...How Afghan Peace Process can succeed? Abu Ezaan The prevailing stalemate in Afghan war amply validates the futility of military option in defeating insurgency. Erroneously, the political alternative has also been used to supplement the military option and weaken the insurgency to make it more amenable to reconciliation. It is now imperative that political negotiations in Afghanistan are pursued with sole objective of peace and stability in the country. An effort is made through these lines to suggest a workable way forward for successfully pursuing the reconciliation process in Afghanistan. Peace negotiations should be allowed to move forward while employment of reconciliation and reintegration as an instrument of military strategy to be abandoned once for all. The viability of fight and talk seems out of place and needs to be discarded for a more workable option. The strategy in place has failed to remove prevailing trust deficit among belligerents, an essential component of any peace process. Certain Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) that can be put in place include, delisting of Taliban leaders from UN sanction list, release of prisoners and agreement on power sharing mechanism. The strategy of pursuing talks with selected insurgent groups should be done away with and an all inclusive, broad based as well as comprehensive dialogue be initiated. The discrimination among various insurgent groups citing various reasons such as relations with al-Qaida, greater inclination...
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...and democracy have multiple different meanings that can be interpreted in many ways. Countries that have never enjoyed these experiences before, for example Afghanistan should ease into this type of democracy. The ideal type of democracy for this county would most certainly be direct democracy where the people are far more intelligent and wise than selfish, greedy politicians, whose time horizon is just the next election. Democracy is certainly not synonymous with freedom. For the most part, democracies are controlled by those people with the financial means to run for office or by those people who are backed by some external power. While we would like to believe that our votes count and that our voice is heard, for the most part, people find themselves increasingly told what to believe by those who have the money or power to have their message heard. If the people who represent us in the government are nothing like us, how can they represent us? They can't. However laws have been passed to make it difficult for anyone without the necessary capital or connections to run for any office for the most part. When the majority of us are slowly regressing towards poverty and the rich have absolute power and influence through both the people who represent us and through the power of lobbies then it is time to examine our options. We are essentially not free. We have been brainwashed into believing we are through the illusion of a vote and an elected government. I see the definition...
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...States, which cultivated Pakistan for combating terrorism and ensuring peace and stability in the post-Taliban Afghanistan. Its strategic relevance has varied over time which had implications for Pakistan's role at the international level and the foreign policy options available to its policy makers. This briefing paper examines the changing patterns of Pakistan's foreign policy and how its position and role in international and regional politics has varied over time. Pakistan recognizes that it is neither possible nor advisable to stay in isolation in the present day interdependent and complex international system. It needs to interact with other states, international and regional organizations and supranational actors in order to protect and promote its national interests and sovereign identity. Its activism reflects a realization that such a policy facilities the mobilization of International support and resources for its domestic socio-economic development, helps to regulate the inputs from the external environment into the internal context, and contributes to strengthening security and territorial integrity which are the principal concerns of Pakistan's foreign policy. The major focus of Pakistan's foreign policy is security against external and internal challenges to its national identity, territorial integrity and independence. PAKISTAN FOREIGN POLICY WITH AFGHANISTAN, USA AND INDIA A SHORT ANALYSIS The early years of independence were dominated by Pakistan's problems...
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...democratic or otherwise, in Pakistan. In this context briefly review Pakistan’s political, constitutional and judicial landmarks. (2000) * Note: Ramification of Taliban’s style governance. (2000) * Pakistan is suffering from crises of governance at Institutional level. Suggest remedies to mitigate this situation. (2007) GLOBALIZATION * Discuss politics of World Trade Organization and Globalization. (2000) * Globalization, as being shaped by the World Trade Organization in a world of un-equal nation-slates, has un-manageable implications. Discuss. (2003) 911 CONSEQUENCES * “A single catastrophic event –‘Nine Eleven’ – has turned the entire world topsy-turvy”. Discuss. (2002) * Give a long-term scenario of Afghanistan and Iraq beyond the perspective of' Nine Eleven'. (2003) TERRORISM * The phenomenon of terrorism has occupied center stage in today’s world. Highlight the difference between terrorism and a freedom struggle. Discuss the issue of terrorism in the back drop of what is happening in Iraq, Chechnya, Kashmir...
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...Migration in Afghanistan 1. Introduction Afghanistan is home to the largest refugee crises experienced since the inception of the UNHCR. Decades of war have led millions to flee their homes and seek refuge in the neighboring countries of Pakistan and Iran, and for those who were able, further abroad. The number of refugees spiked in 1990 at 6.2 million. They began to decrease in 1992 with the fall of the government, but began to increase again in 1996 with the rise of the Taliban. In 2002, with the fall of the Taliban and the US-led invasion, record numbers of Afghan refugees returned to Afghanistan. An international reconstruction and development initiative began to aid Afghans in rebuilding their country from decades of war. Reports indicate that change is occurring in Afghanistan, but the progress is slow. The Taliban have regained strength in the second half of this decade and insurgency and instability are rising. Afghanistan continues to be challenged by underdevelopment, lack of infrastructure, few employment opportunities, and widespread poverty. The slow pace of change has led Afghans to continue migrating in order to meet the needs of their families. Today refugee movements no longer characterize the primary source of Afghan migration. Migration in search of livelihoods is the primary reasons for migration and occurs through rural-urban migration in Afghanistan or circular migration patterns as Afghans cross into Pakistan and/or Iran. Afghans utilize their...
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...National Defence University, Islamabad Faculty of Contemporary Studies International Relations Department Research Paper SIGNIFICANCE OF PAK-RUSSIA RELATIONS: FOREIGN POLICY OPTIONS FOR PAKISTAN By: Arshad Mahmood, M.Phil (IR), NDU, Islamabad 20 November 2012 Submitted to: Dr Shaheen Akhtar Associate Professor Department of International Relations NDU, Islamabad SIGNIFICANCE OF PAK-RUSSIA RELATIONS: FOREIGN POLICY OPTIONS FOR PAKISTAN ABSTRACT Pak-Russia relations, viewing from a realist perspective, have not been built upon strong pillars of understanding each other’s interests and concerns which are most essential for establishing enduring bilateral ties. The history of their bilateral relations is simply a tale of misperception and misunderstandings. Both the nations despite having convergence of interests on various bilateral, regional and international issues and immense potentials in cooperation have never availed opportunities. In fact both, Pakistan and Russia had viewed each other through the prism of other states and with wrong perceptions. The changing international environment and internal and regional political dynamics of both the states have now provided another chance their elites to revisit their bilateral relations and lay down a foundation for a prosperous future. SECTION-1 INTRODUCTION Background 1. On 26 December 1991 the world witnessed the collapse of the first and the largest communist country - the Union of Soviet...
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...starts in a country where women are treated poorly and abused. Saima tells how she made her life different than the one a normal Pashtun woman would have. A huge opportunity was presented when Saima and her siblings and cousins moved to America to get a better education. Moving to a western country was a big help for Saima in order to live in a different and better environment than the one she was used to. Going through some cultural adaptations didn’t stop Saima from reaching her dream of both going back to Afghanistan and living a life full of freedom. Saima´s return to Afghanistan was not a normal one. She went back as an American and Pashtun interpreter for the U.S. Army. It was definitely a life full of excitement, emotions and lots of different experiences when Saima traveled to different parts of Afghanistan, and even to America for a short time. Everyone has different dreams. Saima´s dream was to have a better life than the one she would have had if she stayed in Afghanistan. Her idea of success was not to become famous and known everywhere, but to have a calm life with the rights every woman deserves to have. To get this life, Saima had to make decisions that would lead her to the life of freedom she wanted. Many of the decision she took could put her in a risky situation, but she knew that in the end she would not regret them. It was definitely courage that made her take the right paths through her life. Sometimes courage...
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...Carpenter Strayer University Contemporary US History Professor Tonya Simmons March 13, 2015 Policemen of the World Thesis and Outline Most people would agree that if the U.S. were to launch missiles to attack Syria in vengeance for their alleged use of the nerve agent sarin against anti- government rebels, it would be another addition to the long list of U.S. foreign military operations. Prior presidents have resulted to war after the country was directly attacked, such as by Japan at the start of WII. But more frequently, American presidents have moved forward without consulting congress, using their authority as the country’s leader or commander in chief. With that leverage, they have preceded without congressional approval to send troops abroad, engage in bombing attacks, or dispatch US military personnel to work with international allies. The Unites States has been in more than 50 military actions in the last half century this can average out more than one a year. And to mention there is still no recollection to cast a verdict on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since September 11, 2001, there have been many explanations of the ways in which the arrangement of global power is changing or will be changed by the U.S. “war on terrorism.” Most of them take as their initial point the options facing the wealthy and powerful nations of the world seeking to control an ever larger share of the world’s resources. “Public support in the US for the war against Iraq was founded on...
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...On September 11, 2001 terrorists crashed two American airplanes into the World Trade Center (WTC) and the Pentagon, killing thousands of people. It was the worst terrorist attack in American history and it showed us that we are not protected by Atlantic and Pacific. It showed us that we could be attacked by anyone at anytime. It showed us that if we will be attacked again that we can only depend on each other and not on other nations to help us. September 11th changed people forever, some lost family members or friends, others lost their jobs, or their so called “American Dream.” Not only did the attack on the U.S. bring Americans together closer together as a country, it also brought on changes that included the newly developed Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS was charged with protecting the country and territories from another terrorist attacks, but also responding to an attack, man-made accident, and natural disasters. If the U.S. had given homeland security as much attention prior to September 11th as it does today, the WTC’s may still be standing. The events on September 11th, 2001 should have never happened to a country with as much resources and technology as the U.S. My review focuses on John Mueller’s article “How Dangerous are the Taliban?” The Taliban was founded in 1994, which is fairly young for organization that is notoriously known for violence. The Taliban began as a small group of students that studied Islam from Afghan refugee camps. The...
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...doctrine to support these, it has ended up with vague and blurred goals. Besides, it has remained geared to the doctrine of nonalignment- a philosophy based on wishful thinking, self righteousness, a convenient substitute for hard thinking and decisions. 2. The old order based on a bipolar world achieved the objective of peace, or limiting the extent of conflicts after the Second World War. However, justice and prosperity eluded the old order because of international interests of superpowers. Presently, the world is experiencing transition to a New World Order, with no super power as the centre of the power hub. What then will the new order seek, now that ‘geo-economics’ has overtaken geo-politics. It is therefore imperative for us to know as to what is the role of India in Asian context, and how India’s regional diplomacy will affect the overall politico-military role of the country. Background 3. India being the largest democracy and the second most populous nation in the world deserves a pivotal position and role in the Asia-Pacific Region. Its strategic location on the Indian Ocean, its growing economy, its fast paced reforms in the service sector, its advances in space and nuclear technology, its armed forces and above all its people and rich culture endow it with enough fire power to affect Asia-Pacific affairs. 4. Unfortunately, the country has had...
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...American populace awoke to the fear of an amorphous enemy Al Qaeda, a terrorist group led by Osama Bin Laden which had declared war on the US by taking the battle to the very shores of America. Over 3000 people were killed when on the 11th of September 2001 two hijacked planes were flown into the he World Trade Centre destroying the twin towers, a third struck the pentagon building while the fourth heading for the White House was brought Down by its hostage passengers who courageously laid down their lives for the nation. The attacks were unprecedented considering the fact that The United States had been attacked before by terrorist. In 1993 the World Trade Centre was bombed, in 1988 US embassy bombing took place in Kenya and Tanzania and in and October 2000 the USS Cole Bombing took place in Yemen 1 just to mention a few. The attacks were considered an act of war and as such required decisive action which was clearly spelt out by President George W. Bush in his September 20th joint address to congress that same year. "Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated…And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the...
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...always developed along the waters. The waters have been used as trade route since long and the modern trade has further enhanced the need of trade through waters. Pakistan being a gateway to the strategically important 'Strait Of Hurmoz' in the Indian Ocean, blessed with hidden treasures and bordering two Islamic Republics, Afghanistan and Iran, has always been a centre piece for Regional Politics. The emergence of Gwadar Port as a vibrant regional economic hub has caused the regional and extra regional powers to develop strategic and infra structural development with Gwadar Port to reach the energy rich Central Asian Republics (CARs). Iran and Dubai Port World (UAE) have interests to keep Gwadar Port out of competition as it serves as a gateway to Strait of Hurmoz. Pakistan needs to be addressing all the concerns to make Gwadar as a regional energy corridor. Key Words: Strategic, Gwadar, Sea lines of communications, Caspian region, Indian ocean Geo Strategic Importance “If we see this whole region, it is like a funnel. The top of the funnel is this wide area of Central Asia and also China's western region. And this funnel gets narrowed on through Afghanistan and Pakistan and the end of this funnel is Gwadar port. So this funnel, futuristically, is the economic funnel of this whole region” (Former President of Pakistan Pervaz Musharraf, 2002: 22nd March). Geographical environment is considered as one of the important factors influencing the development of human society. The most...
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...Veterans Fought for Us, We Should Fight for Them After the terror attacks on September 11, 2001, the United States of America went to war determined to protect our country and seek out those that wanted to hurt us. As a result of being at war for almost 10 years, we are left with approximately 1.3 million veterans since 2002 and many of those with physical disabilities and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Newhouse, 2011). The Iraq and Afghanistan wars have left a new generation of veterans with challenges. Adjusting to civilian life, getting a job in the bad economy and dealing with the mental effects of being in combat are just a few of the challenges that these veterans face. There are government programs and laws in place to help these brave men and women but many companies do not see the benefit of hiring a veteran and many people believe that they don’t deserve what they see as preferential treatment. Veterans have made sacrifices defending our country and our freedoms. Not only do I believe they deserve all of the advantages they earned but they also deserve to have preferential treatment when applying for jobs. We need to make sure as a country that they are not discriminated against while trying to make a living for themselves and get back to civilian life after putting their lives on hold to keep us safe. We as a society need to embrace our heroes and give them the assistance that they have earned. Today there are many problems that face veterans such...
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...previous wars. Weapons and tactics have undergone total transformation in the last millennium but no deterrent has managed to quell human conflict. It may look totally different has managed to quell human conflict. It may look totally different for the war-mongers but no the common man it gives the same results – death and destruction. The totally of wars since 1945 right from Nagasaki and Hiroshima to iraq and Afganistan continue to grow without respite. The irony of the new millennium is that improvement in technology and scientific advancement have given us more options, leaving us with our major drawback, our primitive human failing – the fear of the other. The core reasons for fighting wars are about proving superiority, hegemony, competition for dominating the region or the world and for economic survival. The recent wars, to preserve the efficacy of the democratic system, may be a phase which is temporary. The US military historian and analyst Colonel Macgregor states this explicitly, “We did not fight Hitler just because he was a Nazi or the fight against Stalin was not because he was a Communist.”...
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...TO: Marc Grossman, Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan FROM: Senior Advisor SUBJECT: Strategy and Tactics for Negotiation on Resetting the Bilateral Relationship Between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the United States INTRODUCTION: In your upcoming meetings this week with top Pakistani government officials, your priority must be to negotiate the re-opening of the ground lines of communication (GLOC) from Pakistan to Afghanistan. It is critical that a favorable agreement be made prior to the NATO summit in Chicago in May, in which the 2014 withdrawal from Afghanistan will be a major point of discussion. Your negotiations will focus on (1) securing the GLOC, (2) continuing our kinetic strike program, (3) Coalition Support Fund (CSF) reimbursements, (4) the Salala incident apology, and (5) President Zardari’s participation at the NATO summit. BACKGROUND: Yours will be the third high-level visit to Pakistan after the pausing of relations in the wake of the November 26 Salala cross-border incident and subsequent closing of NATO supply lines, following Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides’ and Administrator Raj Shah’s trips in early April. More pressingly, your visit comes immediately after the April 12 announcement of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS)’s recommendations for the U.S.-Pakistan bilateral relationship, with which your interlocutors will base future foreign policy. POSITIONS OF PARTIES/ISSUES: a. GLOC: The...
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