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Pakistan at Crossroads

Started by G Atwan; Last updated Feb 29, 08 4:43 AM CST by K Schwartz | View history

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Pakistan at Crossroads

Will moderation or extremism triumph in this bellwether nation?

Pakistan is one of the Islamic world's hottest hotbeds of fundamentalism. But it's also a country with an almost entirely secular (if mildly autocratic) government, headed by strongman Pervez Musharraf, who faces acerbic opposition both from reformers on his left and fundamentalist clerics on his right, and has struggled to preserve an uneasy friendship with the United States by promising to root out terrorism. The December assassination of Benazir Bhutto only adds to the country's unrest, postponing elections that a top Bhutto aide charges were "thoroughly rigged."

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May 2008
- Pakistan's New Leaders Balk at Giving US Free Rein
  
  Reuters | May 9, 08 12:13 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - If the US was hoping the new government would give it leeway to strike at al-Qaeda within Pakistan, those hopes were dashed today, as the ruling coalition said such attacks would be “counter-productive.” Pakistan had been a US ally in the war on terror under President Pervez Musharraf, but his hold on power has weakened in recent months, Reuters notes. More »
- Pakistan Parties Agree on Judges' Return
  
  BBC | May 1, 08 12:46 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Pakistan’s ruling political parties have reached a deal to reinstate the judges Pervez Musharraf fired during his state of emergency, the BBC reports today. The agreement leaves intact the anti-Musharraf coalition that almost splintered over the issue. Asif Ali Zardari, head of the Pakistan Peoples Party, wanted reinstatement tied to broader reform; partner Nawaz Sharif insisted it remain a separate issue. More »
April 2008
- Al-Qaeda Is Still Worst Terrorist Threat: US
  
  Reuters | Apr 30, 08 4:21 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Al-Qaeda remains the terrorist group that most threatens the US, Reuters reports. An annual State Department survey of worldwide terrorist activity, out today, said the group killed 5,400 civilians—50% Muslims—in 2007. Though weaker now than in 2001 due to multilateral anti-terrorism efforts, the group has used the lawless tribal areas of northwest Pakistan to rebuild its strength. More »
- Pakistan Nears Peace Deal With Militants
  
  New York Times | Apr 25, 08 5:37 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - The new government of Pakistan is close to brokering a deal that will end hostilities with the most militant tribes in the country's dangerous northwest. A draft of the peace agreement calls for an end to violence, a prisoner exchange, and a gradual withdrawal of the Pakistani military from part of South Waziristan, reports the New York Times . It marks a break with the hardline approach favored by President Pervez Musharraf and the US. More »
- Pakistan Near Ceasefire Deal With Militants
  
  Reuters | Apr 24, 08 2:33 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Pakistan’s new government is near a ceasefire deal with militants, the New York Times reports, as a top rebel commander has ordered his forces to stop attacks. Baitullah Mehsud, thought to have organized the December assassination of Benazir Bhutto, ordered a ban on “provocative activities for the sake of peace," in leaflets distributed in the Afghan border region, Reuters notes. More »
- US Hesitates to Strike Inside Pakistan
  
  New York Times | Apr 20, 08 2:25 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - US commanders are itching to strike tribal militants in Pakistan, but Washington fears such a move could anger Islamabad's new leaders, the New York Times reports. American intelligence officials say the region is a growing threat, and warn that militants are forging alliances with al-Qaeda. But Pakistan is in talks with tribal leaders and doesn't want them scuttled by US attacks. More »
- Next Prez's To-Do: Fix Diplomacy
  
  Slate | Apr 3, 08 4:10 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Taking the attitude that "since we were now all-powerful, allies were no longer necessary," President Bush damaged the US' image and diminished its power, Fred Kaplan writes in Slate. How can the next president heal our diplomatic woes? Visit all Middle East countries; leave a full-time envoy: "It is appalling that President Bush made his first trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories in his final year." More »
March 2008
- US Steps Up Secret Pakistan Air Strikes
  
  Washington Post | Mar 27, 08 6:09 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - The US is stepping up air strikes on suspected al-Qaeda strongholds in Pakistan, the Washington Post reports. The Predator bombings—which neither the US or Pakistan will officially confirm—aim to rattle terror leaders out of hiding before the country's new leaders are expected to demand the US scale back its operations. The "shake the tree" strategy has reportedly killed 45 foreign fighters. More »
- Pakistan PM's First Move Flouts Musharraf
  
  CBS | Mar 24, 08 4:01 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Yousaf Raza Gilani ordered the release of 60 judges detained by Pervez Musharraf only minutes after being elected Pakistan's prime minister today, CBS reports. The president replaced the judges with a friendlier crop after imposing a state of emergency in November. If the freed justices are reinstated, a renewed legal challenge to Musharraf's election could ensue. More »
- Bhutto's Party Nominates New Prime Minister
  
  BBC | Mar 22, 08 3:22 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - The party of ex-premier Benazir Bhutto named Yusuf Raza Gillani as its pick for prime minister of Pakistan today, the BBC reports. He is virtually guaranteed to be voted in Tuesday but won’t be PM for long, analysts say. The ex-speaker is expected to step down as soon as Asif Ali Zardari, Bhutto's widower, is eligible for the job. More »
- Pakistan's New Leaders Will Open Talks With Militants
  
  New York Times | Mar 22, 08 7:31 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Pakistan's new coalition government says it will negotiate with the militants thought to be behind a wave of recent suicide bombings, the New York Times reports. The change in strategy will alarm US officials, who have recently stepped up strikes on suspected al-Qaeda strongholds using pilotless Predator drones. Pakistanis blame American strikes for the surge in bombings—17 since the beginning of 2008. More »
- Bhutto's Party to Name Next Pakistani PM
  
  AFP | Mar 21, 08 8:30 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - The party of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said today it will name Pakistan's next premier this weekend, AFP reports. After former PM Nawaz Sharif's party pulled their candidate as a "goodwill gesture," the PPP candidate will likely be sworn in Tuesday without much debate, the AP reports. Bhutto widower Asif Ali Zardari is a popular choice but remains ineligible; analysts say he may replace a temporary leader later on. More »
- Security Boss Suspected by Bhutto Will Quit
  
  Reuters | Mar 19, 08 12:05 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - A Pakistani intelligence chief whom slain leader Benazir Bhuttto suspected to be plotting against her is leaving his post with Bhutto's party poised to take power Monday, Reuters reports. Bhutto identified Ijaz Shah as one of four people who should be investigated if she were to be killed; many Pakistanis suspect the country's spy agencies were behind Bhutto's Dec. 27 assassination. More »