Salam Sahab, we have failed you

Yesterday marked the 85th Birthday of Dr. Abdus Salam, theoretical physicist and the only Pakistani Nobel Laureate. He is not our national hero, his name is rarely ever mentioned, in his life the only befitting ‘honour’ we could provide him was a life in self exile, in his death however we went a step ahead by blanking out the term ‘Muslim’ from his epitaph. A member of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, a member of the Scientific Commission of Pakistan and the Chief Scientific Adviser to the President, Salam was one of the most prolific researchers in theoretical elementary particle physics. No minister or high government official attended his funeral. He was an Ahmadi.

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by Sana Saleem

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Yesterday marked the 85th Birthday of Dr. Abdus Salam, theoretical physicist and the only Pakistani Nobel Laureate. He is not our national hero, his name is rarely ever mentioned, in his life the only befitting ‘honour’ we could provide him was a life in self exile, in his death however we went a step ahead by blanking out the term ‘Muslim’ from his epitaph. A member of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, a member of the Scientific Commission of Pakistan and the Chief Scientific Adviser to the President, Salam was one of the most prolific researchers in theoretical elementary particle physics. No minister or high government official attended his funeral.

He was an Ahmadi.

What is really going on in Syria: An insider update

The current situation in Syria remains one of the most important components of the Middle Eastern and international policies. Using Syria’s domestic crisis and pursuing their own goals NATO, Israel, Turkey and the monarchies of the Persian Gulf are trying to undermine the Syrian regime. Since beginning of the crisis in Syria if we watch the dynamics of situation’s development over that period on the one hand we can state intensification of terrorist groups in Syria and on the other we see a broader range of people’s support for President Bashar Assad and a clear demarcation of political forces’ positions in Syria.

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UNREST IN SYRIA – AGAIN A WEST SPONSORED INSURGENCY? 

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by Boris Dolgov

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The current situation in Syria remains one of the most important components of the Middle Eastern and international policies. Using Syria’s domestic crisis and pursuing their own goals NATO, Israel, Turkey and the monarchies of the Persian Gulf are trying to undermine the Syrian regime.

Since the beginning of the crisis in Syria I have made two trips to that country as a member of international delegations in August 2011 and in January 2012. If we watch the dynamics of situation’s development over that period on the one hand we can state intensification of terrorist groups in Syria and on the other hand we see a broader people’s support of President Bashar Assad and a clear demarcation of political forces’ positions.

Will the US back real democracy in Egypt?

Egyptians are celebrating the first anniversary of the revolution that overthrew the 30-year Mubarak regime. By contrast, America’s reaction to this historic event is tellingly muted. Egypt contains a quarter of the Arab world’s people. Here in Egypt, the US had a golden opportunity to encourage genuine democracy. Instead, it long opposed demands by Egyptians for real democracy and an end to Mubarak’s police state. Egyptians know this and they have shown their disapproval of US lip service to democracy by voting Muslim Brotherhood as their primary voice, and whom North America wrongly brands as an extremist, even terrorist organization.

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WASHINGTON: PRESS YOUR ALLIES IN THE MILITARY TO CEDE POWER TO A RESPONSIBLE CIVILIAN SET UP IN EGYPT

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by Eric Margolis

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Last Monday, Egyptians celebrated the first anniversary of the revolution that overthrew the 30-year Mubarak regime.

By contrast, America’s reaction this historic event was tellingly muted.

Egypt contains a quarter of the Arab world’s people. In Egypt, the US had a golden opportunity to encourage genuine democracy. Instead, it long opposed demands by Egyptians for real democracy and an end to Mubarak’s police state.

For many in Pakistan, some TV shows going too far

After an intense online campaign, television channel Samaa TV has fired morning show host Maya Khan and her team, and has said that her show will be taken off the air. The decision comes after a controversial episode of the morning show, where Khan was seen conducting a ‘raid’ on a public park in Karachi and questioning couples about whether their parents were aware of their whereabouts and going as far as asking them about their marital status. Maya Khan was at first reluctant talking about the decision, but later confirmed that her show had indeed been cancelled.

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SHOWS THAT TRESPASS PRIVACY OF PAKISTANI PUBLIC

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by Declan Walsh

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ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — One morning last week, television viewers in Pakistan were treated to a darkly comic sight: a posse of middle-class women roaming through a public park in Karachi, on the hunt for dating couples engaged in “immoral” behavior.

Panting breathlessly and trailed by a cameraman, the group of about 15 women chased after — sometimes at jogging pace — girls and boys sitting quietly on benches overlooking the Arabian Sea or strolling under the trees. The women peppered them with questions: What were they doing? Did their parents know? Were they engaged?

Some couples reacted with alarm, and tried to scuttle away. A few gave awkward answers. One couple claimed to be married. The show’s host, Maya Khan, 31, demanded to see proof. “So where is your marriage certificate?” she asked sternly.

For the US to get on the right side of human history

US must take human rights absolutely seriously. Every single person is entitled to dignity and human rights. No application needed. No exclusions at all. This is our highest priority. US must radically reinvent contemporary democracy. Current systems are deeply corrupt and not responsive to the needs of the people. Representatives chosen by money and influence govern by money and influence. This is unacceptable. Direct democracy by the people is now technologically possible and should be the rule. Communities must be protected whenever they advocate for self-determination, self-development and human rights. Dissent is essential to democracy; we pledge to help it flourish.

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FOR A US REVOLUTION

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by Bill Quigley

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“I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values.”

— Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. 1967

One. Human rights must be taken absolutely seriously. Every single person is entitled to dignity and human rights. No application needed. No exclusions at all. This is our highest priority.

Two. We must radically reinvent contemporary democracy. Current systems are deeply corrupt and not responsive to the needs of the people. Representatives chosen by money and influence govern by money and influence. This is unacceptable. Direct democracy by the people is now technologically possible and should be the rule. Communities must be protected whenever they advocate for self-determination, self-development and human rights. Dissent is essential to democracy; we pledge to help it flourish.

Amb. Crocker Wants Journalists To Ignore the Potential Division of Afghanistan

The US ambassador in Afghanistan has issued an unusually blunt denial of rumours of a U.S. plan to break up Afghanistan as part of a peace deal with the Taliban. It looks Amb. Crock thinks that former Ambassador  Robert D. Blackwill is also a liar?  Our govt. has to tell us or anyone else the truth about what they have planned in their ideas of “persistent”/perpetual war.  The Pentagon has often admitted that we will be in Afghanistan for decades, if not forever.  Any attempt to get us out of there by 2014 can only end in Afghanistan’s permanent division and vicious civil war!!! 

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US ENVOY DISPELS PLAN TO DIVIDE AFGHANISTAN

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by msnbc.com staff

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I guess Amb. Crock thinks that former Ambassador  Robert D. Blackwill is also a liar?  His spilling the beans in his article Plan B in Afghanistan must have been an unwelcome surprise to the secret planners.  Our govt. has yet to tell us or anyone else the truth about what they have planned in their ideas of “persistent”/perpetual war.  The Pentagon has often admitted that we will be in Afghanistan for decades, if not forever.  Any attempt to get us out of there by 2014 can only end in Afghanistan’s permanent division and vicious civil war.  By arming the Northern Alliance forces from the beginning as US proxies against the Taliban, the Bush-beleaguers created conditions for never-ending war, permanent division and civil war.  Pointing-out these obvious facts in no way dishonors America’s dead.  They are dead because they were sent to wage war for Empire under impossible conditions.  The dishonor comes with their participation in this entire dishonest affair.  That cannot be erased.  [Peter Chamberlin]

Time – Australian takes issue over skewed article on Pakistan

There are 180 million people in Pakistan, 65% are under the age of 25. The youth of Pakistan is its strength.. it is like a sleeping giant. If you think that India is a booming nation, I suggest you stop a second and look at Pakistan. Given a little help from the western world, Pakistan can become a dominant economy. The people of Pakistan do not want our aid and they do not need our money… They just want the chance to be seen in a different light.  I believe we have a fundamental obligation to assist. The only question is, who will reach out first.

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REBUTTAL TO: KARACHI IS DOOMED, KARACHI IS INDESTRUCTIBLE …

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by Tony Lazaro 

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Note for WoP readers: Time, the US weekly published a lengthy article on Jan 16^th 2012. Its titled ‘Karachi is doomed, Karachi is indestructible’. Having put up an introductory paragraph, the magazine directs its readers to access the remaining part of the post by advancing a paid subscription. Since this article carries a good amount of what’s happening in Pakistan’s largest metropolis, I do recommend readers to read this in full by taking the following link

http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/01/%E2%80%98karachi-is-doomed-karachi-is-indestructible%E2%80%99/

 Interestingly there has been a response to this piece by an Australian who was recently in Karachi and who has so aptly rebutted the many half truths about this economic hub of Pakistan..

 Then I came across an introductory letter. I do not know whether it too has been jotted down by Lazaro, or by somebody else, but in any case this piece too is more near the facts.

I reproduce here, first this brief followed by the letter from Lazaro he sent to the weekly Time. [Nayyar] 

Pakistan and the Potential for Conflict in the Strait of Hormuz

Pakistan’s Balochistan Province is on the Arabian Sea; and the Strait of Hormuz lies to the east, at the border with Iran. Around 20 per cent of the world’s daily oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has threatened to close after the latest wave of sanctions [EPA]. The only point of interest on the coast is the port of Gwadar, which was built and commissioned with Chinese technical and financial support in May 2007. To that point, the project cost a total of $280 million. Several piers are currently in operation, and the port’s infrastructure is under construction. One purpose of the port is to serve as a freight hub for raw hydrocarbons destined for Pakistan’s domestic market. Also, the local media has reported that a naval base for the Pakistani and Chinese navies will be located there.

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ANALYSING PAKISTAN’S POSITION ON POSSIBLE US-IRANIAN CLASH

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by Natalya Zamarayeva 

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According to US Central Command, on January 10, 2012 a U.S. Navy carrier strike group entered the Indian Ocean en route to the Arabian Sea. The USS John C. Stennis carrier strike group is already sailing those waters. This move was precipitated by several factors.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that Iran’s nuclear program is military in nature. Iran denies all allegations. Concerned about the situation, EU countries have agreed to ban the import of Iranian oil. In response, Tehran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which passes 40% of all maritime oil shipments from the Persian Gulf. US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the United States will respond if Iran tries to close the Strait.

It is no less important to analyze Pakistan’s position regarding these developments from various points of view: international, regional and defense of national political and economic interests.

So, the Strait of Hormuz: Pakistan’s Baluchistan Province is on the Arabian Sea; and the Strait of Hormuz lies to the east, at the border with Iran. The only point of interest on the coast is the port of Gwadar, which was built and commissioned with Chinese technical and financial support in May 2007. To that point, the project cost a total of $280 million. Several piers are currently in operation, and the port’s infrastructure is under construction. One purpose of the port is to serve as a freight hub for raw hydrocarbons destined for Pakistan’s domestic market. Also, the local media has reported that a naval base for the Pakistani and Chinese navies will be located there.

Wise Bear on the Mountaintop

It’s nice when it’s not just mighty China but Russia also, with its thermonuclear missiles, advocating peace throughout the world and assuring the public that it has no hegemonic ambitions. China got a little offended when it learned that another country considers itself even more peaceable than super-peace loving China. That’s why Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Weimin hastened to clarify what ​​Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said and drew attention to the media’s mistaken interpretation of his remarks.

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TIME FOR THE EAGLE TO COME DOWN OFF THE MOUNTAIN TOP

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by Konstantin Penzev

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At the regularly scheduled briefing in October 2011, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Liu Weimin said that “China has no intention nor energy to seek global leadership.”

I need to make it very clear that I sympathize with the Chinese government’s position. Maybe in the future the international community will examine its position and the entire Chinese government will be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for extraordinary efforts in strengthening international diplomacy and cooperation among peoples. US President Barack Obama got just that award in 2009. Now, the Obama administration is preparing a military invasion of Iran, but that’s a trivial detail. No one can possibly argue that America’s current president isn’t strengthening cooperation among nations. He may have a somewhat unique understanding of the word “cooperation,” but he admitted honestly and openly that he smoked marijuana in his youth. Surely such an open and honest person can’t be an evil, trigger-happy maniac. Maybe he made a little mistake, but who hasn’t?

It’s wonderful that China has neither the intent nor the energy to seek global leadership. But does it mean that after hearing such a sincere confession of peaceableness President Obama will abandon his “Return to Asia” strategy, cease construction on the military base in Darwin and stop putting together a military block against China? 

Drone Disasters [2 of 2]

 US surveillance drone crashed near the Pak Afghan border inside the Pakistani territory near Chaman in Balochistan. The drone, an Unnamed Aerial vehicle was carrying two cameras for spying purpose. While flying over Pak afghan border it suddenly came down due to some technical fault. Though it did not cause any casualties, its wreckage was taken into custody by Frontier Corps for investigation. The incident leads observers to conclude that US drones are violating Pakistani border for surveillance purpose and further intensify the tension in Pak-US relations. [In the mage above a Pakistani security officer examines the crashed U.S. surveillance drone in the town of Chaman near the Afghan border. (Asghar Achakzai, AFP/Getty Images)

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THE CRASH AND BURN FUTURE OF ROBOT WARFARE :: WHAT 70 DRONES TELL US ABOUT THE NEW AMERICAN WAY OF WAR

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by Nick Turse

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YOU DON’T NEED A WEATHERMAN … OR DO YOU?

 How missions are carried out — and sometimes fail — is apparent from the declassified reports, including one provided to TomDispatch by the Air Force detailing a June 2011 crash.  Late that month, a Predator drone took off from Jalalabad Air Base in Afghanistan to carry out a surveillance mission in support of ground forces.  Piloted by a member of the 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing out of Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, the robotic craft ran into rough weather, causing the pilot to ask for permission to abandon the troops below. 

 His commander never had a chance to respond.  Lacking weather avoidance equipment found on more sophisticated aircraft or on-board sensors to clue the pilot in to rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, and with a sandstorm interfering with ground radar, “severe weather effects” overtook the Predator.  In an instant, the satellite link between pilot and plane was severed.  When it momentarily flickered back to life, the crew could see that the drone was in an extreme nosedive.  They then lost the datalink for a second and final time.  A few minutes later, troops on the ground radioed in to say that the $4 million drone had crashed near them.