Tibet

There is no wealth like knowledge, and no poverty like ignorance.
-Lord Buddha
Of all the conflicts taking place on this planet, that occurring in Tibet is one of the most fascinating. On one side we have the largest political entity on earth- The Chinese Communist Party, with its millions of soldiers, huge resources and secular aggressive ideology. On the other side we have the most profoundly religious people in the world. A nation in which Buddhism is so much a part of every living thing that the destruction of 5,000 monasteries, the execution and imprisonment of religious leaders, and driving of the Dalai Lama from his land has all failed to put out these peoples mighty spirit. No matter how many people they brutalize and how many Han Chinese they import, they will never rule the hearts of the Tibetan people. Their culture is everything that China could lay claim to before the Cultural Revolution. Indeed, on some level the war that the PRC is waging upon Tibet is more of a culture war (kulturkampf) than a conventional or guerrilla in nature. Even as Lhasa and other areas rise in revolt, it is known that they are only making symbolic resistance to show that they are not walking quietly to their death. As the overlords of the billion people within' the PRC try to integrate into the global capitalist market union, they face the reality of having a land they conquered roughly a half century early rising up to challenge them and their right to dictate the terms of life to a people that has lived on the Tibetan plateau since the beginning of time. I'm putting my money on the Tibetans, because they are fighting for the right to live as they see fit and also for the ability to practice their religion, were as the PRC merely uses fear and violence to achieve their ends. Too bad the international community is nothing but self serving capitalist cutthroats or else pressure could be brought to bear that would certainly lead to Tibet no longer having to live under the jackboot of Fascism. The reason I have confidence that they will persevere is stated brilliantly by His Holiness the Dalai Lama- "If there is love, there is hope that one may have real families, real brotherhood, real equanimity, real peace. If the love within your mind is lost and you see other beings as enemies, then no matter how much knowledge or education or material comfort you have, only suffering and confusion will ensue"