Iran
Persian Gulf militarized —by drug war
In addition to the naval face-off over a global oil outlet, the Persian Gulf has seen escalating militarization by international forces in the guise of narcotics enforcement.
Tag: Pakistan
Afghanistan
Pakistan military produces disappeared prisoners
Pakistan’s military partially complied with a Supreme Court ruling by producing before the court several prisoners out of hundreds secretly held without charges.
South Asia
Pakistan: sectarian strife mars Ashura
Celebrations of Muharram, the Shi’ite holy month highlighted by the Ashura festival, saw sectarian violence that left several dead across Pakistan.
Afghanistan
Musharraf granted bail in Red Mosque killings case
Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf was granted bail in a criminal case relating to the death of a radical cleric in a raid he ordered on Islamabad’s Red Mosque.
Afghanistan
Pakistan Taliban leader killed in drone strike?
Pakistani Taliban commander Hakimullah Mehsud is reported killed in a drone strike—days after drone attack survivors gave emotional testimony before the US Congress.
North Africa
Mauritania: polls boycotted, slavery condemned
Mauritania's opposition parties will boycott upcoming elections, seen as legitimizing a dictatorship, while a "Global Slavery Index" names the country as the world's worst offender.
Iran
Iran hangs 16 after Baluch border clash
Sixteen accused militants were hanged in Iran’s Baluchistan province—in apparent retaliation for the deaths of at least 14 border guards in an ambush just the night before.
Afghanistan
US must investigate Pakistan drone strikes: Amnesty
Amnesty International urged the US to conduct a thorough, independent investigation into allegations that CIA drone strikes have resulted in recent civilian casualties in Pakistan.
Afghanistan
Malala Yousafzai: still a hero!
Malala Yousafzai has not been co-opted by international accolades, as evidenced by her protests against US drone strikes—to President Obama’s very face.
Afghanistan
Pakistan stock market soars on terror wave
Over the past year of growing violence and chaos in Pakistan, the Karachi Stock Exchange surged more than 44%, placing it among the world’s top-performing stock markets.
Watching the Shadows
UN SG: US drone strikes must comply with international law
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon insisted that US drone strikes must operate within international law, and make “every effort to avoid mistakes and civilian casualties.”
Afghanistan
ISI behind Taliban attack on Indian consulate?
Delhi had apparently warned its ambassador in Kabul of an impending attack plotted in Pakistan—immediately before the assault on the Indian consulate in Jalalabad.