26/11 Reflections
In this compendium of essays, Gateway House examines the terrorist attack carried out on Mumbai on 26 November 2008, and its aftermath.
In this compendium of essays, Gateway House examines the terrorist attack carried out on Mumbai on 26 November 2008, and its aftermath.
As events of the 26/11 attacks and similar others, retreat from the collective memory, they remain very much part of the lives of the victims and their families. How and why is it important to adopt a rights-based approach towards victims and perpetrators?
The U.S., post-9/11, has made large strides with their homeland security. In contrast, what has India done to counter terrorism? How have Indo-Pakistan relations unfolded?
Today, at the national and regional level, large loopholes still exist in the security system. On the international front, however, there have been a lot more initiatives, yet the apex body of the UN remained silent post-26/11. Were they justified in holding back?
Ideological differences have spawned innumerable terrorist groups around the world, but historical records show that dissidence does have a shelf-life. Can India look forward to a future free of terrorism? Only if we can craft a consistent policy on Pakistan and depoliticise our internal processes of investigation
The 'double-dealing' of the U.S. and Pakistani army - all with the ambition of military dominance - has significantly aided various terrorist groups. After 26/11, there is no place to hide for the Mike Mullens and countless others who have been apologists for the Pakistan army and the state it controls.
In the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks, the Pakstani deep state role was highlighted. The U.S. has come to realise this reality too. Bilateral information sharing could prove to be vital to combat terrorism - both regionally and globally.
Amidst the ongoing blame game between India and Pakistan, Masood Hasan, a Lahore-based columnist, explores the complex range of Pakistani reactions to 26/11 – from denial to defensiveness to even apathy, and the ramifications of this tenebrous environment.
Last May, U.S. citizen David Headley confessed to being a spy for the Lashkar-e-Taiba. What no one has tackled yet is whether there are other Headleys out there whose actions threaten India, or any other country. Even with thousands of intelligence agencies scouting for terrorist activities, are we really safer?
Creating a neighbourhood of compatible interests in South Asia isn’t easy, especially when intra-regional trade accounts for only 5% of total trade in the region. However, the region has seen considerable progress in the past year. India is well poised to lead the change, starting with the upcoming SAARC summit.