| From the Director |
Latest Analyses by Spearhead Research |
Much has happened since our last newsletter and the Spearhead team has been analyzing and commenting on the many important developments within Pakistan, the region and the world.
By far the most significant event was the terror attack in Mumbai. This brought the India-Pakistan Dialogue process to a halt. India- Pakistan tensions rose as India threatened military action while Pakistan proposed a cooperative approach. Saner counsel prevailed and in spite of media hype the two sides exchanged information and got down to serious investigations. A visiting Sri Lankan team came under terrorist attack in the heart of Lahore. Serious damage was averted but several policemen lost their lives and the attackers managed to escape highlighting security lapses. Yet another terrorist attack with marked similarity to the Mumbai attacks came on March 30th when armed gunmen stormed into the Police Training Center in Lahore. Spearhead analysts provided thought provoking reports with emphasis on restarting the stalled dialogue process.
Pakistan opted for peace in the troubled Swat region. A peace agreement was signed between the provincial government and the militants by conceding to their demand for Sharia in the Malakand division. This major development needs time, patience and understanding to mature. Swat is in a transitional phase but violence has receded.
A constant in the western border situation has been the US policy of Drone attacks in FATA. This has had several repercussions. Inevitable collateral damage motivates recruitment in terrorist ranks, public opinion against the US gets a boost, government’s policy gets undermined and the terrorists respond with destabilizing attacks deep in Pakistan. This facet of US policy has been under continuous discussion with the US and it figured prominently in the visit by Admiral Mullen and Mr Holbrook this month. The new AFPAK strategy unveiled by the US President is being debated and its effect analyzed. The Afghan election in August will be an important gauge of security and stability in anarchic Afghanistan. We continuously monitored and analyzed US-Pakistan relations.
The internal scene in Pakistan has several worrisome facets. In spite of a peoples’ ‘long march’ that led to the restoration of the judiciary the political scene is not fully stable and governance remains weak. The separatist movement in Baluchistan simmers but by far the greatest threat is from the expanding FATA insurgency. The government is making efforts to bring political stability and economic viability. The transition to stable sustainable democracy is slow but it continues. We carried out several analyses of the evolving situation.
Spearhead Research hopes to continue providing selected articles, research papers and analysis of important issues. We hope to get comments and views so that forum discussions emerge. We thank our panelists and advisors and all those who visit our website to share ideas. |
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Multiple Wars
There are many wars around Pakistan. The US is fighting Al Qaeda by defending the continental United States and by targeting the Al Qaeda through aerial attacks. NATO/ISAF with the government of Afghanistan is battling the Taliban in Southern Afghanistan...
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The AF-PAK Strategic Review
The Obama administration’s AF-PAK policy review indicates strategic directions, highlights concerns and above all tries to convince Pakistan that the US is investing in Pakistan’s stability over the long haul. The 1.5 billion dollars per year over the next five years...
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THE TURKISH CONNECTION
The trilateral meeting in Ankara between the Turkish, Afghan and Pakistani leaders was significant for many reasons. All were accompanied by their Army and Intelligence Chiefs. Turkey is increasingly having a role in global affairs...
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THE GUNFIGHT AT MANAWAN
ON MARCH 30, 09 Lahorites watched in horror as the Police Training School at Manawan on the outskirts of Lahore came under terrorist attack. They watched the gunfight for the eight hours that it took to overcome the attackers and then they watched in...
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| Latest article available for download: |
 Caught in the Conflict
Afghanistan: Ending the Thirty-Year War
Pakistan's Islamist Frontier
Needed: A Comprehensive U.S. Policy Towards Pakistan
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