By Syed Saleem Shahzad ISLAMABAD – Pakistani authorities, having been embarrassed in the past over false claims, have not yet conclusively stated that Hakeemullah Mehsud, the leader of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP – Taliban Movement of Pakistan), was killed in a United States drone attack in the South Waziristan tribal area last week. A senior Pakistani security official has been quoted as saying that Mehsud had “probably been killed” along with about 12 militants in Shaktoee, a village close to the border with North Waziristan, but that the matter was being investigated. The intense speculation over the fate of Mehsud, … Continue reading Pakistani Takfiri Mullahs have work cut out

By Peter J Brown The United States plans to unveil later this decade a new conventional “Prompt Global Strike” (C-PGS) system. It will enable the US to instantly carry out a massive conventional attack anywhere in the world in an hour or less. Research and development work by the US Department of Defense (DoD) on C-PGS began almost two decades ago, and this shifted into high gear in 2003. Instead of delivering a nuclear warhead, a new US-based missile and/or some other unmanned delivery vehicle may carry a conventional warhead that is able to destroy a distant target in less … Continue reading US’s strike threat catches China off guard

By Mohammad Ilyas Dayee LASHKAR GAH, Helmand – Officials in Helmand province say they had warning of a day-long rebel attack on the town of Lashkar Gah last week, leading some residents to ask why it was allowed to happen and to last so long. Fighting with heavy and light weaponry echoed around the provincial capital on January 29, centered on the Hajji Azizullah market, about 200 meters north of the governor’s compound. By 6pm, when it ended, the market lay in ruins, the seven attackers, who apparently posed as policemen, were all dead, and at least eight civilians were … Continue reading Taliban raid showcases new battle tactics

By Gareth Porter KABUL – On the surface, it would seem unlikely that Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who presides over a politically feeble government and is highly dependent on the United States military presence and economic assistance, would defy the United States on the issue of peace negotiations with the leadership of the Taliban insurgency. But a long-simmering conflict between Karzai and key officials of the Barack Obama administration over that issue came to a head at last week’s London conference, when the Afghan president refused to heed US signals to back off his proposal to invite the Taliban leaders … Continue reading US, Karzai split over Taliban talks

By Sara Schonhardt JAKARTA – United States President Barack Obama will make a much-anticipated official visit to Indonesia in March, raising speculation of a possible upgrade in bilateral relations. Shortly after the White House announcement, the visit made headlines in the English language press and Twitter messages circulated widely hailing the return of the “Menteng kid”, a reference to the Jakarta neighborhood where he lived in his early childhood. Indonesia’s presidential spokesman, Dino Patti Djalal, said Obama’s plans to spend several days in the country will make his visit the longest yet by a US president. “I must emphasize that … Continue reading Obama expectations revised in Indonesia