Archive for July, 2010
The Leak: A Sinking Feeling
Of all the arguments for the US to continue in Afghanistan, despite an embarrassing catalogue of reverses, one most often advanced even by such distinguished strategic thinkers as Henry Kissinger is that American withdrawal, without “completing the job”, would be a shot in the arm for “Jihadism” worldwide.
Return of Richard Holbrooke
The Donors conference this week attended by 60 Foreign Ministers and other leaders, including UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon was, among other things, a demonstration by NATO and US led forces that they have the military muscle to host such a meet in Kabul.
Sex Appeal Declines in Indo-Pak Talks
The Indo-Pak track in other words, will proceed but haltingly. In this step by step deliberation lies some hope for New Delhi being able to firm up the January 6, 2004 agreement signed in Islamabad that the “territory of Pakistan” will not be used for terrorism against India.
Afghanistan: New Delhi Reckless at Slow Speed
Iran, Pakistan, Israel among others, know more or less, their respective preferred outcomes in Afghanistan. I am not so sure about the US; or New Delhi.
Israeli vision, though obstructed at Teheran, does take account of Afghanistan where a few contradictions attend it. For example Jerusalem would not mind a resurgent Taleban pestering Shia Iran, its principal target these days, but Talebanism (extremism) in West Asia is its much advertised anxiety.
Omar’s Failure will stick on Rahul Gandhi
The election results of 2009 gave Congress a signal. The unexpectedly good performance in UP, where Rahul Gandhi had pitched his tents, caused the party to coax a principle from the new situation. Rahul was emerging as the new, youthful, mass leader for the nation. All the young Congress MPs were accommodated in the cabinet.
