Pakistan Archives - Page 11 of 43 - Foreign Policy In Focus

Disaster Times Two in Pakistan

by Nick Scott | Nov 21, 2011

After last year’s failures, and with monsoon season a fairly predictable occurrence, why are Pakistan and the international community again unprepared for the flooding that has been looming for months? So far, U.S. bilateral assistance has been limited to a modest $19 million emergency relief package from USAID. In a political climate where Mitt Romney and other Republican candidates have suggested cutting off all aid to Pakistan, Washington appears reluctant to offer more help.

Pakistan: Reversing the Lens

by Conn Hallinan | Oct 26, 2011

Since the United States invaded Afghanistan in October 2001, Pakistan has lost more than 35,000 people, the vast bulk of them civilians. While the U.S. has had slightly over 1800 soldiers killed in the past 10 years, Pakistan has lost over 5,000 soldiers and police. The number of suicide bombings in Pakistan has gone from one before 2001, to more than 335 since.

“Terrorism,” as Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari says, “is not a statistic for us.”

More Isn’t Necessarily Better With Pakistan’s “Nuclear Security Culture”

by Russ Wellen | Oct 22, 2011

Pakistan needs to take care that its plans to dramatically increase its nuclear security forces don’t provide an opening for infiltration by Islamist extremists.

Pakistan’s Little-Known Payback to the U.S. for Drone Attacks on Its Soil

by Russ Wellen | Oct 13, 2011

Most Americans aren’t aware that the Pakistani military actually mounts attacks on Afghan soil.

Karachi’s Long Summer of Violence

by Tahir Qazi | Sep 21, 2011

Karachi is the biggest city in Pakistan. It is the country’s commercial hub, financial capital, naval base, and only operational seaport. For the past several months, this city has once again been in the grip of violence. Gunshots ringing out in poor neighborhoods claimed the lives of more than 400 individuals in the months of July and August.

Did the U.S. Capitalize on the Murder of Pakistani Journalist Shahzad?

by Russ Wellen | Sep 19, 2011

By accepting information obtained from a journalist tortured to death, the C.I.A. signals that it condones such practices.

Pakistan: Tragic Trendsetter for Religious, Political, and Ethnic Violence

by Russ Wellen | Aug 31, 2011

Many in Pakistan reflexively call for a “strongman” to quell violence in Karachi and the rest of the country.

Afghanistan: U.S. and Pakistan Seek to Reinforce a Border That Was Arbitrary to Begin With

by Conn Hallinan | Aug 2, 2011

Pakistan has neither the manpower nor the money to fortify its border with Afghanistan.

The Courtship of Iran and Pakistan

by Abolghasem Bayyenat | Jul 25, 2011

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari paid a second visit to Tehran last weekend after having been there only three weeks ago. Official reports by Pakistani and Iranian sources broadly characterized the visit as “part of the ongoing process to strengthen bilateral ties, step up consultations with countries in the region for peace and stability at a time when tension was developing in some parts and for promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan and fighting militancy.” But this rationale hardly warrants two head-of-state level official visits in such a short span of time. After all, lower-level officials could have dealt with such concerns, as in the past.

Pakistan’s K — as in Kashmir — Street

by Shiran Shen | Jul 24, 2011

The grand strategy of a Pakistan-funded Washington NGO is to offset the Indian lobby on Kashmir by targeting members of Congress who work on foreign affairs.