US AND THEM

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Most Indians believe that any debate on the Kargil war is unpatriotic or simply anti-national. Most Pakistanis believe that their prime minister is fighting a brave war, not only against India but also against the rest of the world. Both sides want to teach the other side "a lesson". Jingoism is lucrative. Patriotism, like the World Cup, is sold through cable.

What is lost is reasoned debate, criticism of what brought the two nations here, the role of the armies, innocent lives, and most importantly, how do we prevent South Asia from careening to the brink like this again. In Pakistan, they will not discuss the misplaced military derring-do which ignited this little war. And in India, they will not talk of the Kashmir problem, which provided the larger backdrop to the entire crisis.

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Himal Southasian
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