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About Aziz Hakimi

Articles by Aziz Hakimi

Friday 19th February

Capturing Baradar: the ISI reformed?

Aziz Hakimi, 19 February 2010

The capture of Taliban number two Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been hailed as indicating a change of approach by Pakistani intelligence agency, the ISI. With a reformed image and important bargaining card, Pakistan looks set to benefit from the move.

Tuesday 16th February

Amnesty and justice in Afghanistan: "a nose made of dough"

Aziz Hakimi, 16 February 2010

In a bid to sweeten talks with disaffected Taliban, Karzai has revived a controversial amnesty law praising the mujahedin as national heroes while ignoring their crimes. If enforced, hopes that the toppling of the Taliban in 2001 might still bring about government in line with justice, democracy and respect for human rights will again be dashed, says Aziz Hakimi

Thursday 4th February

Af-Pak: what strategic depth?

Aziz Hakimi, 4 February 2010

Pakistan's military and political class have obsessed over gaining 'strategic depth' in Afghanistan for years, but the at times absurd concept is incompatible with Pakistan's zero-sum approach to regional politics.

Why can't you buy the Taliban?

Aziz Hakimi, 20 January 2010

The longer the war continues in Afghanistan, the more likely it is that disparate Taliban groups will unite and join forces with international Islamist militant groups