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The terms Middle East and Central Asia are quite peculiar and problematic. They are foreign terms to be sure and very ill defined due to the fact that they are defined by foreigners. The Middle East is debated by some as stretching from Morocco to Iran, while others believe that only Egypt to Iran should be considered the Middle East. Some people even include Sudan and Somalia. Central Asia is better defined as Afghanistan plus the “Stans” and Caucasus states of the former Soviet Union. What is striking about these two terms is that they divide a vast region in half, as if the steppe and mountains of Central Asia were completely isolated from the deserts and mountains of the Middle East. The history does not support this. Therefore an alternative name is necessary.
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A shadow passes over a valley between desert and mountain.
A feather falls from the clear sky on a patch of dirt. A lady named Anahita walks down from the mountain. She sees the feather and picks it up. From the spot the feather had lain, Anahita notices moist soil. With graceful hands, the soil and mud is removed. From her toil, a trickle of water creeps from the roots of the mountain. Thirsty, Anahita drinks from the bubbling brook. Refreshed and pleased with the stream, the lady walks away. |
AuthorLatif Simorghi is an activist, blogger, and author. Archives
February 2023
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