It begins anew

 

It seems the never-ending Afghan conflict between the lesser greater evil and the greater greater evil (with the pure evil being thrown in for good measure) is starting all over again. At least according to the video above, which discusses an anti-Taliban resistance group called the AUF, headed by a former covert operations specialist from the old regime. OK, let me guess. If and when the Dems retake the White House, he will be declared the greater good and receive some quality military assistance from The Man? Indeed, the AUF might be receiving it already, since their office is in Virginia! And the official launch of the organization was made through a US Neo-Con website...

It begins anew. 

Oh

 

Apparently, Iran is about to close the Strait of Hormuz. Again. I didn´t realize it was supposed to be open? The reason is Israel´s offensive in Lebanon against Iran´s allies Hizbollah. Again. 

So I suppose Vance has to strut all the way to Islamabad again for another round of negotiations with the defeated, overthrown and non-existent Iranian regime...

Again.

Info Wars

 

I have to say that the Iranian regime (of all people) do produce some funny propaganda, or should I say agit-prop. The whole thing reminds me of when the Taliban (again - of all people) mocked Joe Biden by eating ice cream. I have to constantly remind myself that these are supposed to be the *bad* guys!

Note the references to Epstein, to the "split in MAGA" and to Trump´s fragile ego. Note also that social media platforms aren´t censoring the propaganda of the Iranian regime. What a contrast to what happened when Russia invaded Ukraine. 

Meanwhile, Trump is threatening to leave NATO, insults the very same Ukraine (which is aiding the Gulf States with drones), uses expletives and praises Allah on Resurrection Sunday, and lets one of his sycophants compare him to one Christ Jesus. More importantly, it looks as if he can´t actually defeat Iran. Or won´t? You would think a superpower could quash the current acephalous Iranian regime. Maybe he really wants to impose tariffs on all traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and split the proceeds fifty - fifty with whatever Revolutionary Guard caretaker emerges to take the bait. 

So far, no takers. And probably more propaganda videos...  

Nothing is new under the sun

 

Or maybe it is? It seems *Trump* will now block the (fuckin´) Strait of Hormuz. Oh. 

Dire straits

 

- Strait of Hormuz? You gotta be kidding,
I may be the god of the oceans,
but I´m avoiding *that* place like the plague!

How could the Islamic terror regime in Iran survive for almost 50 years? Well, we just got the answer. It´s the Strait of Hormuz, stupid. Oil and gas is more important than human rights. It worked for the mostly pro-Western Shah, so why not for the mostly anti-Western Khomeini and Khamenei? Who dares, wins. 

As for the latest Trump "taco"...LOL. The Iranian regime has a 10-point list of very maximalist demands ("give us everything, Don") which the POTUS actually claims is a serious basis for peace negotiations?! Which either means that Trump will cave, or that the war will be resumed again in two weeks. 

Well, let´s hope at least some of those tankers get through that fuckin´ strait. 

Orange Messiah makes peace with Anti-Christ(?)

 

Credit: Alnus 

Are you telling me the war of Gog and Magog just ended or something? Praise be to Allah, I suppose.  

Apokalypsis

 

I just saw a triumphalist Christian video pointing out that Muslim birth rates are falling. Which isn´t even true, since they are still far above replacement level in many Muslim nations. Now, do Christian nations...

Exactly. 

Here we go again

 

All-out war between Pakistan and the Taliban in Afghanistan? Here we go again. War-wise, that is.

Let´s see if the Islamic Republic can defeat the Islamic Emirate. Frankenstein´s monster and all that...

Come right at me

 

A propos the previous blog post: Buddha protected by Alexander the Great and Herakles! Welcome to ancient Gandhara... 

White Boy Summer...again

 

An interesting video on ancient Greek influence on various aspects of Asian art and culture (including martial arts). 

The Greco-Buddhist kingdoms of Bactria and NW India are of course featured, but it turns out that the Hellenic influence survived far longer. Note that the first depictions of the Hindu gods Krishna and Balarama are Greco-Buddhist, and so are the first anthropomorphic depictions of the Buddha. There are even depictions of the Buddha with two dharma-protectors, who on closer inspection turns out to be Alexander the Great and Herakles! 

The content-creator argues that some Asian martial arts might be influenced by ancient Greek Pankration (made famous by the games at Olympia). Thai boxing and Bokator in Cambodia are apparently the main suspects. The video also claims that there are descriptions of fighting techniques in the Hindu epic Mahabharata which resembles Pankration.

Interesting. So here we go again: Ex Occidente lux. Or at least mixed martial arts...   

The age of ice and gravel

 

Credit: Gktambe

I admit I never heard of the Amarnath Cave Temple before. It´s a quite literal cave at a high altitude in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir where Hindu pilgrims worship a gigantic ice stalagmite, believed to be a natural manifestation of the god Shiva. 

The pilgrimage is rather large. It´s also rather dangerous. Thousands of Indian soldiers and police officers try and protect the pilgrims, who are attacked by Islamist terrorists on a semi-regular basis. Kashmir is majority-Muslim and the jihadists fight for the entire area to be merged into Pakistan.

None of this will be a problem if climate change simply melts the glaciers in the Himalayas, but I´m digressing. 

Find Shiva within you, ye pilgrim brethren! 

The demons make us strong

 

Muslim street preacher explains why Hinduism is "demonic". Oookay. He also says that the Hindu gods are "powerless", presumably in comparison with Allah.

So how come India is more developed than Pakistan? I don´t really "take sides" in arguments like this (I mean, wtf), but I couldn´t help asking ChatGPT about this. Of course, I don´t think Rama is behind India´s rapid economic growth, anymore than Allah is responsible for low Pakistani literacy rates, but shouldn´t this be a problem for somebody who believes God is literally in charge of everything?

OK, enough fun for this Friday evening...

Is India or Pakistan the most developed nation in terms of economic growth or other indicators?

India is generally more developed than Pakistan by most major economic and development indicators, and its economy is growing at a significantly faster pace.

Let’s break it down by key criteria:

---

🏛 Economic Size

Indicator	India	Pakistan
GDP (Nominal, 2024)	~$3.7 trillion (5th largest in world)	~$370 billion
GDP (PPP)	~$12 trillion	~$1.5 trillion

India’s economy is almost 10 times larger than Pakistan’s.

---

📈 Economic Growth

• India: Fast-growing economy, averaging 6–7% annual growth, one of the fastest among major nations.

• Pakistan: Growth is volatile, often 1–3%, recently facing economic crises, IMF bailouts, inflation, and currency devaluation.

---

🧍 Human Development (UN HDI 2023)

Indicator	India	Pakistan
HDI Rank	134	164
Life expectancy	~70 years	~66 years
Literacy rate	~77%	~58%

India ranks higher in education, life expectancy, and standard of living.

---

🏭 Industrial & Technological Development

• India is a major center for IT, pharmaceuticals, space research (ISRO), manufacturing, and services.

• Pakistan has a smaller, agrarian-based economy with limited industrial capacity.

---

🌍 Global Integration

Factor	India	Pakistan
Foreign investment	Much higher	Lower
Global influence	G20 member, BRICS, major diplomatic role	Limited geopolitical influence

---

⚠️ Where Pakistan may score better

• Poverty inequality: Some reports suggest Pakistan may have slightly less inequality than India.

• But overall standards of health, education, and infrastructure are still lower than India.

---

✅ Conclusion

India is more economically developed, globally influential, and rapidly growing.
Pakistan faces more economic instability, debt, and developmental challenges.

---

Would you like a comparison of military power, population trends, or future growth projections between the two countries?

Yes, please.

Sure — here’s a clear comparison of future growth projections for India vs. Pakistan, including economy, military, and demographics. This helps understand where both nations are heading, not just where they are today.

---

🔮 Future Projections: India vs. Pakistan

1️⃣ Economic Growth & Future Outlook

Aspect	India – Future	Pakistan – Future
GDP Growth (Proj. 2025–2030)	6–7% per year (strong)	2–4% per year (unstable)
Global Role	3rd largest economy by 2030 (overtaking Japan & Germany)	Risk of stagnation, IMF dependency
Economic Drivers	Technology, manufacturing (Make in India), services	Agriculture, remittances, limited industry
Risk Factors	Inequality, infrastructure, bureaucracy	Debt crisis, political instability, inflation

🔍 Conclusion: India is projected to become a major global economic power, while Pakistan may struggle to maintain consistent growth without reforms.

---

2️⃣ Military & Strategic Power (Future)

Aspect	India	Pakistan
Defense Budget 2030 (Est.)	$100+ billion	~$15 billion
Nuclear Capability	Advanced triad, ICBMs, space assets	Nuclear deterrent, tactical focus
Alliances	BRICS, QUAD, relations with US/Russia	Ties with China, Gulf funding
Global Reach	Expanding Navy, Blue-water capability	Primarily regional defense

⚔️ Conclusion:
Pakistan will remain a strong regional military (mainly aimed at India), but India is evolving into a global military power with space and naval capabilities.

---

3️⃣ Population & Demographic Future

Demographic Trend	India	Pakistan
Population Peak	~2060, then decline	Continuously rising past 2100
2024 Population	~1.43 billion	~240 million
Fertility Rate	~2.0 (near replacement)	~3.5+ (high growth)
Demographic Dividend	Productive workforce until 2050	Youth bulge but weak job creation

👥 Key Insight:

• India’s population will stabilize, aiding development.

• Pakistan’s rapid growth without jobs may cause economic pressure and instability.

---

4️⃣ Social Development Projection

Factor (2030 Outlook)	India	Pakistan
Literacy	85–90%	60–65%
Urbanization	Rapid (Smart cities)	Moderate
Digital Economy	Huge IT + AI growth	Limited digital infrastructure
Risk	Religious tension, inequality	Political volatility, extremism

---

🧭 Final Strategic Outlook to 2050

Category	India	Pakistan
Economic Superpower?	✅ Yes, Top 3 globally	❌ Unlikely
Military Global Power?	✅ Yes	⚠️ Regional only
Human Development Improvement?	✅ Yes (gradual)	⚠️ Slow, uncertain
Global Influence?	✅ Major role (G20, UN reform)	⚠️ Limited to Islamic bloc & China

---

🌍 Summary Verdict

India: Rising global giant — economy, military, diplomacy.
Pakistan: Will remain important regionally but faces serious development challenges unless major reforms occur.

---

Would you like a similar comparison for Bangladesh vs. Pakistan, or India vs. China? That is often equally revealing.

 

Another night, another cult

 

Credit: Pawaskar Vinayak

I saw posters or flyers for the the "Brahma Kumaris" all the time when I was much younger, but I haven´t spotted them for some time now. So who *are* these people? ChatGPT has the short summary for those too lazy to read Wikipedia´s entry...

Who are the Brahma Kumaris (i.e. the organization or sect)?

The Brahma Kumaris are a relatively modern Hindu-inspired religious and spiritual movement that began in the 1930s in Hyderabad, Sindh (now in Pakistan) and is today headquartered at Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India.

Here’s a structured overview:

---

Origins

• Founded by Lekhraj Kripalani (1876–1969), a wealthy diamond merchant, who later became known as Brahma Baba.

• Around 1936, he reported mystical visions of Shiva, the Supreme God, and began gathering followers (mostly women and young girls at first).

• The group was originally called Om Mandali, later renamed the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU).

---

Beliefs

1. Supreme God Shiva

   • Not identified with the Vedic creator-god Brahma, but with an incorporeal, formless God beyond birth and death.

   • Brahma Baba is seen as God’s first human medium, not as God himself.

2. Soul & Reincarnation

   • Every person is an eternal soul (ātman), distinct from the body, inherently pure, blissful, and divine.

   • Souls take on different bodies in cycles of birth and rebirth.

3. World Cycle

   • History is viewed as a 5,000-year cycle, endlessly repeating (similar to yugas but shorter).

   • Humanity passes through a Golden Age (Satya Yuga) → Silver Age → Copper Age → Iron Age (our current time).

   • The present moment is seen as the confluence age (sangam yuga), a short period when God intervenes before destruction and renewal.

4. Purity and Celibacy

   • Followers (even married couples) are urged to live in complete celibacy.

   • Vegetarianism, abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, and certain foods (like onions/garlic) are central.

5. Meditation

   • Their signature practice is Raja Yoga meditation, a form of silent remembrance of the self as a soul and connection to God Shiva.

---

Practices

• Daily meditation and study of “murlis” (teachings originally spoken by Brahma Baba, and later claimed to be by God Shiva).

• Service (seva) through teaching meditation, running centers, hospitals, schools.

• Participation in global peace and interfaith initiatives.

---

Organization

• Global headquarters: Madhuban, Mount Abu, Rajasthan.

• Led mostly by women (called Dadis or elder sisters) since its early days — very unusual for Hindu-derived groups.

• Claims millions of followers worldwide; has centers in over 100 countries.

---

Distinctiveness

• Emphasis on female leadership (founded as a community of mostly women, which was radical in 1930s India).

• Non-ritualistic: no temple worship, no idols, no priests — meditation and study replace puja.

• End-times worldview: the belief that world transformation and destruction are imminent.

---

Criticism

• Critics argue they are overly apocalyptic and secretive about their history (early prophecies of world destruction in the mid-20th century didn’t materialize).

• Accusations of breaking families because of strict celibacy and renunciation.

• Still, they are respected in some international peace and spiritual forums (e.g., the UN).

---

✅ Summary:
The Brahma Kumaris are a 20th-century spiritual movement rooted in Hindu culture but with unique doctrines: God as incorporeal Shiva, cyclic time, celibacy, and meditation. They are notable for being led by women, emphasizing personal purity, and promoting global peace.

---

Would you like me to also compare them to mainstream Hinduism and other modern Hindu movements (like ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission, etc.) so you can see how unusual they really are? 

The Hun Sen regime

 

Israel, Pakistan and now Cambodia have all nominated Donald Trump for the Nobel peace prize. Yes, really. I suppose Rwanda is next. Something tells me these nations might get in big trouble if a RINO or Dem ever retakes the White House...

What a pity Greta supports Hamas, I mean, this would have been an excellent opportunity for Norway to give *her* the peace prize instead, LOL. 

Brown MAGA versus Ersatz Taliban?

 

Richard Spencer on India and Pakistan. Not sure if I agree. Pakistan is Muslim, while India´s BJP government is widely seen as "brown MAGA". Note also that one of them supports Israel, while the other doesn´t. So why should there be a total collapse of idealism (?) on social media in the event of a Indian-Pakistani war? It may not be as important to the keybord warriors and real activists as Israel-Palestine or Ukraine, but it´s way above, say, Sudan...   

>>>If India and Pakistan pop off, we are about to witness a total collapse of idealism in the mainstream media and on socials. >>>Ukraine is a plucky, small country fighting against a brutal empire. The clash evokes memories of the Cold War and even the Second World War. Sympathy for Ukraine largely derives from the fact that the country is White, but the Palestinians and Israelis are also nations into which millions of people invest intense emotion. >>>No one really cares who wins and who loses in India vs. Pakistan, outside of people residing in those countries—and maybe not even them! Both nations are equally annoying, and most will view the war as a bloody conflict between rival IT departments.

Original Xweet

The *Hindu* threat against Europe?!

 

Everyone is a terrorist...except the actual terrorists. A pro-BJP YouTube channel has something to say about an alleged leaked UK police report about the threat from "Hindu extremism" to...I don´t know...the Labour Party by-elections?   

Into the vortex

 

Some scary stuff from Scott Carney. His main point is that Ukraine wouldn´t have been invaded if they had kept their nuclear weapons. Without them, "security guarantees" are worthless. Even when given by the United States (note Carney´s pique to Marco Rubio). So the obvious conclusion is for every small nation in a geopolitically volatile region to get their own nuclear weapons. 

Carney references a study arguing that even a "limited" nuclear war between India and Pakistan, involving hundreds of warheads, would affect the climate *all over the world*, trigger famine conditions, and so on. 

I´m not entirely sure what the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War has to do with this, however, since the potential nuclear standoff was between the United States and the Soviet Union, not regional powers. (Carney has written an entire book, "The Vortex", about this situation.) 

Still, a very...ahem...interesting video.   

Mother India beckoning

 

You would think Breitbart News (pro-Trump/pro-GOP) would express support for the overthrow of Bangladesh´s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who by their standards must have been an evil authoritarian socialist, but instead they have published several articles de facto *supporting* her. I assume it´s the anti-Chinese/anti-Islamist angle that made them interested. 

It´s not clear to me whether this is true, or simply Indian propaganda, India being the nation to which Hasina fled after the Bangladeshi military forced her to resign. India, while trying to maintain good relations with Russia, has bad relations with China, complicating Asian geopolitics considerably since Russia and China are now allies!  

"Hindu temples burned after Prime Minister´s ouster"

Among traitors and dictators

 

Sheikh Hasina and PM Modi 

An article from "Jacobin" which may or may not give some insights into the recent crisis in Bangladesh. 

Student protests in Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina: One of "ours"?

 

Grand Alliance mama?

This could simply be a conspiracy theory, but it´s still worth noting. According to Indian sources, Sheikh Hasina was overthrown by Islamists acting in cahoots with Pakistan and China. Note that Hasina is a "leftist" Muslim, while the Indian leader Modi is a "rightist" Hindu, but my enemy´s enemy and so on...

China behind Sheikh Hasina´s overthrow?