Reflections on World Affairs: Peace and Politics

 

"Ahmed Zewail is a rare individual indeed. His remarkable scope ranges from exploring the minutest interactions of particles to engaging the complexity of global politics and culture to pondering the far reaches of the universe. His rare qualities as a foundational scientist with a strong moral voice recalls other great figures of the past, such as Albert Einstein, whose clarity of mind and deeply humane nobility of spirit the world today so sorely lacks. This very rich book, Reflections on World Affairs: Peace and Politics, shines as a lamp of wisdom in these troubled, even dark, times."

Nathan Gardels
Editor-in-Chief
The WorldPost

 

"The author of this fascinating book, Professor Ahmed Zewail (Nobel Laureate, Chemistry 1999) is similar to Albert Einstein in that both are scientists and philosophers. Einstein made a scientific revolution (The Relativity Theory) and Zewail made another scientific revolution (Femtochemistry which allowed scientists to probe nature at its fundamental level). Both Einstein and Zewail have their progressive philosophical ideas concerning peace and development for all the countries of the world, in a context of dialogue of cultures."

El Sayed Yassin
Professor of Political Sociology
The National Center for Research, Cairo, Egypt

 

"The highly admirable Reflections on World Affairs: Peace and Politics written by Nobel Laureate Dr. Ahmed Zewail is highly recommended to anyone interested in getting an understanding of the events that have transpired in the Arab World. Dr Zewail succinctly analyzed contemporary issues facing Egypt, the Arab World and beyond as well as proposed solutions in a lucid language that touches the core of the challenges of the 21st Century.
His thoughts on science and diplomacy are in my view a must read for every aspiring diplomat. I pay sincere tribute to Dr. Zewail and his efforts to help his country take the necessary steps forward towards a brighter future."

Dr Nabil Elaraby
Secretary General
League of Arab States

 

Why can't we have peace in our world, and what is its future? Can we provide basic education for all children? Why the decline in the Arab and Muslim World after reaching the acme of achievement? Is Islam the problem? In the land of opportunity — the United States of America — can the Republic maintain world leadership? Can the US sustain its leadership in innovation and prosperity, given the evolution of its culture and politics and the rise of other superpowers? In this century, how does knowledge acquisition through education and scientific research determine the "Wealth of Nations"?

This volume, The Collected Work, is an assemblage of the author's "Reflections on World Affairs: Peace and Politics." The focus is on education, science for the have-nots — as well as for the haves — and science in diplomacy. Prof. Zewail believes that the use of the "soft power" of education, diplomacy, and economic development is far more effective, and much less expensive, than the hegemony of military aggression or politicized foreign aid. From his unique position straddling between East-West cultures and values, it is clear that most problems in our world arise from "not knowing" and "not having." It follows that education is critical, not only for enlightenment, or the "knowing," but also for boosting productivity and enhancing the "having."

Why can't we have peace in our world, and what is its future? Can we provide basic education to all children? Why the decline in the Arab and Muslim World after reaching the acme of achievement? Is Islam the problem? In the land of opportunity the United States of America can the Republic maintain world leadership? Can the US sustain its leadership in innovation and prosperity, given the evolution of its culture and politics and the rise of other superpowers? In this century, how does knowledge acquisition through education and scientific research determine the "Wealth of Nations"?

This volume, The Collected Work, is an assemblage of my "Reflections on World Affairs: Peace and Politics." The focus is on education, science for the have-nots as well as for the haves and science in diplomacy. I believe that the use of the "soft power" of education, diplomacy, and economic development is far more effective, and much less expensive, than the hegemony of military aggression or polticized foreign aid. From my unique position straddling between East-West cultures and values, it is clear that most problems in our world arise from "not knowing" and "not having." It follows that education is critical, not only for enlightenment, or the "knowing," but also for boosting productivity and enhancing the "having."