Georgetown University
Director of the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University; international consultant and author of Judging the State: Courts and Constitutional Politics in Pakistan and Double Betrayal: Repression and Insurgency in Kashmir; former special advisor to the United Nations; former Dean of Special Programs at Skidmore College
Afghanistan, Eurozone Questions Linger Despite NATO, G8 Resolve After thousands of protesters clashed with police this weekend, many Chicago businesses encouraged workers to stay home today. Meantime, at the Convention Center, NATO leaders agreed to pull troops out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014, with President Obama insisting that "stabilizing" that country is still a "vital" priority. The NATO meeting came hard on the heels of the G8 summit Friday and Saturday at Camp David, which supported the President's call for "growth" as opposed to "austerity" in the Eurozone. Agreements produced by these back-to-back summits could have long-term consequences for Afghanistan and the European economy. We hear what they mean for the US and other Western powers.
Afghanistan, Eurozone Questions Linger Despite NATO, G8 Resolve President Obama hosted back-to-back summits from Friday at Camp David until today in Chicago. The G8 agreed that Greece should stay in the Eurozone, but the battle over "growth versus austerity" is far from over. NATO leaders agreed to pull troops out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014, with President Obama insisting that "stabilizing" that country remains a "vital" priority. Will NATO provide the funding required for local police and a national army? Are such meetings all that useful? Did the President get what he wanted? Will the US have to live with continued uncertainty in a rapidly changing world?
Pakistan: Political Turmoil in an Unstable Ally Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani faces contempt charges in the Supreme Court for failing to pursue corruption charges against his boss, President Asif Ali Zardari. It appears that the military, which has engineered coups in the past, is behind the action. While its parliamentary government is under legal assault from, the country itself is in economic shambles, fighting a bloody conflict with Islamic extremists. With anti-Americanism on the rise, what's in store for the US and withdrawal from Afghanistan?
Pakistan: Political Turmoil in an Unstable Ally Rumors of a coup may be premature, but Pakistan's military appears to be using the country's Supreme Court to cause big trouble for the civilian leadership. Charges of past corruption could force both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani out of office, partly because they've been publicly critical of the army. They've lost public support due to massive energy shortages, a staggering economy and the bloody wars against the Taliban and other extremists. Can democracy survive in an unstable nuclear power where 70 percent of the population is under 30? What about the US and the war in Afghanistan?
Can Barack Obama Enrich Ties with India? Indians had a love affair with Bill Clinton. George Bush treated India like an international partner. Barack Obama has been complaining about outsourcing American jobs. On top of that, with a contingent including 250 business leaders and the Secretary of Commerce, the US President has timed his arrival during Diwali, the biggest commercial holiday of the year and shops are closed because of security. We hear about trade and diplomacy, Pakistan and China, coconuts and monkeys.
Pakistan Steps Up the Fight against the Taliban Suicide bombers set off a massive blast in Peshawar yesterday, killing 18 people. Was it a response to the Pakistani military's recent offensive of a Taliban stronghold in the Swat Valley? What will become of the two million civilian refugees who have fled the fighting? Could this humanitarian crisis been averted? Is stepped up military action a way to get more US aid? How is Pakistani public opinion affecting the fight against the Taliban? How does President Obama's foreign policy in the region differ from that of George Bush? How do tensions with Afghanistan and India affect Islamabad's focus on the Taliban?
Pakistan Steps Up the Fight against the Taliban Suicide bombers set off a massive blast in Peshawar yesterday, killing 18 people. Was it a response to the Pakistani military's recent offensive of a Taliban stronghold in the Swat Valley? What will become of the two million civilian refugees who have fled the fighting? Could this humanitarian crisis been averted? Is stepped up military action a way to get more US aid? How is Pakistani public opinion affecting the fight against the Taliban? How does President Obama's foreign policy in the region differ from that of George Bush? How do tensions with Afghanistan and India affect Islamabad's focus on the Taliban?
More Troops for Afghanistan: What Are They Going to Do? During his presidential campaign, Barack Obama wanted to refocus the "war on terror" from Iraq to Afghanistan. Development of a coherent policy is a work in progress. Richard Holbrooke, Obama's special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, is in the area now, and the President has said he wants more troops in Afghanistan. At last week's news conference, he hinted at what their mission might be.
Balancing Military and Diplomacy in Afghanistan and Pakistan During his presidential campaign, Barack Obama said it was not Iraq, but Afghanistan that should be the focus of America's war on terror. The Taliban now control much of that country, and last week's murderous attacks on Kabul showed how easily they can penetrate the capital city. Development of a coherent policy is a work in progress, and Richard Holbrooke, Obama's special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, is in the area now. President Obama has said he wants to double American forces, but the very presence of foreign troops increases support for the Taliban. Road construction and economic development would be more popular, but they'd require resources the Pentagon doesn't have. The deadline for a new policy is the NATO summit in April.
Pakistan's President Visits the UN An unmanned American drone has crashed in Pakistan, where anger rages over this weekend's terrorist bombing and the Army is battling militants. This weekend's massive explosion that killed 53 people at Islamabad's Marriott Hotel has increased fears of terrorism. President Asif Ali Zardari is known to believe that US intervention is making things worse. Yesterday, he met with President Bush in New York. We hear from the UN and from Islamabad.
Has US Lost Influence over the Crisis in Pakistan? Pakistan has long presented a vexing policy conundrum for the US. Its nuclear-weapons lab leaked technology to Iran and North Korea and al Qaeda's leaders have taken refuge in its tribal lands. Washington played down those problems as long as it had a stable alliance with Islamabad. But since President Pervez Musharraf declared emergency rule two weeks ago, the US has struggled to stabilize this key ally in the war on terror, urging a return to civilian rule while risking instability that could aid terrorists. Musharraf has remained defiant in his grip on power despite a visit by Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, who also met with opposition politicians, in a search for political alternatives. With whom did he speak and, at this point, can the US really help them? Can the US cut aid without pushing Pakistan to the brink of chaos?
Has US Lost Influence over the Crisis in Pakistan? Pakistan has long presented a vexing policy conundrum for the US. Its nuclear-weapons lab leaked technology to Iran and North Korea and al Qaeda's leaders have taken refuge in its tribal lands. Washington played down those problems as long as it had a stable alliance with Islamabad. But since President Pervez Musharraf declared emergency rule two weeks ago, the US has struggled to stabilize this key ally in the war on terror, urging a return to civilian rule while risking instability that could aid terrorists. Musharraf has remained defiant in his grip on power despite a visit by Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, who also met with opposition politicians, in a search for political alternatives. With whom did he speak and, at this point, can the US really help them? Can the US cut aid without pushing Pakistan to the brink of chaos?
Bloody Unrest for a Crucial American Ally On Saturday, President Pervez Musharraf imposed a state of emergency on Pakistan, claiming that militant violence and an unruly judiciary had created a crisis. Today, protesters in several cities have been tear-gassed and beaten as police arrested thousands of opposition leaders and shut down some media. The worsening situation complicates the US relationship with a country President Bush calls a vital ally in the war on terror. Since September 11, the US has poured billions of dollars into Pakistan, supposedly for help in controlling al Qaeda. Pakistan also provides bases and routes for US military supplies going into Afghanistan. We hear how Musharraf's state of emergency is creating a delicate problem for US diplomacy.
Politically Turbulent Times in Pakistan As expected, Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharaf was re-elected by national and local parliaments this weekend, even though he’s still the Army’s Chief of Staff. His victory was assured when the party of exiled former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto abstained from voting. But the Supreme Court has yet to rule on whether it’s legal for Musharaff to hold elected office while he still wears his uniform. Meantime, Bhutto plans to return to the country after Musharaff granted her amnesty from corruption charges .
Exiled Political Leaders Threaten Musharraf's Power in Pakistan Benazir Bhutto was exiled from Pakistan, and faces corruption charges if she returns. But the former prime minister claims she has worked out a deal with the current President, Pervez Musharraf. Another exiled former leader, Nawaz Sharif, plans to return early next month. Before meeting with her political party's leaders in London tomorrow, Bhutto wants Musharraf to confirm that he'll give up his leadership of the Army when he runs for re-election. Musharraf's spokesman confirms the talks but denies the President has decided to resign as head of the Army. Sharif says Bhutto is "strengthening the hand of a dictator." We get perspective on this nuclear power called a "vital American ally in the war on terror."
Turmoil in Pakistan Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharaf suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry on charges of abusing his office - only to face massive protests . In two days of clashes and gunbattles, forty people were killed. Today, about three-thousand lawyers, opposition activists, and civil rights campaigners were back on the streets of Lahore.
What Mandatory Evacuation? Some People Just Won't Go The Woolsey Fire destroyed 670 structures in Malibu, including more than 400 single family homes. That makes it the most destructive fire in the history of that beachside community. But some residents say even more homes would have been lost, if not for the private citizens who defied mandatory evacuation orders to protect their neighborhoods. The homeowners who stay during a fire can be a nuisance for fire fighters... but they say they're not going anywhere next time.
Spencer the Gardener’s frontman gabs about Santa Barbara’s music scene The band Spencer the Gardener has been playing at bars and music venues in Santa Barbara for decades. We sit down with the frontman to talk about how the local live music scene has changed over the years.
One year later, Ojai reflects on the Thomas Fire in a new book A year after the Thomas Fire began, a new book out of Ojai tells stories of the community’s destruction and regrowth. Cuddle groups are popping up all over the place, including Santa Barbara. And, according to a newly released report, sea level rise could cover nearly two-thirds of Santa Barbara city beaches by 2100.