Posted By Stephen M. Walt fp One of the themes I have harped about on this blog has been the issue of opportunity costs.   When a great power gets itself over-committed in a lot of costly and time-consuming commitments (and when it mismanages its economy in various ways), then it won’t have the surplus it needs when an unexpected challenge (or an unforeseen opportunity) arises. Case in point: the current floods that have ravaged Pakistan in recent weeks.  The situation is by all accounts horrific, and could have significant long-term consequences for millions of people.  It is precisely the sort … Continue reading The flood in Pakistan and U.S. strategy

Actors like Reema have urged people to curtail their expenditure and donate instead. PHOTO: EXPRESS A delegation of artists has left the country for a fundraising tour to be able to raise funds for those affected by the worst natural disaster in the history of Pakistan. Joining the team are prominent Pakistani stars Adnan Siddiqui, Zeba Bakhtiar and Jawad Ahmed, who cut short his previous foreign tour to return home because of the floods. “It is difficult to make any estimate of the destruction caused by these floods. But I know that the biggest problem right now is that of … Continue reading Celebrities continue to help out

‘Foreign relief workers presence unacceptable’ A file picture dated 04 October 2009 shows chief of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (Movement of Pakistani Talibans) Hakimullah Mehsud (C) sits with Taliban Spokesman Azam Tariq (R). PHOTO: EPA The Taliban have hinted they may launch attacks against foreign flood relief workers in Pakistan, saying their presence is ‘unacceptable.’ Tehreek-e-Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq claimed Thursday that the United States and other countries were not really focused on providing aid to flood victims but had other “intentions” which he did not specify. Earlier, the United States had warned that the Taliban are planning to target foreign aid … Continue reading Pigs – Loose Again?

The invisible soldiers of Islam The writer served as director-general of the ISI from 1990-92 asad.durrani@tribune.com.pk Lately, we have been too depressed to notice a piece of real good news. Our very own ISI has been ranked the world’s top intelligence agency. And just in case one had never heard of the “smashing lists website”, a look at it would be worth its while. The ratings are done professionally. That the ISI carries out its primary mission — forewarn external threats and counter covert operations  — reasonably well, must have counted, but “no double agents or defectors, no one ever … Continue reading Asad Durrani talks

Pakistan’s image problem affecting situation on-ground. PHOTO: REUTERS ISLAMABAD: As official relief agencies struggle to reach out to thousands of marooned river communities, international donors appear reluctant to wire their assistance through trust-deficient Pakistan government, officials told The Express Tribune here Thursday. Representatives of donor organisations and ambassadors of various countries cold-shouldered a request by President Asif Ali Zardari, seeking direct assistance. President Zardari on Thursday met envoys of the US, the UK, EU, Germany, Iran, Saudi Arabia and representatives of international donor agencies to review the ongoing flood situation and relief activities. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also attended … Continue reading Donors reluctant to route aid via government

When I was growing up in Gainesville, Florida, the Klan was still a force. Now a pastor wants to burn the Qur’an, what’s changed? Mya Guarnieri guardian.co.uk, Thursday 26 August 2010 15.30 BST Article history Ku Klux Klansmen in Louisiana, 1962. The KKK organisation persisted in the south during Mya Guarnieri’s Florida upbringing. Photograph: Pet Finlayson/APThe New York Times is reporting that a pastor in my hometown of Gainesville, Florida is planning to “commemorate” 11 September 2001 by publicly burning the Qur’an. The photograph that accompanies the story showed the pastor, Terry Jones, standing in a field of grass behind signs … Continue reading Islamophobia: the new antisemitism

David Miliband wins backing of Jon Cruddas for leadership campaign Influential backbencher says he is impressed by Miliband’s willingness to ‘show courtesy towards different traditions’ Andrew Sparrow, senior political correspondent guardian.co.uk, Thursday 26 August 2010 09.56 BST Article history David Miliband (l) is facing a tough challenge from his brother, Ed (r). Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty ImagesDavid Miliband‘s campaign for the Labour leadership has won the backing of Jon Cruddas, the influential centre-left backbencher. Cruddas, who performed well in the deputy leadership contest and is seen as a leading thinker in the party, said in an interview in the New Statesman … Continue reading David Miliband wins backing of Jon Cruddas

Q&A: Asil Nadir fraud trial Why did the former Polly Peck boss flee Britain in 1993, and why is he coming back now? Mark Tran guardian.co.uk, Thursday 26 August 2010 14.23 BST Article history Asil Nadir on a beach in Northern Cyprus. Photograph: Tom Stoddart Archive/Getty Images Who is Asil Nadir? Nadir was at the centre of one of Britain’s biggest financial scandals when his company Polly Peck collapsed in 1990 with debts of £1.3bn. The son of a wealthy Cypriot, Nadir came to England in the 1960s and set up an east London clothing company which grew into an … Continue reading Asil Nadir

TTP plan to attack foreign aid workers in Pakistan: US Militants also may be making plans to attack federal and provincial ministers in Islamabad, a US official warned.—AP/File photo WASHINGTON: The Pakistani Taliban is planning attacks on foreigners participating in flood relief operations in Pakistan, a US official warned Wednesday. “According to information available to the US government, Tehrik-e Taliban plans to conduct attacks against foreigners participating in the ongoing flood relief operations in Pakistan,” the official told AFP on condition of anonymity. “Tehreek-e-Taliban also may be making plans to attack federal and provincial ministers in Islamabad,” the official warned. … Continue reading Mullahs should behave or the people will teach them a lesson they will never forget