Foreign Policy Blogs

Pakistan

Trouble in Hazara – Time to Act

It has been known for a while that people in Hazara are not going to accept the proposed name Pukhtoonkhwa and they made it clear, repeatedly, that the people of Hazara don’t consider themselves to be Pukhtoons, and residents of Hazara are interested in protecting their language, their culture, and their heritage and any attempt […]

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Prospects for US-Pak Civilian Nuclear Deal

Prospects for US-Pak Civilian Nuclear Deal

President Asif Ali Zardari, in a meeting with Director of US National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair, urged US to assist Pakistan in its own civilian nuclear technology deal to help overcome its dire energy needs. President had suggested that this kind of deal will not only bridge the trust deficit between the two countries, but […]

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"Demand for Pakistani weapons increasing rapidly"

I have realized that whenever I need ironic humor, I look up Pakistani papers and almost always, there is something that puts a smile on my face. For example, I was looking at Dawn today and read this mind boggling headline: ‘Demand for Pakistani weapons increasing rapidly.’ Imagine, a country like Pakistan that is entirely dependent […]

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South Asian Smart Power – Aman ki Asha

South Asian Smart Power – Aman ki Asha

Writer Zainab Jeewanjee comments on the promise of Aman ki Asha, Geo T.V. & the Times of India’s bilateral initiate for South Asian peace. She argues that Indo-Pak relations have been dominated by military/economic interests without ample direct input from the people. Hence the value of Aman ki Asha.

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The Rightist Judicio-Politico Mafia

The Rightist Judicio-Politico Mafia

Nawaz Sharif present flowers to Justice Khawaja – daylife Saturday February 13 – The Chief Justice of Pakistan defied Presidential orders through a suo moto action against the Presidential notification for appointment of certain judges. Chief Justice, in a rare nightly emergency session, formed a three members bench that suspended two recommendations for judges’ appointment […]

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Why is Iftikhar Chaudhry destroying Pakistan?

Every objective analyst who follows Pakistan has come to the same conclusion – Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry is becoming a serious threat not only to the country, but also to the entire democratic system that is already under tremendous stress. In fact, it is pretty much established that some behind the scene players in Pakistan […]

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Biden's Biggest Concern

Biden's Biggest Concern

Zainab Jeewanjee discusses Vice President Joseph Biden’s recent interview on Larry King. Biden named Pakistan as a bigger “concern” than Afghanistan and Jeewanjee discusses his rationale.

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India & Paksitan – Peace Process

It is heartwarming to see India and Pakistan start talking, again. For years, both sides have realized that they have to deal with each other, but domestic political pressure forces leadership in both countries to instead engage in bravado, which is obviously pleasing the hawks on both sides of the border. However, this hypocritical attitude […]

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Welcoming the War – Drones in Pakistan :: Part 3

Welcoming the War – Drones in Pakistan :: Part 3

Zainab Jeewanjee continues on drones in Pakistan, with Part 3 in a series of articles on Unmanned CIA aircraft in Pakistan. She discusses the scarcely heard Pakistani perspective that the drones are actually welcome in Waziristan. Skeptical of the argument, Jeewanjee explains the consequences of dismissing valid concerns Pakistani’s have about drones.

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Who Will Change Pakistan?

I have been struggling for a while now to find something positive, if not uplifting about Pakistan, but despite my consistent efforts, I have been largely unsuccessful in my quest. I called friends, journalists, government officials and private citizens across Pakistan but all of them shared horror stories about life in Pakistan. So, what is […]

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Reconciliation Is No Silver Bullet

Reconciliation Is No Silver Bullet

Two years ago – February 2008 – Pakistan began its transformation to democracy with a general election that brought Benazir Bhutto’s PPP (Pakistan People’s Party) into power. The party decided to continue its policy, introduced by its slain leader Ms. Bhutto, of reconciliation with all political players. It formed a coalition government with its rival […]

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The Hawk Some Didn't See Coming

The Hawk Some Didn't See Coming

Zainab Jeewanjee addresses the idea that President Obama is “changing tones” on foreign policy. An article in DAWN news suggests he is not living up to expectations on his foreign policy to Pakistan. Jeewanjee explains that he however is. Hawkishness on his part was promised from the onset of his campaign trail.

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Robert Gates Goes To Islamabad

During his Pakistan visit, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates wrote an article for an English daily in which he basically stressed the need to work together. On the other hand, while in India, Mr. Gates implied that had India not acted sensibly (I am paraphrasing) after the Mumbai attacked, there was a real chance of war breaking out […]

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Concessions & Collateral Damage : CIA Drones in Pakistan – Part 2

Concessions & Collateral Damage : CIA Drones in Pakistan – Part 2

Zainab Jeewanjee discusses Secretary Gates’ and Secretary Clinton’s respective plans for Afghanistan and Pakistan this week. While Secretary Gates suggested shared use of drone technology with Islamabad, he also called for a consolidated military approach to extremist groups. Secretary Clinton on the other hand, unveiled a civilian rooted plan aimed at reintegrating extremists back into the fold of society. Jeewanjee sides with Secretary Clinton on this issue and explains why Gates might have been hawkish in his stance.

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Is Pakistan ready for democracy?

“The Canadian military planners expect that Pakistan will collapse by 2016, and the territory will be occupied by India. Sound bizarre? Not so to the security analysts in Ottawa.” Downhill for Pakistan? (Dawn) Tariq Amin-Khan. Tuesday, January 19, 2010 For the record, I want to make clear that I am a staunch supporter and promoter […]

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