Journalist, Wall Street Journal and London Times
Journalist in Islamabad, Pakistan who writes for the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, London Times and other; author of Frontline Pakistan: The Struggle with Militant Islam and The Scorpion's Tail: The Relentless Rise of Islamic Militants in Pakistan-and How It Threatens America
Obama's War: Is there Any Way to Make Progress? NATO and Afghan forces claim they killed a senior Taliban commander today, Hamid Karzai picked a former President of his country to chair a peace council that's reaching out to the Taliban, Pakistan says it's re-opening a border crossing into Afghanistan.
Obama's War: Is there Any Way to Make Progress? The war with the Taliban involves the US, Afghanistan and Pakistan, but there's growing evidence that all three have different objectives. Neither Pakistan nor Afghanistan has trust in the other and neither expects the US to be around for the long run. And this weekend's New York Times raised a disturbing question: "can the war succeed if one of [America's] principal allies is in cahoots with the enemy?" We hear from Afghanistan and Pakistan, and from one of America's senior diplomats.
Pakistan and the Taliban Twenty-eight thousand Pakistani soldiers are in the fourth day of an offensive in South Waziristan, a province in western Pakistan where some 10,000 Taliban provide a base for al Qaeda and training for foreign jihadis.
Pakistan Fights Militants in the Mountains Despite fierce resistance, Pakistan's Army claims progress in its much-awaited offensive South Waziristan, where some 10,000 Taliban provide a base for al Qaeda and training for foreign jihadis. Twenty eight thousand troops are in the fourth day of their offensive, backed by jet planes, helicopters and tanks, as tens of thousands of civilians flee for their safety. In apparent response, suicide bombings continue in Pakistan's major cities, with two simultaneous strikes today at a university in Islamabad. Are the Army's Taliban targets the same ones the US and NATO are after next door in Afghanistan? What's the role of Pakistan's Cold War with India, and is this the moment for those nuclear powers to finally make peace?
Pakistan's Musharraf Steps Down There were celebrations in the streets of Pakistani cities today after President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation from office. After his speech on national television, he reviewed an honor guard, stepped into a limousine and was driven away from the presidential palace. Zahid Hussain reports from Islamabad for the Wall Street Journal .
Latest Suicide Bomber in Pakistan Kills Army General The surgeon general of Pakistan's Army was killed by a suicide bomber today as his car waited at a busy intersection in a commercial neighborhood of Rawalpindi. At least four others were killed and 25 wounded. Zahid Hussain is in Islmabad for the Wall Street Journal .
Pakistan Delays Election, Turns to Scotland Yard in Bhutto Probe President Musharraf says Pakistan's delayed elections will be free, fair and transparent. Meantime, Scotland Yard will investigate the death of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto . Zahid Hussain reports from Islamabad for the Wall Street Journal .
Citizen Musharraf Sworn in as Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf was sworn in today for his third term as Pakistan's President, but his first as a civilian . In a televised speech, he said he'll end the state of emergency by December 16 and declared that parliamentary elections will be held in January, whether two former prime ministers boycott them or not. Zahid Hussain, author of Frontline Pakistan : the Struggle with Militant Islam, reports from Pakistan for Newsweek and the Wall Street Journal .
Bhutto Calls for Demonstrations Despite Pakistani Government Crackdown After meeting with some opposition parties today, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto called a rally for Friday, despite an official ban. She also demanded that President Pervez Musharraf stand down as head of the Army and end the emergency rule he imposed five days ago. Zahid Hussain, author of Frontline Pakistan : the Struggle with Military Islam, reports for the Wall Street Journal and Newsweek.
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.
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.