Current Projects

The Mind of Mr. Putin

Summarizes his indictment of US foreign policy ……… Perhaps it is time to climb down off the ideological high horse and start respecting the vital interests of other sovereign nations by Patrick J. Buchanan Patrick J. Buchanan has been a senior advisor to three Presidents. He is the author of Churchill, Hitler, and “The Unnecessary War”: How Britain Lost Its Empire and the West Lost the World. "Do you realize now what you have done?" So Vladimir Putin in his U.N. address summarized his indictment of a U.S. foreign policy that has produced a series of disasters in the Middle East that we did not need the Russian leader to describe for us. Fourteen years after we invaded Afghanistan, Afghan troops are once again fighting Taliban forces for control of Kunduz. Only 10,000 U.S. troops still in that ravaged country prevent the Taliban’s triumphal return to power. A dozen years after George W. Bush invaded Iraq, ISIS occupies its second city, Mosul, controls its largest province, Anbar, and holds Anbar’s capital, Ramadi, as Baghdad turns away from us – to Tehran. The cost to Iraqis of their "liberation"? A hundred thousand dead, half a million widows and fatherless children, millions gone from the country and, still, unending war. How has Libya fared since we "liberated" that land? A failed state, it is torn apart by a civil war between an Islamist "Libya Dawn" in Tripoli and a Tobruk regime backed by Egypt’s dictator. Then there is Yemen. Since March, when Houthi rebels chased a Saudi sock puppet from power, Riyadh, backed by U.S. ordinance and intel, has been bombing that poorest of nations in the Arab world. Five thousand are dead and 25,000 wounded since March. And as the 25 million Yemeni depend on imports for food, which have been largely cut off, what is happening is described by one U.N. official as a "humanitarian catastrophe." "Yemen after five months looks like Syria after five years," said the international head of the Red Cross on his return. On Monday, the...

The Kasuri Effect: India Acknowledges Secret Kashmir Draft, Balochistan Link

NEW DELHI: The Indian Express reported on Thursday the handing over of a secret draft agreement on Jammu and Kashmir by the outgoing Indian prime minister to the current one in May last year. The Hindu flashed the picture of a man who claims to be the representative in Delhi of the Baloch Liberation Organisation. Both stories seem spurred by the memoirs of former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri released in New Delhi this week. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani military ruler General Pervez Musharraf had hammered out the draft framework agreement on Jammu and Kashmir in secret talks, a senior Indian diplomat familiar with the negotiations has told The Indian Express. Take a look: Kasuri claims India had planned air strikes in Pakistan after Mumbai attacks The report follows Mr Kasuri’s identical claim at his book release function here on Wednesday where Dr Singh was present along with Bharatiya Janata Party stalwarts L.K. Advani and Yashwant Sinha. Paper says India plans to highlight ‘human rights issues in Balochistan’ just as it has begun highlighting alleged excesses in Azad Kashmir The Baloch issue with India has also figured in Mr Kasuri’s book, though not quite as dramatically as The Hindu report states. “I want to say here that Indian and Pakistani intelligence agencies have a full measure of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. There’s no gainsaying that it is a futile and self-defeating motive to hurt the other side, because both are capable of destabilising each other or wreaking havoc. There is no substitute to good sense and for talks at every possible level,” he told this correspondent in a conversation. Files recording the unsigned documents, exchanged by both sides, were personally handed over to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by his predecessor at a May 27, 2014 meeting, the Indian diplomat told the Express. The paper confirmed that the Indian official was speaking even as Mr Kasuri was in New Delhi to release the Indian...

The Plight Of Pakistani Minorities

Last week, a 50 year old Muslim man was beaten to death, and his son severely injured, by an enraged mob in Dadri, a small town in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Rumors of the family storing and consuming beef precipitated the event in the largely Hindu community. By all accounts, it is a tale of intolerable cruelty – a tragedy of inhuman proportions. Within a day, Twitter was all atwitter with the hash tag #PlightofIndianMuslims, with Pakistanis berating the Modi administration for allowing Muslim killings, and arguing how unsafe India is for Muslims. The irony of this blowback is the #PlightofPakistaniMinorities in our own backyard, because we as a nation are so numb to violence against marginalized people, it barely registers on our sympathy radar. Data suggests that violence against civilians has decreased overall since 2014. Numbers from the first three quarters show a marked decrease in terrorist attacks and resulting fatalities. However, this trend has only reversed for minorities. In fact, since the enactment of the National Action Plan (NAP) in December 2014, precipitated by the atrocious attack on schoolchildren at the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar Cantonment, minorities have primarily faced the brunt of the extremist threat. Nearly 5,000 Hindus flee the country annually to avoid oppression The statistics speak for themselves. In the first quarter for 2015, 384 casualties resulted from violence against minorities, and the communities that suffered the most were Shias (230), Christians (86), and Hindus (15). This was a 38% increase over the same quarter from the prior year, while the overall security situation had improved with a nearly 20% dip in fatalities compared with the first quarter of 2014. Despite a few high-profile attacks, the second quarter of the year showed a steady decline in violence overall, and against minorities. The fatalities were much lower compared with both the previous quarter and the same period in 2014. However, this...

Sabawoon Showcase: Early Child Marriages

September 30, 2015, Peshawar: The Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) flagship radio show Sabawoon (Dawn), on Wednesday, focused on early child marriages in the Pashtun tradition. The key points of discussions were the lack of awareness, KP government legislation on the matter, and the religious perspective on early child marriages. The program was aired under the theme “Jwandey Jazbey” (Alive Spirits). Ms. Nazra Syeda, a KP-based social activist and Regional Manager Khwendo Kor, participated as a guest. A field story from Swat highlighted the campaign that Ms Hadiqa Bashir, a 13 year old activist from the area, has been running against early child marriages. Ms Hadiqa Bashir has received the Muhammad Ali International Humanitarian Award for her efforts. She said, “Unfortunately early child marriage tradition is one of the worst traditions in Pashtunwali, which has been going on for centuries. We need to change this, which can only be achieved through continuous advocacy and awareness programs”. Four phone calls were taken live during the show. The callers demanded of the government to legislate in KP to ban early child marriages, and urged the civil society and Pashtun elders to play their role to raise awareness about the issue. A caller Mr. Mushi Khan said, “Islam teaches us love, while some of the religious clerics practice the opposite. Early child marriage results in the erosion of an entire group of individuals, because marriage is a contract between two people for a lifetime”. Another caller Bakht Zaman from Dir stated, “To finish this blight of early child marriages, there is a dire need of awareness and support of the elders”. Ms. Nazra Syeda, a KP based social activist and Regional Manager Khwendo Kor “We the parents, and the government should stop early child marriages because it destroys generations. It prevents a girl from completing her education, depriving her of a healthy life, and denies her input in the country’s economy. Hundreds...

Sabawoon Showcase: Benefits of Extracurricular Activities & Students’ Societies.

October 7, 2015, Peshawar: The Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) flagship radio program Sabawoon (Dawn), on Wednesday, focused on the advantages of extra curriculum activities during a student’s life. Recompenses of extracurricular activities include better confidence, especially in females, and enhanced leadership qualities and improved lack of confidence in girls were the key points of discussion. The program was aired under the theme “Jwandey Jazbey” (Alive Spirits). Ms. Romeen Khan, a student from the University of Peshawar and Mr. Husnain Ahmad, a student of Abasyn University, Peshawar participated as guests. A story from Peshawer was made part of the programs central theme. It highlighted the importance of extracurricular activities, and the views of students about the government decision of establishing “Student Societies”. Mr. Basharat Hussain, Chairman social work department, University of Peshawar said ,“Student Societies will not only help in building their confidence, and management and leadership skills but it also provides an opportunity of interaction and networking with other students. This ultimately helps them in their future endeavors.” Ms. Romeen Khan, University of Peshawar “Like many girls, I was very shy that made it hard for me to communicate with other girls. As I started to take part in extracurricular activities, my confidence level and leadership skills improved. At present I am a student of Journalism and Mass Communication.” Mr. Husnain Ahmad, Abasyn University, Peshawar “Extracurricular activities help in exploring social, creative, political, and career interests with different people. It provides an opportunity to get involved with different groups that help in understanding students of various backgrounds. All of the student societies should be regulated by the government institutions because it can also spoil the students, if not run properly.”

Sabawoon Showcase: Benefits of Extracurricular Activities & Students’ Societies.

October 7, 2015, Peshawar: The Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) flagship radio program Sabawoon (Dawn), on Wednesday, focused on the advantages of extra curriculum activities during a student’s life. Recompenses of extracurricular activities include better confidence, especially in females, and enhanced leadership qualities and improved lack of confidence in girls were the key points of discussion. The program was aired under the theme “Jwandey Jazbey” (Alive Spirits). Ms. Romeen Khan, a student from the University of Peshawar and Mr. Husnain Ahmad, a student of Abasyn University, Peshawar participated as guests. A story from Peshawer was made part of the programs central theme. It highlighted the importance of extracurricular activities, and the views of students about the government decision of establishing “Student Societies”. Mr. Basharat Hussain, Chairman social work department, University of Peshawar said ,“Student Societies will not only help in building their confidence, and management and leadership skills but it also provides an opportunity of interaction and networking with other students. This ultimately helps them in their future endeavors.” Ms. Romeen Khan, University of Peshawar “Like many girls, I was very shy that made it hard for me to communicate with other girls. As I started to take part in extracurricular activities, my confidence level and leadership skills improved. At present I am a student of Journalism and Mass Communication.” Mr. Husnain Ahmad, Abasyn University, Peshawar “Extracurricular activities help in exploring social, creative, political, and career interests with different people. It provides an opportunity to get involved with different groups that help in understanding students of various backgrounds. All of the student societies should be regulated by the government institutions because it can also spoil the students, if not run properly.”

Sabawoon Showcase: Benefits of Extracurricular Activities & Students’ Societies.

October 7, 2015, Peshawar: The Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) flagship radio program Sabawoon (Dawn), on Wednesday, focused on the advantages of extra curriculum activities during a student’s life. Recompenses of extracurricular activities include better confidence, especially in females, and enhanced leadership qualities and improved lack of confidence in girls were the key points of discussion. The program was aired under the theme “Jwandey Jazbey” (Alive Spirits). Ms. Romeen Khan, a student from the University of Peshawar and Mr. Husnain Ahmad, a student of Abasyn University, Peshawar participated as guests. A story from Peshawer was made part of the programs central theme. It highlighted the importance of extracurricular activities, and the views of students about the government decision of establishing “Student Societies”. Mr. Basharat Hussain, Chairman social work department, University of Peshawar said ,“Student Societies will not only help in building their confidence, and management and leadership skills but it also provides an opportunity of interaction and networking with other students. This ultimately helps them in their future endeavors.” Ms. Romeen Khan, University of Peshawar “Like many girls, I was very shy that made it hard for me to communicate with other girls. As I started to take part in extracurricular activities, my confidence level and leadership skills improved. At present I am a student of Journalism and Mass Communication.” Mr. Husnain Ahmad, Abasyn University, Peshawar “Extracurricular activities help in exploring social, creative, political, and career interests with different people. It provides an opportunity to get involved with different groups that help in understanding students of various backgrounds. All of the student societies should be regulated by the government institutions because it can also spoil the students, if not run properly.”

Pakistan to Use China’s Technology in Military Drones

In another sign of the increasingly close relationship between the two nations, Pakistan is to use Chinese technology in its drones. Pakistan had several requests for drone technology rejected by the United States, and went on to manufacture its own indigenous drones. Those drones have seen combat action in the tribal regions, where Pakistani troops are fighting Islamic militants along the border with Afghanistan, writes Syed Fazl-e-Haider for The National. Pakistan turns to China for drone tech after U.S. rejection The first combat mission was flown by the drones last month, killing three important militants in the Shawal Valley of North Waziristan. Far from being defeated by a lack of U.S. cooperation, Pakistan has proven its ability to develop drones armed with precision weapons and high-tech targeting capabilities. In addition to withholding the technology from a key ally in the war on terror, the U.S. continued to make its own highly-controversial drone strikes on Pakistani territory. These strikes have caused civilian casualties and sparked major opposition in Pakistan, but the U.S. did not hand over control of operations to Pakistan due to worries that sensitive military data might end up in the hands of the militants. While the U.S. did offer to sell Pakistan a Shadow-200 unmanned surveillance aircraft in 2010, by that stage Islamabad already had the necessary technology to build its own version. Pakistan wanted an armed drone. Increasingly close relationship between Islamabad and Beijing The U.S.-Pakistan alliance against terrorists was borne out of necessity rather than a shared interest. As a result, the relationship has been rocky at times, affected by a trust deficit, skepticism and a blame-game between the two sides. Given U.S. refusal to provide the technology for armed drones, Pakistan was driven into the arms of China. Former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf confirmed that his administration would seek assistance from China in 2012, railing...

Pakistanisation of Turkey

Will the Syrian crisis and two million refugees have the same impact on Turkey as the Afghan jihad and the refugee exodus from Afghanistan had on Pakistan? This question has started doing the rounds among Turk intellectuals and political analysts. But first let’s look at the context that has triggered this question. This relates to what the ruling Justice Party has ‘achieved’ since it took over in 2002. Based on discussions with local intellectuals, former diplomats and army officials, one can safely conclude that — as of now — Turkey is no longer the secular and democratic country that it was when the Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s AKP swept into power, promising economic and political stability. It delivered on the promise, stabilised the economy, raising Turkey’s per capita income to above $14,000, helped boost foreign direct investment to over $13 billion in 2014, with six million new jobs created since 2009. But what has been scary for most rivals and the civil society is the authoritarianism with religious trappings that has accompanied the economic development. Most Turk intellectuals think the AKP has emasculated the bureaucracy, judiciary and the media. It has also attempted to tinker with Turkey’s fundamental identity through administrative changes and a greater religio-centric policy. Today, Turkey has over 85,000 active mosques, one for every 350 citizens — compared to one hospital for every 60,000 citizens — the highest number per capita in the world. With 90,000 imams, there are more imams than doctors or teachers in the country. It has thousands of madrassa-like schools and around 4,000 more official state-run religious schools, not counting the unofficial religious schools, which may expand the total number tenfold. According tohttp://www.meforum.org/2045/fethullah-gulens-grand-ambition,spending by the governmental Directorate of Religious Affairs grew fivefold, from 553 trillion Turkish lira in 2002 to 2.7 quadrillion Turkish lira during the first...

Sabawoon Showcase: Right to Public Services Act & Commission KP

October 5, 2015, Peshawar: The Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) flagship radio program Sabawoon (Dawn), on Monday, focused on the Right to Public Services Act, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) and the role of the Right to Public Services Commission. The key points of discussion were the Right to Public Services Commission’s powers, government legislations for public services and public awareness. The program was aired under the theme “Jarga Marraka” (Public Dialogue). Mr. Azmat Hanif Orakzai, Chief Commissioner of the Right to Public Services Commission, KP, and Mr. Riaz Daudzai, a senior journalist from KP, participated in the show as guests. A report from Peshawer on the theme of the program was aired during the show as well. The story focused on the change agenda of the political party Pakistan Tehreek–e-Insaf (PTI) and public awareness about how the change can benefit them. It also emphasized on the Right to Public Services Act and the manner in which the general public can complain about any delay in essential state service delivery. Two callers participated in the live program. Mr. Waheed Gul from Lakki Marwat said, “It is indeed a good step taken by the KP government, but unfortunately the public is not aware. There should be a way to spread awareness so people can demand their rights.”Another caller, Mr. Rashid from Peshawar, said, “It has been a whole year since the act was passed, but it is not being implemented.” Mr. Azmat Hanif Orakzai, Chief Commissioner, Right to Public Services Commission KP “The Right to Public Services Act aims include: a) public service organizations should be bound to a certain time limit in providing services to the public, b) the file processing in public organizations should be done within time, c) public servants will be penalized if they do not perform their duties on time. The Right to Public Services Commission has provided monitoring officers in all the districts of KP. Their job is to give constant feedback to...