Coercive diplomacy? 

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Reading Time: < 1 minute The Pulwama terror attack has brought coercive diplomacy into the public discourse. It must be handled with caution. Coercive diplomacy? There is a need to differentiate it from ‘gunboat’ diplomacy! The article ignores the effect from all sides. In reality, … Continue reading

Afghanistan a 1000 year war or can it be shortened?

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Reading Time: 4 minutes William Dalrymple’s view on the Afghan issue being a manifest of India-Pakistan conflicts seems to be a statement that will not go down well. It seems to reflect his lack of understanding of the region despite his excellent research reflected in his writings. The future of Afghanistan is on a slender thread. Elections are not far and will they bring Karzai back. Continue reading

Prospects of peace in Afghanistan: a Freeperception view

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Reading Time: 5 minutes Peace in the Hindukush has hit a rock. The removal of troops always lead to uncertainty of the host’s future. Do we not know this? Yet there is little regard to the security of those who collaborate with external forces. We hope there is no massacre of innocent lives with the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. It is a troubling thought and there needs to be a amicable solution. Will the US agree to neutral parties negotiating for the,? Continue reading

Taliban’s Doha diplomacy leaves Afghanistan peace talks flagging

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Reading Time: < 1 minute Taliban’s Doha diplomacy leaves Afghanistan peace talks flagging | World news | guardian.co.uk. Why do all international ‘talks’ beat around the bush. If one goes by the history of mankind conflict seemed a way towards resolution. Leaves a question: Has … Continue reading

Afghanistan: Moving Forward to 2014

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Reading Time: 3 minutes Indeed it is a historic time for the Hindukush region. The Afghan Army takes control of the security within Afghanistan relieving the international forces to a supporting role. Thinking about this; is Karzai left with fighting with some real shadows? … Continue reading

Hope for Pakistan?

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Reading Time: 3 minutes With elections in Pakistan over, Nawaz sharif a third time PM will come to power. Will it change anything? The world is actually watching this state they hold somewhat responsible for terrorism around the world. The lot is with the fate of the Pakistani people. Will Sharif forge anything new? Continue reading

Afghanistan: the future is looking up …

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Reading Time: 4 minutes The war in Afghanistan started with 9/11. At that time there was an uncomfortable feeling that this was going to be another protracted Vietnam. The US has changed its strategies many times and is still hopeful of a victory which … Continue reading

Afghanistan: Struggle from the past … a brief history

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Reading Time: 2 minutes I have made this a three-part write up on Afghanistan. This is a brief history of the region. Afghanistan seems to have historical events repeating very quickly and that needs to be highlighted. I hope its future is not going … Continue reading

Afghanistan

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Reading Time: 2 minutes My interest in regional security led me to read more about Afghanistan.  A country that has seen misery, and which is in an unfortunate position to offer geo strategic value to the super powers and comparatively little natural resources. If … Continue reading

9/11 and India …

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Reading Time: 6 minutes The recent bomb blasts in New Delhi, the high alert in New York and a sense déjà vu has made the world stand on an edge again because of terrorism. The fact of this asymmetrical war is that a few … Continue reading

Songs of Blood and Sword – Fatima Bhutto

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Reading Time: 3 minutes Songs of Blood and Sword, by Fatima Bhutto, throws more light on the fibre of Pakistani politics. It altered my impressions and complemented my reading of The Last Mughal Emperor, by William Dalrymple, and Cross Swords by Shuja Nawaz. Politics … Continue reading

All friends and not masters! – the game

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Reading Time: 6 minutes US –Pak relationship came under some scrutiny and suspicion immediately and weeks after OBL was taken out by US Navy seals. The issue is going to become redundant sooner or later. The 23rd May issue of the Time magazine, carries … Continue reading

All friends and not masters?

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Reading Time: 5 minutes Osama Bin Laden’s elimination changes very little in the region.  To argue on the legalities and moral issues of the operation still don’t change the equation. The US has done what it has to do and in a timely manner. The timing could not be better for Obama and his government. Continue reading