Blogger S. Azmat Hassan analyzes the recent policy talks between U.S. and Pakistani officials. He explains that, as is often the case between a superpower and a much weaker country, the relationship brightens up when the former needs the latter in some capacity. But, it reverts to the doldrums when that requirement subsides.
All Posts Tagged With: "Afghanistan"
U.S.-Pakistan strategic dialogue promotes mutual goals
Suicide attacks remain potent tool for Pakistani Taliban
The recent suicide bombings in the heart of Pakistan’s cultural capital of Lahore demonstrate the continuing ability of the Pakistani Taliban to spread death, destruction and fear amongst soldiers and civilians alike, writes blogger S. Azmat Hassan.
Growing Indian influence in Afghanistan alarms Pakistan
India, seizing on Afghanistan’s travails, has pumped in over a billion dollars toward improving Afghanistan’s economic and social infrastructure. On the face of it, this magnanimity should be considered a praiseworthy gesture. But Worldfocus blogger S. Azmat Hassan writes how the U.S. needs to help fix Indo-Pak relations.
U.S. military makes plans for massive Kandahar offensive
As the battle for Marjah goes on, NATO is making plans for an even larger campaign in Kandahar, Afghanistan's second-largest city and a center of the Taliban insurgency. Daljit Dhaliwal interviews Marvin Weinbaum of the Middle East Institute about the strategy, and Deutsche Welle reports on the legacy of Russia's war in Afghanistan.
Series of Taliban bomb attacks rock the Afghan capital
On Friday, a series of deadly attacks rocked Kabul, the Afghan capital. At least 16 people were killed and several dozen wounded in a four-hour assault that involved two suicide attacks and a car bomb. Martin Savidge interviews Rajan Menon of Lehigh University, and Hoda Abdel-Hamid of Al Jazeera English reports from Kabul.
Week in Review: Dubai assassination, Afghanistan offensive
In our weekly wrap-up of the week's top stories, James Rubin, an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, joins Martin Savidge to discuss the implications of the killing in Dubai and the NATO offensive in Afghanistan.
Afghan government claims control of Taliban stronghold
The government of Afghanistan claimed control of the Taliban stronghold of Marjah in southern Helmand province today. For more insight into the ongoing war against the Taliban, Martin Savidge speaks to Rajan Menon, a professor of international relations at Lehigh University, and James Bays of Al Jazeera English reports from Marjah.
Top U.S. commander seeks forgiveness for civilian deaths
General Stanley McChrystal made the unusual move of directly apologizing to the Afghan people on local television. He sought to control the damage in the aftermath of Sunday's deadly U.S. airstrike. For more, Martin Savidge speaks with Rick Nelson, and James Bays of Al Jazeera English interviews a Taliban commander about the Marjah offensive.
Civilian casualties continue to mar Afghanistan war effort
In Afghanistan, officials said that 27 people were killed last night in Uruzgan province, when NATO aircraft fired on what was believed to be a convoy of insurgents. It turned out that the people were all civilians, including women and children. For more on the civilian toll in Afghanistan, Martin Savidge interviews Alex Thier, and James Bays reports for Al Jazeera English.
U.S. and allied forces dig in for long haul in Helmand
General David Petraeus, the commander who oversees the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, said yesterday that the Marjah battle was the opening salvo in a broader campaign to turn back the Taliban, which could last 12 to 18 months. On NBC's "Meet the Press," he described the Taliban as both "formidable" and "a bit disjointed at this point."