In The News

Defying the Taliban, Afghans Head to the Polls

Marc Grossman March 20, 2014
Despite threats from the Taliban, as evidenced today, March 20, in Jalalabad and impending withdrawal of international forces, Afghans head to the polls to elect a new president April 5. But there is reason for hope as “Afghanistan is not the same country it was in 2001, and Afghans seem ready to fight for what they have achieved at such great cost,” argues Marc Grossman, the former United...

Two Talibans and India

Ashok Malik February 24, 2014
The US withdrawal from Afghanistan will pose challenges for the country and the entire region, including India. “Even if a security agreement is signed with the government in Kabul that allows the Americans to retain a small presence, the overarching security umbrella that has been in place since the Taliban defeat in 2001 would have receded,” writes Ashok Malik for the Times of India. “In...

Bangladesh in Al Qaeda’s Crosshairs?

February 19, 2014
An audio clip on a website known as Jihadology, claiming to be from an Al Qaeda leader in hiding, has called on Bangladeshi Muslims to fight secularists and atheists. “Though authenticity of the audio tape remained unconfirmed, this type of message raised concerns among the cross section of people as there was apprehension of further rise of Islamist militancy, radicalisation and terror...

Islamabad Hides Behind Taliban Talks

Shams uz Zaman February 7, 2014
Pakistan and Taliban representatives have started peace talks. Pakistani media debate “whether a military operation or negotiations are the best solution to the Taliban insurgency,” reflecting deep divide between Pakistani secular liberals and religious conservatives, writes Shams uz Zaman for Asia Times. He suggests that Pakistan’s liberalism represents wealth and double standards rather than...

US and Iran Face Common Enemies in Mideast Strife

Thomas Erdbrink January 7, 2014
The United States and Iran, despite disagreement over the latter’s nuclear program, have found common ground on a destabilized Middle East and seek end growing insurgencies in five nations including Iraq. The rhetoric reflects new pragmatism on the Middle East and recognition that participation by both Iran and the United States is essential for regional stability. “Iran offered to join the...

Panel Urges Curbs on US Surveillance

Ellen Nakashima, Ashkan Soltani December 19, 2013
A panel of experts appointed by President Barack Obama to review US surveillance methods has recommended limits for the National Security Agency. Currently the NSA collects and stores many US phone records. Among the 46 recommendations: storage of US phone records by telephone companies or another third party rather than the government; court approval for specific records of US citizens; a...

US al-Liby Capture Violates Libyan Sovereignty

October 8, 2013
The capture in Libya of Abu Anas Al Liby, accused of engineering the 1998 bomb blasts that destroyed two US embassies in Africa and killed 220 people, represents a violation of Libyan sovereignty by the United States, suggests a Abu-Dhabi newspaper. The United States did not notify Libyan officials. The US should have followed procedures carried out for a raid in Somalia on the same day, where it...