We humbly submit that one of the the crucial differences between us and other news and analysis sites is that we quote or translate sources that, because of their source language, are either not available or are scarcely available to Eastern or Western readers, respectively. Knowledge and concepts presented exclusively from the standpoint of one´s own culture and language create misunderstandings and mistrust of the Other that prevent peaceable intercourse between cultures and peoples. The news media thus become promoters of an adversarial mentality, sometimes unintentionally, sometimes on purpose and sometimes maliciously.
The fact is, all war is due to ignorance – ie, not what we know but what we do not know about the Other. This includes ignorance of the fact that there is no such thing as an adversary nation, only a group that is a victim of its own and our own misconceptions. Therefore, war can be prevented simply – disarmingly simply – by transmitting the facts and concepts known in one culture to members of the other culture that mistakenly think we are adversaries.
The benefit of this transmission of scarcely available information is magnified when the information is presented not only to one target audience but simultaneously to the other as well in their respective languages! The art of translation becomes by default the art of peacemaking.
Herein lies the forte of New Silk Strategies. We transmit to our Western audience what they don't know about Easterners and to our Eastern audience what they don't know about Westerners.
Sure. It’s an experiment. But isn’t everything? So while we aren’t certain of the outcome at this stage, we at least expect some new and exciting synergies – and friendships – to develop along the way.
Enjoy!
