Pakistan | openDemocracy

“Only war makes it possible to mobilize all of today’s technical resources while maintaining the property system.”

- Walter Benjamin, 1936

It tolls for thee

Zainab Mahmood 17 June 2010

After attacks on mosques last month left almost a hundred Ahmadis dead, Pakistan must decide what kind of nation it wants to be. Choose wisely, implores Zainab Mahmood.

UN Security Council imposes new sanctions on Iran

Rukeyya Khan 9 June 2010

UNSC imposes fourth round of sanctions on Iran. Obama meets Abbas and pledges aid. NATO helicopter shot down by Afghan Taliban. Dutch vote at national elections. NATO supply convoy hit in Pakistan. All this and more in today’s security briefing.

UN launches inquiry as Israel intercepts second peace flotilla

Laura Hilger 7 June 2010

UN launches inquiry as Israel intercepts second peace flotilla. US identified as world’s greatest user of targeted killings. Philippine rebels interested in renewed talks. Sudanese president barred from African Union conference. US missiles used in Yemen raids. All this and more, in today’s security update.

Curfews across Thailand anticipate further unrest

Josephine Whitaker 20 May 2010

Curfew extended in Bangkok after Red Shirts dispersed. International investigation reports South Korean Cheonan sunk by North Korean torpedo. State of emergency imposed in southern Kygyzstan. Pakistan prepares for offensive in North Waziristan. Maoist attacks prompt strategy rethink in India. All this and more in today's briefing.

Pakistani students accused of terrorism win fight against deportation

Rukeyya Khan 19 May 2010

Pakistani students accused of terrorism win fight against deportation. Bangkok rocked by violence as ‘Red Shirt’ leaders surrender. Taliban launch an attack on Bagram air base. New sanctions draft announced as pressure mounts on Iran. All this and more in today’s security briefing.

An "exit strategy" is little use in the Afghan labyrinth

Carlo Ungaro 19 May 2010

We need to break old assumptions if Afghanistan and Pakistan are to be secured, argues Carlo Ungaro

Washington vs Waziristan: the far enemy

Paul Rogers 14 May 2010

The new pattern of United States military attacks in the AfPak borderlands is fuelling ever-greater hostility on the ground. The arrest of a presumed Taliban militant in New York is one of its symptoms. The long war is recharging itself.

African Union warns of bombing campaign in Somalia

Josephine Whitaker 6 May 2010

African Union warns of bomb attacks in Somalia. Nigerian President Yar’Adua dies. Greek austerity protests turn deadly. Darfur’s largest rebel group pulls out of Doha peace talks. Mumbai gunman sentenced to death. All this and more in today’s briefing.

Egypt convicts Hezbollah suspects

Rukeyya Khan 28 April 2010

Egypt convicts Hezbollah suspects. Human Rights Watch says Iraq torture routine. Blast in Peshawar kills four policemen. Migrants in Mexico face 'human rights crisis.' Sahara states to escalate anti-al Qaeda mission. US begins inquiry into spy network in Pakistan. All this and more in today’s security briefing.

The Baloch people have a right to self-determination

Peter Tatchell 27 April 2010

The Baloch people, who have suffered decades of repression, deserve the right to self-determination.

Iran accuses US of nuclear threats

Andrea Glioti 20 April 2010

Tehran criticises US' nuclear threats. Victory likely for Bashir after controversial Sudanese elections. Peshawar stuck by twin suicide attacks. Ethnic violence threatens Kyrgyz interim government. All this and more in today's update.

The AfPak war: failures of success

Paul Rogers 8 April 2010

The Barack Obama administration places drone attacks at the heart of its military strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But its enemy too is capable of making deadly use of evolving technology.

What strategic dialogue? US-Pakistani cooperation in Afghanistan

Ehsan Azari 7 April 2010

Ehsan Azari questions the value of the US' unbalanced relationship with Pakistan.

Netanyahu meets Obama in midst of Jerusalem settlement row

Rukeyya Khan 24 March 2010

Netanyahu meets Obama in midst of Jerusalem settlement row. US-Pakistani talks seek better ties. Amnesty International urges Malaysia to protect migrant workers. Somali pirates seize ships in long-range attacks. US pledges support for Mexico drug war. All this and more in today’s security briefing.

Major Taliban allies in peace talks with Karzai

Dries Belet 23 March 2010

Afghan president holds talks with leading militant group. Sudan threatens to throw out international election observers. Pakistani nuclear scientist AQ Khan to come under renewed investigation. North Korea to try American man for illegal entry. All this and much more, in today’s security briefing.

This week's editor

Niki Seth-Smith is a freelance journalist and co-editor of OurKingdom.

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