July 2013

All the indicators regarding Pakistan’s current state of economic affairs vividly delineate the unprecedented economic crisis Pakistan is experiencing nowadays. The lowest investment by the private sector; a drastic decline in flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country; a shrinking formal economy and a ballooning informal sector; a near-collapse of the energy sector and the near-complete destruction of …

Some analysts opine that ‘first light of 2015 will be the dawn of the Taliban’s victory against another superpower. The proposed ISAF pullout will unfold events that may influence Pakistan’s internal security, stability and prospects of peace in this volatile region. The new Pakistani government is expected to confront multiple challenges emanating from developments in Afghanistan and unbridled armed outfits …

Pakistani nation very warmly welcomed the new Chinese Premier Mr Li Keqiang in his second home on 22 May 2013. He was on his first foreign trip after assuming the office. President of Pakistan, Prime Minister, Chairman Senate, the Services Chiefs, caretaker ministers, ambassadors and senior officials received the Chinese leader. During Mr Li’s visit, Pakistan and China concluded and …

The armed conflicts in Syria are continuing unabatedly. Although the Syrian army has succeeded in precluding rebels’ military dominance plan in the city of Aleppo, the clashes have not tilted in favour of any side of the conflicts. The close distance between Aleppo and Turkish borders and Turkey’s generous logistic support to the anti-government rebels have impeded the total retreat …

Hassan Rouhani’s election victory can help ease tensions in the Middle East and with the United States Although Rouhani had been well ahead in the final pre-election polls, no one expected him or anyone else to receive enough votes to avoid a runoff. That he did so in a six-horse race is astonishing. The result confirms that Iran’s elections are …

Recently President Obama announced restrictions on US drone strikes. He touted the rules’ ‘written policy standards and procedures that formalize and strengthen the Administration’s rigorous process’ for authorizing targeted killings’ in a policy statement, a speech, and a background briefing by senior administration officials. In the last week of May, Obama went right back to business. He killed a Taliban …

In 2013 election, for the first time ever, the grip on power of the National Front (Barisan Nasional – BN), the coalition that has ruled the country for several decades, was on the brink of collapse. On the other hand, the Peoples’ Alliance (Pakatan Rakyat – PR) – a three-party coalition formed by the People’s Justice Party, the Pan-Malaysian Islamic …

China has an opportunity to assert leadership in helping steer Afghanistan in a more positive direction. Investing in Afghanistan now will save years of trouble later. The 2014 deadline for the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan is fast approaching. China has just over a year before Afghanistan fades from the West’s radar and Western attention toward the country shrinks substantially. …

Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Anders Fogh Rasmussen, likes to say that NATO is the ‘most successful alliance in history.’ Few would dispute his claim. During the Cold War, NATO served as a bulwark against the Soviet Union. By uniting the West, it deterred Soviet invasion of Western Europe. Following the collapse of communism, NATO extended membership …