The Conference on Disarmament (CD) is a multilateral forum for disarmament diplomacy. It has evolved important treaties banning biological and chemical weapons as well as underground nuclear tests. CD hasn’t produced anything worthwhile since the 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban treaty (CTBT), a pact now on hold because some key nations, including the US, have not…
As expected, Bonn II Conference did not go beyond the rhetoric. Conference convened to encourage talks with the Taliban and boost the regional cooperation, brought forth the reality of a dead ended peace process sans Pakistan. Though Taliban had been engaged in peace talks for years, they also didn’t show up for the event; they…
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) commemorated its proclamation day last month. Cyprus conflict falls in the category of those international disputes whose equitable resolution would benefit the Muslim population; other such conflicts are Palestine and Kashmir. These conflicts are on the agenda of the United Nations; yet they have betrayed solution since decades, bogged…
President Obama has announced the draw down schedule of American troops from Afghanistan. Eighteen months ago, he was misled by his generals into a massive troop surge that he personally didn’t fully support. He has now re-shuffled his war and diplomatic teams to lead the path of de-escalation. However, America and its ISAF/NATO paraphernalia appear…
Within less than a decade Turkey has really turned around in almost all strategic aspects. In 2002, it suffered from almost all the ills that Pakistan is facing today. A sinking economy, political instability, ‘junta’ dominated civil-military equation and polarized society were the hall-marks of Turkey. It prided itself with secular ideals and shunned its…
Since 1950s, Pakistani governments, both military and civilian have been fatally addicted to US financial assistance. Pakistani rulers have always been ready to bend backwards to receive another dose of US aid. Hillary Clinton and Admiral Mullen were certainly not short of affirmatively nodding audiences during their recent visit to Pakistan. However, at a common…
Towards the fag end of his unenviable military career, a representative of the Bush legacy Admiral Mike Mullen was recently overwhelmed by pre-retirement syndrome and though it fit to assume the title of supreme commander of the Pakistani armed forces while declaring it to the American media that Pakistan is about to launch an offensive…
Round Uprising in the Arab states was long overdue; however its epidemic like rapidity has taken the world by surprise. As long as the popular struggle remained an internal matter of respective country, it was viewed as a part of political process. However, foreign intervention in Libya has drawn a sharp negative reaction, the world…
The NATO nations and their coalition allies agreed to the December 2014 date for ending military mission in Afghanistan, during the alliance’s summit in Lisbon, held during the last month. Summit had laid down the broader frame work for ending the war. Hence, Presidential review was little more than a formality, just tweaking the strategy…
As the US Strategy Review on Afghanistan is nearing completion, divergent perceptions are being aired by statesmen, resistance leaders, think tanks, military organisations, eminent persons, lobbyists, well-wishers, spoilers etc. President Karzai spoke his heart out during an interview to the Washington Post. He has urged the United States to reduce the visibility and intensity of…
