9/11: Ten Years Later
Gateway House has prepared a report analysing the security system in the U.S. post 9/11, its implications on the world as we knew it, and the lessons to be learnt by India.
Gateway House has prepared a report analysing the security system in the U.S. post 9/11, its implications on the world as we knew it, and the lessons to be learnt by India.
Philip Oldenburg, Professor at Columbia University, comments on the fragile relationship between India and Pakistan, and also discusses his new book "India, Pakistan, and Democracy: Solving the Puzzle of Divergent Paths".
The U.S. Justice Department is slowly but surely clamping down on Pakistani terrorist activities, as is evident not only by the recent arrest of Kashmiri propogandist Ghulam Nabi Fai but also in open claim that the ISI Security Directorate "overseas militant groups".
The 10-year old war in Afghanistan has reached a hazy stage as the U.S. announced a quicker withdrawal of troops, with NATO countries soon to follow. The South Asian region will undergo another makeover, hopefully opening doors for New Delhi and Islamabad.
Although the Indo-Pakistan foreign secretary talks did not grab all the headlines, bilateral relations have seen notable developments. The former single-minded approach to discuss terrorism was modified, in turn allowing both nations to progress in terms of friendly and nuclear confidence building measures.
Even ardent supporters of Pakistan are unable to explain to Washington, and indeed the rest of the world, how Osama Bin Laden lived in a mansion with the Pakistani military and ISI as his neighbours. The implications on US-Pak relations are likely to be heavy.
Osama Bin Laden’s death may not have an immediate effect on Al Qaeda’s ability to conduct operations nor may it deter the ‘democratic’ protests of the Arab Spring. Pakistan though, will now have to answer to global questioning and may reshuffle its stance with the Taliban and other terrorist groups.
The circumstances involved in the execution of Osama bin Laden make clear the connections between the Pakistan military and the Taliban-Al Qaeda. Will it finally slow the U.S. descent down the Wahabi-friendly trail?
The Navy, Coast Guard, Police and maritime companies now encounter new threats, as piracy threatens the Indian seas and our trade routes. This calls for a united approach in combating threats and even more so, for a single governing body for maritime issues.
Now that Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has accepted his Indian counterpart's invitation to the the World Cup semi-final match between the two countries, speculation is rife about what possible good could come out of this cricket diplomacy.