certain segment of the population that believes it. It is considered bad form to compare such things to the Nazis, but that is just what it is. Dick Cheney is the closest person we ever had, who acts like, talks like, and believes like a Nazi.
He is rated as among the worst VP we have ever had, right there with Aaron Burr. Not only was he one of the architects of the invasion and occupation of Iraq, he also profited from it. He comes close to being a traitor and a war criminal.
108
He does not "come close to being a traitor and a war criminal," he has crossed the line. He and Bush II should both be at The Hague on trial for crimes against humanity. Starting a war on false pretenses, torture, and arms profiteering are Cheney's legacy. Calling Obama "The worst President in history" is rich coming from this draft dodger.
1
He is an admitted war criminal. He admits to approving torture. That is a war crime.
1
Without girls' education, no development will ever be possible. Fortunately for China, Mao's otherwise terrible legacy includes equality for women in education. One could argue that it is also a factor in the lack of military adventurism on the part of China's leaders. Foreign development aid should be heavily centered on women's education and health, and respect of cultural differences should never serve as a pretext for restraint in this matter. Taliban and Boko Haram types will always oppose it, but they are a tiny minority. The great majority of the people want it and so it is ultimately democracy's first base.
7
Educating girls is important. Ideally, it would not been seen as an instrument of foreign policy. At any rate, it is hard to argue that bombing them, rather than educating the girls, is more respectful of those peoples and cultures.
4
Sounds nice but societies don't take kindly to foreign meddling in their cultures. Imagine the Saudis imposing burkhas on us or the French encouraging topless at American beaches. Americans would be horrified and the reaction would be very similar among american men and women with not much gender gap. On education, look how contentious common core has become even though it's pretty innocuous and it's being implemented by leaders of both parties that we ourselves elected. Now imagine the reaction if a foreign government were trying to impose common core. Interesting just how strong the desire among americans is to remake other societies. Bush by the sword and liberals through girls education. For better or worse there is a common impulse here.
6
Some of these cultures have a history of educating girls beyond that which they presently do ... Admittedly, educating girls may be a form of cultural imperialism, replete with several potential morality issues associated with the content of that education, but surely educating girls is better than supplying arms or drone diplomacy? Importantly, if educating girls empowers them such that they can escape subjugated lives and/or build positive and healthy families, businesses, and community stability, then surely that moral imperative is valuable in its own right?
16
Never having been to Saudi Arabia, I googled Saudi dress code for women. Burkas were nowhere mentioned.
So you prefer to keep the girls uneducated, pregnant, treated as chattel, or worse?
4
I doubt that the terrorists have thought through the strategic rewards of denying girls education. They are just following a three thousand year old formula espoused by Aramaic tribal chieftains for maintaining a patriarchal culture.
Then again the strategic brilliance is well preserved in the ancient texts.
How many more millenia must we suffer under the burden of these ancient prejudices?
Then again the strategic brilliance is well preserved in the ancient texts.
How many more millenia must we suffer under the burden of these ancient prejudices?
47
I think if America were to heavily push girls' education we would be accused of cultural imperialism. And rightly so. Rigid male control of women is a fundamental tenet of society in these regions and if you give women options and education you undermine traditional culture. I support giving women options but we must be honest about what we are doing. Human rights for women in these regions is radical and subversive.
22
There are times when ideas must be rammed down the throats of certain cultures. Like when civil society had to convince slave holding nations that slavery wasn't going to cut it any more.
20
How could we do worse? It's not as though we have successes to trumpet in the region.
And women have succeeded even in the (backward) Middle East.
Or do you prefer the status quo? Which, BTW, is unhelpful to USA interests.
And women have succeeded even in the (backward) Middle East.
Or do you prefer the status quo? Which, BTW, is unhelpful to USA interests.
1
"When he was running for president in 2008, he proposed a $2 billion global fund for education — but then dropped the idea."
President Obama has faced an incredible uphill battle from the beginning for all of his policies. It seems that this idea is most likely yet one more that fell victim to the intransigence of the Republicans in Congress. There were only so many fights that Obama could take on, especially given that it was never clear that the Democrats in Congress ever had his back. Should he have given it more importance and pursued it harder? Possibly, but that's a judgment call and we'll never know. I simply mourn for all that could have been accomplished, domestically and internationally, had we had a Congress that had worked with instead of against the president. Certainly Obama has made his share of mistakes. Perhaps some could have been avoided had Ted Kennedy not passed away so early in Obama's first time; thus depriving him of a guide and an ally in dealing with the obstructionist, Democrat-hating Republicans in our Congress.
President Obama has faced an incredible uphill battle from the beginning for all of his policies. It seems that this idea is most likely yet one more that fell victim to the intransigence of the Republicans in Congress. There were only so many fights that Obama could take on, especially given that it was never clear that the Democrats in Congress ever had his back. Should he have given it more importance and pursued it harder? Possibly, but that's a judgment call and we'll never know. I simply mourn for all that could have been accomplished, domestically and internationally, had we had a Congress that had worked with instead of against the president. Certainly Obama has made his share of mistakes. Perhaps some could have been avoided had Ted Kennedy not passed away so early in Obama's first time; thus depriving him of a guide and an ally in dealing with the obstructionist, Democrat-hating Republicans in our Congress.
98
"Anything Else vs. Bombs"
3
As the first woman to serve as Australian Prime Minister, I know from my own life the transformative power of education. Now, as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Global Partnership for Education I have seen the difference access to education makes for poor girls and boys. The terrorists understand the power of girls education. So should we. The world radically under invests in education and this year, as the global community defines the new sustainable development goals, is the time to step up and fix that problem. Campaigning for change by citizens will make a difference. My thanks go to Nicholas Kristof for continuing to inform as well as hopefully inspiring that vital campaigning.
172
If only this were about education, it isn't. Even now in most Islamic societies female idleness is the supreme indication that men are rich enough to keep them; their main obligation was, and remains reproductive (of males, that is) and sexual entertainment, preferably left to lesser wives. In the olden days as now, this supposed idleness was naturally something very few women could in fact enjoy: it is just that their work did not take place in public space, but on a domestic, therefore private scale. Pierre Bourdieu in his ground-breaking study of Kabyls has studied what constitutes male and female occupations and ways of occupying space. Practically everything he has written applies to present day rural Afghanistan. Any kind of socially ennobling work- using metal tools, tasks carried out standing, sowing, trading, schooling, etc is deemed male privilege whereas work implying a crouching position, or marketable skills from food preparation to carpet weaving was and is carried out in the domestic space, then sold by the menfolk. It will take a lot more than some educated girls to change 1500 years of 'culture'.
6
Is this not also pretty much what the US was before the second war to end them all?
Thank you for doing your part in helping erase John Howard (aka Australia's Dick Cheney spokesperson) from the scene. Sometimes it takes an educated woman to finish cleaning up messes left by neo-con ignorance.
4
Cheney is no girl educator
Superb as a war instigator,
Five deferment man
Holds coats when he can,
At bad advice, still a first rater!
Superb as a war instigator,
Five deferment man
Holds coats when he can,
At bad advice, still a first rater!
61
Yes, asked about his deferments during VN war, he answered " I had other things to do"
It is far from incredible that Cheney would insinuate in his insidious way that Mr. Obama might be purposely hurting the US with his policies. It is incredible that some people still hold Hugh Hewitt in high regard despite the forum for Cheney's demagoguery. Cheney is not a serious, respectable public figure and likely has not been one since 1991. He has no credibility.
Nothing is a panacea, but empowering women frequently has led to much more favorable policy outcomes and superior trajectories for many countries, as it should lead to many more in the years to come. The US does not do enough of this, as Mr. Kristof writes, because the work is "agonizingly (slow)" and we would seemingly much prefer to try to bomb these countries into submission than to make suitable long-term investments. At least we are beginning to learn you can't bomb nations into democracy.
Our policy in Yemen has been a failure, despite our professed effort to stabilize the country. President Obama has tried to extract us from Cheneyist foreign policy impulses, but he's still stuck dealing with the world his predecessor left him in 2009. That's terribly unfortunate and it doesn't look like Hillary Clinton's administration is going to step into a much more favorable situation than the Obama team inherited. Perhaps she will see the wisdom of resurrecting candidate Obama's global education fund proposal, even if she has to fight tooth-and-nail for every dollar from Congress for our contribution.
Nothing is a panacea, but empowering women frequently has led to much more favorable policy outcomes and superior trajectories for many countries, as it should lead to many more in the years to come. The US does not do enough of this, as Mr. Kristof writes, because the work is "agonizingly (slow)" and we would seemingly much prefer to try to bomb these countries into submission than to make suitable long-term investments. At least we are beginning to learn you can't bomb nations into democracy.
Our policy in Yemen has been a failure, despite our professed effort to stabilize the country. President Obama has tried to extract us from Cheneyist foreign policy impulses, but he's still stuck dealing with the world his predecessor left him in 2009. That's terribly unfortunate and it doesn't look like Hillary Clinton's administration is going to step into a much more favorable situation than the Obama team inherited. Perhaps she will see the wisdom of resurrecting candidate Obama's global education fund proposal, even if she has to fight tooth-and-nail for every dollar from Congress for our contribution.
37
BTW: What is a war criminal, Cheney, still doing at large? The unwritten rule in the US is that war criminals will not be prosecuted as long as they back out from politics. Why is this war criminal still talking? Isn't it time for him to shut up?