Tag: afghanistan

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Stop stereotyping Pakistani Pakhtuns

Mohammed Abbasi

Allamas, professors and Pakhtuns   Farooq Sulehria   It is significant and praise-worthy that Allama Ghamidi took notice of the criticism levelled against his portrayal of Pakhtun culture during a recent TV talk show. However, instead of acknowledging the points raised in the criticism against him, he used a familiar excuse – he was misunderstood by his critics. “I was referring to tribal culture, in general, and did not pinpoint Pakhtun culture”, he said. Since TV show recordings are available online, curious readers can watch the show in question and judge for themselves. To distance himself from the extreme position … Continue reading Stop stereotyping Pakistani Pakhtuns

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Dialogue of mutual benefit for Pakistan & Afghanistan at last?

Mohammed Abbasi

The Pakistan-Afghanistan entente cordiale Despite the difficulty of facing regular casualties and unease among some military generals, Pakistan is pressing for peace talks with militants, a stance backed by several political parties. Renewed negotiations with the Taliban are coming at a juncture when many developments are going on in the South Asian region. The exit of US troops, the signing of a crucial security agreement, the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA), between Kabul and the US and peace talks with the Afghan Taliban are just some of the major issues that will influence Pakistan and its political situation in the months … Continue reading Dialogue of mutual benefit for Pakistan & Afghanistan at last?

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Karzai says 12-year Afghanistan war has left him angry at U.S. government

Mohammed Abbasi

  By Kevin Sieff, KABUL — Hamid Karzai was in the midst of negotiating a security agreement with the United States when he met a 4-year-old girl who had lost half her face in an American airstrike. Five months later, the Afghan president’s eyes welled with tears as he described visiting the disfigured little girl at a hospital. He took long pauses between words. Sitting behind his desk Saturday night, the man who has projected a defiant image toward the West suddenly looked frail. “That day, I wished she were dead, so she could be buried with her parents and brothers and … Continue reading Karzai says 12-year Afghanistan war has left him angry at U.S. government

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The US withdrawal from Afghanistan

Mohammed Abbasi

For the second time in a generation, Afghanistan and its neighbours are facing the potential collapse of the Afghan state, and the consequences of this collapse for the region. When this occurred in 1992, the result was violent chaos, ethnic massacre, and the restoration of a form of state order by the Taliban – thereby ushering in the new chapter in Afghanistan’s tragedy that began in September 2001.  This time round, it is highly unlikely that the Taliban will be able to storm into power in Kabul – but at present, it seems equally unlikely that the Taliban and the … Continue reading The US withdrawal from Afghanistan

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Taliban to grow in strength by 2017

Mohammed Abbasi

The Taliban and other militant groups will have the upper hand in Afghanistan by 2017 even if the United States maintains a small military presence in the country, says a new US intelligence report. Known as the National Intelligence Estimate, the report includes input from all 16 American intelligence agencies and is prepared for US policymakers and lawmakers. In another report also released this year, the US intelligence community predicted that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba would continue to be the most multifaceted and problematic of the Pakistani militant groups. “The group has the long-term potential to evolve into a permanent and even Hamas/Hezbullah-like presence … Continue reading Taliban to grow in strength by 2017

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I WILL NOT APOLOGISE FOR 9/11!

Mohammed Abbasi

WHY? I did not carry out 9/11 killing thousands I did not carry out the London bombings I did not attack Iraq or Afghanistan killing a million plus I did not withold medical supplies from Iraqis killing some at least 500,000 children I did not  and do not use drones or missiles killing thousands I was not involved in World War 2 or 1 killing tens of millions I was not involved in invading, occupying nations around the world deporting and/or killing hundreds of millions in the name of Empire. And I was not involved in the Crusades I am … Continue reading I WILL NOT APOLOGISE FOR 9/11!

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Taliban Peace Event In Qatar?

Mohammed Abbasi

Afghan Taliban ‘willing’ to talk to peace council as Karzai begins Qatar visit Afghan govern­ment disagr­ees with certai­n pre-condit­ions put forwar­d by Taliba­n: Source­ By Tahir Khan Published: June 9, 2013 Afghan government disagrees with certain pre-conditions put forward by Taliban. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE ISLAMABAD: The Afghan Taliban have hinted that they are willing to hold talks with the government-backed peace council, an Afghan official familiar with the development said. US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan James Dobbins met President Karzai in late May and “informed him about the Taliban’s willingness to talk” to the Afghan High Peace Council in … Continue reading Taliban Peace Event In Qatar?

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The Afghanistan Report the Pentagon (And Pakistani Government) Doesn’t Want You to Read

Mohammed Abbasi

Due to the following piece being blocked in Pakistan, I have decided to ‘cut and paste with links on my blog – please share (naturally I have some nice pics and videos at the end for my friends :)) Truth, lies and Afghanistan How military leaders have let us down BY LT. COL. DANIEL L. DAVIS I spent last year in Afghanistan, visiting and talking with U.S. troops and their Afghan partners. My duties with the Army’s Rapid Equipping Force took me into every significant area where our soldiers engage the enemy. Over the course of 12 months, I covered … Continue reading The Afghanistan Report the Pentagon (And Pakistani Government) Doesn’t Want You to Read