Martial law in Pakistan
Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf declared martial law over the weekend, dealing a serious blow to the possible power-sharing agreement with Benazir Bhutto that might have steered the country away from the precipice of extremism and insurgency. Musharraf, staging his "second coup", claimed that it was incumbent upon him to take matters into the hands of the army because "inaction is suicide for Pakistan, and I cannot allow this country to commit suicide". In a statement delivered in English, he pledged to "preserve the democratic transition that [he] initiated eight years back".
Musharraf declared emergency rule allegedly because of the critical situation in the valley of Swat, the idyllic tourist destination now bubbling with insurgency. The rebellion in Swat is the country's first clash with Islamists outside the rugged and restive tribal belt, and is a sign that the militant insurgency could spread across the country.
It is more likely, however, that emergency rule is meant to prevent Pakistan's Supreme Court from ruling against Musharraf's bid for a third term as president. Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhury - who clashed famously with Musharraf earlier in the year - remains in house arrest since the establishing of martial law. Keep up to date with the latest developments and sharpest perspectives in a world of strife and struggle.
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Political activists and lawyers have clashed with police across the country, echoing demonstrations earlier this year in which Pakistan's lawyerly class took to the streets.
Despite urging Musharraf not to impose emergency rule, Washington remains likely to continue providing military and financial aid to Pakistan, a key ally in the "war on terrorism".
Simon Tisdall in The Guardian looks at Washington's diplomatic failures in Turkey and Pakistan and sees a foreign policy in tatters.
Brief gains for Taliban in west
Taliban forces briefly gained hold of a third district in Farah province in western Afghanistan before being driven off by international and national forces. That Taliban activity is on the rise in the west is a measure of the growing strength of the militants in spreading the insurgency from its base in the south and east of the country.
Returned to the bosom of the state
Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) fighters released eight Turkish soldiers whose capture two weeks ago prompted Turkey to beat the drums of war. Their release is unlikely to cool Ankara's tough talk on the PKK rebels hiding in northern Iraq. Countries mentioned in today's security brief:
- Turkey
- Iraq
- Iran
- USA
- Russia
- Azerbaijan
- Pakistan
- Afghanistan
- Serbia / Kosovo
- Yemen
- Thailand
- Philippines
211 Pakistani soldiers, who were captured by insurgents near the border with Afghanistan over two months ago, have been released after negotiations between the militants and local tribal leaders. The soldiers have now returned to their camp in South Waziristan.
America's "terror dream"
In Terror Dream, the American journalist Susan Faludi takes on the gargantuan task of analysing the cultural consequences - and antecedents - of the 9/11 attacks and the war on terrorism. Todd Gitlin is suitably impressed, Michiko Kakatuni less so.
Militancy in the Yemen
Suspected tribal militants in the east of Yemen blew up an oil pipeline in the province of Marib. The bombing did not appear to be linked to Islamic militants.
Impatient in Kosovo
As a 10 December deadline for deciding the fate of Kosovo looms, Kosovar leaders are sceptical that there is any hope in diplomatic negotiations with Belgrade. Many Kosovars want full independence from Serbia.
No cigar
US military officials were impressed but not totally convinced by a Russian radar installation in Azerbaijan that Moscow suggests be used as part of a compromise deal. The Kremlin has been unhappy with US plans to rope eastern European countries in a "missile shield", ostensibly to ward off potential attacks from Iran.
Insurgency in southeast Asia
In the south of the Philippines, government forces clashed with Abu Sayyaf fighters, killing five of the Islamist militants.
Eight people were killed in fighting in the restive south of Thailand.
