i consider myself a fairly well informed citizen, keeping up with the news, thinking critically about politics and policy… yet so often, it is my weakness in history which lets me down and keeps me from seeing the fuller picture when it comes to complex, multi-layered situations such as those surrounding the middle east. so i am always grateful when i find comprehensive, intelligent coverage which illuminates the issues and connects the dots in a way I can understand.

which is why i was really engrossed in listening to this piece from npr’s “fresh air” programme the other day. two journalists from the guardian have come out with a new book which outlines the history of pakistan’s nuclear programme, their involvement in nuclear proliferation and development within the “axis of evil” countries, how the u.s. has not only turned a blind eye, but been complicit in this sordid tale, and why that should make us very nervous about the current instability in mussharaf’s regime. for those of us who have been a bit muddled about whole situation, it’s an incredible eye-opener – and it highlights how, once again, short-sighted american foreign policy has served to turn us into perhaps the most meddlesome and hypocritical nation on earth. although it paints a very bleak picture, i highly recommend giving it a listen.

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pakistan, iran, nukes, axis of evil