Pakistan launches full-scale military assault on Taliban

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan declared war on its homegrown Islamic extremists Thursday in a dramatic move that could trigger a wider conflagration. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, in a late-night televised address to the nation, said Pakistan would launch a full-scale offensive against Pakistani Taliban guerrillas who’ve seized control of the vast Swat valley, which […]

Killing Them Softly

Pepe Escobar on how the rebranded “war on terror” is being sold as a PAKISTANI war. Still another US air strike killing dozens of civilians in Afghanistan, still another promise by the Pentagon to “investigate”, while in Washington President Obama hosts the AfPak summit with “Af” Hamid Karzai” and “Pak” Ali Zardari. Obama’s surge in […]

Pakistan is boiling

Ahmad: Obama’s decision to add troops and arm Afghan militias is dangerous Pt.1 Sharmini Peries speaks with Senior Analyst Aijaz Ahmad about the dangers of the long-term US involvement in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Ahmad says the only way for Obama to proceed in the region is to withdraw US military presence there and strengthen regional […]

Pentagon report calls for narrower focus in Afghanistan

Says US should work to root out militants WASHINGTON – A classified Pentagon report urges President Obama to shift US military strategy in Afghanistan, deemphasizing democracy-building and concentrating more on targeting Taliban and Al Qaeda sanctuaries inside Pakistan with the aid of Pakistani military forces. Discuss COMMENTS (1) Defense Secretary Robert Gates has seen the […]