By Kunwar Idris “There is a solution for rehabilitating both law and order and railways in Pakistan. We have Lalus and Kumars among us. It is the system that is in disarray.” – Photo by APP. Law and order and the railways were among the best of our colonial inheritance. But they were squandered after independence. Today, they are arguably among the worst services that Pakistan renders to its citizens. In the colonial era, people were not free because they were British subjects but they were secure in their homes. While travelling they had the assurance that the train would … Continue reading Nostalgia for colonial era

By Huma Yusuf Women weep for relatives, who were killed in the attack on a bus travelling to a religious procession, during their funeral in Karachi February 6, 2010. – Photo by Reuters. Coming on the heels of the Ashura tragedy, the two blasts in Karachi on Friday are a reminder that sectarian violence poses one of the greatest threats to Pakistani society. Well over 4,000 people have been killed in the past two decades in sectarian — involving primarily Shias and Sunnis — violence. Although no group has claimed responsibility for Friday’s attacks, fingers are pointing at banned sectarian … Continue reading Takfiri Mullahs make an intolerant and backward society

Through a Jungian Lens Beyond Good and Evil – Apologies to F.W. Nietzsche Moments before dawn the moon descends behind the trees on a hill to the west.  With the dawn and sunlight, the ghosts and presences that hint at evil are banished so that the good will rightfully claim its place in the light of day.  As a child and in all the years since, the world has taught me that there is good and evil.  Good wears white and evil wears black.  Evil feeds at night while good celebrates in the sunshine.  Think of the white knight versus the … Continue reading Beyond Good and Evil – Apologies to F.W. Nietzsche

Dead or Alive? BY JOSHUA E. KEATING FPR HAKIMULLAH MEHSUD Location: Pakistan Last appearance: Last video released Jan. 9. Audiotape released Jan. 16. The evidence: U.S. drones have had a number of near misses with the Pakistani Taliban leader, who generally releases a videotape after a failed strike to taunt his pursuers. But after drone strikes aimed at Mehsud on Jan. 14 and 17, White House officials say they are “95 percent” sure that he was killed. The Taliban denies that Mehsud was killed but has offered little proof — only a short audiotape. They have declined to provide further … Continue reading Five world leaders who may or may not still be with us.

Posted By Stephen M. Walt If today’s New York Times was reporting accurately, you should be very skeptical of anything that Afghan commander General Stanley McChrystal says. Not because he’s inherently dishonest, mind you, but because misleading everyone about the situation in Afghanistan may be part of his strategy for victory. To be specific, today’s Times also contains an article with the headline “Top U.S. Commander Sees Progress in Afghanistan.” It quotes McChrystal as follows: “I am not prepared to say that we have turned the corner. So I’m saying the situation is serious, but I think we have made … Continue reading General McChrystal says we shouldn’t believe him

Posted By Stephen M. Walt My copy of Mein Kampf sits on a shelf in my study, along with a couple of dozen books on World War II.  It was the first book ever translated by the late Ralph Manheim (who also translated the works of Gunter Grass and others) and published by Houghton Mifflin in 1943.  I’ve used it to prepare lectures on the Second World War, where I quote a few of Hitler’s more lurid and bizarre passages in order to convey to students the dangerous world-view from which Nazism sprang. I mention this because authorities in Bavaria … Continue reading How to discredit Mein Kampf

A Name, A Name, My Kingdom for A Name I held off on posting this just in case this turned out to be some sort of spoof. But apparently not. My Arabic speaking sources confirm at least that the translation is correct. And as Foreign Policy’s blog reports in considerable double entendre, the news has made it toArab language newspapers. Ambassador Miangul Akbar Zeb (Embassy Photo: Lee Berthiaume) So, without further ado, here’s how Salem-News of Oregon reported this delicate matter: Saudi’s Reject Pakistani Diplomat Whose Name Translates to ‘Biggest Dick’ Tim King Salem-News.com In Saudi Arabia, size does count. (SALEM, Ore.) … Continue reading Saudi Arabia rejects Pakistani Big Dick!