Panetta’s Mantra

While addressing a think tank US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta has once again said “In order to really have a secure Afghanistan, ultimately Pakistan is going to have to take responsibility for taking on these terrorists and eliminating the safe havens.

” “Realistically, what chance will the US strategy have to succeed in 2014 if more of the safe havens aren’t dealt with more stridently than they’ve been to date?” he was asked.

This is not something new; over the years the United States has been saying that restoring peace in Afghanistan depends on the commitment of Pakistan to fight the terrorist. Instead of stopping incursions from Afghanistan, Pakistan is often accused of providing safe sanctuaries to those who are fighting with the occupying forces.

May be the time has come to find explanation for basic questions:

1)       Why Afghanistan was invaded?

2)       Why United States wishes to keep its forces there?

3)       Why should Pakistan fight a proxy war of the United States?

There is growing realization in Pakistan that if USSR had attacked Afghanistan for a passage to warm waters, United States invaded the country to takeover production, trade and logistic of drug. At present Afghanistan is termed the largest producer of opium in the world.

There are also growing suspicions that troops are being kept there for two reasons 1) provide safe heavens for optimum growers and refining laboratories and 2) a built up to assist in case United States succeeds in convincing the world to attack Iran.

If it is clear that Nato forces are in Afghanistan for achieving motives other than maintaining peace or for the development, Pakistan must pull itself out of this proxy war without further delay.

It is on record that United States creates a conflict, supply funds and arms among fighting groups only to keep its arsenal factories at full capacities.

The most recent examples are Iraq, Libya, Syria and the latest demonstrations against Egyptian President for calling Israel a terrorist country.

Jirga approves action against criminals claiming to be Taliban

In my last post it was mentioned that Taliban have taken people living in various areas hostage and are also using them as ‘human shield’, this point has been substantiated by some news reports. 

Reportedly, the local Taliban and elders of Uthmanzai tribe have formed a joint lashkar to take action against those elements, who are involved in target killings, kidnappings and attacks on security forces.

The 100 men strong lashkar was formed at a jirga held at Anghar Kallay near Miramshah. The jirga was attended by Taliban and Uthmanzai elders. “Kidnappers, terrorists and those involved in attacks on security forces should leave North Waziristan Agency immediately,” the jirga decided unanimously.

The jirga authorized the lashkar to launch an action against criminals, kidnappers, target killers and those, who were attacking security forces. The decision was taken keeping in view the growing incidents of kidnappings, and killing of tribal elders and attacks on security forces during the past few weeks. Recently, two tribal elders — Malik Mashar Khan and Malik Noor Din Darpakhel — were targeted killed.

The term Taliban was used first time for students of Madarsas who decided to initiate Jihad (Holy War) against the USSR army. Those who were against occupation of USSR and also against the presence of US led Nato forces in Afghanistan. These people have been joined by thousands of revolutionaries who term United States the biggest terrorist and wish to cause dent by attacking strategic installations and Nato soldiers.

Those fighting against the US have been termed Bad Taliban and those serving its interest are called Good Taliban, but the fact remains that the real Taliban hate the occupiers the most and inflicting huge losses to Nato forces. Those protecting the US interest kill innocent people and take pride in claiming the responsibility only to defame the real Taliban fighting against the occupiers.

To justify occupation of Afghanistan, United States is funding people and proving them arms and maintaining state of war. One of the reasons for the recent upsurge in incidents of killing and sabotaging is that the time has come to pull out the troops. United States wish to keep troops in Afghanistan till the time it attacks Iran.

Taliban Mujahideen or Mercenaries

Going through the most recent uttering of Taliban and taking responsibility of killing of people belonging to Shia sect of Muslimsin Karachi and Rawalpindi, leaves no doubt that they are coldblooded mercenaries. 

Though, they claim to be fighting Holy War (Jihad), their acts completely negate teachings of Islam. Anyone who propagates that killing of people who are not directly involved in fighting with Mujahideen is permissible is misinterpretation of Islam.

The history proves that Taliban were trained, provided funds and weapons to fight against USSR army that had invaded Afghanistan. It may be unfortunate that after 9/11 they have to fight with those who have been taking care of all their needs. The United States has also divided them in good and bad categories only to achieve its ultimate objective, prolonging its stay in Afghanistan.

Good Taliban are those who are helping the Nato forces to achieve certain objectives and bad Taliban are those who are demanding more money and when they don’t get it they retaliate. It also appears that now the war is not for imposition of Shraih but collection of booty. Afghanistan is world’s largest opium producing country and United States its biggest buyer, the largest number of drug addicts live in United States.

One can also recall that Taliban announced that they were coming to Karachi to free its people who are hostage of MQM. This was in retaliation of the campaign sponsored by the MQM and proposed referendum. Taliban knew that Muharram is the best time to attack Karachi and they could use Shia Sunni split. Residents of Karachi had rejected this point of view decades ago.

May be Taliban don’t know that largest number of Sabeels (water serving points) and largest quantity of Taburuk (eatables for the mourners) is distributed by Sunnis, who join Shia in reminding the world of the most brutal act of assassination of Grand Son of Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions.

Over the years many had attempted to stop Majalis (gatherings to remember killing of Imam Hussain and his companions) and Jaloos (processions) but in vain. Taliban’s claim that they would follow the footprints of their ancestors is nothing but an attempt to create split, when Muslim need unity the most.

AT this point in time Gaza needs the largest number of people to fight Israel, which has expanded many times the area allocated for it. Therefore, they should go to Gaza rather than killing innocent citizens of Karachi.

If they don’t do this, people will be right in assuming that the Taliban are ‘B’ team of CIA. They are in Pakistan and waiting for an opportunity to invade Iran and in the mean time weakening the country which has supported them the most in the past.

US join Israel against Iran and Syria

National security adviser to President Barack Osama talked to his Israeli counterpart on Monday for talks on Iran's nuclear program and the civil war in Syria. The meeting, which was only disclosed after it happened, came amid concerns that time is running out for diplomatically defusing the standoff with Tehran.

National Security Adviser Tom Donilon met with Israel's Major General Yaakov Amidror for consultations on Iran, Syria, and a range of other regional security issues. US National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said in a written statement. "These meetings were the latest in a series of regular, high-level consultations between the United States and Israel, consistent with our strong bilateral partnership, and part of our unshakeable commitment to Israel's security."

Israel was drawn into the fighting in neighboring Syria for the first time on Sunday, firing warning shots across the border after an errant mortar shell landed near an Israeli military installation in the Golan Heights. While Israel appeared eager to calm the situation, its response was a potent reminder of how easily the Syrian civil war — already spilling across borders with Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan — could explode into a wider regional conflagration.

Israeli officials threatened even tougher retaliation if attacks persist. They fear that the instability in Syria over the past 19 months could spill across the border into Israel, particularly as President Bashar Assad's grip on power grows increasingly precarious. Israel has little love for Assad, who has provided refuge and support to Israel's bitterest enemies through the years. But the Syrian leader — and his father before him — have kept the frontier quiet for nearly four decades, providing a rare source of stability in the volatile region.

In recent weeks, incidents of errant fire from Syria have multiplied, leading Israel to warn that it holds Syria responsible. Israeli officials believe most of the fire has come from Syrian government forces, although they think it has been inadvertent and not been aimed at Israel. "We understand this was a mistake and was not meant to target Israel, and then that is why we fired a warning shot in retaliation," said Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich, a military spokeswoman. Defense officials said an anti-tank missile was fired, and there were no reports of casualties in Syria.

"We understand this was a mistake and was not meant to target Israel, and then that is why we fired a warning shot in retaliation," said Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich, a military spokeswoman. Defense officials said an anti-tank missile was fired, and there were no reports of casualties in Syria.

Yiftah Shapir, an analyst at the Institute for National Security Studies, a Tel Aviv think tank, said neither Israel nor Syria has an interest in allowing Sunday's hostilities to spin out of control. "I see the warning fire as an attempt to prevent any escalation," he said. "In Israel, no one wants a war with Syria or even an attempt to intervene in the events. The only thing that worries us is a spillover by this form or another. So I think it's a warning 'Take care.'"

Officials have repeatedly warned that Assad may attack Israel in a final act of desperation if he fears his days are numbered. Israel also fears Syria could fall into the hands of Islamic extremists or descend into sectarian warfare. Another lingering fear is that Syria's chemical weapons and missile could fall into the hands of its Lebanese ally, the Hezbollah guerrilla group, or other anti-Israel militants if Assad loses power. There are also concerns that Syria could become a staging ground for attacks by al-Qaida-linked groups battling Assad.

Courtesy: The Financial Daily

Mayhem at Karachi

It seems that certain forces are adamant at plunging Karachi completing into anarchy. At an average nearly 15 people are being killed on daily basis over the last three months. Among the killed are political activist and members of religious parties but the largest number pertain to Shia and Sunni sects. Instead of rounding up the killers, those responsible out all the blame on ‘third hand’. Earlier the hype was created that Taliban were entering Karachi to get it free from the ‘hostage’ of MQM’. Till recently targeted killing was common but now funeral processions are also being attacked. Added to these are blockade of roads by the agitators, putting up public and private properties on fire. The most criminal is the silence of coalition partners and the propaganda that booty collectors have also entered Punjab.

There is growing consensus among the people belonging to different sects and political affiliations that ‘mercenaries’ have thronged Karachi with a clear mandate to plunge the city into complete anarchy. They know very well that Karachi is the lifeline of Pakistan and hub of industrial and commercial activities. Therefore, without cutting this lifeline the ultimate objective of fragmenting Pakistan can’t be achieved. It is on record that people belonging to all the cast and creed, political and religious sects are being killed, shops and commercial areas are closed and private and public and private properties are reduced to ash.

Ironically, the three coalition partners PPP, ANP and MQM are trying to buyout sympathies because their members are being assassinated but have been failing miserably in restoring peace despite being in power for years. This force the people to infer that some ‘supra power’ controls the tentacles and before it coalition partners are also helpless. There is also a growing realization that the mercenaries have also crept into law enforcing agencies. This impression develops because none of the perpetrators has been rounded up and given punishment. The most glaring examples are killing of Benazir Bhutto and her brother and famous political and religious leaders.

If one also adds to this burning of more than 300 workers of ill-fated garment factory, blasts at mosques and religious gathering and attack at Rangers Headquarters only one point is evident, the killers and perpetrators are far stronger than the law enforcing agencies. One of the conspiracy theories is that services of trained security personnel are being hired to create the mess. It is also feared that personnel of investing agencies are also being paid lavishly on not arresting the criminals, collect evidence against them and when they some of the criminals are presented before the courts; they are acquitted because of lack of sufficient evidence.

Some of the critics say that all and sundry know the gangs and their leaders involved in killing, blasting bombs and putting private and public properties at fire. The names and faces of booty collectors and their godfathers are known to all. However, the government puts the blame on ‘third hand’. It may be said that it is the only hand because all others have been cut or tied. Now people openly say that don’t look at the getup of people which is completely disguising, these are cold-blooded mercenaries and their sole objective is to destroy Pakistan. The perpetrators know very well that Karachi is the safest heaven because of concentration of linguistic and sectarian groups. They also say that the residents are being used as human shields.

Courtesy: The Financial Daily

Israel to Exploit Arab Iran Animosity

Fully cognizant of animosity between Arabs and Iran, Israel has openly expressed its desire to attack Iran and seeks their support. The convincing argument is that Iran is not only a threat for Israel but for the world in general and Arabs in particular. Israel has expressed its desire repeatedly to unilaterally attack Iranian nuclear installation but was fearful of Iranian retaliation supported by Muslim Ummah. After Arabs turned hostile against Syria, allegedly backed by Iran, Israel has gathered the courage to say that seems most insulting to the Muslims around the world.

Many non-Arab Muslim countries have been expressing serious concerns about the recent animosity of Arabs towards Iran. They say after Islamic revolution they had gone completely hostile towards Iran. Experts are of the opinion that Monarchies of the Arabian Peninsula, which have historically remained subservient to external powers, are raising voice against Iran on their behest. Ironically, West has used Arab and Kurd divide and Shia Sunni split in Iraq to justify its occupation and intend to use the same card in Iran.

Many in Muslim Ummah believe that post Islamic revolution Iran has become a target of West only because it refuses to succumb to their pressure. As regards its nuclear program there is growing consensus among the Muslims that so far West has failed in presenting any credible evidence that Iran is building atom bomb. While Iran has rejected these apprehensions the West is as adamant as it was about Iraq for building weapons of mass destruction. West was wrong at that time and it is creating hype once again against Iran to install a puppet government there.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to convince Arab states that an Israeli military strike on Iran would benefit them, removing a potential threat and easing tensions across the Middle East. Earlier he had made a number of veiled threats to attack Iran’s nuclear program and appealed to the United States and the United Nations to set a limit for Tehran on its nuclear program.  The United States and other Western countries have rejected Netanyahu’s demand to set a limit for Iran and have urged him to refrain from military action to give diplomacy and sanctions chance to work.

Netanyahu, in an interview published in a French magazine has gone to the extent of saying that such a strike would not worsen regional tensions, as many critics have warned. “Five minutes after, contrary to what the skeptics say, I think a feeling of relief would spread across the region,” he said. The most notable is his statement “Iran is not popular in the Arab world, far from it, and some governments in the region, as well as their citizens, have understood that a nuclear armed Iran would be dangerous for them, not just for Israel.”

Israel, believed to be the Middle East’s only nuclear power, believes Tehran intends to build atomic weapons and has consistently urged the West to increase up sanctions. Iran says it is enriching uranium for peaceful energy purposes only. Netanyahu, who is running for re-election in January at the head of the right-wing Likud party, told the United Nations last month that a strike could wait until spring or summer when he said Tehran might be on the brink of building an atomic bomb.

Courtesy: The Financial Daily

Rising Militancy in South Asia and MENA

Probing a little deeper suggests that the South Asia, Middle East and North Africa are rich in agriculture, minerals and the oldest route for on-land as well as sea trade. That was the prime reason these areas were occupies as colonies. 

The strategy of occupiers was ‘divide and rule’ and the occupation was driven by underlined objectives of crusades, attempting at getting control on trade, particularly maritime trade. 

The living examples are construction of Suez and Panama Canals, occupation of areas on the coastal lines and fueling of conflicts on the basis of religions and sects.

The old and most deadly are the encounters between the followers of three religions, Jews, Christians and Muslims. Often Jews and Christians joined hands against Muslims because of Quaran, which declared the previous Holy Books null and void, as these had been tempered very badly. This divide continues till today and the most contentious issue remains occupation of Jerusalem by Israel. The city has the highest spiritual attachments for Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Most of the present day sovereign states located on the coastal line have remained subservient to super powers. With the discovery of oil and gas in the region the first effort was to get control on production and transportation of crude oil and then on its refining facilities. Though, Saudi Arabia is often said to be the largest producer of oil, its production and logistics are virtually controlled by the aliens. Oil facilities of Iraq and other countries have also been virtually taken over by the United States under the disguise of NATO forces. Efforts have been going on to get control over Iranian oil but the country has survived under the worst sanctions for nearly thirty two years.

Getting control over movement of ships in the Indian Ocean are also centuries old. In modern days it is evident that pirates are fully funded and supported by the contenders aiming at controlling movement of ships, especially carrying crude oil. Historically, the joint navy of some European countries has been overseeing the movement of ships but lately United States controls the strings. The other contenders are China and India, which are very active evident from construction of Gwadar port in Pakistan by China and Chabahar port in Iran by India. Construction of both the ports is aimed at developing the shortest and most cost efficient route to Central Asian countries, which are also rich in oil and gas.

Sabotaging Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) and promoting Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) is also the brainchild of diabolic thinking of the United States. One of the prime concerns of India was safety of pipeline passing through Balochistan but it has hardly expressed its apprehension about Afghanistan, under constant state of war since USSR attack, for almost four decades. Some experts say that the uprising in Balochistan is funded by the external forces, which want to get control over the area.

Tough, the West has been behind rising militancy in the region; it is becoming growingly evident that the militants get funds, arsenal and training from those who wish to intensify the conflict to achieve their ulterior motives. Some cynics go to the extent of saying that if Taliban was the brainchild of CIA, many such factions are operatives under different names in almost all the Muslim countries. They also say that CIA often uses these mercenaries to achieve its own objectives.

 Courtesy The Financial Daily