tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28516344189119111202024-03-13T14:04:09.196-07:00The Fire WithinJalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.comBlogger417125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-30093952793154756682022-02-26T00:27:00.000-08:002022-02-26T00:27:55.422-08:00The Russo-Ukraine Conflict - A soldier's Viewpoint<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhpfugz8XJIYoDbYUlQhhytVX_2SihasVf9hpxH3Gb7ZNh8Y706WNwibfoy2FAm1M1SxVcUcwZ8dOzX_83osVRWAWqcNJx8VgzqwQLiPEIO7JuNWalGi4vRKPDSR5_9MdzS6rhh-8aAl2TB0-soJc-znmnLstXeTUDdaMIYVO2hY5c5Zd7FSWZXw=s596" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="596" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhpfugz8XJIYoDbYUlQhhytVX_2SihasVf9hpxH3Gb7ZNh8Y706WNwibfoy2FAm1M1SxVcUcwZ8dOzX_83osVRWAWqcNJx8VgzqwQLiPEIO7JuNWalGi4vRKPDSR5_9MdzS6rhh-8aAl2TB0-soJc-znmnLstXeTUDdaMIYVO2hY5c5Zd7FSWZXw=w623-h350" width="623" /></a></div><div>Russia has invaded Ukraine as was expected. It was a spectacular display of military capability in the face of a total military imbalance. A full spectrum application of the military instrument by land, air and sea as well as ground and air coordinated operations. In shaping the battle field environment, the Russians targeted the Ukrainian air defence and destroyed most of the Ukrainian air force on ground. Then the Russians engaged the Ukrainians along the border regions by a multi-directional maneuver while airborne assets simultaneously engaged the middle spaces and the depths i.e. Russian gunships and air force engaged middle-based Ukrainian deployments while airborne divisions landed in depth capturing airports and communication centers. Every dimension of Ukrainian military resistance was engaged piecemeal through coordinated operations. This denied any synergy or cohesion for any meaningful Ukrainian resistance and collapse is now imminent. On the second day of the invasion Russia can establish an air-land bridge, encircle Kyiv, liberate the Donbass region and possibly set into motion the series of actions to put up a Russian Friendly Government. It is unlikely that Russia would want to occupy Ukraine but would instead prefer it to be a buffer state between itself and NATO forces; as such it is expected that Russia having achieved its objectives: i.e. liberation of Donbass and installing a friendly government, would execute a phased withdrawal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ukraine’s predicament is mainly a consequence of it lack of capacity. It is the only country to give up its nuclear weapons on a vague guarantee by the US and Europe that they would protect it against any aggression. The promise was never kept and Ukraine was left on its own. Also the disputed question of the Minsk Agreement is being interpreted differently by every side to serve their own arguments. However, the fact remains, that it was never fully implemented despite many years having passed by. Lastly, NATOs continual attempts at wooing Ukraine to join NATO was a direct threat to Russia and had Ukraine joined NATO at any stage, NATO forces would be sharing a border direct with Russia which was totally unacceptable to Russia.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some enthusiasts are watching the Russo-Ukraine Conflict with interest and asking the question that would India be able to execute such a maneuver against Pakistan. Well India is not Russia and Pakistan is not Ukraine. The military parity between Pakistan and India allow Pakistan a credible conventional defence of its own territories. The conclusion and effect of the so called Indian calculated, surgical intrusion on February 2019 is a good indicator as to how Pakistan can handle the Indians. Yet the most pertinent point in any such argument is that Pakistan never gave up its nuclear capability and in fact if there is any lesson in the Russo-Ukraine Conflict, its that Pakistan must never give up this capability. Yet, the military capability of both countries do not give any clear advantage to India to invade Pakistan and whatever minimum deterrence is in place for Pakistan, is more than sufficient to deny Indian adventurism.</div><div><br /></div><div>The possible consequences of the Russo-Ukraine Conflict is global recession and collapse in oil, gas and wheat prices. Europe will suffer gas shortages, industrial closures and unemployment. Russia may experience a severe economic fallout affecting its banking, reserves and business. What’s important is that Pakistan will feel the heat with wheat shortages, high fuel and energy prices that will go way higher than what they are. Economic activity will slow down and political unrest may remain on the rise. Afghanistan will assert itself for some time by pacifying its people by embarrassing Pakistan along the Durand Line on every opportunity. Baluchistan separatist movement will accelerate because of TTP and Indian support. All these matters can be contained by a proper plan and way forward and it hoped that the Government is thinking along these lines.</div><div><br /></div></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Pakistan has repeatedly said it does not want to belong to any block but is there a need to say such a thing and define a position? It is recommended that Pakistan must not offer any rhetoric or wisdom, especially if it cannot sustain its commitments. In the first place the world is indifferent to what we have to say and in the second place our credibility is on the line as always. Its best to remain quiet and only contribute to any meaningful dialogue if and when invited to one. Pakistan must resolve its own political crisis one way or the other. Every matter is politicized and not dealt from a national point of view but more from hurting the opposing party. The moment in history and the current global upheaval points to a unified approach based on national interests. Vague ideological references and historical examples will not do. The government needs to put together an All Parties Conference and search for a common approach to what seems to be a very difficult time staring us in the face. Party and personal differences must be put aside; our priorities must focus on the economy with emphasis on gas and energy, then on security on the Eastern, Western and Southern Borders. Our intelligence agencies must be able to offer predictive analysis into the future and develop KPIs leading to major conclusions. Having validated these conclusions, a course of action must be mounted in a timely and cost effective manner to contain or mitigate the effects of hostile activity. The need of the hour is central authority and a decentralized execution down to the tehsil level with a coordinated civil-military oversight. This is possible by establishing fusion cells that have plug-ins related to law and order, traffic, weather, hospitals and banking including any other event etc. The plug-in involves medical units, police, intelligence, civil administration and the Army. Local bodies must be empowered as soon as possible and allowed to exercise their popular mandate. Development funds must be made available to them on the bases of a staggered system based on progress. External audits systems need to be put into place immediately. Our systems must be set up to support the country and its people. Pakistan must gear up to weather the storm that is on the horizon and it does not look too good at the moment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>About the Author :</b></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pIhW8ZRItI/WaKychLQVeI/AAAAAAABBE8/HglQym7boUMpCKV0Z7fz-4uiVvbPqo95QCLcBGAs/s200/Lt-Gen_Tariq_Khan.png" /></span><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Lieutenant General Tariq Khan (Retired), Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military), winner of the Sword of Honour from Pakistan Military Academy and is a graduate of the prestigious National Defense University of Pakistan and has a long experience of fighting the War on Terror in the tribal areas of Pakistan and along the Pakistan- Afghanistan border. He has extensive interaction with the allied commanders employed in Afghanistan and working with top military elite at CENTCOM. He has been one of the few Pakistan Army officers awarded with the Legion of Merit by the USA. He also has the honour of commanding one of the strike corps of Pakistan Army. He is a well read military analyst who often shares his view points, incisive and thought provoking analysis on national and international affairs.</span></div>
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-48660021697296890012019-08-27T06:59:00.000-07:002019-08-30T10:39:34.375-07:00If Kashmiris were Christians, they would be Free Like East Timor by Now<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I made this remark to a Christian friend of mine who was skeptical about Kashmirs' independence and their on going freedom movement. But he saw some weight in my argument and said may be true for Christians too are being persecuted in India.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The world conscious awakes only when interests of Christians are being harmed or they are under a Muslim dominant country. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recall events prior to 9/11. When America felt "threatened" after a false alarm, UN was too forthcoming to the US demand to invade Afghanistan and Iraq. And Britain was too happy to get on board the war wagons. What happened next is all open to the world. Iraq and Syria are suffering from that one bad decision of USA and a bad nod by UN. and so does Libya. Two presidents of Muslim countries were killed for no good reason.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Muslim persecution on the other hands continues in Palestine, Myanmar and China. But there is no UN resolution or no superpower stepping in to stop the killing of Muslims. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And now it is Indian Occupied Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir has been a disputed territory between India and Pakistan since 1947 and there are many UN resolutions for its solution. But the world has never tried to enforce the resolutions to solve the Kashmir issue as per aspirations of the people of the Kashmir. The reason is simple: Muslims are in minority and Hindus in majority. No one in the world dares asking Hindu India to solve the Kashmir issue for they have economic interests in India. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even some of the Muslim countries have chosen not to support the Kashmiri freedom struggle for fear of losing Indian markets. Even USA has labelled Kashmiri freedom fighters as terrorists for they do not want to displease a large non Muslim Hindu country which are obvious friends of all non Muslim countries.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now that Kashmir is under siege for almost 20+ days, world conscious continues to sleep for interests of non Muslims are not at stake. Had these been, Kashmir would have been liberated like East Timor and Sudan.</span></div>
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-52712877351238610202019-08-14T03:00:00.001-07:002019-08-14T03:00:23.161-07:00 The Kashmir Conundrum<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time to come out of silence and add to the confusion of the Kashmir Conundrum. How does Pakistan view the changed status and what can it do about it? How do the Indians, largest democracy on earth, view it? First and foremost, what’s happened in Kashmir is not on account of any deliberate policy implemented by any political party, so to go forward we need to stop scoring political points at home and thus focus on the issue rather than waste time in dramatic rhetoric. Second, is the philosophy of the new buzz word; ‘there is no military solution’. Tell this to the Taliban and ask them to sweet talk their way through the present negotiations if the solution lies in just talks. I would draw one’s attention to the fact that it was the Taliban military prowess in the field that led to these negotiations; neither did they ask for these negotiations nor are they in any hurry to conclude them. Why would the Taliban forfeit their only strength and agree to a ceasefire where they will lose out on the negotiating table; I think anyone can see this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The evolution of the environment unfolded with a rejection to the offer of talks proposed by the Taliban (The US said it would never negotiate with terrorists) this was followed by an ‘integrated’ approach - it failed, then a ‘reconciliation strategy’; that failed as well, then to force the Taliban to the negotiating table (slap them to the table is what they said). Yet something changed on the ground for the US to abandon the sitting government and begin unilateral talk with the Taliban. Let me assure all it was not an outcome of political discussions. If the Taliban agree to negotiations after a ceasefire, they will be ousted from power in any future setup; an obvious outcome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So similarly, if anyone feels that political and diplomatic steps will free Kashmir from Indian intent, I can assure them, this is not going to happen in the near or distant future. It’s as if someone occupies a bedroom in your house, is living comfortably with nothing to disturb them and you begin to negotiate with them to leave, trying to convince them that it is better for them to give up the room. This will never happen till the pain you impose on the intruder is more than the comfort he is enjoying. Without the pain being there the normal term for the situation is ‘appeasement’, ‘surrender’, ‘capitulation’ or ‘indifference’ but it would never be defined as an activity leading to some sort of an end through a political solution. Thus there are struggles and there are causes but one needs to understand what is the definition of Freedom Struggle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I certainly am not privy to what our government is doing nor what it is planning to do but I do know that whatever it is - it cannot be debated on the street and that these are not matters that are discussed in public. Yet I am confident of the Government as well as the Establishment that something is afoot and that we shall learn of it in the times to come. Kashmir, as it stands now, is not a done deal and there is much more to come. When it does, we should all stand by the Government and the Armed Forces, whatever their choice of instrument, method and conduct and hope for a favourable outcome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my limited understanding, the Indian Supreme Court, remains a valve that can release the pressure. In my understanding the Modi Government is still testing the water and if given a proper response, may even encourage the Supreme Court to reverse BJP’s decision. This would allow them some political mileage which they are always in search of, i.e. ‘after all they tried but the Supreme Court was a hurdle’. The question is can we apply that pressure, through all channels, diplomatic, political, administrative, resistance movements and military escalation – and are we even willing?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So whereas, I am not recommending a war though that too might be an option, nevertheless, we need to do more. Our diplomatic initiatives are good and must continue, our political stance is correct and must be pursued but where is the pain? One understands the international position on non-state actors and freedom fighters etc. – but which is one and not the other? One needs to bring up this matter up at the Security Council, as to when does society and a population get up and resist a human rights matter, suppression, genocide, rape and ethnic cleansing? Does the Security Council want such nations to just roll over and die? If not what then remains the manner of resistance in the face of 500,000 armed troops or should there be a resistance at all? Should there be any resistance where communication, mobility and political activity and free speech are denied under the barrel of the gun? What should the security council do if the United Nation Resolutions are violated and how should these be implemented if they are? Does Pakistan have a moral right to intervene physically and if not, what is the alternative? Is there a timeline and an end state or will this aberration hold the region hostage forever? One thing is certain, the United Nations and Security Council have never respected the meek or those who try to invoke decisions based on sympathy and self-pity. Remember, it is famously said, sovereignty is defined as the things one is willing to fight for; the rest is not sovereign - just rhetoric!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I understand that these arguments are an appeal to the moral and ethical values that the world may have; they may be a lonely cry for justice from the international community and that the world is neither obliged nor affected enough to respond to in any way. In fact, history has shown that the United Nation always sides with might and not with the propriety of the issue. What happened to the War Crimes committee that was denied entry to the US, or what was the outcome of the false claims of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Thus nothing will happen here as well regardless of what diplomacy we do or what political solution we discover. The pain must be there - could be the oil movement or could be the right to self-determination snatched by force or even a Sikh Separatist chaos. For giving pain to the globe, the ocean lies before us to disrupt trade. In the event of supporting a legal separatist movement, dividing the Indian occupation forces in to penny packets in a mountainous area, paralyzing communication and entrapping troops in isolated pockets, is the most feasible option. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The more Indian troops, the merrier and greater the imbalances in the South along the international border which must be exploited with full force and determination by total mobilization and assembly of forces. After all Sri Lanka expelled India too, just as Vietnam did to the US, the freedom fighters did to the Soviets and the Taliban have done to the US. I have failed to see the political solution in any of these resistances and I would strongly recommend that lets not pursue a line because it sounds good – it is simply not realistic. People will talk of economy, others of international isolation but no one was as devoid of economy as the Afghans or isolated as the Taliban. Arguments must be universal and not selected pieces of wisdom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The matter of Kashmir needs to be resolved, the world needs to be put on notice that matters will go forward and that we have very little to lose - is the world willing to bear the cost and does India have the will and determination to stand up to such a resistance?..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>About the Author :</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pIhW8ZRItI/WaKychLQVeI/AAAAAAABBE8/HglQym7boUMpCKV0Z7fz-4uiVvbPqo95QCLcBGAs/s200/Lt-Gen_Tariq_Khan.png" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lieutenant General Tariq Khan (Retired), Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military), winner of the Sword of Honour from Pakistan Military Academy and is a graduate of the prestigious National Defense University of Pakistan and has a long experience of fighting the War on Terror in the tribal areas of Pakistan and along the Pakistan- Afghanistan border. He has extensive interaction with the allied commanders employed in Afghanistan and working with top military elite at CENTCOM. He has been one of the few Pakistan Army officers awarded with the Legion of Merit by the USA. He also has the honour of commanding one of the strike corps of Pakistan Army. He is a well read military analyst who often shares his view points, incisive and thought provoking analysis on national and international affairs.</span><br />
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-8757669623143662562019-08-07T01:12:00.000-07:002019-08-07T01:12:12.650-07:00Plight of Kashmiri Muslims in Indian Occupied Kashmir<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In our on going series of posts of Islam and life of Muslims in non Muslim Countries, today for this post I have made a slight modification for the plight of Muslims at the hands of Israelis and Indians in Palestine and Indian Occupied Kashmir is the worst case of human rights violation, suppression of seeking freedom and beginning of the worst kind of genocide is unparalleled and most disturbing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Muslim inhabitants of the Indian Occupied Kashmir, a disputed territory between Pakistan and India since their independence in 1974 is the worst case of denial of exercise of right of self determination of their future. At the time of independence, while majority Muslim population wanted to be part of Pakistan, a tacit move by the last British viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten ceded Kashmir to India. This created lot of resentment from Pakistan and a war broke out soon thereafter between the two countries, which was halted due to UN intervention and and resulted in a ceasefire with a front solidified along the Line of Control.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The map showing the division of Kashmir across the Line of Control between Pakistan and India [<a href="https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/kashmir_region_2004.jpg">Photo</a>]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As per the provisions of UN, a plebiscite was to be held to determine the fate of the Jammu and Kashmir region. But since 1947, India has consistently denied this right to the Kashmiris and have tried to suppress their right of self determination with brute force. This has frustrated the Kashmiri Muslims and they have resorted to a long freedom struggle for their legitimate rights. And in doing so, thousands of Kashmiris have lost their lives at the hands of the Indian Army and countless have been maimed for life. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXBu2_GnjqA/XUka-ilXfuI/AAAAAAABQLM/iyGPQgoROYoXDLiZSjsQ9Db4NHfbhGhrACLcBGAs/s1600/plight-muslims-indian-occupied-kashmir-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="863" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXBu2_GnjqA/XUka-ilXfuI/AAAAAAABQLM/iyGPQgoROYoXDLiZSjsQ9Db4NHfbhGhrACLcBGAs/s640/plight-muslims-indian-occupied-kashmir-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Indian brute force suppressing voice of Kashmiris [<a href="https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/over-270-deaths-reported-in-kashmir-in-first-6-months/1530051">Photo</a>]</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In recent times, the intensity of freedom struggle has picked up a greater momentum and an equally greater suppression by Indian Army. Not only many have been martyred, but use of pellet guns have left ugly scars on the bodies of freedom fighters. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aaL1CJ_yIHg/XUk9MpfCXfI/AAAAAAABQMI/nR2HKSjlGu4zDau2YrSgb0Zn1YmdCgc5ACLcBGAs/s1600/plight0uslims-indian-occupied-kashmir-pellet-gun-victim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="762" height="430" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aaL1CJ_yIHg/XUk9MpfCXfI/AAAAAAABQMI/nR2HKSjlGu4zDau2YrSgb0Zn1YmdCgc5ACLcBGAs/s640/plight0uslims-indian-occupied-kashmir-pellet-gun-victim.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">One of the countless pellet gun victims of Indian Occupied Kashmir</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Indian forces have committed many human rights abuses and acts of terror against Kashmiri civilian population including extrajudicial killing, rape, torture and enforced disappearances. In 2011, the state humans right commission said it had evidence that 2,156 bodies had been buried in 40 graves over the last 20 years. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xm_SSOUvMw0/XUkbcvOetiI/AAAAAAABQLU/yb3L2583Q_cDqQSmkOT9XBdq0sJXgk3WgCLcBGAs/s1600/plight-muslims-indian-occupied-kashmir-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="670" height="476" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xm_SSOUvMw0/XUkbcvOetiI/AAAAAAABQLU/yb3L2583Q_cDqQSmkOT9XBdq0sJXgk3WgCLcBGAs/s640/plight-muslims-indian-occupied-kashmir-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Unarmed retaliation against armed Indian Army [<a href="https://www.rediff.com/news/column/the-unpredictable-consequences-of-burhan-wanis-death/20160711.htm">Photo</a>]</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some rights groups say close to 100,000 people have died since 1989 while the official figures from Indian sources state the estimates of number of civilians killed due to the insurgency in the range of 16,725 to 47,000 civilians, in which 3,642 civilians were killed by security forces. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According to Amnesty International, no member of the Indian military deployed in Jammu and Kashmir has been tried for human rights violations in a civilian court as of June 2015.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just recently, when there rose a hope of mediation between the two countries as promised by US president Donald Trump, the World's so-called "largest democracy" has acted in the most undemocratic way possible in illegally rescinding Article 370 on 5th August - a constitutional clause dating back to 1949 that gives Jammu and Kashmir its special autonomous status. The scale of this move cannot be overstated. Abrogating Article 370 represents a major tipping point for an already fraught dispute - and it could easily backfire on India. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3WQrycyum9U/XUk4dA52i2I/AAAAAAABQL8/tf4hO7_FJC89ujIcZxOyWcj-2HOLuwTvgCLcBGAs/s1600/plight0uslims-indian-occupied-kashmir-twwet-gilani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="608" height="338" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3WQrycyum9U/XUk4dA52i2I/AAAAAAABQL8/tf4hO7_FJC89ujIcZxOyWcj-2HOLuwTvgCLcBGAs/s640/plight0uslims-indian-occupied-kashmir-twwet-gilani.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Before the announcement by Indian government and movement of large scale military troops, prominent Kashmir leader Syed Ali Gilani tweeted to the world with a heart wrenching message. The tone and choice of words says it all about the genocide of Kashmiris that is geared in coming days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With this ugly move, Jammu and Kashmir will turn from a state to a union territory, meaning India’s central government in New Delhi will gain much more control over the area’s affairs. New Delhi is also considering splitting parts of J&K into two federal territories: the new state of Jammu and Kashmir, which will get its own legislature; and Ladakh, a remote and mountainous area that won’t get a legislature. By dispensing with the region’s autonomous status, it can formally consummate that integration and deliver a definitive blow to the region’s separatist impulses.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-rYTGMF77s/XUkYUokQuqI/AAAAAAABQLA/hMPdJl3zXQ0DxtrLqQUUGPIbjMN71tqVwCLcBGAs/s1600/plight-muslims-indian-held-kashmir-reaction-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="761" height="340" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-rYTGMF77s/XUkYUokQuqI/AAAAAAABQLA/hMPdJl3zXQ0DxtrLqQUUGPIbjMN71tqVwCLcBGAs/s640/plight-muslims-indian-held-kashmir-reaction-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said the decision was a "sinister one" designed to change the demographics of the only Muslim-majority state. "We have been let down by the same nation we ceded to," she said, adding that <b>it seemed as though the state had made the "wrong choice" in aligning with India rather than Pakistan during partition in 1947</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This sinister move by Modi's India brings to forth the rejection of Two Nation Theory put forward by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founding father of Pakistan. However when Mr Jinnah raised his voice, many Muslim leaders shrugged his suggestion and sided with India. Now after seven decades Jinnah's wisdom has started to dawn on those who though India would protect them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The scrapping of Article 370 means a defiance to UN resolutions and holding of the plebiscite. More broadly, though, India unilaterally pushed to change Kashmir’s status without Pakistan’s buy-in. The worry now is that widespread unrest will spike in the region. Indian forces already heavily patrol Kashmir, but it has sent thousands of extra troops there in anticipation of violence, as well as closed schools, evacuated tourists, cut off internet connectivity, and put some of the area’s political leaders under house arrest. In effect, the area is on lock down.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QK4bkLW3Go8/XUkdgcokglI/AAAAAAABQLo/0JyZPR3K070PQj4eXP-Apw15AUJJzcy9gCLcBGAs/s1600/plight-muslims-indian-occupied-kashmir-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="700" height="364" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QK4bkLW3Go8/XUkdgcokglI/AAAAAAABQLo/0JyZPR3K070PQj4eXP-Apw15AUJJzcy9gCLcBGAs/s640/plight-muslims-indian-occupied-kashmir-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bodies of cluster bombs fired across Line of Control by India </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwQKJRvHlK0/XUkeISpY71I/AAAAAAABQLw/So8JE9HxoDwACpjfhirt_vFnt5FHshJggCLcBGAs/s1600/plight-muslims-indian-occupied-kashmir-cluster-bombs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwQKJRvHlK0/XUkeISpY71I/AAAAAAABQLw/So8JE9HxoDwACpjfhirt_vFnt5FHshJggCLcBGAs/s640/plight-muslims-indian-occupied-kashmir-cluster-bombs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">UN Observers photoing the cluster bomb shells [<a href="https://www.samaa.tv/news/2019/08/un-observers-visit-areas-affected-from-indian-cluster-bombing/">Photo</a>]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ahead of the decision, India not only deployed a large number of additional Armed troops in Kashmir, but had also stepped crossed border shelling into Azad Jammu and Kashmir. They have even used cluster bombs which were even seen by the members of UN monitoring teams. The shelling and set ablaze many houses, martyred many Kashmirs besides wounding dozens recently.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oIsi3pJVdpA/XUnSOrd9zII/AAAAAAABQOM/BZdd5V8z6RQvL5DVPSV0Kqa8eI1WyspNACLcBGAs/s1600/plight0uslims-indian-occupied-kashmir-bold-defiance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="514" height="436" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oIsi3pJVdpA/XUnSOrd9zII/AAAAAAABQOM/BZdd5V8z6RQvL5DVPSV0Kqa8eI1WyspNACLcBGAs/s640/plight0uslims-indian-occupied-kashmir-bold-defiance.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A young man holding Pakistani flag - The Bold Defiance in the face of Indian Army </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today Modi has trashed international law and dozens of U.N. resolutions and dashed the hopes of millions upon millions of people praying for justice and peace to prevail. Modi has shown he is not a man of peace. He is a man of war who doesn't seem to realize the potentially catastrophic consequences of playing with fire.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Timothy Todd Shea, an avid contributor on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/toddsheacdrs?__tn__=%2CdCH-R-R&eid=ARBt0MSR3HsWOZdoxNlXY4ImUFFmcXxrc7Xv2WbM1QUttep_hwkowftAUCYqVdIFAtqsNvjxCK4PgRGg&hc_ref=ARTvRgUIwxMOm7kJyRNNnbvlBkgBODmaMthTjvgxBpBKuGtw5D3Pg67PwjQJZcG4dfQ&fref=nf">Facebook</a>, on 5th of August wrote in reaction to the Indian move to scrap the Article 370 of its constitution, which honestly reflects the aspirations of Muslims in Pakistan, Kashmir and elsewhere:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dear People of The World, if YOU stay silent now as you have for 70 years about the atrocities in Kashmir, if you don't even try to understand the roots of this conflict, if you simply don't care about what is going on in Kashmir and this week's naked military aggression and escalation of violence and tyranny over innocent Kashmiris who have been begging for YOU to hear their cries for 70 years, then you are complicit in the crimes against Humanity that are being perpetrated by Modi and his Hindu extremist terrorist thugs.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are OK with India's outrageous and criminal behavior in throwing a peace offering into the burning trash can of war, then please do not complain and do not cry if and when this conflict spirals out of control and leads to a nuclear exchange which will harm you, your family and every Human Being and forever scar the face of our planet and alter the course of history.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Totally agreeing with Timothy, I would say that when it comes to a non Muslim country usurping the rights of Muslims, the world keeps silent or shows its indifference, but when a Muslim country is seen usurping rights of non Muslims, the world community acts faster than the speed of light to get them Independence. Why could this not be done in case of Kashmir for almost seven decades. The indifference of world towards plight of Muslims clearly exhibited.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtyGFyn7j9o/XUkcLf81qeI/AAAAAAABQLc/jxxImWWOLFUIWKn32trat3OH1NrmRa5bACLcBGAs/s1600/plight-muslims-indian-occupied-kashmir-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtyGFyn7j9o/XUkcLf81qeI/AAAAAAABQLc/jxxImWWOLFUIWKn32trat3OH1NrmRa5bACLcBGAs/s640/plight-muslims-indian-occupied-kashmir-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Carrying the body of fallen Kashmiri with resolve to get freedom one day [<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/07/deaths-indian-troops-open-fire-kashmir-protesters-160709125142182.html">Photo</a>]</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do watch this informative documentary of the freedom struggle by the Kashmiris and see their sentiments against the occupying Indian forces:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AXbJPCWSXS0" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I do not know how would be the reaction of the world to Kashmir after this one sided notorious Indian move, and how much the world will support the Kashmirs in getting them their rights. Time will tell. But I keep my fingers crossed for I do not see justice being forthcoming in any substantial way from the world community.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/barbed-wire-blood-bloody-injury-3419557/">Photo</a></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> | </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>References</b>: | <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashmir_conflict">1</a> | <a href="https://www.vox.com/2019/8/5/20754813/india-kashmir-article-370-modi-hindu-muslim">2</a> | <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-49231619">3</a> | <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-49231620?fbclid=IwAR2sVSxZaJ1_nSHAHwYz3LaRKr4xZTTybShYxk-VRd6EJ9g_gUUpPJQ4HUw">4</a> |</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Originally posted in my blog: <b><a href="https://www.myultimatedecision.info/2019/08/plight-of-muslims-living-in-non-muslim.html" target="_blank">Islam My Ultimate Decision</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you like the Fire Within, follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fire-Within/147117892003705?fref=ts">Facebook</a></span></div>
Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-54671800320527210962019-03-31T21:07:00.002-07:002019-03-31T21:07:58.360-07:00Is Modi India's Donald Trump<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ygY0BViZM84/XKGOeTwpCJI/AAAAAAABMz8/CSRgW6x4PgoOqfUl9y6tFNi9XpZef17gACLcBGAs/s1600/modi-trump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="660" height="241" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ygY0BViZM84/XKGOeTwpCJI/AAAAAAABMz8/CSRgW6x4PgoOqfUl9y6tFNi9XpZef17gACLcBGAs/s400/modi-trump.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Lately there have been two leaders around the world who are making headlines everyday: America's Donald Trump and India's Modi. Many have started comparing the two for their erratic policies and speeches both home and abroad. But are these two comparable?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well apparently yes for both talk nonsense most of the time and generate a strong reaction from the people of their own countries and even those directly influenced by them or their close neighbours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But while Donald Trump speaks his own mind, he receives a huge backlash from his people and even his own supporters. But in India, it is other way around. When Modi speaks, and generally speaks of violence and hatred, all institutions of India and media channels vehemently take his side. Although his opponents criticize him strongly, it seems his position as Indian prime minister gives him an upper edge to twist facts in his favour which normally adds his vote bank, specially those war mongering Hindus who are hell bent to prosecute Muslims and minorities whereever seen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the recent days, just before the forthcoming elections, Modi and his hysterical team has unleashed a campaign of war mongering against Pakistan and his fanatic followers are making it difficult for the Muslims to live peacefully in their own country. While Kashmir bleeds since partition of British India, and where casualties of the freedom fighters have recently started rising at an unprecedented rate, Muslims all over India too have been publicly beaten, harassed and even asked to leave a dwelling to go "else where."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Watch the exclusive interview of the prominent Indian scholar and analyst Arundhati Roy as to what she has to say when comparing Trump and Modi and how intelligently strips of the Indian prime minister for the nefarious agenda he has up his sleeve: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="476" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Faljazeera%2Fvideos%2F1261911863975751%2F&show_text=0&width=476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="476"></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But is Modi listening?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/" target="_blank">Photos</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you like the Fire Within, follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fire-Within/147117892003705?fref=ts">Facebook</a></span></div>
Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-82574075617191943132019-03-09T21:35:00.003-08:002019-03-09T21:37:25.577-08:00Indo-Pakistan Escalation 2019 - What Next?<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The recent escalation between India and Pakistan due to Indian incursion of Pakistan air space that finally resulted into shooting down of two Indian aircraft ad capturing of an Indian air force pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, de-escalation appears underway between India and Pakistan. The aftermath of Pulwama incident in Indian occupied Kashmir was a steep climb on the escalation ladder. Pakistan’s release of India’s pilot as a peace gesture was meant to scale down the war mongering from across the border. Concurrently, the global diplomacy for restraint and peace is also on going to restrain the two atomic wars from any further misadventure that may escalate into a full scale war with no end. This escalation round can be claimed as Win Win by both sides. On Pakistan side performance based and on Indian side make believe – Bollywood style!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pakistan can feel gratified that it won the round and Indian aggression didn't intensify. Yet complacency can be counterproductive. In 1965 war, Pakistan claimed victory, went to sleep and awoke in 1971 war to lose East Pakistan. Indian perfidy and duplicity can be taken for granted, therefore watch word for Pakistan "Eternal vigilance on Eastern Frontier”_ against existential enemy India.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But that was for now. But what next? </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This opium of friendship with India must end. There is no doubt that there cannot be no peace ever between India and Pakistan unless the Kashmir issue is resolved for Kashmir is part of Pakistan, tacitly snatched away by India at the time of independence in 1947 with support of the leaving British. And this goes without saying that India will remain an enemy state unless it amicably resolves Kashmir issue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are some guidelines for future ties with India and to remain vigilant for an misadventure from the war crying Indian prime minister and his militant BJP:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Policy -'Cold Peace</b>’ is suggested, not friendship.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Kashmir</b> - Pakistan should call for withdrawal of Indian military, security tyrannical forces from Kashmir. Need to globalize Kashmir freedom struggle.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Geopolitics</b> - The world treated both India and Pakistan equally in this crisis. Pakistan geopolitical value compensates for India size advantage. A Prudent Pakistan geo-strategy of balancing ties with USA, China, Russia and Saudi GCC, Turkey, Iran and others has paid dividends. Pakistan Army Chief General Bajwa deserves most credit for that.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Diplomacy</b> - The government and FM Mr. Qureshi worked strenuously for Pakistan’s cause. Yet years of foreign policy neglect, Indian demonetization of Pakistan, and meek Pakistani diplomacy took its toll. No nation openly supported Pakistan in the coming war except Turkey. People of Pakistan had great expectations from China. Yet USA under President Trump helped diffuse. The Chinese may have supported quietly, but the Pakistani nation expects overt support. _Present global diplomacy is to defuse but if war breaks out who will support Pakistan?_ Pakistani diplomacy should build alliances which can prove supportive during crisis or war times.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>War with India</b> will be neither 1965, nor 1971 nor even War On Terror. It includes all facets, all spectrum. It could be sub conventional, conventional hyper intensity, nuclear total, economic, cyder, media, social media, diplomatic, and geopolitical. LOC Kashmir to global capitals the battles will be raged and waged.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As for Pakistan, we have come up with a resilience that neither India nor the world ever expected:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Nation in crisis</b>- Pakistan emerged united, ready to fight a defensive war of national survival. India began to disunite as crisis deepened.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pakistan strengths and war needs*</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Pakistan Air Force</b> is supreme but India will strike back. Already Modi was lamenting the absence of Raffle fighters in IAF. PAF deserves better planes and Pakistan needs long range SAMs like S-400, HQ-9 etc. Pakistani pilots’ pride of the nation proved their mettle. If the PAF achieves air superiority earlier on then Cold Start or any other Indian land or sea offensive is doomed.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Inter Services Intelligence</b> (ISI) of Pakistan played a silent but pivotal role in Pakistan defense. It is indeed Pakistan’s Great Equalizer. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Conventional Balance</b>- Pakistan military balance deters India. India is absorbing Raffle fighters, S 400 missiles, Apache Attack helicopters and other high tech equipment for the next round. Pakistan must not allow conventional military balance to tilt. Since China opted not to threaten India. It should help arm Pakistan to the teeth with latest hyper tech. Pakistan should demand that from China. Conventional military balance will also delay the penchant for first use and obviate a nuclear holocaust. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Geo-economics and Geo-strategy</b>: My first book Gwadar on the global chessboard is on geo-economics which is the buzz word but second book Geopolitic Pakistan is on geostationary. Balance of development and defense needs to be maintained, since India remains eternal enemy. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Nuclear and Missile Deterrence</b>: Pakistan nuclear deterrence both tactical and strategic is the ultimate retribution. Pakistan’s full spectrum nuclear response is inclusive of tactical usage, counterforce and counter value strikes. Conventionally armed missiles come earlier on the lower rung of escalation ladder, as the great vulnerability of Indian cities has been exposed. The specter of even a few conventional missile strikes on a dozen Indian cities would drive away all investments and bring the Indian economy tumbling down many fold. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Media, Social Media and Cyber war</b>: The DG ISPR performance was exceptionally good. Pakistani media nationalistic yet balanced and Pakistan’s social media came of age. Indian media stood discredited. In peace time and in war media in all forms is the key to victory besides the success of armed forces.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Civil Defense and Preparation for War</b>: While Pakistan India armed forces clashed and were alert, there was scant preparation for civil defense on both sides. Pakistan political elite instead of talking friendship with India should prepare the nation for a high intensity, extremely lethal war which will result in tremendous civilian casualties. The military being prepared is not enough since the entire nation will be at war and facing the brunt.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Following are my concluding remarks:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Besides supporting Kashmir Pakistan should also support the Concept of Khalistan as a neutral buffer state between India and Pakistan. This is the geopolitical requirement of peace and will be elaborated in a subsequent article.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And while preaching peace, deterring war Pakistan should also prepare the nation in case Indians cross the Rubicon next time</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mere teaching peace may not bring peace but preparing the whole nation for war may bring peace.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Author: Brigadier Nadir Mir (R)</b>, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chairman (Pakistan National Reform Movement (PNRM), </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">soldier, scholar, reformer. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Author of books: </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gwadar on the Global Chessboard, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Geopolitik Pakistan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/nadir.mir.16/posts/2227450107347252" target="_blank">Source</a> | <a href="https://pixabay.com/images/search/pakistan%20flag/" target="_blank">Photo</a></span></div>
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-88659466575025846502019-03-07T01:27:00.000-08:002019-03-07T01:27:48.952-08:00The Real Lessons of Indo-Pak Tension 2019 from the pen of a Veteran <div style="text-align: justify;">
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Without going into needless verbosity, here in bullets is my opinion about the recent Indo-Pak flareup. </div>
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1. Pakistan has won the first round hands down both militarily and in international perception. Not only that, Modi's folly has brought the Kashmir issue back on the world stage slam bang. It needs an urgent settlement.</div>
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2. Modi's status as the leader of the largest democracy stands eroded while Pakistan's PM is overnight being seen as a statesman. Pak leadership must continue to speak softly but carry a big stick.</div>
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3. India has to learn not to give knee-jerk responses to isolated terrorist occurrences. They invariably end up with egg on their faces. In the end, talk-talk is better than war-war.</div>
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4. That Pulwama was an inside job is fast becoming known. Regardless, Pakistan must finally, and conclusively, wipe out the home grown Jihadis. Their time, if there ever was one, is far gone now. This cannot be overstated.</div>
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5. India's creaking and rusted military machine stands badly exposed. Even if they were to replace all the junk now, it would be years before they can field the new replacements by which time Pakistan would be at an even farther milestone of preparedness. We must keep the edge no matter what.</div>
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6. To win his upcoming elections, Modi by now is too far committed down the road of belligerence. Expecting him to withdraw completely means a political suicide for him. He would thus keep the mercury bobbing up and down till Indian elections are over. Pakistan, therefore, needs to keep its guard up.</div>
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7. Pakistan's CPEC is a real thorn in the Indian rib-cage because the greatest power imbalance between the two countries lies in their economies. CPEC will tend to bridge that gap, something that gives the Indians cramps in the gut. Keep CPEC going at all costs.</div>
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8. Finally, the muffled nuclear saber-rattling by Pakistan gave a very loud and clear message. In case it came to an all out shooting war and Pakistan's very existence gets threatened, our hands will reach for the red no-no button before the Indians'.....the horrendous aftermath for a billion and a half human beings not withstanding. It should run a chill down the collective spines of the regional leadership.</div>
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Needless to say even wars in the end lead to talks. Why take the war route at all.</div>
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<b>About the author <a href="https://www.facebook.com/airdance1?__tn__=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARDY33iUUIDB-cQWZ9V1ngVtAXmsnknEpvJZqdMcBrKu-l4eQsdKvjZfTlcix0X02jo0ebSF94mI0luF&fref=mentions" target="_blank">Anwar Hussain</a></b>: The author has studied at PAF College Sargodha and has been part of Pakistan Air Force. From Peshawar, Pakistan, lives in Mississauga, Ontario</div>
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<b><a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/pakistan-peace-hand-nation-2132705/" target="_blank">Photo</a></b></div>
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-37848987824100928712019-03-05T21:37:00.000-08:002019-03-05T21:37:24.482-08:00Arundhati Roy: A brave woman exposing the machinations of Indian Prime Minister Modi<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hnHaL8wxjkE/XH9cLEJgXnI/AAAAAAABMaY/0GBSHtrfbLwNEx4Ea41DHoZ9eF1-IsEsACLcBGAs/s1600/Arundhati%2BRoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hnHaL8wxjkE/XH9cLEJgXnI/AAAAAAABMaY/0GBSHtrfbLwNEx4Ea41DHoZ9eF1-IsEsACLcBGAs/s320/Arundhati%2BRoy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">India has always boasted of its secularism since its creation and has in varying shades fooled the world of giving the equal rights to all segments of people and treating all religions as per the dictates of a secular state. But the reality is far from different. India believes in Hindutva and successive governments have always tacitly propagated ideology seeking to establish the hegemony of Hindus and the Hindu way of life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, in recent times, there is a rising trend to establish the hegemony of Hindus all over India and Muslims are the main target of this ideology. Since taking over the government, the present Indian Prime Minister Modi has been actively pursuing the policy of targeting Muslims and the incidents of forced conversion of Muslims to Hinduism are on the increase. Those who object or refuse to be converted are severely beaten and their properties vandalized. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The once heavenly Kashmir, which was the main tourist attraction of the world has now been turned into a battle field for its majority Muslim populations has never reconciled with the integration of Kashmir with India, which should have in fact been merged into Pakistan at the time of the independence from the British India being a Muslim majority area. Today more than 600,000 personnel of the Indian army are stationed in Jammu and Kashmir to suppress the rightful independence struggle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Charged with extremist Hindu ideology, there are a very few Hindu scholars and thinkers who dare to speak out the truth and against the policies of Modi and expose his machinations to turn India into a Hindu state rather than a secular state where followers of all regions could live freely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One such sane voice which is being heard all over the world is that of Suzanna Arundhati Roy, a brave Indian author best known for her novel The God of Small Things (1997), which won the Man Booker Prize for Fiction in 1997 and became the biggest-selling book by a non-expatriate Indian author. She is also a political activist involved in human rights and environmental causes. In 2013, Roy described Narendra Modi's nomination for the prime ministerial candidate as a "tragedy". She further said that the business houses were supporting his candidacy because he was the "most militaristic and aggressive" candidate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a recent interview to the BBC, she exposes the hidden agenda of Prime Minister Modi, which is being actively pursued just ahead of the Indian elections to raise the temperature and charge the Hindus to vote for him to win a majority government and then to change the Indian constitution to turn India into a purely Hindu dominated country giving no rights for followers of other religions as has been the case of a secular India. Listen to here very candid interview:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="476" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FPakTeaHouseBlog%2Fvideos%2F309695833064993%2F&show_text=0&width=476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="476"></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is hoped that saner and peace loving Indians would follow her suit and side away from the militant Hindus who have already brought Pakistan and India almost at the brink of war in recent days - a war if that happens will be a tragedy for the people of both countries as it would leave behind nothing but destruction, on the ashes of which Modi and like will stand and play the flute as did Nero in olden times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Photo | References | <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arundhati_Roy" target="_blank">1</a> | <a href="https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/440142-modi-worse-than-trump-indian-author-arundhati-roy" target="_blank">2</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArundhatiRoyAuthor/" target="_blank">3</a> |</span></div>
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-7621310492591661362019-03-05T09:07:00.001-08:002019-03-05T09:09:44.881-08:005 March 1966: A day when Indian Air Force Bombed its own people<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jRsuxAx1x3w/XH6rH_iUUWI/AAAAAAABMZ0/nqG_jLVhpvoRpoXTOuGhGYConLdBjxhbwCLcBGAs/s1600/indian-airforce-hunters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="933" height="194" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jRsuxAx1x3w/XH6rH_iUUWI/AAAAAAABMZ0/nqG_jLVhpvoRpoXTOuGhGYConLdBjxhbwCLcBGAs/s640/indian-airforce-hunters.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">India claims itself to be a secular state where all religions are free to function as per their aspirations. But is it really true? The ongoing freedom struggle of the Kashmiris and its suppression with the brute force is not hidden from the world. Thousands of Kashmiri Muslims seeking freedom from India have been martyred and thousands and thousands maimed and injured for life in the recent years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This shows that anyone is welcome to live in India provided they agree to be subservient to the majority Hindu population and sing Banday Matram to show their allegiance to the state. But are Kashmiris the only ones who are being suppressed and silenced?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nay, you will be surprised to know that on this day, 5th March 1961, India used its air force to bomb its own people - an event lesser known to the free world. And March 5 marks the 50th anniversary of the bombing of Aizawl – the first air raid by the Indian Air Force on civilian territory within the country. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For India, this was something just not digestible. And the government of India under Indira Gandhi ordered its air force to teach the Mizos a bloody lesson. Thus on March 5, four fighter jets of the Indian Air Force – French-built Dassault Ouragan fighters (nicknamed Toofanis), and British Hunters – were deployed to bomb Aizawl. Taking off from Tezpur, Kumbigram and Jorhat in Assam, the planes first used machine guns to fire at the town. They returned the next day to drop incendiary bombs. The strafing of Aizawl and other areas continued till March 13 even as the town’s panicked civilian population fled to the hills. The rebels were forced to retreat into the jungles of Myanmar and Bangladesh, which was then East Pakistan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And as usual Indian government lied to its people and to the world: A March 9, 1966, report by the now-defunct Kolkata-daily, the Hindustan Standard, quoted Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as saying that the fighter jets had been sent in to airdrop men and supplies, not bombs. But the question was, why would anyone deploy fighter jets to drop rations?</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KAgE-oygOLQ/XH6sIMt2BxI/AAAAAAABMZ8/EaQqjyBDOd85CqfJ4Crmi2dzFtuLbP_6wCLcBGAs/s1600/kashmir%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="320" height="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KAgE-oygOLQ/XH6sIMt2BxI/AAAAAAABMZ8/EaQqjyBDOd85CqfJ4Crmi2dzFtuLbP_6wCLcBGAs/s640/kashmir%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[<a href="https://whatholdsthefuture.blogspot.com/2016/05/kashmir-freedom-struggle-back-with-bang.html" target="_blank">Photo</a>]</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And today, more than fifty years, the Indian army has not left any means of war which has not been used against the Kashmir Muslims seeking freedom as did the Mizos decades ago. But this time, the resilience shown by the Kashmir freedom fighters is much more potent and fierce which despite presence of of more than 600,000 personnel of Indian security forces is gaining momentum every day. Perhaps a turning point has come in the history of India to say goodbye to Kashmir, for its people are just not prepared to live and support the tri coloured Indian flag anymore. For one sees more Pakistani flags in rallies than Indian tri coloured !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://scroll.in/article/804555/50-years-...ce-to-bomb-its-own-people" target="_blank">Source</a> | <a href="http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww1/o/96/72/0" target="_blank">Photo</a> (IAF Hunter)</span></div>
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-90559411095096098622019-03-03T20:26:00.000-08:002019-03-03T20:26:07.375-08:00OIC shows true face of India<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VzU0UEtmJMU/XHyoskXNdWI/AAAAAAABMYE/t9pU4l_oCD8tb014-fAxFMYcLpHLEYG8QCLcBGAs/s1600/india-pakistan-reality-dawns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="293" height="375" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VzU0UEtmJMU/XHyoskXNdWI/AAAAAAABMYE/t9pU4l_oCD8tb014-fAxFMYcLpHLEYG8QCLcBGAs/s640/india-pakistan-reality-dawns.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The post Pulwama attack saw Indian rhetoric of blaming Pakistan within minutes of the suicide attack and has since has been hellbent to bring harm to Pakistan to 'avenge' the death of almost four dozen soldiers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">And this was followed by a cowardly act of intrusion of Pakistan air space with its state of the art Mirage-2000 aircraft and alleging to have killed more than 350 terrorist in a camp that was targeted. But it did not have photos of 350 dead to show it to the world for it was blatant lie to fool the world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, the very next day, Pakistan responded and shot down two Indian air force jets and capturing one of its pilots alive. It was magnanimity on the part of the Imran Khan, the Pakistan's prime minister to have released the pilot purely on humanitarian grounds and as a gesture of good will to the war mongering Indian prime minister and its militant BJP political party.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Still not satisfied with their response to teach Pakistan a lesson, their Foreign affairs minster when called to attend the recent OIC meeting, which Pakistan rightly boycotted for India is not a Muslim country, in very cleverly worded hidden words blamed Pakistan for the unrest in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). But India got a shock of their lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The Kashmir resolution passed by OIC criticisms the Indian administration's role in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It refers to the region as "<b>Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir</b>" and highlights alleged "human rights violations". It also endorses "plebiscite" in Jammu and Kashmir for the resolution of the dispute between India and Pakistan, emphasizing that it is the "core" dispute between the two nations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">And this has let the Indian politicians to criticize the Modi government for letting down India and Modi has been questioned for the failure of his foreign policy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Watch the video below as see how reality is dawning in India:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="313" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FAnwark7%2Fvideos%2F10157175611132299%2F&show_text=0&width=560" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In days to come we see India being isolated more and more not in the international community but also at home where people and politicians have started to question the policies of Modi, and some even holding Modi responsible for the Pulwama attack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.arabnews.com/node/1284836/press-review" target="_blank">Photo</a></span></div>
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-74820065354622638332019-01-31T07:42:00.000-08:002019-01-31T07:42:05.758-08:00Afghanistan and Geopolitics<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QNKXQTieG0E/XFMXI4CPriI/AAAAAAABLiI/JdfcDhcJSIk84DURTyhhfwn3jDCHyvk4wCLcBGAs/s1600/afghanistan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="960" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QNKXQTieG0E/XFMXI4CPriI/AAAAAAABLiI/JdfcDhcJSIk84DURTyhhfwn3jDCHyvk4wCLcBGAs/s640/afghanistan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">By Brigadier Nadir Mir (R)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The single most crucial factor in Afghanistan peace efforts or end game is Pakistan’s national interest. Pakistan and Afghanistan are entwined in multi-faceted ways. Pakistan has suffered immensely since 9/11. US-NATO intervention has added two decades of mayhem and consternation to both Afghanistan and Pakistan. The US under President Trump, the supreme fiscal pragmatist has resolved to evict from Afghanistan. Of course the American strive for the best deal out of a lost war. The question is what does Pakistan aims for in a post-US Afghanistan?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Guarding Pakistan’s National Interests</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Pakistan must project One Stated Afghan Policy. Ambiguity can be self-defeating for Pakistan. The civil-military, foreign office, think tanks, media must project one single, clear Afghan policy. The outcome of the post 9/11 Afghanistan war is evident like the day light to patriotic Pakistanis initiated in geopolitics. There is no room for vacillation or compliance on any score. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Who won the Afghan war? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The real winner of the Afghan conflict post 9/11 is simply Pakistan. Even though the Afghan Taliban or resistance to foreign forces did the war fighting. Russia, China, Iran even Central Asian States found US-NATO longevity of presence unwelcome. Earlier the Soviets were evicted by the Mujahideen mentored by Pakistan’s superlative ISI. This time Pakistan’s vaunted ISI would also facilitate the End Game of this chapter of the New Great Game</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Pakistan is the real winner because it can secure its geopolitical, geo-economic and geo-strategic interests in post-US Afghanistan. However, before declaring victory or being drowned in the euphoria of happy geo-political tidings, a word of caution is mandated. The script for the next chapter of Afghanistan is being written, it should not be the handiwork of forces inimical to Pakistan’s interests. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Reflection of national history also suggest that Pakistan has a legacy of betrayal by its political elite. Else the elite of the time was unworthy and missed these geopolitical opportunities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Lost Geopolitical Opportunities</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">1962 Kashmir. India was beaten by China. The Dictator of the time did not avail the opportunity of liberating Indian Held Kashmir. Persuaded by President John Kennedy and enamored by Jacqueline Kennedy the Pakistan Elite allowed the opportunity to slip out of Pakistan’s hands. By 1965 when Operation Gibraltar and later Grand Slam was launched, Pakistan found India better prepared. Even though Pakistan’s soldiers fought brilliant, bold tactical battles, the result was a strategic stalemate. Geopolitics turned against Pakistan and in 1971 Pakistan suffered terribly with the loss of East Pakistan, brought about by its existential enemy – India! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Khalistan 1980-1990 - Khalistan was another golden opportunity to repay India for 1971. Also it would sever Kashmir and bring back Kashmir to Pakistan where it belonged. The creation of Khalistan would re-balance geo-strategic power between Pakistan and India. It would also set in motion domino effect since a dozen Indian freedom movements would be boosted. Khalistan was betrayed by the Pakistan political elite, in essence Pakistan was betrayed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Afghanistan post 9/11 - In the last two decades of Afghan War, both dictator and political elite were to blame for Pakistan’s woes. The resilient Pakistani nation and its heroic soldiers stood fast stoically for this day. The time when Pakistan would influence the final outcome to its own ends in Afghanistan. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">US – Afghan Taliban Talks. US – Afghan Taliban Talks are very welcome. Pakistan has and should facilitate talks and negotiated settlement. Pakistan should maintain friendly balance with both USA and Afghan Taliban. A clear post US-NATO Exit vision is the basis of peace and stability in Afghanistan. Peace talks or final settlement will be greatly influenced by US politics.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>US Politics</b> - President Trump is basically a non-interventionist. For the $ 5 billion wall on the Mexican border, he shut down the US Government. For saving $50billion from the Afghan War annually, he will pull out sooner or later. In USA, despite being a hyper super power, ‘All politics is ultimately local!’ If after a two decade unwinnable war, $ 1 trillion US in the Afghan drain or swamp besides loss of life, limb for US military who can grudge his Kabul pullout? If you ask Americans about the Afghan War, many may be surprised that it is still ongoing. Of course Pentagon, CIA, State Department are already thinking ahead. They know Afghanistan was a previous war. Iran is the next one! Besides USA, Pakistan is the other most decisive player for end script.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Visitors to Pakistan</b> - Foreign visitors, dignitaries to Pakistan by design differentiate between civil-military leadership. Of late political elite is being pampered, while the military faces a demonization campaign as usual. Pakistan’s answer is to present one policy, one voice on Afghanistan. Maintaining diplomatic protocol input of foreign visitors should be taken with a pinch of salt, if history is any teacher of geopolitics. Zalmay and other anti- Pakistan elements can bring no good. Aftermath of Geneva Accord and Bonn should be kept in mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">No role for India, the spoiler - India the spoiler for Afghan peace has no role at all. Pakistan’s political elite should not confuse or lack in diction. In simplest terms Indian job in Afghanistan is to wind up its terror-consulates and terminate its hybrid war against Pakistan from Afghan soil!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Post US-NATO Umbrella in Afghanistan</b> - After Soviet departure, Zbignew Brezinski, the architect geo-politician of Soviet defeat was asked about the terrorist menace born in aftermath of Soviet withdrawal. His reply was succinct. In essence for defeating a greater enemy (Soviets) a small enemy terrorists could be defeated later. In Post US-NATO umbrella in Afghanistan, the fact is that both State actor and non-State actor enemies will be defeated. Pakistan will triumph!</span><br />
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<li>Firstly, the Kabul regime puppets of India and hostile forces will be ousted. Whatever or ever replaces will be a lesser evil. If Pakistan pro-actively asserts which it should the future Kabul Regime should be friendly to Pakistan.</li>
<li>Secondly, the Indian terror consulates and Delhi’s hybrid war against Pakistan from Afghan soil will be untenable. India is already reportedly reaching out to Iran, Russia and others for its war of survival in Kabul after the Americans leave.</li>
<li>Thirdly, Pakistan can deal in multiple ways, even if the Americans leave Afghanistan without a deal. Afghanistan will be more dependent, Pakistan’s leverage will increase. Not only would US-NATO but China, Russia, Iran need Pakistani geopolitical succor. </li>
<li>Fourthly, under COAS General Bajwa, Pakistan has improved border security with Afghanistan. Border fence and management will reduce terrorists intrusion from Afghanistan, while terrorists safe heavens have already been eliminated on the Pakistan side. The overall favorable geo-strategy and resultant healthy foreign policy environment, credit goes to COAS General Bajwa and not anyone else.</li>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It was Pakistan’s dictator and political elite which for personal aggrandizement wanted the war in Afghanistan to continue perpetually. Now the Americans need to exit, which is in the interest of all parties except Indians and their surrogates in Afghanistan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Afghan Peace Deal</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">• A negotiated settlement is the best outcome.</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">• The Afghan Taliban get a fair share in the political dispensation.</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">• The US-NATO forces withdraw completely along with a ceasefire. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">• Kabul regime ensures its soil not used for any terrorist activity against US/EU and Pakistan.</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">• US supports the Kabul regime financially. </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">What does Pakistan get? </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Pakistan’s national interests must be guaranteed as part of the deal if and when one is finally concluded. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Pakistan National Interests</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Geopolitical</b>: The Kabul regime cannot be allied to India against Pakistan. Indian investments, intrusion, consulates must cease. The sanctity of the Pakistan-Afghan border must be respected. A friendly regime in Kabul is indispensable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Geo-economic</b>: As stated in my book ‘Gwadar on the Global Chessboard’, Afghanistan is a route to Central Asia linking Gwadar. Geo-economic bonanza of Gwadar, CPEC and corridor to Russia, Central Asia will bind Afghanistan- Pakistan geo-economically. Russia, Chinese investments in Afghanistan- Pakistan would be synergized. I had earlier written letter to President Putin, given interview to voice of Russia, met Russian Ambassador and diplomats to join Gwadar CPEC. A Central Asian Ambassador told me after the Americans leave Afghanistan they would connect through Afghanistan to Pakistan’s Gwadar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Geo-strategic</b>: Pakistan with a friendly Afghanistan in its rear can focus on re-absorbing Kashmir and rebalancing South Asia. In my book ‘Geopolitik Pakistan’ (2013) it was highlighted that after US-NATO exit Pakistan shall proactively deal with India. The American’s sans Afghanistan will be more focused on their next conflict with Iran and would need Pakistan to stabilize Afghanistan. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Geopolitical opportunities - Three geo political opportunities beacon themselves in 2019-2020 period. </span><br />
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<li>• Afghanistan. Pakistan can and should be the principal winner of US-NATO exit from Kabul.</li>
<li>• Kashmir. The heroic Kashmiris have waged a sacrifice laden struggle. Pakistan cooperation with USA should as quid pro quo enlist US support to resolve Kashmir dispute.</li>
<li>• Khalistan. The Khalistan 2020 movement is spreading. Kartarpur initiative has smitten many Sikhs to Pakistan. Kartarpur should lead to Khalistan! An independent buffer state and neutral trading space bringing peace to Pakistan and India and delinking Kashmir from India.</li>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Geopolitical winds are blowing in Pakistan’s Favor - USA, China, Russia all need Pakistan for various reasons. This rare geopolitical good fortune should not be frittered away. Nor sold at the altar of political expediency. The people of Pakistan have firmly supported the state. Now the state must ensure the real winner of Real Politik in Afghanistan is called Pakistan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">“Pakistan is destined to rise as a Great Nation”.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">About the Author Brigadier Nadir Mir (R): </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Soldier – Scholar – Reformer, </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Chairman, PNRM.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Author of books ‘Gwadar on the Global </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Chessboard’ and ‘Geopolitik Pakistan’.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/en/map-afghanistan-atlas-middle-east-1030358/" target="_blank">Photo</a></span></div>
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-86263288635156774622018-10-31T17:17:00.002-07:002018-10-31T17:17:37.078-07:00Spreading Disinformation about Islam<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everyone has the right to follow a particular faith and defend it against the opposite beliefs. But one should be honest in analyzing one's own faith and should not twist facts as a means to spread disinformation about other's faith and religions. For truth always stands tall and cannot be hidden from the audience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before proceeding further, let me differentiate between disinformation and misinformation: Disinformation is intentionally false or inaccurate information that is spread deliberately. It is an act of deception and false statements to convince someone of untruth. Disinformation should not be confused with misinformation, information that is unintentionally false.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I usually come across many sites maintained by Christians which in order to uphold their viewpoint on Christianity and let down the religion of Islam, take help of out of context verses from the Holy Qur'an with a view to spread disinformation not only in others' mind, but also to mislead their own Christian brethren by feeding them disinformation. Naturally the Christians will not cross check references and will believe for sure that the information given is correct and would thus remain disinformed for their lives, unless someone ventures to find the truth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And those who find the truth, accept Islam!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let me now insert here referees and disinformation as contained in one of the sites. However it may be borne in mind that the purpose here is not to refute what Bible says or what Christians believe in. The purpose here is to remove any disinformation which being felt from the sites and answer the quires in the light of information contained in the Holy Qur'an. It is up to the reader to find the truth:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Case 1</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christianity: God is One in Three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Islam: Allah is One; he has no Son. The Holy Spirit does not exist.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commentary: Yes, we in Islam firmly believe in oneness of Allah and we denounce the notion that Allah could have a son and also believe that there is no concept of the Holy spirit. In fact this is the main difference between Islam and Christianity. If this claim is accepted as false, then the whole concept of Christianity would crumble. </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We Muslims do believe in the extra ordinary circumstances of the birth of Prophet Isa (Christ, peace be upon him). In fact complete chapters (Surah Aal e Imran, Surah Maryam and Surah Nuh) have been dedicated to this effect. I have already deliberated upon the extraordinary birth of Prophet Isa separately which explains in detail our view point.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When Maryam (Mary, mother of Isa) was asked about the birth of a baby boy when she had not been married, she pointed towards her son who said: [Eesa] said, "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah . He has given me the Scripture and <b>made me a prophet</b>. (Al Quran Surah Noah, 19:30) And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive. And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. (Al Quran Surah Noah, 19:31-32)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The above is the first answer as to the birth of Christ and acceptance of his being a prophet in his own words.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As for he being son of God, the Holy Qur'an explicitly explains status of Allah: "Say (O'Muhammad), He is Allah, (the) One (Ahad - In Arabic Ahad means One). <b><i>Allah, the Absolute. He begets not, nor was He begotten; And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him</i></b>.” [Chapter 112 Sūra al-Ikhlāṣ - The Declaration of Oneness of Allah]</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and if the words of Qur'an were not true, why every year so many Christians revert to Islam - it is because they find the word of Qur'an more convincing and carrying the ultimate truth.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Case 2</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christianity: God loves all people, including Muslims. Allah and God cannot possibly be one and the same.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Islam: Allah hates apostates and blasphemers. Allah and God are one and the same.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commentary: From the above said comparison an impression has been given as if Christianity is all love and Islam is region that "hates" and that Allah and God cannot possibly be one and the same thing. Here is my view point as a Muslim:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes Allah is different from the Gods Christian worship. We Muslims believe that Allah is monotheist and so do all religions before Christianity believe so including the Jews. In fact including anyone in the domain of oneness of Allah is a great sin as far Islam is concerned. Thus concept of the Father, son and the Holy Ghost (which constitute God in Christianity) is simply unimaginable for Allah is not a human to have wife and son. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Therefore we Muslims believe that God and only He without inclusion of any humans into His Godly domain is our God. Allah is only the Arabic translation of the word God. It may be added that in all Arabic translated Bibles, the word Allah is sued for God.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes in Islam we do renounce apostates and blasphemers, for there cannot be anyone equal to Allah nor can anyone claim to be so. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Islam like all religions is a religion of peace and does not in any way propagate violence. The islamophobia is creation of the sick people who have deliberately used Muslims to be become paid mercenaries and to disturb the world peace. No Muslim, except those "conditioned" to to play in hands of the disturbers of world peace, subscribe to the idea of terrorism. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The world has started to release that the terrorists like IS and Taliban are but puppets that play the tune of those who want to project Islam as violent and explosive.</span></li>
</ul>
<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Case 3</i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christianity: God commands all people to love him and love one another, even their enemies.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Islam: Allah commands Muslims to “Fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah sees all that they do.” (Qur’an 8:39)</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commentary: </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is interesting to find this comparison. If God commands all people to love him and love one an other, even their enemies - how come there be any enemies among Christian world if this contention is taken as true? The two World Wars were fought between Christians that ended in killing of millions, all Christians. Then why didn't the Christians obey their God?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes Allah commanded Muslims to fight when being oppressed. In the early years of Islam, Muslims in Makkah were oppressed and mocked, but there was no Divine order to fight back. And in the height of oppression, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) decided to migrate to Medina. It was then when the pagans of Makkah came laced with sinews of war that Muslims were allowed to fight back at the Battle of Badr. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even after the Battle of Badr, those infidels who were captured were never harmed and instead were asked to teach Muslims and were then freed. This is how Muslims treat prisoners of war and not like what the Americans did at the Abu Gharib prison, where Muslims were stripped naked and were photographed - even women soldiers posed with them. How unfortunate. Is this the show of love as propagated?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And this did not mean always to resort to war and killing if the opposing pagans gave in. The capture of Makkah is a classic example of restraint shown on the part of the Muslims when they asked Makkans to lay down their arms and they would be safe. And the world witnessed contingents of Muslims entering city of Makkah without anyone being hurt. In fact it was announced by the Prophet of Allah that anyone who sought refuge in the house of Abu Sufyan (an arch enemy of Muslims) will be safe.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is how Islam teaches tolerance, peace and patience.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Case 4</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christianity: All Biblical scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true. Abiding by its unchanging words brings peace of mind and heart.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Islam: Jews and Christians corrupted the Bible by removing verses that foretold Muhammad’s coming and adding verses to establish Jesus’ divinity.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commentary: The very opener of the Christian view point above accepts that all holy scriptures are inspired by God - the only God. IF God is the originator of all holy scriptures, how can there be anyone else who can be called God too?</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If everyone abides by the teachings of Allah, as called God above, there would never been any disputes. The Jews would not have crucified the Christ and tolerated him as a prophet.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But instead of targeting Jews for what they did to Christ, the Christians "move forward" to target Islam for Islam denounces the concept of Trinity.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As for the Muslims' claim that Jes and Christians have corrupted the Bible be removing verses that foretold Prophet Muhammad's coming, this is not absolutely true. In fact we say there are signs which Christians desist to accept, which foretell the coming of a Prophet</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are several citations in the Bible prophesying the coming of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Isaiah 42:4 says, "He will not fail nor be discouraged, till he has established justice in the earth." The Ministry of Jesus, peace be upon him, lasted only three years and at the time of his departure from this world it could not be truthfully said that 'he established justice in the earth'. However, Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be upon him, preached for 23 years and most certainly 'established justice in the earth' before he departed from the earth. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that verses 1-13 refer to the coming of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be upon him.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Deuteronomy 18:18 "I will raise for them a Prophet like you (Moses) from among their brethren and will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them, all that I command him."</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">New Testament: "15. If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another 'comforter' (helper in other versions), that he may abide with you forever." Also John 15:26-27, John 16:5-8 and John 16:12-14. </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let us analyze the above mentions:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christians believe that this is a reference to Jesus, peace be upon him. One important word here is "Prophet". Christians believe Jesus is the son of God not a prophet of God. So if they accept Jesus as a prophet, why then create an innovation and assume him to be son of God? Something very misleading and because of this dichotomy why many Christians accept the Qur'anic version of Jesus being prophet of Allah and absolutely not Allah's son.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another important word is "brethren". If it were Jesus the word would have been "children" because Jesus, peace be upon him, came from the children of Isaac. Since Ishmael, peace be upon him, was the brother of Isaac, peace be upon him, the reference is therefore to the children of Prophet Ishmael, peace be upon him, who will be brethren to the children of Isaac, peace be upon him. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Again the only Prophet from the brethren of the Jews and the Christians was Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next important phrase is " ... like you (Moses)". Even a cursory comparison will show us that Jesus, peace be upon him, was very unlike Prophet Moses, peace be upon him. Prophet Moses' birth was natural whereas the birth of Jesus was miraculous without a father, to a virgin, peace be upon her. Prophet Moses married and had children, Jesus did not marry and of course did not have any children. The ministry of Jesus, peace be upon him, lasted three years and did not see the laws of God establish in his time. Prophet Moses, peace be upon him, preached the law of God for many decades and saw in his time, the law of God established. Comparing Prophet Moses, peace be upon him, with Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be upon him, brings out an amazing similarity. Muhammad's birth was natural, he was married and had children; preached the law of God for 23 years and saw in his own time God's Law established in his land.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The phrase: "I will put My words in his mouth", takes on great significance because Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be upon him, was unlettered; he did not know how to read or write. Normally God would put the message in the Prophet's mind. In this case attention is drawn towards "words" being put into the "mouth". Prophet Muhammad's sayings as well as eye witness accounts describe his receiving the verses of the Holy Qur'an, and his tongue moving with the words being put in his mouth. [Read details of first five verses of <a href="https://www.myultimatedecision.info/2018/08/the-holy-quran-summary-chapter-96-surat.html">Surah Al Alaq</a> - the first verses ever revealed to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him]</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Case 5</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christianity: Jesus said, “Stop judging others, and you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Islam: Allah gives Muslims the ability and authority to judge between men. (Qur’an 4:105; 5:49)</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commentary:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now this is simply absurd. The above verse of Qur'an should have been quoted in full to truly reveal its meaning intended.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The complete verse reads: "<b><i>Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth so you may judge between the people by that which Allah has shown you. So do not dispute on behalf of the dishonest</i></b>." [Surah An Nisah 105]</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The matter of the fact is that this verse was raveled for Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to decide the case on merit even if it entailed a decision in the favour of a non Muslim.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The incident involved a person called Tu'mah or Bashir ibn Ubayriq of the Banu Zafar tribe of the Ansar (Muslims of Medina). This man stole an Ansari's coat of mail. While the investigation was in progress, he put the coat of mail in the house of a Jew. Its owner approached the Prophet (peace be on him) and expressed his suspicion about Tu'mah. But Tu'mah, his kinsmen and many of the Banu Zafar colluded to ascribe the guilt to the Jew. When the Jew concerned was asked about the matter he pleaded that he was not guilty. Tu'mah's supporters, on the other hand, waged a vigorous propaganda campaign to save Tu'mah's skin. They argued that the wicked Jew, who had denied the Truth and disbelieved in God and the Prophet (peace be on him), was absolutely untrustworthy, and his statement ought to be rejected outright. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was at this point of decision that this verse was revealed to guide the Prophet (peace be on him) to judge the case on merit and not taking side of His own people. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">False evidence is given in order to obtain wrong verdicts. The time when this case came up for decision was a time of severe conflict between Islam and unbelief. Had the Prophet (peace be on him) issued a wrong judgment on the basis of the evidence before him, it would have provided the opponents of Islam with an effective weapon against the Prophet (peace be on him) as well as against the entire Islamic community, and even Islam itself. They could have spread the word that the Prophet (peace be on him) and his followers were not concerned about right and justice: it would have been claimed that they were guilty of the same prejudice and chauvinism against which they had themselves been preaching. It was specifically to prevent this situation that God intervened in this particular case. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In this and the following verse the <b><i>Muslims were strongly censured for supporting criminals</i></b> for no other reason than either family or tribal solidarity and were told that they should not allow prejudice to interfere with the principle of equal justice for all. Man's instinctive honesty revolts against the idea of supporting one's own kin even when they are wrong, and denying others their legitimate rights.</span></li>
</ul>
<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Case 6</i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christianity: Jews are God’s chosen people. God will never allow them to be destroyed.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Islam: Jews are descendants of apes and pigs. It is a sacred duty of Muslims to convert, enslave or murder every Jew.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Commentary:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Quoting reference out of context always spreads disinformation. It is no where written in the Holy Qur'an that Jews are the descendants of monkeys and apes. However an incident is quoted through a verse in the Qur'an: <b><i>“….those who incurred the curse of Allah and His wrath, and those of whom He transformed into monkeys and swine, and those who worshipped Taghoot….”</i></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the above verse, there is a mention of people who were cursed by Allah because of the wrong things that they were doing. Being cursed by Allah means being deprived of His mercy. And the punishment is mentioned that they were inflicted with. They were transformed into monkeys and swine. Why were they given this punishment? We read earlier in Surah al-Baqarah, the incident of Sabbath.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The main business of the Jews was fishery. They were forbidden to be occupied with their business on Saturday that was chosen as their religious day. To test them in their faith, this was also the day when most fish swam in the sea. The Jews couldn't let go of this opportunity. They saw profits. Therefore, in order to take benefit they would lay their nets on Friday night while being away for their Saturday prayers. They were not physically conducting their business, but mentally they were occupied in something other than worship. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For their disobedience, Allah transformed them into monkeys. Monkeys are not actually humans, but they act like them. Similarly, a swine cannot differentiate between his need and lust. He eats everything including its children and its own filth. Thus their reward and punishment is similar to the act performed.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They were cursed and transformed into monkeys and swine. And what is worst? That they worshiped Taghoot - that is anything taken as deity other than Allah.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hence based on this one incident, the Jews cannot be described as descendants of apes and monkeys.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is not the end - one can go on and on to list disinformation substance as spread by the Christians to mislead their own people about the truth which they tried to hide with deceit as mentioned above. I hope the explanations would be adequate to open the eyes of those who have wisdom and can differentiate between misinformation and disinformation, for latter is deceit intended to mislead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Photo | References: | <a href="http://www.englishtafsir.com/">1</a> | <a href="http://sunnahonline.com/library/the-call-of-islam/483-bible-verses-about-the-prophet-muhammad">2</a> | <a href="https://versebyversequranstudycircle.wordpress.com/">3</a> | <a href="https://stephenblanton.com/compare-christianity/">Compare Christianity with Islam</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">This post was originally posted by me in my blog <b><a href="https://www.myultimatedecision.info/" target="_blank">My Ultimate Decision</a>. </b>For more follow us on <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Fire-Within-147117892003705/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b></span><br />
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-70380551513360019952018-04-13T00:39:00.000-07:002018-04-16T00:40:12.469-07:00Rapist India rapes an Eight years old Muslim girl Asifa<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F8nOjGpDltM/WtRTBxUKyeI/AAAAAAABHBg/Uyfn4_uZGXoZ7nKT1dWZ40mdW21WmzusgCLcBGAs/s1600/asifa-rape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="660" height="261" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F8nOjGpDltM/WtRTBxUKyeI/AAAAAAABHBg/Uyfn4_uZGXoZ7nKT1dWZ40mdW21WmzusgCLcBGAs/s320/asifa-rape.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">India though boasting of its secularism is in fact far from its very basic meaning in reality. Its track record of mistreatment of non Hindus is so bad that one shivers to see videos of the treatment meted out to non Hindus specially the Muslims. The world seems to have closed their eyes on the atrocities being committed in India for bashing Muslims is a playful thing for them too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">India is notrious of rapes, specially of many tourists who were raped and even killed but tourists still like to be among the rapists as one's chasisty doesnt mean much to them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">However, the recent gang rape of a eight years old Kashmir Muslim girl, Asifa, is a slap on the secular India face. Not only the girl was brutally gang raped for four days before being killed, the Hindu population an d even the lawyers have demanded release of all rapists for raping a non Hindu girl doesn't matter to them at all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Body of Asia, the eight year old Bakerwal girl, Asifa in Rassana village Hiranagar, Kathua, was found in forest of the area with torture marks and broken legs. But right from onset, police was reluctant to register a case. However upon building a extreme pressure, Police finally arrested eight men, including a retired government official, four police officers and a juvenile in connection with Asifa's death. However, the lawyers tried to stop police entering the court to file a charge sheet and two ministers from the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attended a rally in support of the accused.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">According to the investigators, Asifa was confined in a local temple for several days and given sedatives that kept her unconscious. The charge sheet alleges that she was "raped for days, tortured and then finally murdered". She was strangled to death and then hit on the head twice with a stone, reports BBC. An early investigation reveals that Sanji Ram, a 60-year-old retired government officer, allegedly planned the crime with the help of police officers Surender Verma, Anand Dutta, Tilak Raj and Mr Khajuria.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Local Muslims believe that the accused wished to terrorize the Gujjar community into leaving Jammu. The shepherds, the family of the raped Afia, use public and forest land in Jammu for grazing, for they think that Muslim nomads were trying to alter the demographics of Jammu. The locals even did not allow burial of the dead body even in the land they had purchased and had to walk away miles to bury her in another village.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Wake up world for atrocities committed on Muslims, specially in Kashmir, where an indigenous struggle for freedom is taking place by the local Kashmiri Muslim population to get rid of the yoke of Indian domination.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-43722714" target="_blank">Source</a></span><br />
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-8030300239477332022018-02-23T08:18:00.000-08:002018-02-23T08:18:02.246-08:00Bajwa Doctrine<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yT6v6ORiQbY/WpA-hHXOSnI/AAAAAAABFDY/N143oEMfPUEzOd9Ab5UiE3_dC6qR63XFACLcBGAs/s1600/BAJWA-DOCTRINE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="912" height="340" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yT6v6ORiQbY/WpA-hHXOSnI/AAAAAAABFDY/N143oEMfPUEzOd9Ab5UiE3_dC6qR63XFACLcBGAs/s640/BAJWA-DOCTRINE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The new buzzword for Pakistan is the Bajwa Doctrine! It has not been officially announced yet its contours are being discussed in mostly the Western world. As the name suggests it is inspired from the Pakistan Army Chief – Gen Bajwa. The personality and views of the COAS shape the Doctrine, besides valuable input from a variety of sources.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The COAS Gen. Bajwa is professional, astute and balanced. Besides being well read is well placed to craft a doctrine as per the zeitgeist. RUSI considered the dictator timid and Gen. Bajwa bold in withstanding American pressure from Afghanistan effectively. RUSI, Catham House, IISS are the British strategic view think tanks, globally acclaimed. But to view the Bajwa Doctrine as merely strategic defiance of USA is myopic. Firstly, USA is not considered hostile despite historical roller coaster like relations. Secondly, Pakistan has many other serious issues besides the trajectory of relations with Washington.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">So what could Pakistan be seeking after two decades of turbulence. Firstly – internal stability. Destroying the network of Frankenstein terrorism along with big criminal / mafias. Putting the house in order within the present political / national system. Secondly – external security. Securing the Pak-Afghan Border with fences and management. Dignified return of nearly 3 million Afghan refugees (highlighted in Munich Security Conference with the apt motto to the brink and back?).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Responding pro actively to Indian attacks in Kashmir-LOC which is brutally targeting Pakistani civilians. Thirdly balanced military diplomacy with China, Russia, USA (West). Sending troops to Saudi Arabia while cordial ties with Iran and cementing with Turkey and supported from Sri Lanka to Japan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Fourthly – completing Gwadar-CPEC. The geo-economic future of Pakistan (inspired from my first book – Gwadar on the Global Chessboard). Fifthly – the geopolitical contest with India is expanding (more of that in a subsequent article). A Nationalist and prudent doctrine is the need of the hour, while Pakistan’s political elite remains embroiled in endless petty political squabbles!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Conversely the Indian Army chief Sunderji’s doctrine lead to Operation Brasstacks’ failure. While Gen Rawat present Indian Army Chief’s doctrine about Two Front War with China and Pakistan will be a complete disaster if implemented by Delhi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Pakistan while seeking geo-political and geo-economic autonomy from USA/West remains cooperative and a friend. The world needs Pakistan is a global truism! The Bajwa Doctrine is less visible but more effective, low on fanfare but highly result-oriented. It appears that it will become more apparent In future!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Author</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Brigadier Nadir Mir (retd), is decorated with Sitar-e-Imtiaz (Military) for his outstanding abilities and devotion to the army. He had his high schooling from the Quetta Grammer School,St Anthony's and later the Aithchison and FC colleges Lahore. He is also a graduate of Command and Staff Colleges Pakistan and Turkey, besides the National Defence University. He is an authority on the military and economic strategy and has a vast experience of dealing with sensitive and important issues related to geo-politics. Presently he chairs PNRM</span></div>
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-53690113974025574432018-01-10T03:01:00.000-08:002018-01-10T03:01:35.164-08:00US Failures in Afghanistan - what to do?<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vXg4vyzxYek/WlXuUxN0psI/AAAAAAABD8I/shmFhphrRRklX2OtbBa_wxl2bUbET7ErACLcBGAs/s1600/Fatally-Wounded-Soldier-in-Afghanistan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="650" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vXg4vyzxYek/WlXuUxN0psI/AAAAAAABD8I/shmFhphrRRklX2OtbBa_wxl2bUbET7ErACLcBGAs/s640/Fatally-Wounded-Soldier-in-Afghanistan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The biggest threat to US National Security is strategic miscalculation. In Afghanistan, the battle was an internally oriented conflict; but it had a confused and open ended definition to it. The US insisted in calling it COIN (counter Insurgency Operations) when it was not. The US method to madness unfolded from one dimension to another, ignoring geography, history, culture and ideology. In their enthusiasm the United States jumped from one plan to another in search of strategy as they lumbered on, never listened to anyone while they continued to do what they thought was the way forward. Ignorance and arrogance never go together. The result that with total air supremacy, against an enemy that had no tanks, artillery or air defence; the United States manged to put themselves into a losing situation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The only worthwhile ally, Pakistan, who could have helped the US win this conflict and bring stability to Afghanistan was cast aside and the alliance was broken through a successful man oeuvre of manipulation by an enemy that would have made Napoleon Bonaparte swell with pride. Breaking an alliance was Napoleon’s forte and was an obvious first step that an enemy would have taken in this case too. Who was this enemy, other than our very own? The US, leader of the world, commander of all Armies now cannot whine and blame others for their own failures, they must now behave the part and take responsibility of all that came to pass. It comes with the leadership role that the US loves to play. Well here are some very obvious things that need to be explained:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. <b>Political</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Removal of the Taliban government, which had a Pushtun leaning. The Pushtuns represent about 50 to 60 % of the Afghan population.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Replacing them with a Northern Alliance biased government that represented less than 40% of the people.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Introduced a universally unacceptable constitution, hoping that it would catch on. It did not.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tried a reconciliation process; top down approach.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tried integration; bottoms up approach.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wanted to negotiate with the Taliban but never considered speaking to the Pushtuns. The former believe in an ideological discourse, the latter a political one. Though most Taliban are Pushtun, but a strictly Pushtun dialogue would keep out the foreign spoilers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Assassinated any Taliban leader willing to talk through drone attacks.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Insisted that Pakistan arrange the negotiation and when they did, destroyed their credibility by killing Taliban commanders in Pakistan who had been asked to come for the negotiation. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Setting up a ‘Unity Government’; it’s neither here or there and remains a confused, artificial structure that has no jurisdiction beyond the precincts of Kabul.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Out of the three parties, the Taliban, the government and the US, the weakest is the government. That is why this government is probably the only known government to invite a foreign occupation, because it lacks in capacity, authority and legality.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. <b>Military</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Based operations on garrisoning troops. Failed to secure lines of communication and relied on air rather ground.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lost liberty of action and freedom of movement by not dominating spaces.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Continuity in such operations is necessary and not a choice. The US rotated troops every year and as such were never familiar with the terrain or the environment.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The limited understanding of the combat zone cannot be made up through ‘google maps’.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Operations of this kind are based on accurate intel. The US depended on Northern Alliance intel and interpreters. These people let their hatred for Pakistan take them away from any meaningful information. Salalah type operations were the product of misleading the US troops.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Raising an Army in a few years is unrealistic, it resulted in the highest rate of desertions and causalities. The NDS has still no capacity to stand ground regardless of the ‘feel good’ propaganda emanating from TOLO News. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The two areas that needed US presence was ignored despite making promises, i.e. Nuristan/Kunar valley, where the US pulled out unilaterally and Paktia where the US always complained of cross border Haqqani battle groups moving into their area.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not shutting down mobile networks along the Afghan Border despite requests to do so. SIMs are still functional while Pakistan had shut theirs down a while ago. Not blocking Thuriaya Communication which is based in Dubai and can easily be controlled.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not supporting Pakistani Operation in North Waziristan with a US brigade during the surge to block the border though having promised to do so through four different commands. This caused the ‘revolving door’ effect. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Suffering reverses by small tactical groups and blaming Pakistan instead of holding enquiries as to what went wrong. We have not heard a single case of tactical failure being attributed to incompetence or bad procedures. It’s as if no American can do wrong, though the US have lost this war and all because of the enemy!!! A really humorous conclusion.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. <b>Corruption</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please read the SIGAR report. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A drug trade developed under the nose of ISAF that is now doing roaring business of anything up to $80 Billion annually. No one likes to quote these figures and everyone looks the other way as if it is inconsequential. Let it be clearly understood, the Taliban are being resourced by this drug money.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Corruption in the government has caused the people to be highly critical of it.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. <b>Miscellaneous</b> </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ISAF found it easier to justify their failures by blaming Pakistan. The lies were repeated and broadcasted so often that the US and their Coalition partners now believe it to be true.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Losing about 50% of the space in Afghanistan where there is no government writ. The Taliban have signed $3Billion worth of contracts with the Chinese. Why would the Taliban need space in Pakistan when the resources and the area is available to them right there?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bringing in India, an enemy state into Afghanistan, and then expecting Pakistan to celebrate it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Resisting Pakistan’s attempt at border fencing when the charge against Pakistan was cross border movement.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Insisting that Pakistan keep the millions of Afghan Refugees, whereas Pakistan has been continually complaining of the security problems because of it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Blaming Pakistan for the indigenous movement in Kashmir; singing India’s song!!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stating that the CPEC route was going through a disputed area, whereas, such a statement was highly uncalled for.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inserting ISIL into Afghanistan to challenge the Taliban. Bad idea. Russia has openly stated that they support the Taliban because of this and so do Iran. The US still remains conveniently quiet on the Russo Shura and the Iranian Shura.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. <b>Conclusions</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That Pakistan be coerced into fighting the war for the US and ‘do more’. It is clear that it is no longer about the War on Terror but more about containing China, disrupting CPEC and supporting India. Pakistan needs to be beaten into submission in phase 1.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pakistan cannot find it within itself to support the US. There is not a single reason, moral, political or military where Pakistan sees its national interest being served by cooperating with the US.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It has now come full circle and Pakistan’s national interest can only be served by a comprehensive defeat of the US in Afghanistan if things do jot change for the better. There was a time when US success was in line with Pakistan's interest; not any more.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That the US public are not aware of what all has happened or is happening and need to be informed of how the US have bungled here in Afghanistan.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That a public joint enquiry is recommended where US and Pakistani military commanders be questioned and must be directed to explain their positions during their respective tenures. It is guaranteed to be very entertaining. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The people of the United States must restrain and contain their government in taking up a highly immoral position. If democracy has any substance to it, then a mechanism has to be put into place where the other side of the story is heard as well. Do the Americans have the courage to hear the truth?</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. <b>Future</b></span><br />
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<li>I<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">f Pakistan stands its ground, the US and Pakistan can improve their relations though it will take a while that both would trust each other.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The US can be part of CPEC rather than resist it. Becoming a strategic partner with China would make better sense now than becoming a competitor in a world/region where the US is a stranger in town.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This could be of immense value to Afghanistan as well and they too could benefit from CPEC.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Understandably India would not get what it is looking for, but then, should the US make a fool of itself in support of India?</span></li>
<li><b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The US can only benefit fro m the current crisis by being the leader it ought to be, having the moral courage to call a spade a spade, and the wisdom to promote stability rather than chaos.</span></i></b></li>
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">About the Author</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pIhW8ZRItI/WaKychLQVeI/AAAAAAABBE8/HglQym7boUMpCKV0Z7fz-4uiVvbPqo95QCLcBGAs/s1600/Lt-Gen_Tariq_Khan.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="238" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pIhW8ZRItI/WaKychLQVeI/AAAAAAABBE8/HglQym7boUMpCKV0Z7fz-4uiVvbPqo95QCLcBGAs/s200/Lt-Gen_Tariq_Khan.png" width="158" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lieutenant general Tariq Khan (Retired), </span><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; font-family: sans-serif; text-align: left;">Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military)</span><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.32px; text-align: left;">,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> winner of the Sword of Honour from Pakistan Military Academy, graduate of the prestigious National Defense University of Pakistan, has a long experience of fighting the War on Terror in the tribal areas of Pakistan and along the Pakistan- Afghanistan border. He has extensive interaction with the allied commanders employed in Afghanistan and working with top US military elite at CENTCOM. He has been one of the few Pakistan Army officers awarded with the Legion of Merit by the USA. He also has the honour of commanding one of the strike corps of Pakistan Army. He is a well read military analyst who often shares his view points, incisive and thought provoking analysis on national and international affairs. His views on international / national affairs can be read on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000700053166" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(The views expressed above are personal of the author and do not necessarily express the opinion of the admin of this blog)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://sofrep.com/46545/1-killed-2-wounded-us-special-operators-evacuated-after-taliban-battle/" target="_blank">Photo</a></span></div>
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-88976966006137612372018-01-07T06:24:00.000-08:002018-01-10T02:40:50.744-08:00What must Pakistan do after Donald Trump's Tweet<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The recent controversial tweet by the US president Trump against Pakistan seems a one man response as it seems that he stands alone while many others in the US tend to support Pakistan's stance and its countless efforts and sacrifices, both in human losses and material damage, to fight a war on terror that has never been its own. Pakistan has taken a heavy toll after 'invasion' by US troops of Afghanistan as a collateral damage and effect. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now that the US has taken a very serious stance against Pakistan despite Pakistan have always been doing more and more as demanded by Pakistan and stopping all sorts of aid to Pakistan, Lieutenant General Tariq Khan (retired), a seasoned veteran who has had a front line experience of fighting the terrorists in the areas adjoining Afghanistan, speaks out what others in US think about Pakistan and what should Pakistan do to safeguard its interests:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Hillary Clinton said</i></b> on record before the Congress that Pakistan had been let down by the US, David Petraeus, ex Director of the CIA said there was no evidence of Pakistan’s role in destabilizing Afghanistan, Chuck Hagel, while he was Secretary De fence stated, that India creates problems in Pakistan, Mattis the current Secretary defence, warned India to cool down in their support to the TTP. These were all heavy weights and there were others too in the US administration, military system and Congress who have tried to clear Pakistan’s name. It had no effect. Yet our own stalwarts are trying to find ways and means to ‘explain’ to the US government what our real position is. Others call it a ‘misunderstanding’. Such foolish scraping and fawning is probably unique to our very own alone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It must be clearly understood that the US is neither searching for a clarification nor is interested in seeing one. The US has decided to embark on a course of action and its decision cannot be sacrificed at the altar of the truth or reality on the ground. With a maniac as the US President, the ‘establishment’ is having a field day as they project personal agendas and spit in the face of the world. The insignificant Dana Rohrabacher and Ted Poe types find their relevance today in discovering a cause in the separation of Baluchistan. We are unreliable, we are two faced. Our stalwarts scream that we are not, our parliament is offended, our ministers are angry, everyone is disappointed and the country is shocked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First of all, the Untied States has only done what it always does, abandon Pakistan when Pakistan is no longer needed. This should be no surprise to anyone and this fact should be clearly noted, underscored and advertised, only so that our future leaders can get the message and learn from history. Secondly, so far the United States has withdrawn monetary assistance; how can we demand that they support us financially. That is their prerogative and if they have decided to stop supporting us, why are we crying hoarse, it is neither our right nor are we employed by them. Live with it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now we come to this nonsense that this was not our war and that we fought for the United States. Please take into cognizance, I have been in combat the longest and during that time we cleared 35,000 sq kms out of 48,000 sq kms. We did not do this for the United States, the Indus Highway was closed, the Peshawar Airport was shut down, the KP Government was about to shift to Abbottabad, the businesses in Peshawar were moving out, our Agencies were no go, Bajaur had an Afghan flag and Afghan currency. We made deals and negotiated ourselves into every corner hoping that it would bring peace. We even disgracefully surrendered the people of Swat to Sufi Muhammad in the hope that we could ‘give peace a chance’. I saw people then shivering and quivering when militants entered Margalla Hills. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With short memories we forget the APS carnage, we forget the attacks on our airbases and the naval Base. We ignore the attack on GHQ, we look the other way as the airport in Karachi was hit. We then have been saying that this was all because of joining the US war in Afghanistan and was the product of our policies? We cannot be more wrong, how does one explain the 2000 sectarian deaths in Pakistan before 9/11? Besides, despite being members of the United Nations and having signed the unanimous UN Resolution 1377 of 12th November 2001 which should be read by all, ours was the only Army that had no one under US Command and we never operated beyond our own territory. What do these critics want that Pakistan should have fought on behalf of the Taliban?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After all, what were the demands of the Pakistan Government to all foreigners in Pakistani territory? It was to register with the authorities, settle into designated areas and disarm or then report to centers for repatriation to their respective countries. Was this unfair? Not only did they refuse but insisted on waging war from Pakistani territory when the State had decided not to engage in Afghanistan. They said it was their right to fight a Jihad in Afghanistan. The whole story seems upside down. It’s these foreigners and our very own sold out militants who connived together for pelf and place that brought the war to Pakistan. Now we hypocritically say we have sacrificed 70,000 lives; did we do it for the United States? No, these lives were lost in the battle for Pakistan, as we secured our country against a Raw initiated insurgency and a CIA supported terrorism. We must not belittle our achievements which were the highest in the world just to win a cheap and irrelevant argument. We secured 3500 Kms of Lines of Communications, we established the writ of the government, we have cleared our areas of all militants and we did this for Pakistan and not the United States.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our falling out with the United States is a function of a failed foreign policy. This was recognized time and again. A government without a foreign minister for four years allowed an Indian walk-over at the Capitol Hill. This has to be acknowledged and cannot be just brushed aside. Our PM, then, claimed he was the Foreign Minister, well then that’s where the buck stops. We had Haqqani as our ambassador, we had Fatmi as our advisor!!! We are further compromised because of the debt we have incurred, the money that we so wantonly stole and distributed amongst relatives and friends; that the very foundations of the State have been shaken up. The PM refused to even mention Kulbashan at the UN, Jindal turns up without a visa, Modi is invited to the PM’s house for a wedding. Well done!! Our leader entertains the enemies of the State even when they threaten to cut us into four pieces. This all then leads to the Dawn Leaks; an attempt to declare the Pakistan Army as a Terrorist Organization. Having gone through all this we are shocked when the US now withholds assistance!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nowadays everyone (including me) seems to have some solution to the crisis we are going through. The diplomatic scene is out since we have nothing to offer and have exhausted any space we have had thanks to this highly incompetent government. Talking our way through in search of peace is exactly like surrendering to Sufi Muhammad in Swat. Nothing to talk about!! We need to first acquire the space for any meaningful talks. Just simply saying ‘let’s negotiate’, makes no sense and is not that easy. We are suffering the consequences of huge capacity issues in our government.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is obvious that the US must be in the complete know that it is losing the war in Afghanistan on account of its own limited capacity and incompetence and that Pakistan is the least of the causes. Despite knowing this, it continually blames Pakistan and that serves two purposes, first, it creates a credible justification for US failure and secondly it provides the US a <i>casus-bellie</i> to prosecute Pakistan. It is important to understand as to why the US would want to bring pressure on to Pakistan and what are its objectives:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Regional Objectives:</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Contain Chinese economic growth.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Challenge Russian military relevance.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Observe Iran</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Retain regional influence through physical presence.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Setup and support India as a proxy.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Local Objectives. Since Pakistan is an obstacle because of CPEC and that it contains Indian influence, Pakistan has to be dealt with effectively first:</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Create conditions to denuclearize Pakistan.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Scuttle the CPEC through Indian subversion in Baluchistan and GB.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reward India by allowing free license in Kashmir.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Destabilize FATA and encourage Afghan claims using TTP and Daesh.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Conduct</b>. To use incremental pressure, testing for effects.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Impact on Pakistan’s economic vulnerability by withdrawing financial support and influencing international institutions for calling in the debt.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hoping the government would be willing to trade: financial relief for nuclear capping.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Declare Pakistan Army a terrorist group and extend international travel bans on its personal.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">May step up drones attacks and encourage India to undertake ‘surgical strikes’ which India has already been claiming it has been doing. India thus already has a tacit approval of everyone to undertake such operations.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finding no credible response the US may extend bombing campaigns into settled areas with intent to create discord, lack of government writ and disharmony.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having created the chaos and instability, may undertake boots on ground operations and encourage separatist movements in Baluchistan and GB.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Pakistan’s responses</b>. The first and foremost that people generally recommend is appeasement and an abject surrender. I may even go along with it, if it could save the State. It will not. The US and India will not be satisfied without attaining the objectives listed above. Thus diplomacy, talking etc. may sound good in a drawing room discussion, may prove that some of us more intellectual than the rest, but the fact of the matter is, that they will not resolve anything. Such peaceful gestures can only come after having created the grounds for diplomacy. Recommended response:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Immediate</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reduce US presence in the country to a skeleton staff at the embassy.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kick out all US based NGOs.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Renegotiate GLOCs (ground access to Afghanistan)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Concurrent</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inform the Security Council that India by its own self-confessed statements has committed an act of war and that Pakistan retains the right to respond at a time and place of its own choosing.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If India resorts to any more verbal surgical strikes, to physically respond in areas of Pathankot, Madhupur, Jammu etc.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also bring to the Security Council’s notice that US has threatened Pakistan militarily with unilateral action and that Pakistan has the right to self-defence.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inform Afghanistan that any act of hostility would trigger a response at Jalalabad, Kandahar, Kabul and Bagram.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Future</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Find common interest with Iran.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Speed up Russo-Pak military collaboration.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Enhance Chinese involvement along Kashmir.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Begin an aggressive Kashmir campaign.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stock up on fuel and food starting now.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Work out a debt retirement scheme through a credible and honest programme involving the people of Pakistan.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Begin a proper accountability to bring closure to Memo gate, Dawn leaks, Kargil operations, Abbottabad Commission, theft and corruption.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Structure a proper lobby team to build the country’s relevance and image</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The US may not be ready for a physical fight beyond a certain escalation. Measured confrontation may force the US to step back. I used the term incremental pressure above. It was deliberate. At every stage where the US is not challenged, the pressure will shift and increase, step by step. By putting out our best foot we may be able to bring them to the table for talks which is what everyone wants. Talks are only done when there is mutual respect. No one respects a loser. For now its brinkmanship and we need to see who is going to blink first. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If the US is willing to come to some understanding we can offer them assistance in an honourable withdrawal, a role in the CPEC, business opportunities in the country. It is not necessary to fight the US if it can be helped. However, acquiescing is not the answer and we must not sell our selves short as we usually do. We have to go through some difficult times but that is what nations are made up of; to stand up for themselves, their sovereignty and their independence. I am convinced if we stand up to the US our relations can improve. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the other hand, there is a lot of cleaning up to do at home as well, without which we can never be sovereign nation and first and foremost is to remove all maulvi influence. They shall never let this country be independent, self-sustaining and respectable. Religion has no place in the affairs of States and the sooner we realise this the quicker we shall be on the way to redemption. Catering to a belligerent but semi educated, opinionated preacher will always bring us into an ideological conflict not only amongst ourselves but with everyone around us. We shall be fighting a never ending Jihad. The best service we can do for Islam is to follow it in our individual sense and not pass judgments on others. Till religiosity is not removed from our political, administrative and diplomatic policies we shall always be hostage to the maulvi who has brought us to where we are.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">About the Author</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lieutenant general Tariq Khan (Retired), </span><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; font-family: sans-serif; text-align: left;">Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military)</span><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.32px; text-align: left;">,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> winner of the Sword of Honour from Pakistan Military Academy, graduate of the prestigious National Defense University of Pakistan, has a long experience of fighting the War on Terror in the tribal areas of Pakistan and along the Pakistan- Afghanistan border. He has extensive interaction with the allied commanders employed in Afghanistan and working with top US military elite at CENTCOM. He has been one of the few Pakistan Army officers awarded with the Legion of Merit by the USA. He also has the honour of commanding one of the strike corps of Pakistan Army. He is a well read military analyst who often shares his view points, incisive and thought provoking analysis on national and international affairs. His views on international / national affairs can be read on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000700053166" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(The views expressed above are personal of the author and do not necessarily express the opinion of the admin of this blog)</span><br />
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-66330439070645317772018-01-05T23:44:00.000-08:002018-01-05T23:44:26.302-08:00Pakistan’s Asymmetrical Response To Trump - A Clever Way To Flip The Tables On Afghanistan<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Andrew KORYBKO</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Pakistan’s announcement that it will seek the expulsion of over 1,5 million Afghan refugees in the next 30 days is being tacitly justified by Trump’s tweet and channels his zero-tolerance stance towards immigration from “terrorist”-prone states, but it also represents the employment of reverse-“Weapons of Mass Migration” in pushing Kabul closer towards the edge of collapse and consequently filling the Taliban’s rank of supporters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Donald J. Trump</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Trump is going to soon regret what he tweeted about Pakistan on New Year’s Day in accusing it of “giving safe haven to terrorists”, since Islamabad is poised to hit Washington with an asymmetrical counter punch that it surely won’t forget.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The Pakistani government just announced that over 1,5 million Afghan refugees must leave the country within the next 30 days, a plan that it’s been working on for a while but which just received a fresh impetus and internationally-acceptable justification with Trump’s tweet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Had it not been for the American President’s zero-tolerance towards immigration from what his administration labels as “terrorist”-prone countries, which crucially includes Afghanistan for substantial and not political reasons (as the latter relates to Iran’s inclusion and Saudi Arabia’s exclusion), then Pakistan would have risked drawing heavy pressure from the State Department on exaggerated claims that it’s “violating the human rights” of the refugees.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Trump, however, said that Pakistan was “giving safe haven to terrorists”, and since the US formally regards Afghan refugees as being too much of a potential security hazard to allow into its own country, it’s forced to accept Pakistan’s expulsion of 1,5 million of them on the implicit basis that they also constitute a serious terrorist threat to the state such as the one that the President just tweeted about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This isn't at all what Trump meant when he issued his tweet, nor the reaction that he was expecting, but by cleverly exploiting the President’s own policies at home and the suggestion he was making towards Pakistan abroad, Islamabad found a creative way to asymmetrically strike back at Washington.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only could Pakistan soon rid itself of actual terrorist sleeper cells and societal malcontents who have long overstayed their welcome in the neighboring country, it will also be catalyzing a series of cascading crises for Kabul through the employment of what can be described as reverse-“Weapons of Mass Migration”.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">To briefly explain, Ivy League researcher Kelly M. Greenhill introduced the concept of “Weapons of Mass Migration” in 2010 to describe the ways through which large-scale population movements — whether “naturally occurring”, engineered, or exploited — impact on their origin, transit, and destination societies, theorizing that this phenomenon can have a strategic use in some instances.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Of relevance, the influx of millions of Afghan “Weapons of Mass Migration” into Pakistan since 1979 had the effect of destabilizing the host country’s border communities and eventually contributing to the spree of terrorist attacks that have since claimed over 60,000 lives in the past 15 years, but now the large-scale and rapid return of these “weapons” to their country of origin will also inevitably destabilize Afghanistan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The landlocked and war-torn country is utterly unable to accommodate for what amounts to a roughly 3% increase in its total population in the next 30 days, especially seeing as how the Kabul government exerts little influence beyond the capital and has no sway in the approximate half of the country that’s under the control of the Taliban.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The US-backed Afghan government is already failing its citizens as it is and that’s why so many of them have either joined the Taliban or sympathize with it in the first place, so the odds of the returned refugees successfully reintegrating into their homeland’s socio-economic fabric and becoming “model citizens” is close to nil, meaning that it should be expected that the vast majority of these 1,5 million people will more than likely come to side with the Taliban than Kabul and consequently make the country much more difficult for the US to control.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In essence, what Pakistan has done is throw Trump’s tweet right back at him by using it as the internationally plausible pretext for initiating this long-planned move that was originally predicated on solely apolitical security-centric domestic interests but has now pertinently come to embody geo-strategic contours by powerfully turning the tables against the US in Afghanistan through the employment of reverse-“Weapons of Mass Migration”.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">DISCLAIMER: The author writes for this publication in a private capacity which is unrepresentative of anyone or any organization except for his own personal views. Nothing written by the author should ever be conflated with the editorial views or official positions of any other media outlet or institution.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://orientalreview.org/2018/01/05/pakistans-asymmetrical-response-trump-clever-way-flip-tables-afghanistan/" target="_blank">Source</a> | <a href="https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/pakistan-afghanistan-and-us-vow-to-curb-daesh-from-region/" target="_blank">Photo</a></span></div>
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-73017289429457479512017-12-08T09:12:00.002-08:002017-12-08T09:16:39.257-08:00USA's Afghan Exit Strategy and Pakistan: Another Viewpoint <div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">America thinks Pakistan should do more. They want to ‘win’ the war as Trump has said. ‘Winning’ now could be as little as a ‘graceful exit’ or as much as ‘killing all the Taliban’. We don’t know what the American strategy is and how the end state is envisioned. We can at best hypothesize as following: </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Option 1 - US wins the peace and exits, </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Option 2 - US wins the peace but does not exit, </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Option 3 – the US does not win the peace by design.</span> </li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We also don’t know what drives US strategy; their obsession in containing China, their opposition to CPEC or their enthusiasm in promoting India as their proxy or even a combination of all three. We further do not know how regional initiatives affect the US presence in Afghanistan; the Russian support for the Taliban, the Chinese securing mining rights from the Taliban or the Iranian assistance to the Taliban.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With so many unknowns, what do we actually know? First that the Taliban are in control of 40 % of the territory. Second, they now have a roaring global drug trade that is turning over a $70 Billion independent economy. The Taliban are also securing international mining contracts independent of the Afghan Government in areas under their control. The combination of these ‘facts’ precludes any logical reason why the Taliban would need safe havens in Pakistan. We also know that if there was any movement into Afghanistan it have to be by movement across the border, but Afghanistan does not recognize the border and the US does not support its demarcation and fencing. We further know that the Afghan refugees in Pakistan compound the problem and remain a constant source of acrimony where the international community is reluctant to move them back to their country and Afghanistan is averse to accommodate them. It is also very clear that the so called US surge numerically does not commensurate with a defined objective of winning the war against the Taliban.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Putting the knowns and unknowns together, it seems that the US will persecute the Taliban through punitive stand-off weapon systems, punishing them enough to come to the table but not enough to annihilate them. The negotiation thereon may either lead to abandoning the unity government and striking a deal with the Taliban or then establishing an environment of indefinite end-state but with controlled instability: regulated and contained, justifying a US presence. However, this presupposes that the US is in a position to manage the tempo of the conflict in Afghanistan and that does not appear to be have any currency at present. US presence with the present troop strength necessitates assistance from the Indians and maybe some from NATO and more of such initiatives are likely to be seen in the coming days. As such, Afghanistan will continue to languish in turmoil in the near future and may even become a battle ground for a proxy war between a Russo-Persian alliance against the Indo-US alliance. This would mean a simmering conflict between Taliban supported by the former against Daesh/ISIL supported by the latter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The containment of China shall become a major objective in such a scenario. To arrive at such an objective, scuttling CPEC will have intermediary gains for the US and would be one objective of the many more envisaged. Here India would be extended a regional status to challenge China but could be delegated a major role in disrupting the CPEC project. India would welcome such a role and would see it as an opportunity to find a resolution to its Kashmir problems on the one hand and cut Pakistan to size on the other. However, India would be wary of any military role in light of Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence and Pakistan’s nuclear capacity would have to be neutralized before embarking on such a task by the Indians. The possibility of capping and dismantling Pakistan’s nuclear capability could be arrived easiest through stripping Pakistan of any economic sovereignty and then through an internal political process in conflict with the security apparatus of the country, leading to a denuclearized Pakistan as an outcome of Pakistan’s own internal fissures and instability. The bogey of extremists over-running a nuclear facility as well as proliferations charges would add to the arguments that Pakistan is a danger to the world. Thus a political decision to give up the nuclear capability would not only hold a promise of more financial assistance but the world would accolade the ‘reasonableness’ of Pakistan’s democratic process, praising the government’s courage in standing up to the rogue Establishment. However, though there has been some success in entrapping Pakistan into an economic debt-cycle, yet, the internal political conflict never paid the dividends that were envisaged.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pakistan managed to survive, maintain its cohesion and till now protect its nuclear capability. Having made no gains in attacking Pakistan’s nuclear capacity by facilitating and encouraging an internal conflict between the political elements and the Establishment (See Kerry Lugar Bill), the US now may prefer taking the kinetic route using a military option. Here a two sided combined initiative by the US and India may seem to be the most feasible way forward. The articulation of such an operation would be first, intelligence gathering followed by military strikes. A successful operation on these lines would facilitate Indian aggression in the Northern Areas, disrupting the CPEC. However, the lure of CPEC would keep US interests alive in the region and what may be denied to China could be undertaken by the US. This would not be possible in an environment where Pakistan remains on the map as it is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the US to gain access to Gwader and for India, its partner in crime, to be facilitated as a regional power, Baluchistan would have to be separated. The Free Baluchistan Movement as we are now witnessing as an international advertisement campaign and the sudden surfacing of the usual human rights groups let loose to defame and malign Pakistan, is a no brainer. Attention is drawn to the continued, unprecedented anti Pakistan campaign by US Senators such as Dana Rohrabacher and Ted Poe. Yet, a free Baluchistan would not be enough to allow connectivity with the Central Asian Republics and thus KP would have to be destabilised enough as well to demand a separate status. This may explain the reluctance of accepting a defined border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, both by the US as well as Afghanistan, though the general complaint against Pakistan focuses on cross border movement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Such an endeavour was on the maps for a while. Pakistan was to be the first in the series of the Arab Spring turmoil and implosion. It did not work and Pakistan was able to pull back from the edge of the abyss while the rest of the world around it was smashed to pieces. Since the US is not going to accept failure easily, the US will try and wrest back the initiative through other means. This shall be through an organized attempt at destabilizing Pakistan through regulated terrorist activity directed at Baluchistan, KP and GB. And having managed a cause and a reason, the US will use the confusion and fluidity of the environment to attempt dismantling Pakistan’s nuclear capacity in close harmony with India through the military option. The casus-belie for undertaking military operations on Pakistani soil would be accusations of militant safe havens in Pakistan used against US forces in Afghanistan and that Pakistan facilitates terror in India, etc. etc. US accusations come in the wake of Chuck Hagel’s statement, the ex-secretary Defense, stating that India works at creating trouble in Pakistan, General Petrous, ex-director of the CIA, who stated publicly that there was no evidence of Pakistan’s involvement in destabilizing Afghanistan, Hillary Clinton, who made a congressional statement that the US had let down Pakistan and now even General Mattis, the sitting secretary defence, warning India to limit its support to the TTP. With such heavy weights making public announcements in favour of Pakistan or supporting its position, it is clearly indicative that Pakistan is not being blamed because its story has not been heard or understood but because Pakistan has to be cut to size by design. The US does not want to hear any justifications or explanations, it only wants to pursue whatever it needs to in its national interest and woe to anyone in its way. Thus demands for Pakistan to do more and to be beaten into submission to do what it is asked of.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now in retrospect, The US presence in Afghanistan has had varying implications for Pakistan over the years. In the beginning, when Pakistan had the most-allied non-NATO status, a US victory in Afghanistan and a stable Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s interest. Pakistan did whatever it could to assist. However, a US success did not come about, instead a civil war came about with the Taliban winning back 40% of the territory. It ought to be kept in mind that it is always the weaker group that invites foreign occupation and here it is obvious that the weaker group is no other than the Afghan Government itself. In light of the developing situation, a US withdrawal from Afghanistan would have seen the end of the artificial unity government that was artificially propped up. Though that would have ushered in a period of instability, it would have eventually tapered off into a stable Afghanistan, albeit, not in keeping with international political values. Thus, the situation evolved so that now a US withdrawal from Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s interest. Since that too did not happen, the US, in order to retain some semblance of control, resorted to giving India a larger role in Afghanistan, introduced Daesh to challenge the Taliban, criticized and began to resist CPEC to contain China. Now, under these new present circumstances and the new threats created and presented by the US to Pakistan, as well as the instability the US is promoting within the region, it is very obvious that it is now in Pakistan’s interest to see the US defeated in Afghanistan - totally and unambiguously. As such if the US must pursue its own interest at all costs, how can one deny Pakistan or for that matter any other country, doing the same for its own survival? This will remain a moot point smothered under the inequality of nations, some stronger than others. The changing strategic paradigm in the Afghan Conflict has been mainly driven by an evolving US-Pakistan relationship. As this relationship became not only increasingly irrelevant but at cross purposes, Pakistani orientation became more Chinese specific while the US’s more India specific, creating competing spectrum. How does the US expect that Pakistan should now assist them in Afghanistan in propping up an artificial government that is working against the interests of Pakistan, help them in allowing an enemy State to establish itself in territories that are not strategically contiguous to them, and to permit, the NDS to accommodate the TTP in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan who continually attack Pakistan? In light of this reality, US expectations of Pakistan are not only highly exaggerated but very unrealistic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yet, in Pakistan’s interest, Pakistan’s best option is to try and pull the US back into a meaningful US-Pak relationship that is mutually relevant by integrating the US into the CPEC. It would be a huge diplomatic coup if it could. It would not only destroy a Chinese monopoly but would limit India’s influence from a potentially harmful alliance. Such a possibility is remote and not likely unless the US finds itself in a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, which at this moment in time appears to be a credible possibility. The other things that Pakistan must do concurrently, is to remain very vigilant against a possible spate of terrorist attacks in the near future, containing them and limiting their effect so that the country remains cohesive and the will and moral of the nation remains intact. Pakistan must also work to remain stable and ensure that there are no further serious political upheavals, nor should players within the country be allowed to play games for vested interests. Pakistan must also build on its relationship with Russia, China and Turkey as much as it can. Getting the Gulf States to show some solidarity may be difficult but Pakistan must work on this too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last of all whereas, it is clear that Pakistan is no position to challenge the US military might, yet it does have the capability to cause serious pain in a response to any aggression against it. This must be clear to all: Afghanistan, India and the US. Avoiding conflict is never the same as deterring it and requires different set of preparations. Pakistan must display a posture where it does not only clearly demonstrate its intent but also its capability and capacity.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">About the Author</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pIhW8ZRItI/WaKychLQVeI/AAAAAAABBE8/HglQym7boUMpCKV0Z7fz-4uiVvbPqo95QCLcBGAs/s1600/Lt-Gen_Tariq_Khan.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="238" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pIhW8ZRItI/WaKychLQVeI/AAAAAAABBE8/HglQym7boUMpCKV0Z7fz-4uiVvbPqo95QCLcBGAs/s200/Lt-Gen_Tariq_Khan.png" width="158" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lieutenant general Tariq Khan (Retired), </span><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; font-family: sans-serif; text-align: left;">Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military)</span><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.32px; text-align: left;">,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> winner of the Sword of Honour from Pakistan Military Academy and is a graduate of the prestigious National Defense University of Pakistan and has a long experience of fighting the War on Terror in the tribal areas of Pakistan and along the Pakistan- Afghanistan border. He has extensive interaction with the allied commanders employed in Afghanistan and working with top military elite at CENTCOM. He has been one of the few Pakistan Army officers awarded with the Legion of Merit by the USA. He also has the honour of commanding one of the strike corps of Pakistan Army. He is a well read military analyst who often shares his view points, incisive and thought provoking analysis on national and international affairs. His views on international / national affairs can be read on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000700053166" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(The views expressed above are personal of the author and do not necessarily express the opinion of the admin of this blog)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/afghan-pakistan-us-commanders-review-border-security" target="_blank">Photo Source</a></span></div>
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-90650732043810884922017-11-20T22:37:00.000-08:002017-11-20T22:37:21.303-08:00Beware of these people<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3i44BGUO-A/WhPJej7deuI/AAAAAAABDBc/2b1AaQrdPbgLjRAHVV6GCgIL4a1UqcadACLcBGAs/s1600/fireWithin-beware.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="242" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3i44BGUO-A/WhPJej7deuI/AAAAAAABDBc/2b1AaQrdPbgLjRAHVV6GCgIL4a1UqcadACLcBGAs/s400/fireWithin-beware.jpg" width="366" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is a very complex thing to deal with or even to live
with. We have all sorts of people who come into our lives – some leaving
pleasant memories, while many leaving haunting imprints that one would not even
like to remember.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of these people are the one who are always angry –
showing and expressing their anger just for nothing or even on the pettiest of
the thing not worthy of even being angry for. Such people are always ready for
an explosive discussion and conflict with anyone who comes their way and may
even harm them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For such dealing with such people, the solution is very
simple: Simply walk away, without engaging in any way. For these are the people
who are actually not fighting with you, but are fighting with themselves – they
only want to vent their anger on you to be at ease internally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So be mindful of such people – leave them on their own for
any engagement with them will hurt you emotionally for nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-83642485203523637862017-10-25T02:14:00.001-07:002017-10-26T00:38:47.743-07:00Tillerson's Asian Visit: What is cooking up in India?<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's recent visit to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India raises many an eyebrow as the high ranking US official just spent a few hours each in Afghanistan and Pakistan and then embarks upon a two days visit to India.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In America's so called war on terror, Afghanistan and Pakistan should have assumed greater importance where he just happened to have touched down and fly away to India - a country the US is trying to incorporate for peace in Afghanistan, while peace in Afghanistan cannot be sustained and obtained by Pakistan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Perhaps it was for this lukewarm visit approach by Tillerson that he apparently received a rather cold shoulder from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif and other cabinet members in Islamabad. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As per reports, Pakistan seem to have hit back at the accusations about harboring terrorism, just as Pakistan defended its record on the matter during the recent opening of the UN General Assembly. In a press conference after the meeting, the Pakistan foreign minister categorically said that;</span><br />
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<li>“Terrorist attacks are not planned on or executed from Pakistani soil; there are no terrorist safe havens in Pakistan, and we made this clear to the US delegation today. </li>
<li>We emphasized again and again that US assessment about Pakistan is wrong. We are not responsible for the increase in the drug trade in Afghanistan or the increasing Afghan territory occupied by terrorists.</li>
<li>Our armed forces and law enforcement agencies have taken action; we have yielded results and will continue to do so but not for Afghan or American interest. Our fight against terrorism is our own and the results we yield are our win”.</li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Analyzing Pakistan government's staff, Adam Garrie of Global Village Space remarks: Assuming the language Asif and his colleagues used behind closed doors was at least as strong as the public statement, the US should be in no doubt about Pakistan’s position.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In recent times, Pakistan, dejected by repeated accusations by the USA to do more when its armed forces have lost thousands of its officers and men in combating the terrorism, have started to realign itself to the regional stake holders like China and Russia with whom it can establish a better natural relationship being in close proximity and for the reason that they understand the dynamics of the region better than USA sitting thousands of miles away, assuming things in a rather wrongly perceived self perspective.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The opening of China Pakistan economic Corridor (CPEC) brings Pakistan closer to China than ever before and its joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) also brings itself close to Russia. The trade relations with Russia and Pakistan are opening up every day and soon Pakistan will emerge as a strong country in the region backed by China and Russia.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">America will lose more by aligning itself with India and continuing to bully Pakistan for its failure in Afghanistan. In fact the USA wants a scape goat in the form of a blamed Pakistan for its failures in Afghanistan, where despite its elite forces the Taliban control more than 45% of the Afghan territory. Its time for USA to have a save exit from Afghanistan and bringing Afghanistan and Pakistan more closer to each other rather than asking India for help, an arch rival of Pakistan and Pakistan will never accept India's role in the afghan peace process for this very reason. Even otherwise India's jumping in to steal a piece of cake will further worsen situation in Afghanistan. This flawed policy will only worsen the US position in the region.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Were the current Indian government not so hostile to Pakistan, one could imagine Pakistan feeling some sympathy for an Indian state that is being used by the US for its own geo-strategic and military purposes. For decades, the US used Pakistan in similar ways and to a degree is still trying to do so. The difference is that Pakistan and the world around Pakistan have changed and Islamabad’s leaders are well aware of this long overdue advantage," assumes Adam Garrie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is USA listening??</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">References: <a href="https://www.globalvillagespace.com/tillerson-returned-empty-handed-pakistan/" target="_blank">Global Village Space</a></span></div>
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-83150443246805443782017-10-12T07:56:00.004-07:002017-10-12T07:56:53.853-07:00Security of Pakistan's Nuclear Assets<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tBzJXnz_Lfg/Wd-AhqBk0LI/AAAAAAABChc/KQI0lGJnnK077chuijIC3SOt12H2n9yBACLcBGAs/s1600/Pakistan-Nuclear-Assets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tBzJXnz_Lfg/Wd-AhqBk0LI/AAAAAAABChc/KQI0lGJnnK077chuijIC3SOt12H2n9yBACLcBGAs/s640/Pakistan-Nuclear-Assets.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Islamabad must presume that in the course of its past (ill-considered) ‘cooperation’ with the US to enhance the ‘safety and security’ of Pakistan’s nuclear assets, the US has gained considerable intelligence about Pakistan’s strategic assets. However, Pakistani officials correctly discount America’s ability to seize Pakistan’s nuclear weapons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These are too many, and too widely dispersed and well protected, thus not amenable to any seizure or strike. But nuclear delivery systems are more difficult to hide and protect. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a crisis, it is the delivery systems that will be the prime target of a preemptive strike. These are most likely to be detected when, in a crisis, they are being ‘mated’ with the separately stored warheads.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Furthermore, as revealed during the current Korean drama, missile launches can be sabotaged by cyber attacks and other technical means. In the emerging strategic scenario, nuclear deterrence is Pakistan’s ultimate assurance against external aggression and coercion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pakistan needs to take several measures so that the credibility of its nuclear deterrence is assured.</span>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The massive deployment of artillery and short-range missiles (à la North Korea) as the first line of conventional deterrence and defence against an Indian Cold Start attack. This would deter Indian attack and also raise the nuclear threshold.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The multiplication of long-, medium- and short-range nuclear-capable missiles to ensure the penetration of any ballistic missile defence systems that India deploys.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The continued production of fissile materials to provide warheads for the enlarged missile force.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, there is the need to ‘mate’ at least some warheads with delivery vehicles, their dispersal and disguise, or protection in hardened silos, to respond to a preemptive strike, Eventually, submarine-launched ballistic missiles could provide an assured second-strike capability*</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The deployment of effective air defence systems plus a limited number of advanced (and expensive) anti-ballistic missile systems to protect command and control centers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The development of offensive and defensive cyber-warfare capabilities.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Following this, Pakistan needs the acquisition and deployment of early-warning capabilities, like the satellites, surveillance aircraft and drones.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the meantime, <b><i>Pakistan should utilize Chinese early warning capabilities</i></b>. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lastly, <b><i>greater integration and interoperability with Chinese land, air and naval forces to enhance conventional and strategic deterrence</i></b>, quickly and cheaply.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once Pakistan can demonstrate the complete credibility of its nuclear deterrence posture, its offers to negotiate peace and security in South Asia and to resolve the Kashmir dispute may evoke a more positive response from both India and the US. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pakistan will then also be able to pursue its socioeconomic objectives free from the threats of external coercion, intervention and aggression.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The above article is authored by Ambassador Munir Akram, HQA, who was the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations from 2002 to 2008</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Photos: AFP</span></div>
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-66948596581838089662017-09-03T11:33:00.000-07:002017-09-04T00:50:18.639-07:00 Rohingya Muslims killing Under the Very Nose of a Nobel laureate<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylIxGjAVPS8/WaxEcHw2ZmI/AAAAAAABBlM/pzMbqKT-KOYtgDdlBh_fXwPDljlVGStXACLcBGAs/s1600/FireWITHIN-Aung%2BSan%2BSuu%2BKyi%2B-%2BA%2BNobel%2Blaureate%2Bon%2Ba%2BRohingya%2BMuslims%2Bkilling%2Bspree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="590" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylIxGjAVPS8/WaxEcHw2ZmI/AAAAAAABBlM/pzMbqKT-KOYtgDdlBh_fXwPDljlVGStXACLcBGAs/s640/FireWITHIN-Aung%2BSan%2BSuu%2BKyi%2B-%2BA%2BNobel%2Blaureate%2Bon%2Ba%2BRohingya%2BMuslims%2Bkilling%2Bspree.jpg" width="612" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The world cared for a fragile looking women, Aung San Suu Kyi, who fought for two decades for her people being brutalized by the years of army rule in Myanmar or commonly known as Burma. And the world gave her a Nobel Prize for her efforts for peace in 1991. But when she walked into the corridors of power, she forgot her promises and also more than a million Muslim minority, called the Rohingya, and left them at the mercy of the powerful military which still control Myanmar's defence, home and border affairs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although not the president of Myanmar, Suu Kyi is considered to be the <i>de facto</i> president of the country and she is consulted by world leaders on all international forums as Myanmar's representative.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rohingya Muslims, who are living in the country for centuries have not been given the status of citizens of the country and are labeled by the powerful army as illegal immigrants. This 'entitles' the army to play foul with these innocent people, kill them at will and rape their women for their pleasure and then kill them too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over the past many years, thousands have perished and succumbed to the brutalities of the military - but the media is reluctant to air their voice and show the Myanmar military's brutalities and the ethnic cleansing being carried out - unfortunately right under the very nose of the Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, whom the world awarded for her peace efforts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not only Aung San Suu Kyi has tighten her lips to say a few words or sympathize with the poor Rohingya Muslims, she has also very recently not allowed an Amnesty International team under ex UN chief Kofi Annan to visit the troubled area of Rohingya Muslims and see for themselves the atrocities being committed to them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the meantime, Bangladesh has also stopped Rohingya Muslims trying to enter their country after fleeing from a certain death at the hands of the military back home, if it really is home for them.Already some 50,000 Rohingya Muslims have entered Bangladesh last year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But the strange part is the complete silence of the world community. So far only Turkey and Saudi Arabia have openly condemned the killing of Rohingya Muslims - while UN and all champions of world peace are mum over the plight of Rohingya Muslims at the hands of the Myanmar army.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Does this mean world has lost its conscious and left the Rohingya Muslims to keep dying and one day wipe out from the country? Who would side them against a brutal army of present times? Why cannot the UN sanctions a peace keeping force to be stationed in the troubled area of Rohingya Muslims and shield them against the brute force of the Myanmar army?</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shouldn't </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aung San Suu Kyi be stripped of her Nobel Prize for she has miserably failed to ensure peace in her country for which she was awarded with this prestigious prize. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the Taliban destroyed an age old Buddhist monument in Afghanistan, the entire world community and the Buddhists condemned the destruction - but now when Muslims are being killed, raped and massacred, no one speaks - is the world conscious sleeping</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">? Or it is it oblivious to atrocities committed against Muslims?</span></div>
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-24913273421220683972017-08-27T04:56:00.000-07:002017-08-27T04:56:26.746-07:00US Dilemma: Trump finding it difficult to dismount the lion<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The US finds it does not know how to dismount the tiger. The US is finding the War in Afghanistan a little too hot for its liking and why not; it was a War that remained in search of strategy and failed to find it. It’s not that I wish to gloat, nor that I want to say ‘I told you so’, but that one is forced to respond when confronted with accusations that the US failed in Afghanistan on account of Pakistan. That we were a tricky two-faced partner. Since I was closely associated with this conflict for a number of years and since I am aware of the things that happened, it is only right that people such as me must speak for Pakistan just as we fought for Pakistan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">That a hundred and fifty thousand NATO troops have been overwhelmed by the imagined hoards that Pakistan sent across the border, challenges my professional understanding of the situation. That this is the same border that neither Afghanistan recognizes and nor accepts its management or fencing, a fact that of course cannot have escaped US attention. That Pakistan has seven times the number of posts than Afghanistan and the US combined does not seem to make any headway. That Afghan communication systems are functioning despite Pakistan’s repeated requests that they be shut down while Pakistani SIMs are down and out is another moot point. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">That three Generals of the US Army promised additional border deployment with a US brigade across the North Waziristan Border remains a promise unfulfilled and forgotten. That the US unilaterally up-staked and left Nuristan and the Kunar Valley, one of the most dangerous areas on the border, creating a vacuum is a question that only they can answer. That Pakistani dissidents were given safe havens in this vacuum and encouraged to attack Pakistan is for all to see and take note of. That the MOB (Mother of all Bombs) accounted for 14 Indians from Kerala amongst the causalities was never a surprise for us. That India is permitted to have so many conciliates along the Border, and none are processing visas is an obvious aberration. That Pakistan suffered horrendous terrorist attacks from Afghanistan through these bands of militants organized and facilitated in Kunar is a no brainer. The most damning aspect of this whole sorry episode is the narco issue that no one wants to talk about. A thriving drug trade amounting to a market value of $ 38 billion is hushed up. A trade under the nose of the US, and just as they do not control 40 % of the space, the damning implication of such a drug economy cannot be ignored.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pakistan has been a so called ally. It has captured the maximum Al Qaida operators than all countries combined. It has lost 70000 of its citizens, it has the highest military causalities, its officer dead and wounded to troop ratio is the highest in the world, its generals to troop causalities is unprecedented. The cost of war has devastated the infrastructure, caused millions of its people to be displaced and has affected the economy to the tune of $ 100 Billion. It has cleared 48000 sq Kms of its space, secured 3500 Kms of lines of communication, it has established the writ of the government in these areas, people are returning home, the forces are popular and the borders controlled. But then even as I narrate this, it also saddens me. Do the Americans not know this? Are we just a victim of not having a narrative, a victim of a bad image or slanderous Haqqani shooting off his mouth? Could it be as simple as that? No, that is not possible and I am convinced, that no amount of logic, no amount of reasoning will change the US posture towards Pakistan. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">The bias and the prejudice is despite what the US knows; the posture taken is premeditated and deliberate and therefore we must have been factored into some distant objective the US may have in mind and therefore action initiated against us must be a way to arrive at that objective. The story of the safe havens we are accused of nurturing is so close to the engineered narrative about the weapons of mass destruction that were allegedly discovered in Iraq and is so much like the standard and predictable US method to madness i.e. create a false casus-belie, broad caste it and then respond to it with a pre-planned and designated physical force, that one, at the least, cannot fault the US in being true to its form.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, at the moment I still feel that the US is going through the motion of the good-cop bad-cop routine and if we can stare them down effectively, they may back down. Remember, the US is a bully and the bully can never be appeased; the more you please, the more arrogant he gets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, we are warned in the first part of the new US manoeuvre while in the second part we are to expect a troop surge of 4000 troops to make a total of 12000 men. In the confused and tentative objectives of this two pronged strategy, the US is looking for its relief, its coup de grace, and conclusion to its military adventure in Afghanistan. How? The troop numbers cannot win back the 40% of space already lost, in fact that cannot sustain the space they already have. I see these troops now resorting to fire-power, bombings and long range artillery with a high ratio of airborne component. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The nature and character of this force does not appear to have a ground-holding capacity. So I can only conclude that it is intended to punish the Taliban from a distant. If that be true, to what purpose? To me it appears that it endeavours to put the US in a better position to negotiate a power transfer. To me it looks that this ‘Unity’ Government is about to be ditched. To me it looks that the Taliban have won a place at the table where they can secure the ways and means to be the future legitimate government of Afghanistan. To me it also seems that the Indians may be the next US proxy and who might be foolish enough to take on this role. I hope they do. My hopes are founded on the likely outcome of such a stupidity if it ever comes to it.</span></div>
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Coming to Pakistan; we are about to lose our privileged allied status. Were we ever privileged, did we discover any advantage or draw anything out of such a relationship? I think it is time to sever this relationship that has in fact cost us so much. So we hear of all the money and funds that the US taxpayers gave to us. I for one am thankful for their assistance, I would like to say to the people of the US that we are grateful for their contributions. However, what did we get and should we always be told of what are obligations are on account of it? Well here are the bare facts; taking the year 2009 as a constant; we have received from the US a total of $ 61 Billion. </div>
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Working on another constant of 180 million people at the time, this translates to $10.30/ head. Surely we can do without this $10.30 , even if it did get to the people which it never did. We have also received, a total of $14 Billion since 2002 till today. Against a 175 Billion national economy, this hardly amounts to .0.5% of our GDP. Like I said earlier, we are thankful for whatever we received and would never want to look a gift horse in the mouth but in no way do we feel that we are obligated due to such an insignificant amount or for that matter any amount, nor is the US entitled to make unreasonable demands on account of it, nor can we put our sovereignty or what remains of it, at the disposal of the US, because of it. We are not for sale.</div>
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So having lost the war in Afghanistan, for which they now wish to blame Pakistan, having parked our enemy in our back yard, having closed an eye to how we have been attacked from areas under their control and now being threatened for some ulterior motive, we must seek a suitable response. In my mind, the US will do what it has decided to do regardless of any explanations we have, any reasoning, narrative or argument that we present. Whereas, our response lies mostly in the domain of diplomacy and in garnering support from friendly countries as far as possible, yet we must reserve the right and the option of responding in a reciprocal a manner if it comes to a physical conflict. </div>
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We should be wary of the total lack of support from the Islamic countries and the so called Ummah as they have amply displayed and rely on ourselves more than anyone else. My recommendation: a warning to Afghanistan that any hostile activity emanating from its territory will be taken as an act of war. That we shall respond by causing as much damage as we can in Kabul, Jalalabad, Kandahar and Bagram. We have the range, capability and capacity; they should be wary of testing it. This may deter any adventure the US has in mind - never beg a bully!!!!</div>
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">About the Author</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pIhW8ZRItI/WaKychLQVeI/AAAAAAABBE8/HglQym7boUMpCKV0Z7fz-4uiVvbPqo95QCLcBGAs/s1600/Lt-Gen_Tariq_Khan.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="238" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pIhW8ZRItI/WaKychLQVeI/AAAAAAABBE8/HglQym7boUMpCKV0Z7fz-4uiVvbPqo95QCLcBGAs/s200/Lt-Gen_Tariq_Khan.png" width="158" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lieutenant general Tariq Khan (Retired), </span><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; font-family: sans-serif; text-align: left;">Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military)</span><span style="background-color: #f8f9fa; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.32px; text-align: left;">,</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> winner of the Sword of Honour from Pakistan Military Academy and is a graduate of the prestigious National Defense University of Pakistan and has a long experience of fighting the War on Terror in the tribal areas of Pakistan and along the Pakistan- Afghanistan border. He has extensive interaction with the allied commanders employed in Afghanistan and working with top military elite at CENTCOM. He has been one of the few Pakistan Army officers awarded with the Legion of Merit by the USA. He also has the honour of commanding one of the strike corps of Pakistan Army. He is a well read military analyst who often shares his view points, incisive and thought provoking analysis on national and international affairs.</span><br />
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-23292051554619110132017-08-23T02:31:00.000-07:002017-08-23T04:25:21.027-07:00The Grinding Pakistan - US Relations: A Rational Analysis<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Much is being said about the recent statement of Donald Trump. Yes, rightfully world has to analyze his words as he commands the super power. It is also acknowledged fact that a mere presence of its 101 Air borne division of aircraft carrier changes the power dynamics of region. Is move of 7 fleet into bay of Bengal into 1971 fresh in our memory? And have we read what our president was hoping?</div>
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But we are a sovereign nation with a large army. Why should we go into panic. I am amazed that we are telling the world what we sacrificed for this war on terror – funny and shame. We need to do all for our country not to get American sympathy. We must learn to indulge in interstate relationship.</div>
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Don’t play victim to circumstances; you created. We are doing exactly the same. Let me refresh your memory of our relationship with USA. Pakistan gets independence and we run towards USA for strategic alignment, while ignoring the region. We outsourced, Badabair Air base, join CENTO and SEATO. FM, negotiates a deal with USA for military support and in the process divulges our strategic secrets. USA condones dictator for his worst act of takeover and becomes an ally. We decide to go for liberation of Kashmir and infiltrate into IHK in 1965. That is good enough. US stops your aid and we start abusing USA for not being loyal.</div>
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The then president Yayha imposes another martial law. He acts wisely and gets involved in clandestine channel to make a secret visit of Dr. Kissinger to China. They tried to pay back by pressurizing India in 1971 to spare us. We lost East Pakistan. USA claims that it helped to save the western half of Pakistan.</div>
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We again start cursing USA. In 1977, Zia takes over and he too needs USA help to get international approval. Zia opts to join AFGHAN JIHAD. We become darling of USA and billions of dollars comes in. Who had good time, is not known to us.</div>
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Then comes Musharraf’s disgraceful decision to help after 9/11. He becomes a great statesman. Again billions of dollars comes in and some of our people took reward money to headhunt Taliban including the president of Pakistan.</div>
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This is brief history of our relationship with USA. My questions:</div>
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1. Is US doing charity work in our region? They have their interests and they feel we are not doing enough. I feel it is a disgrace for a nation to be working for someone and getting financial rewards. We can ask USA please do it yourself, if we have the guts and power. </blockquote>
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2. Trump has spelled out his strategy for South Asia and that is his right. Why must we start fighting and ask him to acknowledge our sacrifices. Again it is disgraceful, we need to be happy with ourselves. </blockquote>
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3. USA wants more role for India, so it is their regional policy. It is the people and govt of Afghanistan who have to decide, whom to trust.? We gave many sacrifices for Afghanistan. We need to think as to why Afghans want more role for India?</blockquote>
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4. USA says that we are hiding Taliban and we deny it. So let them say and we are a sovereign nation and keep doing what is in our national interest. But what is our national interest?</blockquote>
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"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings." It is all our faults. We have taken unwise and selfish decisions that we stand totally marginalized and isolated. It is good that China is one hope but now we do not want to be their colony. We never loved our country. We are into prejudices – army, civilians, democracy. We are all corrupt. We never planned for our country, see our population vs resources. And see what have we done with religion. We need to be a international law abiding nation and always take decisions for national interests.</div>
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">About the Author</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: Brigadier Asif Aliv (Retired) is a graduate of the prestigious National Defense University of Pakistan and a well read military analyst who often shares his view points, incisive and thought provoking analysis on national and international affairs at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/asif.alvi.12?lst=1390430826%3A1631684407%3A1503480169" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(The views expressed above are personal of the author and do not necessarily express the opinion of the admin of this blog)</span><br />
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851634418911911120.post-87669259887300044902017-07-13T00:38:00.004-07:002017-07-13T00:38:54.641-07:00Contractors for Afghanistan<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After years of failures in Afghanistan and getting its soldiers killed for a war for which the US was never prepared, the US has come up with a new innovative approach: Replace regular forces with Contractors, the non state actors, or so to say mercenaries and professional killers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lieutenant General Tariq Khan (retired), a high ranking Pakistan Army officer, who had had extensive experience in fighting in the terrorists infested northern areas of Pakistan along with the Pakistan-Afghan border has analyses the concept and opines:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">So the United States has come up with a new proposal. Replace the military in Afghanistan with 'contractors'. It implies that contractors are more effective than their regular forces. These contractors would not have better weapons or more resources so how come its expected that they would deliver where conventional forces could not. The only thing that the contractors would have going for them would be that they would not be restrained by rules or law. Their application of o</span></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">f physical force would be unrestrained violence.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"> It would also be deniable by the State, " That we don't control the contractor", this is the actual concept of the Non State Actor. I hope the US do not go down this road but if they do a legal precedence would have been established in setting up and organizing Non State Actors and no one knows how to do that better than us. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">The ramifications to the region would have terrible consequences. What argument would other States have against such organizations after all whats good for the goose is good for the gander!!!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">One of the ex army colonel commenting on General Tariq Khan's assertions and view point adds: "I</span></span></span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f9; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">t is also indicative of low morale of regular forces and very poor enrollment back home. Secondly, though the contractors are paid heavily but organized combat is the domain of regular military. If US implement free lance killers so many more countries will do the same. The world will become far more unsafe. Bad thinking."</span></span></div>
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Jalal HBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15335659558421312372noreply@blogger.com0