Ignore his politics if possible.

Sometimes, when we evaluate a person, it is beneficial to set aside our views on their political stance. This allows us to focus on other aspects of their character, achievements, or contributions.

By ignoring politics, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the individual. We might discover their skills, talents, or qualities that are independent of their political beliefs.

This approach also promotes objectivity and fairness. It prevents us from being overly influenced by our own political biases and enables us to form a more rational judgment.

Moreover, ignoring politics can foster better communication and cooperation. When we focus on common ground and shared interests, rather than political differences, we are more likely to build bridges and work towards common goals.

In conclusion, while politics can be an important part of a person's identity, it is not the only factor to consider. By ignoring politics when appropriate, we can gain a more nuanced and accurate perception of individuals and promote more harmonious relationships.

**Title: The Importance of Education**

Education is of utmost importance in our lives. It is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about developing essential skills and values.

An educated person is better equipped to face the challenges of the world and make informed decisions.

Education provides us with the tools to understand different cultures, ideas, and perspectives, which helps us to become more open-minded and tolerant.

It also enables us to pursue our dreams and achieve our goals.

Moreover, education is crucial for the development of a society. A well-educated population leads to a more prosperous and democratic society.

It promotes economic growth, reduces poverty, and improves the overall quality of life.

In conclusion, education is a powerful force that can transform our lives and the world around us. We should all strive to receive a good education and make the most of the opportunities it provides.

Robert D. Kaplan's 1996 work, "ENDS OF THE EARTH," stands as his finest achievement, a true "tour de force." He embarks on a remarkable journey, traversing from Tehran to Kazakhstan and then to Thailand, using backpacks, budget airlines, and jeeps. The extensive scope of his travels, with Iran alone being a captivating destination, earns him well-deserved accolades. He fearlessly ventures into places where few others dare to go and delves deep into the host cultures, drawing on his vast readings. This allows him to precisely balance the ethnic, class, cultural, and national conflicts that define each unstable, even anarchic region. In 1996, when the world was focused on Amazon.com and other dot-com fortunes, Kaplan was uniquely obsessed with the Uzbeks. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, he was one of the few to foresee the resurgence of ethnic and tribal rivalries as the dampening force of Soviet communism withered away. History, as they say, was written.

Kaplan's skill lies not only in his acute ear for words but also in the extensive pre-reading that enriches his work. Reading his book is like embarking on a personal journey to Samarkand or Urumqi, where the diverse ethnic tribes and national irredentist movements are laid bare for the professional ethnologist and political thinker. Kaplan, who later became one of the best embedded journalists in the second Iraq war, vividly描绘s the souks and streets of Central Asia, as well as the underlying simmering tensions beneath an ostensibly peaceful façade. Whether it's the Dzungar, Turcomen, or Chiang-Mai regionalist, each becomes the subject of a well-informed analysis presented in flowery, analytical prose.

"ENDS OF THE EARTH" offers a grand tour of Central Asia within the pages of a book, and its importance continues to grow as Central Asia becomes the pivot point in our anarchic world.

This article is rather amusing.

It was penned a little over ten years ago, and in it, the author endeavors to make predictions regarding the development of numerous Middle East and Asian countries.

However, up until now, these predictions have proven to be extremely inaccurate.

The passage of time has shown that the author's projections did not align with the actual course of events.

Perhaps the world has changed in ways that were unforeseen at the time of writing.

Nevertheless, it serves as a reminder that making long-term predictions about the development of countries is a highly challenging task.

Despite the inaccuracies, the article can still provide an interesting perspective on how our understanding of these regions has evolved over the past decade.

It also highlights the importance of constantly reassessing and updating our views based on new information and changing circumstances.

Overall, it is a curious piece that offers both entertainment and food for thought.

This sort of took me forever to read,

but in the end it was worth it.

It is a unique blend of travel writing and political/social commentary on the countries he passes through.

It is filled with an overwhelming amount of information about the complicated turmoil that exists in the so-called "developing" world.

Written in the early 1990s, a significant portion of the trip description focuses on the recent fall of communism.

However, it is quite evident that the problems have not changed much in the last 15 years.

In fact, I would argue that in many ways, things have mostly gotten worse.

The author's detailed accounts and observations provide a fascinating and eye-opening perspective on the challenges and issues faced by these countries.

It makes one realize the complexity and interconnectedness of the global political and social landscape.

Overall, despite the time-consuming nature of reading this, it offers valuable insights and a deeper understanding of the world we live in.

This book is truly outstanding. It is a must-read for anyone with an interest in international affairs, political systems, and the politics of geography. Like most books, I initially approached "The Ends of the Earth" as a cynic, skeptical and in need of being convinced.

This book is not a typical page-turner. Kaplan's prose can be cumbersome, filled with numerous prepositional phrases that at times made me want to skim just to get to the key "points" or risk having my eyes glaze over. However, once I became accustomed to his writing style, I found myself completely absorbed in his observations and theorizing as he journeyed through various regions.

He traveled from Sub-Saharan Africa to Egypt, then to Turkey, Iran (which was my favorite chapter), the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and finally Southeast Asia. As he explored each region, he asked thought-provoking questions. For example, what makes the societal decay in African nations like Sierra Leone different from that in Cambodia? How does a nation's geography, availability of resources, and proximity to first-world or third-world nations impact it? And what exactly is a nation?

His observations were, for the most part, astute and challenging. So, did he reach any conclusions about what distinguishes a growing society from a devolving one? To that, Kaplan quotes Tolstoy: "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." This quote seems to suggest that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of a society's success or failure. Instead, each situation is unique and complex, and requires a nuanced understanding.

Overall, "The Ends of the Earth" is a fascinating and engaging read that offers valuable insights into the world's political and social landscapes. While it may not be the easiest book to read, it is well worth the effort for those who are interested in these topics.

A truly gargantuan accomplishment.

It takes a considerable amount of time to peruse this man's odyssey, given the enormous quantity of factual and detailed information it contains.

It rewards on mainly two levels. Firstly, it serves as an anthropological essay on all of the countries involved, providing in-depth insights into their cultures, traditions, and social structures. Secondly, it offers a historical profile of each country's assets, liabilities, beauties, burdens, and, perhaps most significantly, its governments.

Many might find the book to be too heavy or even too depressing. However, the cumulative effect it achieves as you progress through the West African regions, the Middle East, and finally arrive at Cambodia is truly breathtaking.

There are numerous poetic, stark descriptions and observations that add to the richness of the narrative.

Most importantly, the regular people who inhabit these troubled environments are given their due time to speak, allowing their voices to be heard and their stories to be told.

This book is a remarkable piece of work that offers a unique perspective on the world and the people who live in it.

This is the kind of book every American needs to read.

To truly understand what the rest of the world is like, one must not rely solely on some abstract Wikipedia article. Instead, it is essential to see through the eyes of an individual who has actually been there. Not someone who stayed in the touristy parts, but rather one who walked through the worst of the worst and witnessed the actual conditions in which the people in those areas live.

This is also the sort of book that is necessary to understand why colonialism has had such a profound and negative impact on the planet. Europeans carelessly drew, redrew, and redrew borders that were meaningless to the people living in those regions and remain so to this day. It is absurd to demand that sovereignty remain as it is when the borders were drawn in such a haphazard manner.

The author concludes that the West, the UN, and others cannot control this mess. Sometimes, he even hints that perhaps Western-style democracy may not be the best solution for all regions. However, he fails to make the connection that capitalism and continued colonialism through corporate exploitation are major factors contributing to the destruction of these areas. He continuously rails against the evils of communism, which was already long dead by the time he explored these regions, while praising the availability of Coca Cola everywhere he goes, without considering the ecological damage caused by the bottling plants.

Nevertheless, I agree with the author that the UN cannot control these regions. In fact, I would go further and say that the UN should not attempt to control them. Instead, it should take an approach that is specifically tailored to the needs of each region, rather than trying to fit them into a Western-style control mechanism. This may sometimes put these regions at odds with others, but it is the best way to help them. We also need to remove the Security Council veto, although that is a separate issue.

If you have ever wanted an eye-opening journey through the Ivory Coast area of Africa, or Turkey, Iran, the various -Stans of the post-Soviet era, India, or Southeast Asia, this book is a must-read. Understand its lessons, embrace its concepts. Although it was written nearly 30 years ago, it still contains many truisms that are just as relevant, useful, and meaningful today.

An amazing book awaits those who have a thirst for knowledge about the world's least seen countries. This remarkable piece was written in the 90's, yet the background information it presents remains highly relevant in today's global climate. The detailed accounts and vivid descriptions within its pages have truly ignited a sense of wanderlust within me. It has made me dream of setting off on my very own knowledge-seeking adventure around the world as early as tomorrow. I can't wait to explore those hidden corners of the globe, discover new cultures, and gain a deeper understanding of the diverse nations that make up our world. This book is not just a source of information; it is a catalyst for adventure and a gateway to a world of endless possibilities.

I truly adored this book. It provided me with the opportunity to explore all these captivating corners of the earth and the fringes of civilization. These places have always held a certain allure for me, piquing my curiosity and fascination. However, in reality, I have no practical inclination to visit them.

Through the pages of this book, I was able to embark on a virtual journey, delving into the unique cultures, histories, and landscapes that exist in these far-flung regions. It was like opening a door to a world that I had only ever imagined.

The author's vivid descriptions and detailed accounts brought these places to life in my mind, allowing me to experience them in a way that I never could have through my own travels. I found myself completely engrossed in the stories and information presented, eager to learn more about each new destination.

Overall, this book was a wonderful escape and a source of great knowledge and inspiration. It reminded me that there is so much more to the world than what we can see and experience firsthand, and that sometimes, the most interesting places are those that we can only visit through the power of the written word.

A book that I read right after I completed my IA degree in 1997 was given to me by a friend who shared similar interests. I had already read Balkan Ghosts before, and Kaplan is a writer whose style is not the kind that makes you turn the pages eagerly or grabs your attention with sensationalism. Instead, it is straightforward reportage, interspersed with educated social commentary. He is a brave person as he has the ambition to work in places where most journalists wouldn't dare to go. Moreover, he doesn't choose the most headline-grabbing conflicts to discuss. For example, in the mid to late 90s, Iran and Central Asia were not as central to international relations discussions as Kosovo, Serbia, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Congo were. Although he covers African and Balkan conflicts, I feel that he never gives readers a 'I was there' lecture. Instead, his theoretical writing takes a historical, current, and plausible future approach. This is more straightforward than Warrior Politics or The Coming Anarchy, and I think it might be the best IA-focused book of the 90s.

This book was first published in 1994. It is truly fascinating to follow Kaplan's travels through Western Africa, the Middle East, several of the “-Stan’s”, then the subcontinent, and S. E. Asia.

It is a very insightful travelogue that contains predictions on the evolution of culture and states away from the former Colonial powers, with their nice latitudes and longitudes, and borders.

It is interesting to see which of these predictions came to fruition and which had quite different outcomes for others.

However, it is important to give the story time to unfold and see how things develop in the long run.

This book provides a unique perspective on different regions and their historical and cultural contexts, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in travel, history, and culture.