The U.S., British and NATO troops that fight the Taliban in Afghanistan are up against an enemy that has proven to have the resources to regenerate itself almost incessantly. Although the former uses technological means that change the relationship between combatants as it has never happened before, the different interests of the neighboring countries in the outcome of this war makes predictions still impossible.
Meanwhile, the death toll of civilians is increasing drastically is likely to increase over the next months. According to asurvey released by the United nations and quoted by Dexter Filkins, in the newspaper article Afghan Civilian Deaths Rose 40% in 2008, published in the electronic version of New York Times, on Feb. 18, 2009, 2118 civilians were killed in 2008, in the conflict between Taliban and the forced lead by the Americans (Filkins). The author of the article points out that the majority of civilian casualties were caused by suicide bombers or bombs planted by the Talibans. The rest of the civilians were killed during air attacks by American led forces. The joined forces of the present pro-American Afghan government and American, British and NATO Forces are still cooperating in lading the fight against the Taliban movement, but the outcome of the fight is still uncertain as long as countries like Pakistan and Russia are not committed to refuse any support to the insurgents.
The new administration of the U.S. appears to have shifted its interests from the Iraqui front to the war in Afghanistan. The 17,000 combat troops will join 36,000 that are already there. The U.S. army is also declaring that it is preparing to pass control over to the Afghan governmental military forces, at some point in the future, claiming more forces in order to achieve this goal, too (Thompson). The position and intentions of the U.S. On the Afghan front are riskier than ever. The Afghan population is shown by polling to have decreased its trust in the U.S. And NATO maneuvers to a half of what it used to be three years ago (idem). The war on terror slowly changes fronts, according to those who claim that the correct way to fight this global enemy should be concentrated on the Afghan territory.
In an interview with John J. Richardson, the British writer Rory Stewart advanced his opinion that the success of the...
Pakistan's ISI: 'A Kingdom Within a Kingdom'? Pakistan is one of the indispensable allies of the United States in the war on terror, especially in the current struggle against Taliban and other extremist movements in Central Asia. But the American relationship with Pakistan has remained precarious, partly because of the shadowy activities of Pakistan's main intelligence service the Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI). According to Sean Winchell, until the Pakistani general and the
In addition the continued decline of the fiscal account will affect both debt sustainability and external balances ("Monetary Policy Decision"). As it pertains to medium term fiscal sustainability which must be present to achieve necessary overall macroeconomic stability, the tax-GDP ratio must be increased ("Monetary Policy Decision"). Additionally government expenditures must decrease ("Monetary Policy Decision"). The article also reports that the revenue deficit, which represents the difference between total revenues
S. In Pakistan, especially in the border areas. Any attacks by the U.S. forces inside Pakistan, which would invariably entail "collateral damage," are likely to fuel further anti-Americanism. The current policy of Musharraf to seek co-operation of the local tribal chiefs in the border areas against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda should be supported by the U.S. A political, rather than a purely military solution to the problem, is the only
Pakistan ISI and GWOT Described variously as a U.S. ally in the war against terror, Pakistan's actual commitment to the U.S. As a reliable partner in the global campaign against terror has in the past come under scrutiny with some accusing the South Asian State of aiding militants in the region. Matters have been made worse by the latent support the U.S. has received from the ISI, the state's foremost national
Foreigners wishing to travel in large parts of the country are required to take along a government-appointed armed guard. Pakistan's numerous intelligence agencies are a brooding, malevolent presence in the nation's life. President Musharraf has survived a couple of assassination attempts (the first in December of 2003, when Musharraf's convoy was attacked twice within two weeks. The second one, on Christmas Day, left 14 people dead and dozens injured).
McQueen's research in 1990 demonstrates just how little progress has been made. McQueen noted in 1990 that, "Pakistan has had consistent growth averaging 6.7% over the last decade, placing it among the fast-growing third-world economies. Some apprehension exists regarding deterioration in the law and order situation in Sindh Province, where in recent months ethnic and politically motivated violence has claimed a number of lives and slowed industrial activity. Regionalism, ethnic
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