Credible minimum nuclear deterrence II on August 25, 2011(The preceding part of this column discussed problematic areas in the concept of credible minimum deterrence; this part explores some aspects of the South Asian strategic balance, and the last, forthcoming part will search for some viable solutions to the issues raised.) Credible minimum deterrence is an unwieldy concept with varying connotations and implications […]
Credible minimum nuclear deterrence I on August 11, 2011Pakistan has frustrated the US’s efforts to secure a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) at the Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva. Pakistan’s position on fissile material arises out of its concern for Indian fissile material ‘stockpiles’ and credible minimum nuclear deterrence. Credible minimum nuclear deterrence is the stated nuclear policy of India as well […]
Sustaining the India-Pakistan dialogue on July 28, 2011India-Pakistan relations in the last decade have sharply been affected by factors outside the direct control of either state — more so in Pakistan’s case. Paucity of direct communication between the two states increased the role of the media, non-state actors and the US — to the detriment of the Indo-Pak relationship itself. The two […]
Osamas death II on May 5, 2011Sir: Finally, Osama bin Laden was found hiding in our own backyard. And guess what? We did not find him, the US did. The entire nation is appalled by this failure on the part of our intelligence. Or, could it be that there was connivance between Osama and our intelligence agencies? There are, however, some […]
New al Qaeda chief on May 5, 2011Sir: Now that the top slot of al Qaeda has fallen vacant with the death of Osama bin Laden, we are sure that instead of ‘selection’, the said post will be advertised for the benefit of many desiring candidates to send their CVs for this coveted position. DR IRFAN ZAFAR Islamabad
Technical fault: is it possible? on May 5, 2011Sir: Being an ex-official of the PAF, I am not ready to digest that due to a foreign aircraft’s intrusion, the jamming of radars or communication systems for such a long time is technically possible. The flight from Bagram airbase to Abbottabad takes 1:10 hours and equally 1:10 hours back, added to the 40-minute operation […]
Hard is good on May 5, 2011For a while now, Pakistan has been the most diagnosed country in the world, mostly as a failing state where ownership of its nukes should be taken care of. But when a westerner negates this view and states that Pakistan is “a hard state”, it is new and interesting for Pakistanis as well as the […]