Time for Action on Pakistan
By Heritage Foundation Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The Obama Administration is quickly trying to contain the damage in another potential foreign policy debacle, this time with nuclear-armed Pakistan. Last week, Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, dropped a bombshell that rocked U.S.-Pakistani relations.
The Pakistan ConundrumBy Alan Caruba Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The answer to whether Pakistan is our friend is “It depends.”
That’s an apt description of U.S.-Pakistani relations over the years, but one thing is sure, Pakistan believes it is surrounded by enemies in general and fears India in particular. With a mindset like that, friendship is not a priority, but survival—even if it just means muddling through another day—most surely is.
I have read several books about Pakistan in order to understand this odd nation that was peeled off from India in 1947 when the British left. Divided between eastern and western sections, even Bangladesh, formerly East Bengal, separated from its western cousin, declaring its independence in 1971. In the ensuing civil war, a million died and ten million fled to India.
The Colombian Army stays the course under Juan Manuel SantosBy Guest Column Friday, July 22, 2011
The two large billboards stand a kilometer apart, on either side of Carrera Septima to greet northbound and southbound drivers. The signs display colored paintings of the Colombian Armed Forces in action and the caption, “Fe en la causa. Comportamiento etico y mejor”, or, “Faith in the cause. Ethical and superior behavior”. Like bookends, the billboards bracket the Colombian army base that fronts this section of highway in north Bogota.
Dictators Mock Obama’s IgnoranceBy Guest Column Saturday, July 9, 2011
Get Well, Hugo
By Daniel Greenfield Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Reports say that Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez may be seriously ill. In Dictatorspeak, seriously ill means seriously dead. And seriously dead, means there’s a revolution coming up shortly. But whether Hugo Chavez is dead, sick or just vacationing in Cuba for his health—there’s no reason for him to feel down.
Even if Hugo Chavez is dead, his brother Adan Chavez has vowed to use force to stay in power. And that is the true socialist way. If you can’t win an election or keep your strongman seated upright on his throne without stuffing him full of hay, then bring out the army and show the rabble who’s really in charge. Nothing proves you’re a man of the people like ruling through armed force.
Dalai Lama: “I am a Marxist”By Selwyn Duke Friday, June 10, 2011
There is no better way to proclaim your lack of spiritual and philosophical depth than by, two decades after the fall of communism, disclosing that you’re Marxist. Yet this is precisely what Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama did during a speech before 150 Chinese students at the University of Minnesota this month. Journalist Tsering Namgyal reports on the story at Religion Dispatches, writing, “‘as far as socio-political beliefs are concerned, I consider myself a Marxist.’ ‘But not a Leninist,’ he [the Lama] clarified.”
Well, that’s a relief. Those Leninists can really kill ya’. Marxists will just murder you.
A World That’s Coming UngluedBy Alan Caruba Thursday, June 2, 2011
After you’ve read history for a number of years, you begin to realize that the world goes crazy every so often. People and nations just lose their wits. It’s usually in times of great change when old truths or old ways of doing things are thrust aside by new discoveries, new technologies, or just the renewal of old pathologies.
Projecting the future of the Mexican drug warBy Guest Column Wednesday, May 18, 2011
On Sunday, May 8th, 2011, tens of thousands of Mexicans marched to the capital to demonstrate for peace and a change in tactics in the four-1/2 year war launched by Mexican President Felipe Calderon against the cartels controlling the profitable drug trade routes north to the U.S. border.
Osama instrumental in ousting Somali government, claims Al Shabaab
By Jim Kouri Saturday, May 14, 2011
An Al Shabaab leader this week claimed it was Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda that was instrumental in ousting Maj. General Mohammed Si’ad Barre, who headed Somalia’s military regime.
Chessboard Series - What about Pakistan?By Paul E. Vallely Tuesday, May 10, 2011
To our illustrious leaders in the White House, State Department, CIA and the Pentagon, it is time to face up to the US relationship with Pakistan and answer the question, “What about Pakistan now and what to do?” It is apparent to many of us with intelligence and military background that Pakistan’s intelligence service (ISI) and its civilian and military leadership have been playing blind man’s bluff and we have been paying billions of dollars per year to be in the game! Not a prudent strategy and use of taxpayer’s dollars when we are in debt up to our eyeballs! And for what in return, I ask?
Fox Interview:5/06/2011
The Pakistani Pit of DeceptionBy Alan Caruba Sunday, May 8, 2011
Even Pakistanis do not believe that their political and military leaders did not know bin Laden was living, as one columnist put it, “wrapped in the bosom of the Pakistani security establishment.”
US-Pakistan Partnership Rapidly UnravelingBy Trevor Westra Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The U.S. fight against Islamic militants hiding out in Pakistan’s failed border region suffered another serious setback this week. According to the Wall Street Journal, Pakistan has asked the CIA to halt all drone attacks on its territory – a move that would drastically alter U.S. strategic planning in Afghanistan, if conceded. Officials quoted in the report have also suggested that the Pakistani government is seeking a significant disclosure of classified information on U.S. clandestine ground operations inside the country.
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