Senior Scholar, Middle East Institute
Senior Scholar at the Middle East Institute; former intelligence analyst on Pakistan and Afghanistan for the State Department (1999-2003)
PROFILE
Marvin Weinbaum
Guest
FROM Marvin Weinbaum
Which Way, L.A.?
Is Pakistan Ripe for an Islamic Revolution? In Pakistan's Swat Valley on Sunday, the militant Islamist leader Sufi Mohammed bluntly defied the country's secular government and its system of laws. As to Pakistan's democratic institutions, he said, “supporting an infidel system is a great sin.” He laid out a plan to bring what he called “a complete Islamic system” for the entire country. His speech to a crowd of thousands was carried live on TV.
To the Point
Is Pakistan Ripe for an Islamic Revolution? In Pakistan's Swat Valley on Sunday, militant Islamist leader Sufi Mohammed bluntly defied the country's secular government and its system of laws. As to its democratic institutions, he said, "supporting an infidel system is a great sin," and he laid out a plan to bring "a complete Islamic system" to Pakistan. Such Taliban-style militants are assuming control in Pakistan's northwest provinces, openly promising to take over the rest of the country. Despite brutal enforcement of Islamic law, the secular government seems powerless against determined radicals exploiting poverty, class hatreds and decades of corruption. The US has vital interests in a region where both Pakistan and India have nuclear arms. We hear mounting concern about instability with international consequences.
To the Point
What's Next for Pakistan? Despite photographs of a gunman and doctors' reports of bullet wounds to the head and chest, the Pakistani government claims that Benazir Bhutto died when her head struck the sunroof of her vehicle. President Pervez Musharraf has asked help from Scotland Yard to investigate the assassination. After Bhutto's killing and Musharraf's fumbling response, Pakistan is "disintegrating." That's the opinion of a former high-level Pakistani official, who talks ominously about the "death of hope" in his country. We talk with him and others about the impact of the assassination and elections as a possible vehicle for national unity. Will Scotland Yard give Musharraf new credibility? Was he ever a trustworthy ally in America's "war on terror?"
Which Way, L.A.?
Pakistani Opposition Leader Bhutto Assassinated Heads of state around the world are reacting to today's assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan. President Bush delivered his comments from his ranch in Crawford, Texas. Who will fill the vacuum her death leaves in Pakistani politics? Who will carry her banner in the January election? Will that election occur as scheduled? How did Pakistan become unsafe for democracy? Will President Musharraf be able to control the aftermath of the Bhutto assassination? This, and a friend's personal memories of Bhutto.
To the Point
Pakistani Opposition Leader Bhutto Assassinated Heads of state around the world are reacting to today's assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan. President Bush delivered his comments from his ranch in Crawford, Texas. Who will fill the vacuum her death leaves in Pakistani politics? Who will carry her banner in the January election? Will that election occur as scheduled? How did Pakistan become unsafe for democracy? Will President Musharraf be able to control the aftermath of the Bhutto assassination? This, and a friend's personal memories of Bhutto.
Which Way, L.A.?
Islamabad, Kabul, Washington and International Politics At Camp David on Monday, Presidents Bush and Karzai were bullish on the upcoming meeting. Musharraf has been much in the news since U.S. intelligence reported that Al Qaeda is regrouping in his country, and the Democratic candidates for President have been trying to sound tough in case Musharraf fails to take action.
To the Point
Poppies, Jihadis Stand in the Way of Progress in Afghanistan At Camp David on Monday, with Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai by his side, President Bush warmly endorsed a "jirga ," a traditional meeting to resolve disputes. Pakistan's President, Pervez Musharraf , had agreed to attend tomorrow's meeting in Kabul, but today declined, saying the press of business will keep him at home in Islamabad. Musharraf says he hopes lower-ranking officials can resolve issues between the two countries, but his withdrawal is seen as a snub to the United States. Bush and Karzai say al Qaeda in Pakistan is helping the Taliban stage a bloody resurgence, which is also fueled by a record crop of opium poppies. Will Karzai have to go it alone? Would legalizing poppy-production help ease the pressure. Can the "jirga" make a difference, without either Musharraf or the Taliban?
Which Way, L.A.?
The Taliban Rise Again in Afghanistan NATO has taken command of military operations in Afghanistan , at a time when the Taliban are stepping into the vacuum left when the US changed its focus to Saddam Hussein. It’s the biggest challenge in the history of the Alliance. In the meantime, gun battles, roadside explosives and suicide bombers are taking their toll as the Taliban stage a powerful comeback. We hear about drug money, the failure of reconstruction and Pakistan, as well as a warning that there are not enough boots on the ground to avoid a crisis that could be worse than the war in Iraq. (An extended version of this discussion was originally broadcast earlier today on To the Point.)
To the Point
NATO Takes Over in Afghanistan to Face a Resurgent Taliban The zealots who sheltered Osama bin Laden are stepping into a power vacuum left when the US shifted its focus to Saddam Hussein. Today, amid warnings that there are not enough boots on the ground to stop the insurgence and in its biggest challenge in history, NATO took command of military operations in Afghanistan , with 31,000 troops from 37 countries, 12,000 from the US. An additional 8,000 American soldiers will handle counter-terrorism and training under US command. In the meantime, gun battles, roadside explosives and suicide bombers are taking their toll as the Taliban stage a powerful comeback. We hear about drug money, the failure of reconstruction and Pakistan. Will the Taliban fight their way into the government? What's happened to the Bush Administration's prime example of a "failed state" transformed into a democracy?
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To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?