Global Economic and Political Developments in Asia and the Muslim World

China: Economic Reforms

Ruled by Xiaoping, China has implemented a mix of Communism and Capitalism. The country has distributed land among farmers, allowed them to sell and export cheap products, and opened up to foreign trade and investments. Other Asian countries like South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan have become competitive in electronics. India has seen advancements in industry, IT, automotive, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Conflicts in Asia

Internal and external conflicts in Asia stem from ethnic and religious tensions, particularly in Kashmir. The region has Hindu-majority populations facing Muslim leaders. Post-WW2, the liberation of British India led to conflicts over joining Pakistan or India. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have modernized their economies through export profits.

Muslim World

The Muslim World comprises countries where Islam is the predominant faith. Notably, countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates hold strategic importance due to oil reserves. Many of these nations have authoritarian governments. Recent history includes the overthrow of dictatorships in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya, as well as conflicts like the invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein and the 9/11 attacks orchestrated by Al-Qaeda.

Islamic Fundamentalism

Radical Islam advocates a strict application of Islamic principles, including Sharia law. The movement aims to confront Western culture, depose pro-Western Arab governments, and eliminate Western influence. Some extremist groups resort to terrorism to achieve their goals.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa faces challenges like political instability, economic underinvestment, rapid population growth, social inequality, malnutrition, illiteracy, and epidemics such as AIDS, making it one of the most underdeveloped regions globally.