Monday 8th February 2010

Pakistan

Terror at Islamic University

October 20, 2009 · 1 Comment

ISLAMABAD—Twin suicide blasts killed at least five four and injured at least 23 more than 40 at one of the largest Islamic universities in the world today, the seventh major terrorist attack in two weeks. The attack comes as the Pakistani Army presses its assault on South Waziristan against Taliban militants, foreign fighters and al Qaeda. Today’s attacks occurred two or three minutes apart at approximately 3:15 p.m.. The first was at the Girls’ Cafeteria, where 40 women were inside having lunch. The suicide bomber approached the door and asked... [Read the full story]

Afghanistan

Afghan Orphans Show Off Artistry

September 11, 2009 · Comments Off

My friend Natalie Carney is in Kabul doing a documentary on Afghan orphans. And although I’ve seen it many times, I’m always blown away by the sheer resilience of kids in war zones. The urge and ability to be a kid — to play, to smile, to escape a lot of the shit of their everyday lives — when they’ve been through so much more than I ever will is overwhelming to a tired old cynic like me. I am constantly humbled by these children. Anyway, Natalie has been posting video blogs of her time in Kabul and this one really shows off the talent of the youth in... [Read the full story]

Somalia

Somalia’s Al Shabaab Releases Extensive Training Video

September 21, 2009 · 2 Comments

The Mujahideen Youth Movement, also known as al-Shabaab, released yesterday an extensive 48-and-a-half minute training video titled, “At Your Service, Osama.” It shows extensive footage from the Commander Abu Suleim Training Camp somewhere in Somalia — likely southern Somalia where the al Shabaab have a stronghold. IntelCenter, which obtained the tape, says the footage is almost identical to the footage that came out of Afghanistan showing al Qaeda training camps prior to 9/11. The video features the use of “technicals” in battle along... [Read the full story]

Military

Pakistan’s Civil War Heating Up

October 12, 2009 · 1 Comment

In the aftermath of this weekend’s assault on the Pakistani General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, the Taliban hit again in Alpuri, in the Shangla district east of Mingora in Swat. According to military sources who asked to remain anonymous because they weren’t authorized to talk to the press, a 13– or 14-year-old boy walked up to an Army convoy in the crowded bazaar and blew himself up, killing at least 35 civilians and six soldiers. More than 45 were wounded. Meanwhile, the Pakistani Air Force bombed suspected Taliban targets in Bajur and South... [Read the full story]

Jihad

Pakistan’s 9/11

October 15, 2009 · Comments Off

ISLAMABAD—Militants launched simultaneous attacks across Pakistan Thursday morning, hitting at least three police installations in Lahore, ramming a suicide car bomb into a police station in Kohat in the NWFP and attacking a school in Peshawar. At least 37 people were killed in the combined attacks. The scene in Lahore was one of mayhem, where the Federal Investigation Agency, an Elite Police training center and the Manawan police academy were attacked by gunmen. Four militants attacked the FIA killing seven people. Two gunmen, four government... [Read the full story]

Politics

Kerry-Lugar’s First Victim

October 12, 2009 · 1 Comment

If true, this is total bullshit: After strong criticism on the Kerry-Lugar bill in Pakistan, the government has decided to replace Pakistan’s ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani and the announcement in this respect is expected within the next two days. There’s nothing in the bill reasonable Pakistanis should object to, but blatant demagoguery has apparently won the day on this issue. UPDATE: Farah Ispahani, spokeswoman for President Asif Ali Zardari and the wife of Haqqani, tells me the reports are untrue and the work of people who “would like... [Read the full story]

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