Double Trouble in the neighbourhood.
The burning Political crisis in the two neighboring states of Maldives and Pakistan has created an unstable situation in the region. The MEA corridors are busy analyzing both the situation. It is believed that a political chaos in the Maldives, could open the way for a resurgent Islamist movement. Whereas in Pakistan, the tussle between the military, Judiciary & the Government could either bring in dictatorship or early elections.
After Gilani’s indictment by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the country has been thrown in a highly chaotic & confusing situation. The present stand-off is a direct result of the divergence of views of the military and the civilian government on the memo issue. The Supreme Court appears to have thrown its weight behind the military. It wants corruption cases against hundreds of politicians, including the president, reopened. Despite the history of coups, another one is unlikely at the moment, as the military this time prefers to let the Supreme Court use "constitutional" methods to go after the government. The government's choices appear clear. If it allows itself to be booted out and its leaders thrown in jail, it will wash off the stigma of bad governance, corruption and economic mismanagement for which it has been criticised throughout its tenure. But if it survives the crisis, it will emerge as the first ever civilian government to have established the supremacy of parliament over other state institutions. This ominous turf war between the top state institutions is taking place at a time when numerous opposition groups are shuffling to gain a foothold in the run-up to general elections, due in early 2013 but likely to be held earlier. Among them is the cricketing legend Imran Khan and the former dictator Pervez Musharraf. With all this happening, Pakistan appears to be heading into a period of massive confusion which many believe could translate it either into a stronger parliamentary democracy or a total collapse of the system.
New Delhi has continuously turned a blind eye to a developing tsunami in the Maldives, the nation of islands. Ever since September 2007, when a bomb targeting Chinese, Japanese and British tourists went off in Malé's Sultan Park, security experts have feared a paradise for jihadists instead of tourists. Its 1,200-plus islands are near-impossible to police, which means terrorists could use them as bases to target India's western seaboard and even Europe. Hence within a day of Nasheed’s resignation, Indian Prime minister spoke to the new President Waheed and assured him of India's cooperation in all matters. As delegations from the U.S., the Commonwealth and the European Union set up camp in Male to figure a way out of the crisis, the world is looking towards India to lead. Will India grasp the immensely fragile moment at hand and ensure that peace and stability returns to the Maldives and that fresh elections are held, sooner than later? By doing so , it will be setting an example to the regime not only in Male and elsewhere in South Asia which is littered with authoritarian rulers.
Showing posts with label Pakistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pakistan. Show all posts
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Let the peace begin
Let the Peace Begin
The Death of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan constitutes a significant victory over global terrorism. It is indeed a victory for President Barack Obama who announced in a midnight televised address to the world that he has got Osama. Obama's ability to use rhetoric to inspire has always been one of his greatest political assets. His statement announcing the mission's success demonstrated dignity and pride. He confidently announced that he -- and the forces under his command -- had actually accomplished the mission that seemed nearly impossible. The death of a single individual is essentially being heralded as a justification for the deaths of at least hundreds of thousands (a figure largely comprised of civilians) in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. It morally justifies the use of "enhanced interrogations" and "extraordinary renditions." It clears the ledgers on the trillions of dollars spent on futile wars for nearly 10 years. And, most appreciably, it validates the Bush Administration's open-ended waging of global warfare.
One must remember that eliminating Osama is a milestone, not a turning point, in what remains an ongoing struggle without a foreseeable end. The significance of what was accomplished stems from Bin Laden's symbolic importance. He has been an icon, one representing the ability to strike with success against the United States and the West. That icon is now gone. But before bursting into celebrations we need to face at least two realities. The first is that Bin Laden's demise is in no way to be equated with the demise of terrorism. This is not a Victory over Terrorism Day. Terrorism is a decentralized phenomenon- and Al-Qaeda is now a franchise organization with innumerable franchisee all around the world operating out of Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and other countries. So terrorism will continue. Indeed, it could even grow somewhat worse in the short run as there are sure to be those who will want to show that they can still strike against the West.
The second reason for responding with caution to this welcome development is that it underscores a point once again- that Pakistan is home to some of the most dangerous terrorists in the world and is decidedly less than a full partner in fight against terrorism. The country has many states within state with multiple rulers and heads and no coordination among them. Some parts of the government there are sympathetic to terrorism and unwilling to act against it; others are simply unable to do so, given a lack of capacity. This reality is unlikely to change in future.
Osama’s death has brought Pakistan at a crossroad where it urgently need to choose the right path. It should now give up its current policy of verbally condemning jihad — and actually fighting it in some places — but secretly supporting it in other places. Until the Government firmly resolves that it shall not support armed and violent non-state actors — including the Lashkar-e-Taiba — Pakistan will remain in endless conflict both with itself and with the world. Bin Laden’s death will only have meaning if it marks the beginning of the end of the ruthless cycle of violence. The world is now tired of War. "Congratulations Mr. Obama! Well done! Now it's time for you to leave Afghanistan." By cutting off the head of Al Qaeda, and with due regard to the pro-democracy surge of the Arab Spring, the era of perpetual war should now be supplemented by a period of unprecedented peace.
Let the peace begin
The Death of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan constitutes a significant victory over global terrorism. It is indeed a victory for President Barack Obama who announced in a midnight televised address to the world that he has got Osama. Obama's ability to use rhetoric to inspire has always been one of his greatest political assets. His statement announcing the mission's success demonstrated dignity and pride. He confidently announced that he -- and the forces under his command -- had actually accomplished the mission that seemed nearly impossible. The death of a single individual is essentially being heralded as a justification for the deaths of at least hundreds of thousands (a figure largely comprised of civilians) in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. It morally justifies the use of "enhanced interrogations" and "extraordinary renditions." It clears the ledgers on the trillions of dollars spent on futile wars for nearly 10 years. And, most appreciably, it validates the Bush Administration's open-ended waging of global warfare.
One must remember that eliminating Osama is a milestone, not a turning point, in what remains an ongoing struggle without a foreseeable end. The significance of what was accomplished stems from Bin Laden's symbolic importance. He has been an icon, one representing the ability to strike with success against the United States and the West. That icon is now gone. But before bursting into celebrations we need to face at least two realities. The first is that Bin Laden's demise is in no way to be equated with the demise of terrorism. This is not a Victory over Terrorism Day. Terrorism is a decentralized phenomenon- and Al-Qaeda is now a franchise organization with innumerable franchisee all around the world operating out of Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and other countries. So terrorism will continue. Indeed, it could even grow somewhat worse in the short run as there are sure to be those who will want to show that they can still strike against the West.
The second reason for responding with caution to this welcome development is that it underscores a point once again- that Pakistan is home to some of the most dangerous terrorists in the world and is decidedly less than a full partner in fight against terrorism. The country has many states within state with multiple rulers and heads and no coordination among them. Some parts of the government there are sympathetic to terrorism and unwilling to act against it; others are simply unable to do so, given a lack of capacity. This reality is unlikely to change in future.
Osama’s death has brought Pakistan at a crossroad where it urgently need to choose the right path. It should now give up its current policy of verbally condemning jihad — and actually fighting it in some places — but secretly supporting it in other places. Until the Government firmly resolves that it shall not support armed and violent non-state actors — including the Lashkar-e-Taiba — Pakistan will remain in endless conflict both with itself and with the world. Bin Laden’s death will only have meaning if it marks the beginning of the end of the ruthless cycle of violence. The world is now tired of War. "Congratulations Mr. Obama! Well done! Now it's time for you to leave Afghanistan." By cutting off the head of Al Qaeda, and with due regard to the pro-democracy surge of the Arab Spring, the era of perpetual war should now be supplemented by a period of unprecedented peace.
Let the peace begin
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