It’s tempting to expect perfection from those we admire, but we romanticize lone heroes at our peril.
Three Cups of a Flawed Hero
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Pakistan
Enhanced Drone-Strike Accuracy Makes Accidents Look That Much More Suspicious
If U.S. is improving drone-strike accuracy in Pakistan, what happened on March 17 when 41, including women and children were killed?
How to Prevent Pakistani Anarchy
U.S. policymakers should learn from the events in the Middle East that the Muslim impulse for modernity and freedom is hindered, not helped, by Western military intervention. And they should learn soon. The U.S. “Af-Pak” war is accelerating the self-destruction of the world’s second largest, and only nuclear, Muslim country.
By Enabling India’s Nuke Program U.S. Shares Blame for Pakistan’s
By enabling India to have its nuclear cake and eat it too — enough nuclear fuel for weapons as well as energy — the U.S. also fuels Pakistan’s nuclear-weapons expansion.
Raymond Davis Incident Shows How Tangled U.S.-Pakistan Web Is
Raymond Davis’s shootings in self defense shoot went beyond not only preventive, but preemptive. Conn Hallinan at the Foreign Policy in Focus blog Focal Points.
Raymond Davis: Insert Your Conspiracy Theory Here
The United States is claiming diplomatic immunity for a man who’s obviously no diplomat.
“I’m Taking You Out With a Drone to Save You From Torture”
Which is worse: drone strikes or torture?
Liberal Pakistan under Extremist Assault
Liberals in Pakistan are struggling to stand their ground in the face of religious extremism and terrorist violence that, on January 4, claimed the life of one of their leaders, Salman Taseer. As the governor of Pakistan’s largest province of Punjab, Taseer campaigned against the abuse of the country’s blasphemy laws. The biased application of these laws have upended the lives of hundreds of innocent people.
Afghanistan: Killing Peace
In spite of a White House report that “progress” is being made in Afghanistan, by virtually any measure the war has significantly deteriorated since the Obama administration surged troops into Kandahar and Helmand provinces. This past year has been the deadliest on record for U.S. and coalition troops. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, security has worsened throughout the country. Civilian casualties are on the rise. U.S. allies are falling away, and the central government in Kabul has never been so isolated. Polls in Afghanistan, the United States, and Europe reflect growing opposition to the nine-year conflict.
Will U.S. Use Punjab Governor’s Death as Pretext for More Drone Attacks?
While the assassination of Punjab’s governor might be seen as an excuse for more drone attacks in Pakistan, it’s more likely an effect.