Topic Of The Day:-“Hold The Enthusiasm“
Despite Mr. Tillerson’s effusive words, however, it may be necessary to curb any enthusiasm until the U.S. policy compass itself is more settled, given that the policies of the Trump administration have thus far defied a clear reading. Worse, they have sent out confusing signals, with policy, public statements, and Twitter bursts often contradicting each other. A case in point was the Coleman hostage release story last week, that led to a slew of statements on the U.S.’s relationship with Pakistan. Just days before U.S. Defence Secretary James Mattis and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford had told a Senate armed service committee that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has proven links to terror groups and suggested the partnership with Pakistan was all but over. After the release, President Donald Trump tweeted that he was beginning to “develop a much better relationship with Pakistan and its leaders”. Shortly after, his Chief of Staff John Kelly referred to Pakistan as a “great partner”, while Mr. Tillerson said Pakistan was critical to regional stability. Yet, reports that the raid by Pakistan had come not through intelligence cooperation but coercion — a team of Navy Seals had threatened to go in, Zero Dark Thirty-style, if Pakistani forces didn’t rescue the five-member Coleman family before they were transferred across the border with Afghanistan — called into question these fulsome words of praise. Even more confusing were the actions. As U.S. forces resumed drone strikes in the Af-Pak region, their big kill was Omar Khalid Khorasani, the leader of the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, which targets Pakistan, not Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the U.S. rejoined the Pakistani-led Quadrilateral Coordination Group along with Afghanistan and China, that seeks to bring the Afghan Taliban to the table for talks, a group that’s carried out deadly attacks across Afghanistan just last week. As a result, it may seem that the U.S.’s South Asia policy has mixed up its carrots and sticks in the Af-Pak region.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) Counter-terrorism
Meaning: Political or military activities designed to prevent or thwart terrorism.
Example: He specialized in counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and close-quarters combat.
2) Profound
Meaning: (Of a person or statement) having or showing great knowledge or insight.
Example: A profound philosopher.
Synonyms: Wise, Learned
Antonyms: Superficial, Mild
3) Fiercely
Meaning: In a savagely violent or aggressive manner.
Example: The army clashed fiercely with militants.
4) Keen
Meaning: Having or showing eagerness or enthusiasm.
Example: A keen gardener.
Synonyms: Eager, Anxious
Antonyms: Reluctant, Apathetic
5) Curb
Meaning: A check or restraint on something.
Example: Plans to introduce tougher curbs on insider dealing.
Synonyms: Restraint, Check
6) Enthusiasm
Meaning: Intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.
Example: Her energy and enthusiasm for life.
Synonyms: Eagerness, Ardour
Antonyms: Apathy
7) Defied
Meaning: Openly resist or refuse to obey.
Example: A woman who defies convention.
Synonyms: Disobey, Flout
Antonyms: Obey, Surrender
8) Slew
Meaning: Turn or slide violently or uncontrollably.
Example: The Renault slewed from side to side in the snow.
9) Senate
Meaning: The smaller upper assembly in the US, US states, France, and other countries.
Example: The senate must ratify any treaty with a two-thirds majority.
10) Tweeted
Meaning: Communicate with (someone) on Twitter.
Example: Email us, tweet us, go to our blog, and find us on Facebook.
11) Coercion
Meaning: The action or practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats.
Example: It wasn’t slavery because no coercion was used.
Synonyms: Force, Compulsion
Antonyms: Persuasion
12) Threatened
Meaning: State one’s intention to take hostile action against (someone) in retribution for something done or not done.
Example: How dare you threaten me?
Synonyms: Menace, Browbeat
13) Fulsome
Meaning: Complimentary or flattering to an excessive degree.
Example: The press are embarrassingly fulsome in their appreciation.
Synonyms: Enthusiastic, Ample
14) Drone
Meaning: Make a continuous low humming sound.
Example: In the far distance a machine droned.
Synonyms: Hum, Buzz, Vibrate
15) Seem
Meaning: Give the impression of being something or having a particular quality.
Example: Dawn seemed annoyed.
Synonyms: Appear, Look
16) Pro-active
Meaning: (Of a person or action) creating or controlling a situation rather than just responding to it after it has happened.
Example: Employers must take a proactive approach to equal pay.
17) Paving
Meaning: A surface made up of flat stones laid in a pattern.
Example: Weeds had forced their way up through the cracked paving.
18) Scuttled
Meaning: Run hurriedly or furtively with short quick steps.
Example: A mouse scuttled across the floor.
Synonyms: Scamper, Scurry
19) Moron
Meaning: A stupid person.
Example: We can’t let these thoughtless morons get away with mindless vandalism every weekend.
20) Speculated
Meaning: Form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence.
Example: My colleagues speculate about my private life.
Synonyms: Conjecture, Theorize
