Amit's Musings

The Great Divide: Why Roads Split Left and Right Across the Globe   Why do some countries drive on the left while others veer right? This essay dives into the historical, cultural, and political roots of driving conventions, focusing on Britain’s left-side legacy, Europe’s rightward shift, the USA’s rebellion against British norms, Japan’s samurai-driven anomaly, and China’s defiance of colonial influence. From medieval swordplay to Napoleonic decrees, from wagon trails to global trade, the choice of road side reflects deep-seated traditions and power struggles. Britain’s left-side driving stems from feudal customs, while Europe’s right-side norm was forged by revolution and conquest. The USA embraced the right to assert independence, Japan’s left-side rule traces back to samurai honor, and China’s right-side choice reflects pragmatic nationalism. This essay unravels how these practices emerged, why they persist, and what they reveal about human behavior, challenging readers to...

Genetics, Legitimacy, and Power: The Complex Claims to the Holy Land Genetic studies indicate that Palestinians exhibit a higher degree of genetic continuity with the ancient Levantine populations, including the Iron Age inhabitants (ancient Jews/Israelites), tracing over 80% of their ancestry to this substrate. In contrast, European Jews (Ashkenazim) are a hybrid population, sharing significant Levantine roots but incorporating a substantial amount (40%−60%) of European admixture. Despite Palestinians' genetic proximity to the ancient inhabitants, the legitimacy of claims to the land in the current international order is primarily determined by political power, successful state-building, and international legal recognition , aligning more closely with the Realist school of thought in international relations. Genetic Proximity to Ancient Levantine Populations Genetic studies focusing on autosomal DNA and Y-chromosomal markers reveal a shared, deep ancestry for both modern ...

Skyward Ambitions: The Global Race to Expand Airport Infrastructure in the 21st Century The global aviation sector is experiencing an unprecedented transformation, driven by soaring passenger demand and ambitious infrastructure projects. In 2024, the world saw 9.5 billion air passengers, with China (741 million) and India (300 million) leading growth, while the USA (876 million) and Europe maintain steady progress. This essay dives deep into air passenger traffic, airport counts, per-airport traffic, top airports, and infrastructure expansion since 2005 across eight nations: India, China, Brazil, USA, UK, France, Germany, and Japan. By 2029, India is projected to reach 460 million passengers and China 1,050 million, fueled by new airports and terminals. China dominates infrastructure expansion with 50–60 new airports, followed by India’s 50. The essay explores why China handles high per-airport traffic, forecasts future trends, and reflects on the implications of this aviation boom, ...