We’re sending mixed signals. No we’re not. Yes we are. Okay, maybe. Definitely maybe. Maybe a little. An all too unsurprising update on this story. “U.S. military tries to reassure Pakistan amid Times Square probe,” by Barbara Starr for CNN, May 11: Washington (CNN) — The top U.S. military officer is reassuring his Pakistani counterpart […]
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Pakistan “under pressure” after Times Square bombing attempt, but how much?
Pakistan’s efforts to wrest its frontier provinces from jihadist control may be compared to a child who is trying to get out of cleaning his or her room by doing as half-hearted a job as possible: Put a few things away; how about now? No? Straighten up a few more things; now? No? And the […]
Another German jihadist killed in Pakistan
Hoping, no doubt, for the promised, endless Oktoberfest-on-steroids in the sky. “German Officials Believe Berlin Islamist Killed in Pakistan,” from Spiegel, May 10 (thanks to Twostellas): Security authorities in Germany believe that another member of a group of German Islamist insurgents in Pakistan has been killed. Officials wonder whether the deaths will be a deterrent […]
Pakistan: Political leaders blame terrorism on “well-hatched,” U.S.-backed conspiracy
Conspiracy paranoia and displacement of responsibility often travel together, as in this case. “Anti-Islam forces behind Pak unrest,” from The News (Pakistan), May 10: ABBOTTABAD: Leaders of various religio-political parties on Sunday said terrorism was promoted in Pakistan under a well-hatched conspiracy. Addressing a Khatm-e-Nabuwwat conference, leaders of various religious political parties including Sirajul Haq, […]
Pakistan: Methodist arrested with batteries and electrical circuit in his shoes — no, wait…
Actually Faiz Mohammad appears to be another Misunderstander of Islam. More on this story. “Man arrested in Pakistan trying to board plane with batteries and electrical circuit in shoes,” from the Telegraph, May 9: Pakistani officers arrested a man at Karachi airport after batteries and an electrical circuit were found in his shoes as he […]
U.S. to Pakistan: “You can’t pretend any longer that this is not going on”
Is Pakistan’s double game wearing thin? Or will business as usual return once the attention on the Times Square bombing attempt fades? “U.S. Urges Action in Pakistan After Failed Bombing,” by Jane Perlez for the New York Times, May 8: ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — The Obama administration has delivered new and stiff warnings to Pakistan after […]
Oh, good: Pakistan stages show of force with nuclear-capable missiles
Relax, the prime minister said “the world can now move “beyond safety and security concerns’!” Of course, India is the target audience for this display, demonstrating Pakistan’s skewed sense of priorities as jihadists continue to operate freely, and sometimes with official encouragement. “Pakistan test-fires pair of ballistic missiles,” from CNN, May 8: Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) […]
Shocker in Pakistan: Politicians sheltering and supporting jihadist groups in Punjab, including Pakistani Taliban group implicated in Times Square bomb attempt
As Rep. Hoekstra said, that should be a “game-changer.” But it almost certainly won’t be. Note also the claim that “the Punjab government was hoping to moderate such groups.” How? By rewarding bad (and decidedly “immoderate”) behavior? This story demonstrates the dangerous cop-out that “engagement” for “moderation” can be. “Politicians sheltering militants in Punjab?”, from […]
Rep. Hoekstra: Connection between Times Square bomber and Pakistani Taliban would be a “game-changer”
It ought to be, and it would be long overdue with regard to American tolerance of Pakistan’s foot-dragging, highly selective approach to addressing jihadist groups within its borders, and the frequent complicity of the Inter-Services Intelligence with those groups’ activities, whether involving Kashmir or the western frontier provinces. “Congressman cites probable link between Shahzad, Pakistani […]
Pakistan: Taliban amputates hands of three men accused of theft
Of course, like many practices in Sharia law that violate modern standards of human rights and prohibitions on cruel and unusual punishment, amputation for theft persists in the Islamic world because it is enshrined in the Qur’an (5:38). “Taliban court orders amputation for thieves,” from the Zimbabwe Star, May 5: Taliban militants have cut off […]