Malala Yousafzai, the 16-year-old shot by the Taliban for promoting girl's education in her native Pakistan, confronted Obama at the White House on Friday about U.S. drone strikes.
In a meeting that included first ladyMichelle Obama, the young activist challenged one of Obama's premier counterterrorism strategies.
"I also expressed my concerns that drone attacks are fueling terrorism," she said in a statement released today. "Innocent victims are killed in these acts, and they lead to resentment among the Pakistani people. If we refocus efforts on education it will make a big impact."
The U.S. government has said strikes by the unmanned aircraft are a necessary part of the fight against militant groups, including the Taliban.
"I want to become a prime minister of Pakistan, and I think it's really good. Because through politics I can serve my whole county. I can be the doctor of the whole country," she said.
In a statement, the White House saluted Malala’s continuing efforts to promote education for girls.
In a proclamation marking Friday as the International Day of the Girl, Obama said, “Across the globe there are girls who will one day lead nations, if only we afford them the chance to choose their own destinies.”
“Every continent, there are girls who will go on to change the world in ways we can only imagine, if only we allow them the freedom to dream.”
Some areas on the map are colored gray because they were not included in the analysis.
Each year's Failed States Index analyzes how countries performed during the previous year, e.g., 2013's index measures countries' performance in 2012.
The Fund for Peace only includes recognized sovereign states based on U.N. membership in the Failed States Index. The Palestinian territories "are included as part of the assessment of Israel, since international law places governance responsibilities on the occupying power."
In the above map, red (Critical) corresponds with scores of 80 or higher, orange (In Danger) corresponds with scores of 70-79.9, yellow (Borderline) corresponds with scores of 50-69.9, light green (Stable) corresponds with scores of 30-49.9, and dark green (Most Stable) corresponds with scores lower than 30.
