“If we Americans are to learn from our mistakes, from the flailing, ineffective way we, as a nation conducted the war on terror after the attacks of 9/11, and from the way we have failed to make our case to the great moderate mass of peace-loving people at the heart of the Muslim world, we need to listen to Greg Mortenson.” (David Oliver Relin, “Three Cups of Tea,” p.5) Do we? Why/why not? To what extent can individuals make a difference in international relations?
When Greg Mortenson partook a flight to an unknown destination in the heart of the Islamic world largely known as a hub for terrorism none expected the series of events that followed would amount to life-changing tales in the little-known village community. The journey to the Middle East would offer him first-hand experiences on his understanding of Islamic life and the western myth on terrorism. His encounters offer a lesson on individual contribution to international relations and the American dwindling approach on foreign policy.
Greg’s encounters were initiated during the 1960's formation of the Peace Corps initiative to end the war and bring peace in the Middle East. The idea was to use the United States vast resources, human talent, ingenuity and other social approaches to curb terrorism and promote western ideologies and principles.
This approach was misinterpreted by the locals who saw it as a threat to their social welfare and territorial integrity. The United States henceforth painted a picture of arrogance and aggression to the locals than the much intended generous and peace-loving foreign policy approach. This ideology reached its peak heights after the 9/11 encounter and America’s change of policy towards terrorism. Greg Mortenson, therefore, found an intense volatile situation on the ground and per took a solo mission to revive America's hope in humanity in a foreign land manipulated by tyranny. The majority of the villages lack basic necessities and education in the region was an all-time low.
Through the central Asia Institute a charitable institution founded and ran by him, Greg would go on to single-handedly build 53 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The schools were designed to offer quality modern education centered on communities and local needs. It is evident that the American dream can be achieved anywhere in the world not necessarily initiated by consulates.
Greg urges America to get to the root of the problem by restructuring foreign policy based on the philosophy of the three cups of tea. The first cup would breed friendship and trust. The second cup would breed trust and change the strangers status. At this point, deals can be brokered and memoranda's signed. The third cup would welcome one into the family and thus, peace is achieved.
The personal initiative Greg took is to urge every American that peace can only be achieved through peaceful approach. All humans need fulfillment of basic needs in order to achieve peaceful status. His crusade focused on education for the girl child that the Taliban community scrapped out of the system.
Greg believed that educating the girl child in modernity helps liberate them from the curse of social bondage. It helps them with great awareness and literacy as useful mothers in sanitation, hygiene, and personal empowerment. As men and boys are engaged in battles women sit back and pass what they have acquired to the next generation. Morality and an education at an early age are fundamental in the fight against terrorism.
His personal mission is to urge all Americans to emulate him and stop complaining but take personal initiatives to promote peace in war-torn Islamic countries. Such an approach would require sacrifice and preparedness. In the midst of his, Mission Greg Mortenson experienced kidnapping, received death threats in his own land over the 9/11 terrorist encounters.
Many Americans can derive lifesaving lessons from extraordinary people like Greg. It is evident that Americans can take a person initiative to save the dwindling image of their beloved country. In the fiercest cycle of violence, aggression and hatred it is possible to extend an olive branch of peace and brotherhood. Many Americans believe on a personal level that despite the attack of 9/11, war and violence is no lasting solution. War and hostility are never part of the American status quo.
We need to reaffirm our stand on key issues and restore our hope in humanity both at home and abroad. The American dream of peace and security can only be achieved through love and tolerance. It is evident from Greg’s encounters that international development is a challenge, which is largely coupled with a long list of failure.
Proper management of donor funds in the most appropriate and right manner is challenging without donor agencies wanting to do it our way, the American way. Local politics can also be challenging to the international humanitarian action especially is its personal driven. Many local leaders in Pakistan and Afghanistan are more likely to upstage resistance to promote their own priorities and face-saving motives.
Three Cups of Tea, therefore, offers an insight into Greg's personal journey of transformation that shook the world. It is evident that his contribution was not as easily accepted as perceived. No village would be completely unanimous in the support of new schools that are western initiated. Such an initiative like Greg’s would amount to local political toes being stepped upon.
A lot of work was done under apathy and suspiciousness. Three Cups of Tea is phenomenal and inspirational. It is a breakthrough to the grand mix of political and circumstantial impossibilities of a foreigner in a foreign land. It is evident that the events captured in the book are serial and the adventures fictionally censored. However, Greg has revived our hope in humanity and a deeper understanding of the Muslim world.
It is true that ordinary human Muslims live and suffer in the war-torn areas. Blame game on both sides of the divide the western and the Middle East could not cure the problems but only helps to escalate it. In this century and war of civilizations, peace must prevail.
It is evident that every American needs to soul search and climb down our K2 of consciousness and improve lives of others in society. Individuals need to take tough personal measures and meant our dwindling image abroad. It is what America stands for. It's time that all Americans like Greg Mortenson take tough personal stands on our humanitarian cause.
We can collectively and individually make a difference in the international community and not just merely give a donation. Greg Mortenson believes the majority of Muslims in war torn countries are unaware of the conflict and as such there is a misunderstanding of ideologies that drive both the Muslim and western agenda.
Work Cited
David Oliver Relin. Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace - One School at a Time. Penguin Books. January 30, 2007.
