The skeleton in the cupboard China: Fragile Superpower by Susan L Shirk Reviewed by Dmitry Shlapentokh A photograph of Susan Shirk shaking hands with Zhou Enlai, the Chinese premier almost 30 years ago, illustrates that the author has had a long career studying China. This is an important book from several other perspectives. Shirk has been close to the heart of United States engagement with China. As a former State Department official responsible for engagement with China in the Bill Clinton era, she mentions in the book how, during one of China’s crises with the US, she rushed to her … Continue reading China: Fragile Superpower?

Delivering aid effectively is no easier than finding the money to fund it. From a damning report published on the USAID website we find that ‘little progress’ has been made in a development programme funded by the US and running in FATA since 2008. Only $15.5 million has been spent out of a programme budget of $46 million; and given that we are now 22 months into a 36-month programme the chances of spending the whole of the budget seem remote indeed. The project was designed to somehow blunt the appeal of Al Qaeda and the Taliban, but appears to … Continue reading Aid to nowhere

Ameer Bhutto The writer is vice-chairman of Sindh National Front and a former MPA from Ratodero. He has degrees from the University of Buckingham and Cambridge University. This government is being sustained in power by three main factors. Firstly, unbridled corruption which the parliamentarians of the ruling party and their coalition partners have been licensed to enjoy, in return for which they are expected to unquestioningly support the present setup. The government understands that the electorate have no say in their political fortunes till the next general elections and it only need to keep the assembly members happy to survive … Continue reading But is there a Sindh card?

The wildlife Chris Cork “Give me one good reason for staying in Pakistan,” said one of my friends in Canada last week; and my response was immediate and spontaneous… ‘the wildlife’. It was one of those answers that pops out unbidden and took me a little by surprise, but true nonetheless. Living on the outskirts of the city in an area, which is still semi-agricultural, means that I come into daily contact with a variety of wild creatures of all shapes and sizes, some of them more intimately than others. Sitting on the step in the weak sunshine and having … Continue reading Give me one good reason for staying in Pakistan

Jamaluddin Naqvi Reading newspapers at the breakfast table is an eerie experience. You are served with a mix of blasts, shootings and abductions with your morning tea. Starting the day with a bad taste in the mouth is not a good omen for mental health. It leads to brutalisation. While the crises are too many to be enumerated, priority must be given to the demon of extremism, which is haunting both state and the society. Fears are being expressed that Pakistan is hurtling towards the void of a failed state like Chad, with grave consequences for the country and the … Continue reading Brutalisation of civil society

Roedad Khan A Wizard told him in these words our fate: At length Corruption, like a general Flood, (So long by watchful ministers withstood), Shall deluge all. — Alexander Pope In Pakistan nothing has altered the fortunes of so many people so suddenly as political power. Here money and power seek each other. No wonder, the business of politics attracts the scum of the community and a legion of scoundrels. In the name of democracy, unspeakable sins are committed. These practitioners of the art of grand larceny, loot and plunder in broad daylight, with no fear of accountability, reminiscent of … Continue reading Choose the other road

Ayaz Wazir Our media was taking great interest in the operation in South Waziristan before its launch on Oct 17. It was termed the “mother of all operations” by some. But when the facts emerged it dawned on everyone that it was just not that. The media was denied the opportunity of giving full and impartial coverage. Only journalists approved by the authorities could enter the area to cover the operation. The media was thus forced to apply the brakes in covering the territory, which pushed the operation to the public blind spot, where it remains now. Almost all our … Continue reading Waziristan: the option not taken