Iraq’s Mosul strains to revive manufacturing past
Its wool could once be found in French marketplaces and its cement as far away as Singapore. But after years of fighting, Iraq’s Mosul has yet to regain its former…
Russia’s hackers long tied to military, secret services
During the Soviet era, the country's top computer scientists and programmers largely worked for the secret services. That practice appears to have resumed under President Vladimir Putin, as Russia faces…
Paramilitary policing
The Sindh cabinet recently extended the special policing powers granted to the Rangers under Sections 4 and 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997 in Karachi division for 90 days.…
Afghan special forces in firing line as fighting spreads
As Afghan soldiers and police struggle to contain an escalating insurgency that has targeted several cities in recent weeks, the country's special forces are being tested as never before. Trained…
Troubles with US-trained rebels a familiar problem
The new band of rebel recruits was supposed to prove the United States could train moderate Syrian fighters to defeat the jihadists in the war-ravaged nation. But soon after returning…
Children and military courts
WHEN Pakistan’s parliament hastily empowered military courts to try civilians suspected of committing terrorism-related offences, in defiance of international standards, it was criticised for failing to adequately consider the many…
France displaces Britain as key US military ally
Once a source of irritation for the United States, France has nudged aside Britain to become the US military's key European partner. The growing ties between the two militaries were…
Civil-military relations and democracy – II
It is only too obvious that in a parliamentary democracy, where governments can change after elections, such trained specialists should be totally neutral and apolitical. Otherwise, every new government will…
The case against military courts
A few days back when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif began his midnight address to the nation at the conclusion of an All-Parties Conference, many of us had our hopes high.…
Military courts not an answer
We have suffered the ignominy of four military coups. The fifth coup has taken place with the unanimous consent of members of the national parliament present and voting. Constitutional cover…
