Beefing Up COIN-lite in Afghanistan and Pakistan
14 December 2009
Beefing Up COIN-lite in Afghanistan and Pakistan, World Politics Review, 14 December 2009
EXCERPT: "Counterinsurgency, commonly referred to by its military acronym, 'COIN,' essentially boils down to armed nation-building - a deliberate process of empowering people and weakening guerrillas until a state-friendly balance emerges. By contrast, counter-terrorism seeks the tactical annihilation of the enemy. President Barack Obama's...
Read the post »
Hardline Pakistani Schools a Draw for Foreigners
14 December 2009
, The Associated Press, 14 December 2009
EXCERPT: "Anas bin Saleem, a 12-year-old American, spends seven hours a day sitting cross-legged on the floor memorizing the Quran. He is one of thousands of foreigners who have flocked to conservative Islamic schools in Pakistan, despite a government ban, the Associated Press has found through interviews with officials, documents, visits to the...
Read the post »
Petraeus Asks for Increased Pressure on Afghan Taliban
14 December 2009
, AFP, 13 December 2009
EXCERPT: "US General David Petraeus said on Sunday that Pakistan needs to put pressure on the leadership of Afghan Taliban operating inside its borders if long-term progress is to be made in Afghanistan. '(To make) the really significant progress in Afghanistan that will be necessary over time... it would be very helpful if additional pressure could be put (by...
Read the post »
US Aid Package Prioritizes Water, Electricity
14 December 2009
Pakistan Aid Targets Water, Electricity, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, 13 December 2009
EXCERPT: "Electricity and water projects will be an early priority for nearly $1.5 billion a year in new U.S. nonmilitary aid for Pakistan expected to be passed by the Senate on Sunday, senior U.S. officials said. The aid is included in a $7.5 billion, five-year package proposed by President Barack Obama as one tool to combat extremism in Pakistan....
Read the post »
US Officials Debate Expanding Drone Strikes to Major City
14 December 2009
Drone Attacks May Be Expanded in Pakistan, Los Angeles Times, December 2009
EXCERPT: "Senior U.S. officials are pushing to expand CIA drone strikes beyond Pakistan's tribal region and into a major city in an attempt to pressure the Pakistani government to pursue Taliban leaders based in Quetta. The proposal has opened a contentious new front in the clandestine war. The prospect of Predator aircraft strikes in Quetta, a sprawling...
Read the post »
Pakistan Eyes New Front After S. Waziristan
14 December 2009
, The Associated Press, 12 December 2009
EXCERPT: "Pakistan has wrapped up its military offensive against the Taliban in South Waziristan and may next send troops to another district near the Afghan border where insurgent leaders are believed to have fled, the prime minister said Saturday. The suggestion of another anti-Taliban operation illustrates the intractable challenge facing this...
Read the post »