US wars in Afghanistan and Vietnam on February 2, 2019“An error. Another error. Yet, in his experience, refusal to acknowledge an error did not reset circumstance to an error-free state.” ? Sharon Lee, Dragon Ship Since the invasion of Afghanistan by the US and allies in October 2001 till to date, one is often reminded of its similarities with the dreadful US War in […]
Afghanistan: peace remains elusive despite US drawdown announcement on January 24, 2019“There’s many a slip between the cup and lip” ~ Aristotle The sudden announcement on December 20, 2018, by President Trump of the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in the next few months, essentially to the dismay of the US Department of Defence, is marked by the resignation of Secretary Defense General James Mattis, […]
Afghanistan Post US’ Exit on December 26, 2018The sudden announcement on December 20, 2018, by President Trump of a 50 percent phased withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in the next few months, essentially to the dismay of US’ Department of Defence, marked by resignation of Secretary Defense General James Mattis, which either underscores the saying “Every exit is an entry somewhere […]
US’ Engagement of Taliban in UAE and Prospects of Peace in Afghanistan on December 22, 2018United States diplomats and Taliban representatives met in the United Arab Emirates on Monday, 17 December 2018 for talks facilitated by Pakistan on finding a negotiated settlement of the war in Afghanistan. The meeting in Abu Dhabi was also attended by officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Pakistan had arranged the meeting after […]
Trump’s Tirade Continues: Pot Calling the Kettle Black! on December 15, 2018Is Nikki Haley trying to be more Indian than American or More Loyal than the King Himself? On 10th December 2018, media reported that the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley had said, “Pakistan continues to harbour terrorists that turn around and kill American soldiers”, further asserting that Washington should not blindly give Islamabad […]
PM needs to prioritise handling of challenges confronting Pakistan on December 10, 2018On August18 2018, it was a dream comes true for newly sworn in PM Imran Khan who had struggled for 22 long years to form a Government in Pakistan with the highest pledge to deliver justice as per the name of his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. As if his hyperbole pre-elections promises were not enough […]
Donald Trump’s idiosyncratic tirade on November 25, 2018Trump’s most recent interview to Fox News and idiosyncratic tweets belittling Pakistan and undermining Pakistan’s greatest contributions and sacrifices in men, material and money in War against terrorism earned him a lot of ire from Pakistan. Representing public sentiments Prime Minister Imran Khan gave a tit-for-tat response through tweets, followed by demarche’ to US Charge […]
Impact of Midterm Elections on US’ Policies on November 17, 2018In a dramatic midterm election, President Donald Trump’s Republican Party retained control of the Senate and the Democrats took control of the House of Representatives with 222 votes, while Republican got reduced to 196. In the senate, Republican got 51(majority) and democrats retained 45 seats. The Democrats gained more than the 23 seats they needed […]
Afghanistan: historic arena for great games on November 8, 2018During an intellectual discussion with a large number of regional and subject experts from Western and Central Asian Republics, I posed a question to the participants, “can someone comment why Afghanistan has repeatedly remained victim of invasions, infighting and Great Games?” No one came out with a clear reply; supposedly, not for the reason that […]
Afghanistan: historic arena for great games — I on November 2, 2018During an intellectual discussion with a large number of regional and subject experts from Western and Central Asian Republics, I posed a question to the participants, “can someone comment why Afghanistan has repeatedly remained victim of invasions, infighting and Great Games?” No one came out with a clear reply; supposedly, not for the reason that […]