The United Nations says more than 9,000 civilians have been killed so far in the uprising while no exact numbers are available on abductions, injured and political prisoners. Human rights activists working in the volatile country believe that thousands of pro-democracy people are slammed into the prisons just for raising voice against the dictator. Through different tactics, the dissidents are being forced to revoke their demonstrations against the autocratic rule.

It won’t be wrong to say that Assad has proven to be one of the smartest and the most stubborn autocrats in the Arab world. He continues to be in the power despite all odds. The despot has also vociferously set the international pressure aside, stating the world powers were trying to intervene in internal affairs of the country. He believes the western and even some Arab countries are helping rebels to create anarchy in the country for their own vested interests.

Even, he has labeled the opposition members as ‘agents of the foreign powers.’ Ironically, leaders of the same opposition complain apathy of the international community towards sufferings of Syrians.

After being inspired by successful uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, tens of thousands of Syrians also took to the streets in March last year demanding civil liberties and human rights for them. The United States, the so-called champion of democracy and human rights, also announced to support the protestors in bringing down the dictator but have faced tough resistance from Assad administration.

On the other hand, the autocrat continued to muster public support in his favour besides solidifying relations with two important veto-wielding nations – Russia and China. At home, Assad tried to nullify effect of protests of the opposition by arranging massive rallies of his supporters in his favour and indeed, succeeded a bit in this tactics. He also unleashed the security forces against the opposition to staunch the protests against his rule. After a year-long repression, the autocrat has succeeded to significantly tone down protests of the opposition.

To counter Assad’s strategy, the United States did try to strengthen the Syrian National Council against the autocrat but the ragtag opposition has yet to gather all factions of dissidents under one flag. The US also failed to woo maximum defections from the security forces as it did in Libya to crumble the dictator. Alawites, the ruling tribe of the country, has proved to be the staunchest supporter of Assad while Free Syrian Army has virtually reduced to an outfit of just a few low-ranking army deserters.

The international community especially the US had to bear another shock in the first week of February this year when Russia and China vetoed a draft resolution against the despot tabled by Morocco in the UN Security Council. However, all the other 13 members voted in favor of the resolution. Both the countries did not want the US and its NATO allies to enter the country under the garb of security council sanction and commit gross human rights violations in the name of rescuing people as they did in Libya in October last year.

After being defeated on that front, Kofi Annan was appointed as UN-Arab League special emissary to Syria in last week of February to broker a peace deal with the autocrat. Assad has apparently outsmarted Annan as well by accepting his six-point peace plan. The peace agreement was to be implemented by April 10 while clashes between the security forces and rebels still continue in different parts of the country. The dictator has almost justified his operation against rebels to the world powers, saying “they are defying the peace pact.”

Adding insult to injury, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton also failed in garnering support of allies on Syria in a recent meeting of NATO ministers at Brussels. The only assurance she could get was, “We will continue to increase pressure on Assad.”

For the time being, Assad who succeeded his father Hafez al-Assad in 2000, has survived the uprising by outwitting his rivals both at home and abroad. Indeed, low-intensity conflict will continue to simmer in the volatile country but perhaps it may take years to topple the regime.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority website got hacked, moments ago. Website isn’t defaced, but a a page is inserted into PTA website claiming that website has been hacked by the same group that hacked supreme court website a week ago.

Hacker, which names himself as Zombie_KSA, demands that PTA should ban all websites containing explicit material. Same hacker had defaced Supreme Court website a week ago with a similar message to Chief Justice of Pakistan[...]

Read full news item here..

Abstract Analysis is Guppu.com's blog series that analyses the happenings in an abstract way

Last month in Pakistan was eventful; I suppose this would be an understatement. It was beyond expectations for many who don’t watch the news lines very closely or follow the factors emerging around the news. When Admiral Mullen let the cat out of bag it was not unexpected completely for me, as I knew in hindsight that such things would come out one day or the other. As far as US Pakistan relations are concerned I think I knew it right after 9/11 that such a day would come. My nightmare started when Obama started issuing some childish pre election statements right at the beginnings, that my boss Azhar Abbas who is now heading Geo tv said should be ignored as they do not matter. It was also unimportant because in the presence of heavy weights Obama was never taken serious. When he stood at his inaugural day I knew the bad days are approaching fast.

When I say this I believe it is important to understand the history of US Pakistan relations in detail. Last time when we were ditched it was another Clinton leading the same Democrats who abandoned Pakistan and even put sanctions on it. When Pakistan decided to side with US, Pakistanis realised that the time is fast approaching when they will see the US departing once again. When US decided to leave Afghanistan after USSR Pakistan was left to deal with the mess, the narcotics trade, drugs, weapons, stingers and above all the Mujahideen who were well trained, enthusiastic, ready to kill brain washed fighters. Pakistani establishment half-heartedly started listening to US but under strong threats as expressed by Musharraf in his book. Pakistan right from the beginning advised US to be cautious towards those who they have built together over the years, the Mujahideen of Afghan Jihad. US on the other hand wanted to go all they way which they did eventually leaving Pakistan with no choice but to make the U turn.

I believe with this attitude Pakistanis knew they are going to face the same once again what they did after USSR demise. I also believe the strategic partnerships were built in order to avoid a complete fallout in US Pakistan relations. The Haqqanis, the peace jirgas, the foot dragging regarding attack in Pakistani tribal areas were all part of what I call the strategic contingency planning. Pakistan knew that US is not serious about Afghanistan as much as it is about other interests it has, it also knew that Afghanistan was not a priority but a liability only because Osama Bin Laden happened to be there when 9/11 happened. I could see American administration wishing if for any reason if Osama could have moved to Iraq that would have made their lives so easier. Unfortunately this was not the case, but with all the war, the attacks and killings one thing that always lingered in between both allies and partners (as they preferred to call themselves) was the deep mistrust. On the front it was not obvious as Musharraf had a way of dealing things that unfortunately was not the case with his successors. I also think with an ever-increasing insecurity Pakistan looked at sides and started developing its own exit plans, beyond US and ISAF. The fact of the matter is that Pakistan and Afghanistan has to co exist with Taliban good and bad both. US have its own interests and a very deep fear that if they leave Afghanistan abruptly their victims in Afghanistan might chase them to their homeland. This puts both sides in a seriously catch 22 situation.

Pakistan is embroiled at double ends; it is fighting a war within its own boundary as well as with forces beyond its boundary and control. The second part of this fight is where it has failed to del with its targets head on. I believe those who accuse Pakistan of deception need to look hard on the facts I stated above. This deception is not unjustified if we look hard and fast on these issues facing Pakistan. No matter how much I doubt the ability of the president of Pakistan but when he wrote in Washington post he stated some key facts for the world to read and understand. I also believe that the world knows those facts but prefers to ignore them rather than taking them into account. With regard to this current skirmish between Pakistan and US over Afghanistan and all the hue and cry surrounding it. I would only say that Pakistani media is just lowing it out of proportion to start with Secondly it is another Raymond Davis saga revisited and those anchors who are screaming at top of their voices, on Pakistani airwaves are the same who predicted a lot and left in the middle then and would face the same now. They are pawns used and abused and yet have the courage to come and face the camera again. They will continue to pollute our airwaves while this skirmish will evaporate in thin air.

The fact of the matter is that the issue is not Rabbani or Haqqani or the US embassy attack it is far deeper and complicated. No one really understands that such stupid childish actions from Americans and the hue and cry from Pakistani media puppets is absolutely useless and is very dangerous. What is needed now more than ever is for Pakistan and Afghanistan to sit down and engage in an extensive composite dialogue ranging from all the issues and settle them once and for all? It has to be done without US and it has to be done as soon as it could be. This will improve the overall situation in the region and would solve the myth about having or not having Taliban on board these discussions. It will also bring both sides to a mutual point regarding good Taliban and bad Taliban.

For United States I believe it is good time to unfold, and follow its schedule as that is what it has always done, ditched partners and allies in the middle, left mess behind and sanctioning its friends whenever it wanted. I personally don’t think US hue and cry matters at all in this regard as it is only trying to pressurise its way into the regional politics where Afghanistan and Pakistan have started taking radical steps for their own benefits themselves and the need for an American policeman is eroding with ever passing day.

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Guppu.com.

Express Tribune

Contact between US, Pakistan intact: Marc Grossman

WASHINGTON: US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Marc Grossman on Wednesday said Washington does not want its relations with Pakistan to end.

Amid growing pressure from Capitol Hill for some action against Pakistan, there are signs that US officials are now pushing to cool down rising temperatures. Read full..

Pakistan Today

Grossman, Haqqani agree not to affect Pak-US relations

WASHINGTON – United States Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Marc Grossman and Husain Haqqani talked on phone and discussed present situation.

Hussain Haqqani and Marc Grossman talked on phone and agreed that differences over Haqqani network won’t be allowed to affect Pak-US ties. Read full..

The extraordinary meeting of the corps commanders came against the backdrop of sharp US allegations that Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) supported the Haqqani group Washington blames for the recent attack on its embassy and other targets in Kabul. [via The News]

KARACHI (SANA): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani will soon convene a meeting of the country’s political leadership to apprise them of security conditions in Pakistan and the emerging situation in the region. The Prime Minister was addressing the business community of Karachi in Governor House on Friday.

He said that political and economic stability of the country was interlinked and directed the Sindh Government to take across the board action against criminals, target killers and extortionists and bring them to justice. The Prime Minister said that only political solutions were durable and all other solutions produced short-term relief.

Gilani said that he had sent Interior Minister Rehman Malik with clear-cut directions to extend full cooperation to the Sindh Government in its endeavours to bring normalcy in the metropolis, which is the
economic hub of the country. [via SANA]

Courtesy: The News/SANA

ISLAMABAD – In a loud and clear message that Pakistan’s national interest will guide its policy, Islamabad on Saturday unambiguously warned Washington against any hot pursuit inside its territory or making the country a scapegoat for the US failure in Afghanistan.

With Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani strongly rejecting the US assertions of complicity with the Haqqanis and of Pakistan launching a proxy war, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar also hit out at the US, warning it against crossing the “red-lines” and making it a “scapegoat” for failed objectives (in Afghanistan)[..] Read full..

Gen Kayani warns of ‘hot pursuit’ to curb cross-border attacks

ISLAMABAD – Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani demanded on Saturday a halt to repeated cross-border terrorist attacks into Pakistani territory from Afghanistan and warned that Pakistan Army would eliminate the “miscreants” responsible for these assaults no matter where they were if NATO and the Afghan army did not take any action against them [..] Read full…

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in a statement termed the comments by chairman Joint Chief’s of Staff Committe Admiral Mike Mullen as ‘unfortunate’, and ‘not based on facts’ [..]

Read the full news entry here…

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan on Friday warned the United States that it could lose an ally if it continues to publicly accuse Islamabad of exporting violence to Afghanistan and being involved in attacks on US targets.

In the most stinging American indictment yet of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), top US military officer Admiral Mike Mullen accused the spy agency of involvement in two recent attacks on US interests in Afghanistan.
Pakistan flatly denies sponsoring violence in Afghanistan, but its military has historical ties to the Taliban and other Islamist militant commanders fighting American soldiers in the 10-year war across the border.

“We have also conveyed this to the United States, that you will lose an ally. You cannot afford to alienate Pakistan. You cannot afford to alienate the Pakistani people,” Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar told a private TV channel [..]

Read full entry here…

Image via Wikipedia

Guppu.Com | News Alert | Int’l Desk
Source/Credit: The News
By News Agencies | September 21, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani is said to have snubbed a few participants of the last Corps Commanders’ meeting who had argued that the army takeover had become inevitable in the prevailing situation as the country was fast descending into chaos because of the failure of the political leadership.

The discussion on this aspect is believed to have taken place in the Corps Commanders’ meeting held on September 8 and significantly the ISPR issued no press release at the end of the meeting.

Read Full Original Entry Here . . .

People have been raising their concerns and they are found wondering

Why is USA taking so much interest in Pakistan?

What is American Army doing in Islamabad?

Why is Mr. Halbrook interfering in the internal matters of the country as if he’s the American viceroy?

Why is American Embassy in Pakistan being expanded?

In simple words, people have been raising concerns about what if USA tries to enter Pakistan with the intention of invading it? Just like the Britishers entered the sub-continent few centuries ago with a simple project called East India Company.

I agree that the current anti-Pakistan government in offices could lead us to the worst sort of situation like this but still I reject the above concerns because I am quite confident at the new generation of Pakistan. I am sure that together we’ll defend our country until the last drop of our blood. So even if the US is dreaming to capture Pakistan’s resources, I suggest they should get a life.