Afghanistan is going through another transition with many uncertainties causing hope and fear. Pakistan has a long history of involvement in Afghan affairs. When President Donald Trump tweeted on 08 October 2020 that all American troops will be home from Afghanistan by Christmas, this surprised everyone in Washington. The Pentagon, the State Department and Central…
“As you prepare your breakfast, think of others(do not forget the pigeon’s food).As you conduct your wars, think of others(do not forget those who seek peace).As you pay your water bill, think of others(those who are nursed by clouds).As you return home, to your home, think of others(do not forget the people of the camps).As…
“A real friend is one who takes the hand of his friend in times of distress and helplessness”. Afghan proverb In September 2020, Afghan government and Taliban representatives met for the first time publicly in Qatar to start intra-Afghan dialogue. There were a lot of hurdles between the first step of signing of the agreement…
David Smith’s book The Quetta Experience is a groundbreaking and unique study of Pakistan army’s prestigious Command & Staff College that trains army officers for higher ranks. This book is based on interviews of American army officers who attended Command and Staff College at Quetta in Pakistan. Foreign Area Officers (FAO) of US army spent…
A well respected Israeli military historian Abraham Rabinovich’s book is a fascinating account of a little known chapter of naval history. Israeli air force and armored corps were ruling the roost as these two services played key role in June 1967 stunning victory against three Arab armies. Israeli navy was relegated to the back seat as no…
Shuja Nawaz’s new book The Battle for Pakistan is a timely release of a work that reviews Pakistan’s security challenges and U.S-Pakistan relations. A new unpredictable era of U.S-Pakistan relations is around the corner in view of recent U.S-Taliban agreement and uncertain future of Afghanistan. There are not many analysts and scholars of the region…
“However tall the mountain is, there is a road to the top of it”. Afghan Proverb The United States and the Taliban signed an agreement in February 2020 which was to pave the way for withdrawal of US troops and integration of Taliban in Afghan political system. The next step was exchange of 5000 Taliban…
On 29 February 2020, the United States and the Taliban signed an agreement in Doha, Qatar, it is wrongly called a peace agreement. It is not a peace agreement but outlining a set of rules that highlight gradual U.S withdrawal and simultaneous Taliban political ascendency in Afghanistan. Both sides reached at the crossroad in 2020 after a…
‘Being a friend of the United States is like living on the banks of a great river. The soil is wonderfully fertile, but every four or eight years the river changes course, and you may find yourself alone in a desert’. Pakistan’s army chief and President General Muhammad Zia ul Haq to CIA director William…
Grave stones and memorial tablets are silent sign posts that provide a window not only to a life but a whole era. Memorial tablet of Major Philip Hockin at a church in Lahore is one such story. He joined Indian army on 08 March 1841. He was promoted Lieutenant on 24 January 1845, Captain on…
