The Counterinsurgency in Pakistan -- Kamran Bokhari & Fred Burton, Real Clear Politics
Since the start of the U.S.-jihadist war in late 2001, and particularly since the rise of the Taliban rebellion within its own borders in recent years, Pakistan has been seen as a state embroiled in a jihadist insurgency threatening its very survival. Indeed, until late April, it appeared that Pakistan was buckling under the onslaught of a Taliban rebellion that had consumed large chunks of territory in the northwest and was striking at the country's core. A Shariah-for-peace deal with the Taliban in the Swat region, approved with near unanimity by the parliament, reinforced the view that Pakistan lacked the willingness or capability to fight Islamist non-state actors chipping away at its security and stability.
Read more ....
COMMENTARIES, OPINIONS, AND EDITORIALS
Killing of Militant Shows Cementing US-Pakistan Ties -- Gerald F. Seib, Wall Street Journal opinion
The Afghans Have a Referendum on Democracy -- Ann Marlowe, Wall Street Journal opinion.
Iraq’s Sunnis -- New York Times editorial.
Smart Sanctions Can Work Against Iran -- Michael Jacobson and Mark Dubowitz, Wall Street Journal opinion.
Sanctions Would Empower Ahmadinejad -- H. Askari & T. Parsi, IHT
A Bumpy Road for Ahmadinejad -- Asieh Mir, Washington Times opinion.
The Perils of Ignoring Iran's Nukes -- Con Coughlin, Daily Telegraph
We Could Live with a Nuclear Iran -- David Clark, The Guardian
US Boots On Congo Ground - Michael O'Hanlon, Washington Post opinion
Politics and Compassion -- The Times editorial.
Why Russia is Slapping Around Ukraine -- Yevgeny Kiselyov, Moscow Times
How Germany, France Beat British Economy -- S. O'Grady, The Independent
Beijing Must Rethink Ethnic Policies -- China Post
Japan's Party Leaders Out of the Gate -- Japan Times