The Pakhtun dilemma
The strategic conflict between Russia and the British Empire for the supremacy over Central Asia came to be known as the Great Game. The 1813 Russo-Persian Treaty triggered the Great…
Fables of a viable nation
I learnt my basic lesson on the chances of a nuclear exchange over South Asia at the rhinoceros enclosure in the Delhi zoo. That day I was gross and teased…
The wages of fear
The death sentence passed by an Additional Sessions Judge in Nankana Sahib under the blasphemy law on November 8, 2010, against a Christian woman of 32 years, Asia Bibi, has…
Tensions over Chinese role
World attention is understandably focused on the violence in the Middle East but it is also important to take a closer look at President Barack Obama`s re-engagement with Asia and…
Saarc and dialogue
The leaders of the South Asian countries have just gone through another pleasant but sterile Saarc summit meeting in the beautiful mountain kingdom of Bhutan. Once again, the leaders called…
The Asean dream
For quick confirmation of the rise of Asia, do what I just did: spend some time at Bangkok international airport, revelling in the buzz and excitement generated by a region…
Of born leaders and followers
It’s hard not to see eye to eye with the federal information minister when he says that his boss Bilawal Bhutto is a born leader. The point of disagreement may,…
Diplomacy & the Taliban
The US and NATO decision at Lisbon on Nov 20 to end a combat role in Afghanistan by 2014 surprises nobody. The results of a poll conducted by Asia Foundation…
Injunctions on divorce
Saying Talaq three times to effect a divorce has become part of the psyche of some Muslims in South Asia, to have the word ready to be blurted out three…
A special pipeline
The recent report that the Friends of Democratic Pakistan and Asian Development Bank are applying a supportive approach to the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project signals the need for Pakistan to…
