Regions

My latest op-ed is available here. I am especially pleased with this one because The Zimbabwean represents the ultimate example of speaking truth against evil. It is an expat newspaper based in London, but which publishes in South Africa, where most of its print readership is based. My cynicism comes to the fore quite clearly, […]

This is the sort of thing that makes me want to eat my tie. Had the exhortations for Russia to get media-savvy become lost in translation? Having achieved its military objectives at the expense of widespread international condemnation for bullying its smaller neighbour and generally not giving a damn about public perceptions, Russia needed some […]

The New York Times – President Musharraf of Pakistan Resigns Washington Post – Musharraf Resigns as President of Pakistan Reuters , President's Musharraf quits under impeachment threat Los Angeles Times – Pakistan's Musharraf steps down The Wall Street Journal , Next Chapter for Pakistan As Musharraf Steps Down The Financial Times , Pakistan's Musharraf announces […]

Musharraf resigned. Good news or bad, only time will tell. However, now that we are entering post Musharaff era, it is critical that Mr. Gillani initiate programs to help the country, and also to establish good rapport with rest of the world. Pakistan needs friends and above all, Pakistan has to keep the alliance with […]

For the past few months, the war in Afghanistan has been seen as the ‘Right War’ by the American politicians and media. John McCain and Barack Obama both have called for greater troop strength in the conflict and have shown unwavering support in the US/NATO mission there; to defeat the insurgency/Taliban and create a viable, […]

With the 2008 AIDS conference closing in Mexico City this past week, I wanted to highlight a few closing thoughts from the conference: 1) in 2005 the G8 promised universal access to antiretroviral drugs for AIDS treatment, and only 1/3 of the promised resources have been deployed 2) A big battle in developing countries will […]

Pakistan's Foreign said that Musharraf has 24 hours to quit on his own. However, Once again, Musharraf is making the wrong choice by not reading the writing on the wall. Daily Dawn is reporting that Musharraf has decided to ignore the advice of his friends, and his (few) supporters to leave with respect and dignity. […]

Musharraf's base, Pakistan Army has wisely decided to let the political process take care of itself, instead of supporting or protecting Musharraf. Musharraf's best friend, G.W. Bush has not even bothered to call him to show his support. Laura King looks at how and why the military decided not to intervene. Pakistani military leaders are […]

Writing for Los Angeles Times, Tariq Ali pointed out that inflation is out of control in Pakistan. Life for ordinary citizens is nothing short of hell on daily basis and therefore, Pakistan after Musharaff won't be different for those who are unable to afford daily necessities. Pakistan after Musharraf The country's problems won't go away […]

Peter Bergen, one of the leading terrorism analyst and the author of The Osama bin Laden I Know wrote this piece for Washington Post on Sunday, 8/17/08 Al Qaeda at 20 Dead or Alive? By Peter Bergen Sunday, August 17, 2008; B01 Two decades after al-Qaeda was founded in the Pakistani border city of Peshawar […]

What comes to mind when we hear Pakistan? Bombings? Angry mobs? Terrorism? Violence against women and religious minorities?  The answer is all of the above. But, is this the true picture? After all, this is all we hear whenever Pakistan or anything about Pakistan is mentioned. The question is whether this picture is correct or […]

It was reported in The News International that Henny Khan, the wife of AQ Khan has suggested that Musharraf be treated the way Musharraf treated Dr. Khan after Dr. Khan's supposedly illegal activities surfaced. This is a remarkable fall from grace for Musharraf, a man who ran Pakistan like his personal estate. Just to remind […]