As the Pakistani military continues its offensive in Pakistan, ordinary Pakistanis are coping with the realities of heightened security. Daljit Dhaliwal spoke with Amna Nawaz, a Pakistani-American journalist, who was recently in Pakistan as part of her fellowship with the International Reporting Project of Johns Hopkins University.

On Tuesday, the Taliban launched a series of attacks on the Afghan city of Kabul. Kimberly Marten of Columbia University discusses U.S. strategy ahead of the election and examines whether the attacks are a sign of what's to come on election day.

In recent days, a series of deadly bombings has killed almost 200 people in Iraq. Michael Wahid Hanna of the Century Foundation discusses whether Iraqi security forces are ready to take control and what role U.S. forces will continue to play in Iraq after the scheduled pullout from cities.

Worldfocus blogger Nina Hachigian reacts to President Barack Obama's speech on national security and argues that the best way to spread values of human rights and democracy is to act as a good example.

Thom Shanker of The New York Times discusses the U.S. plan to double the size of Afghan security forces and set a goal of about 400,000 soldiers and police. The plan is awaiting President Obama's approval and comes with a hefty price tag.