ھر قدم فتنہ کے جانب؟
Pakistan’s security crises resemble the Whac-A-Mole game regularly found in amusement parks and fairs. The central government bashes — or at least attempts to — the head of insurgents in one area, only to find “miscreants” popping up elsewhere. The cycle continues with repeat offenders. Crises aren’t resolved — [...]

If the stakes weren’t so high, the segment of above could simply be seen as an exercise in stupidity. But with U.S. engagement with Pakistan at perhaps an all-time high, both countries entering important political transitions and facing multiple intersecting security threats, the laughter should perhaps be followed by tears.
Richard Miniter, a right-leaning polemicist [...]

Tonight I had the pleasure of appearing on The John Batchelor Show (WABC Radio, NY, 770AM), which is back on the air after an undue hiatus. John and I discussed the political and security crisis in Pakistan, with a focus on the attempted assassination of Benazir Bhutto. If possible and permitted, I [...]

Bomber Sketch Released
Two Severed Heads Found; Police Still Assert One Bomber
Explosives: Russian-Made Grenade and 14 kg RDX suicide belt
Multiple Attack Teams?
A Nexus Against Bhutto?
Political Fallout of the Attacks: Playing Musical Chairs Can Be Dangerous

More Questions

PAKISTANI POLICE RELEASES IMAGE OF ALLEGED KARACHI BOMBER
Sindh Police has released a sketch of the severed head of an individual it [...]

In the footer of the previous post, “The Massacre at Karsaz Bridge: Analysis of the Bhutto Blast (Part 1),” I posted real-time updates of Benazir Bhutto’s press conference at Bilawal House this afternoon Pakistan Standard Time. The press conference was long and my summary ended up becoming lengthy, deserving a separate post. It [...]

Karachi Police and Interior Ministry: Single attacker threw grenade and then blew himself up
Alleged Suicide Bomber Found: Severed head retrieved; DNA tests being conducted
Asif Zardari, Bhutto’s Husband: Intelligence bureau responsible
The Toll: 138 dead; 550 injured–including senior politicians

The Location: Potential significance
Bhutto to Name Names: Intelligence Bureau?

The night was over — or so we had thought. Benazir [...]

Pakistani television stations are reporting that two blasts occurred near the convoy of ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who returned today to Pakistan, ending eight years of exile. The blasts apparently were very strong, occurring perhaps two minutes apart, as Bhutto’s armored truck crossed a flyover. The first was at 12:09AM Pakistan time (3:09 [...]

Pakistani public opinion data released last week by the International Republican Institute (IRI) strongly indicates that U.S. efforts to facilitate a Pervez Musharraf-Benazir Bhutto power sharing deal are backfiring and necessitate revision.
Talks between Bhutto and Musharraf have been going on for months with persistent encouragement from Washington, including regular involvement by Assistant Secretary of State [...]

Developments in Pakistan in recent days further the view for both insiders and outsiders that the country is a perplexing bowl of contradictions and political intrigue.
KSE RISES
The Karachi Stock Exchange closed at all-time highs on Monday and Tuesday. Investor confidence boosted due to Pervez Musharraf’s re-election as president (pending the validation of [...]

From: Arif Rafiq
To: Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto
Dear Prime Minister Bhutto:
When your self-exile from Pakistan meets its ends next Thursday, you and your entourage of seventy-five foreign journalists, Pakistani media, and dozens of supporters will witness a raucous reception in Karachi. The international media and Western diplomats—forever enchanted with your Muslim womanhood and Radcliffe-Oxford education—will [...]