Comparisons are odious. But this one seems irresistible without meaning to equate parliamentary democracy in India and Pakistan. Read more

Pakistan is a land of conspiracies— imaginary and real. Much of what’s retailed by word of mouth or friendly media persons shows civilian rulers in poor light. The underlying message in the so-called “memogate” is that the men in Khaki could do no wrong, that they are the best defenders of Pakistan’s national interest. Read more

Have the US-Pak tensions reached a breaking point over the latter’s refusal to go after the Haqqani group based in North Waziristan and posing a serious challenge to peace in Afghanistan? The American’s feel the group was a “veritable arm” of the ISI that’s long been notorious for nurturing such elements as Pakistan’s security assets. Read more

Three countries in South Asia are in the middle of political maelstroms for reasons unique to their polity. Read more

I am not sanguine about a major head rolling in the Pakistan Army and the ISI over the US’s boots-on-the-ground assault at Osama bin Laden’s Abbottabad hideout. Read more

A careful reading of President Barak Obama’s speech announcing the death of Osama bin Laden raised more questions than it answered. He said little about the Pakistani involvement in the US-led operation except the passing mention that “our counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding”. Read more