Which Way Pakistan?

Vali Nasr argues for Capitalism (in the Muslim World in general as a counter to Extremism), Pervez Hoodbhoy argues against the Saudi-isation (of Pakistan in particular).
Vali Nasr in Newsweek (October 2009)
Pervez Hoodbhoy in Newsline (January 2009)

Pani ki kahani – Running on Empty

Where all the players, which in recent months were used by Pakistanis as scapegoats for all their sorrows come together – a report on Pakistan’s water crisis. It includes Kerry-Lugar, the sugar industry, WAPDA, Kalabagh and India – and brings it all together to give a meaningful insight of what goes wrong and what right. [...]

Quest for the European Perspective – II

Staying with Rory Stewart (see the earlier entry) I want to share a lecture from Michael Semple who was envoy of the EU to Afghanistan. I found that at CNAS/Abu Muqawama Blog. It’s a beautifully messy lecture over 90 min. -

L’Usage de monde I – elections then and now

I am currently reading L’Usage de monde (The Way of the World in an English translation) by Nicolas Bouvier who travelled, accompanied by his friend Thierry Vernet by Fiat Topolino from Geneva to the Khyber Pass and on to India in 1953/54. I plan to give a lengthier account of the book as soon as [...]

The Life of two foreigners in Kandahar

Most interesting article of two western foreigners living in Kandahar, the heart of Taliban resistance. They report about he boredom of sitting in their flat, because leaving would be too dangerous, but also about the thrill living so close to the “faltline” of history.

The Case for Humility in Afghanistan

Steve Coll analyses the current process of rethinking AfPak strategy by the Obama administration.

It’s all about numbers and stats

A comprehensive overview over Afghanistan statistics related to insurgency/counterinsurgency activity from 2002 until 2008 by Anthony H. Cordesman from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
For more recent stats see especially the status report 2009.

Afghan Alliance Building

When US troops entered Afghanistan, there prime target was to find Osama Bin Laden. Finding a base in hostile Taliban land made the US choose their allies with two eyes closed. As long as the warlords of the Northern Alliance were fighting against the Taliban, US troops would turn away from drug trafficing, smuggeling and human rights abuse.

The McChrystal Report – a link collection

The report by General Stanley McChrystal, date 30th of August.

These three articles in the Economist ask whether to “surge” or to go “surgical”, thereby presenting the two opposing parties when it comes to the future strategy in Afghanistan. While the one side, represented by Vice President Joe Biden, Obama’s security adviser James Jones and a [...]

The McChrystal Report – a summary

40.000 – from Kabul to Washington this number achieved media attention a number gets not that often (except maybe the Down Jones: 10.000 break through). 40.000 this is the speculated number of troops the new ISAF Commander General McChrystal wants to finally win the war in Afghanistan. McChrystal’s report on the situation in Afghanistan is [...]