It's important to contextualize the praise heaped on Malala- which directly falls in line with classic orientalist thought where women pursuing education in that part of the world are seen as an exception, (not to deny the existence of such struggles being prevalent there).

Her efforts are often used to highlight the 'backwardness' and 'barbarity' of our societies (especially Islam)- divorcing our underdevelopment and the reality of our socio-economic plight from the violence of Western imperialism that left us depleted and in such distress.

Her story feeds this age old orientalist rhetoric that necessitates and justifies Western military presence/intervention in our homelands as a force of good because they make it seem like they're both unified in fighting against the same enemy in the form of *radical Islam*.

She was so easily packaged and commodified for both regional and western consumption. And that's exactly what disaster capitalism thrives on- how well can something sell. She became a pawn who provided the perfect guise through which their imperialist agenda could be sanitized.

With all the attention she is afforded, you have to wonder why her story is given such preference over others of note who fought for female empowerment or societal well-being locally; but the issue was that they were criticizing the drones too and not just the Mullahs.

The Americans couldn't care less about what values someone stands for unless it advances their interests- her story just added a positive dimension to their presence in the region; reinforcing that narrative of the West as the savior and everyone else as villains.

MALALA IS A MARKETING SCHEME!!!