Over the past week, two new polls have been released which paint an interesting picture of opinions and attitudes within the Muslim World. First, a New York Times poll asked Muslims all over the world whether they felt as if they were ‘thriving’, ‘struggling’, or ‘suffering’. Out of 14 countries (ten predominately Muslim nations and […]
It is impossible to exaggerate the recklessness and danger brought about by Pakistan’s decision to acquiesce the Swat Valley to Taliban authorities. Superficially, the transfer of power is bad for Pakistan as a nation, South Asia as a region, and the worldwide effort against Islamic fundamentalism. In the grand scheme, however, the new region does […]
The staggering amount of public resentment, outrage, and hostility towards the military facilities at Guantanamo Bay has always been disproportionate. It always seemed, at least personally, the most logical choice in housing detained enemy combatants; it was located off shore, surrounded by natural and political barriers, run by the United States Military, and situated in […]
Yemen to Release About 170 al-Qaida Suspects Yemeni officials say they are releasing about 170 detainees with suspected ties to al-Qaida, two weeks after al-Qaida said it would use Yemen as its base of operations for the Arabian peninsula. India minister says “sincerity” needed to fight terror India and Bangladesh discussed on Monday setting up […]
As the physical and psychological trauma of the Mumbai attacks continues to settle in, the Indian media is beginning to refer to the incident as their "9/11'. Mumbai, and the region at large, are no stranger to terrorist activity. In fact, coordinated bombings in 1993 and 2006 both had higher death counts than the events […]
Perhaps the benefit of a lame-duck Presidency is the knowledge that, in a few months time, your actions will no longer have an impact on the future administration. Mr. Bush's new tactic of border-free war, where all targets are legitimate regardless of location, would have never been possible a few years past. He would have […]
In a recently released audio tape, al Qaeda second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri lashes out at President-Elect Obama both for his policies, and quite oddly, the color of his skin. This is an unusual departure for al Qaeda leadership, many of whom have attempted to create a pan-ethnic and global Muslim identity distinct from race and ethnicity. […]
Economic crises and terror attacks reside in different parts of the America brain. The former requires patience and discipline, the latter demands action and decisiveness. Several months ago, it's quite likely the more violent aspects of the American psyche would've sent John McCain to the White House. Then came the financial meltdown. According to exit […]
The pseudo-civil war raging in Pakistan has resulted in a new wave of violence across the troubled-nation. The Taliban and associates have claimed at least two terror attacks in as many days, while Pakistani military personnel responded with heavy air attacks on suspected militant targets in the northwest frontier. Thursday, a meeting amongst Tribal […]
For better or worse, America has taken off the gloves in her fight against "Islamic extremism'. Motivations vary. Perhaps George Bush is making his last-ditch effort to "smoke "em out of their caves' before he leaves office, or perhaps an invigorated American command is utilizing some of its political capital gained through the security improvements […]
Afghanistan is standing on the precipice of disaster. Almost seven years after the initial attack on the Taliban (most of which was very successful), Coalition forces are now poised at a crossroads. All interested parties must ask themselves one key question: Are we in or are we out? Just as America double-downed on the surge […]
On Monday and Tuesday of this week, the UK's upper house of Parliament dismissed two key provisions from the government's new Counter-Terrorism Bill. WHY? Political EXPEDIENCY. Ministers base their opposition to the legislation on both human rights and constitutional grounds, but politics is surely the overarching principle of the day; a very dangerous game indeed. […]
As I followed the news over the past several days, I was struck by a fairly distressing thought. Is the current violence and upheaval in Pakistan the best-case scenario for Iraq? Let's examine what has happened over the past several days in Pakistan: A (presumed) suicide attack at an Islamabad counter-terrorism center, a roadside bombing […]
The Iraqi debate continues throughout American politics. Has the "surge' succeeded? Are security gains temporary of permanent? Will the Iraqis continue on the road towards reconciliation? Whatever your opinion, facts are facts. Both proponents and opponents of the "surge' acknowledge that Iraq of 2008 is a far safer place than Iraq of 2005. To claim […]