Another Browncast is up. You can listen on Libsyn, Apple, Spotify, and Stitcher (and a variety of other platforms). Probably the easiest way to keep up the podcast since we don’t have a regular schedule is to subscribe to one of the links above! In this episode Amey, Conrad and I (Omar Ali) talk to Karol Karpinski about the crisis, and … Continue reading Russian Invasion of Ukraine, part 1
From Dr Hamid Hussain. As readers of this blog know, our other Pakistani military history contributor (Major Amin) has a harsher version of the same situation: that there is chaos in Afghanistan and it will drag all neighbors into trouble with it. Dr Hamid, a nice guy at heart, is willing to hope for peace … Continue reading Afghan Chaos. Dr Hamid Hussain’s view..
Another BP Podcast is up. You can listen on Libsyn, Apple, Spotify, and Stitcher (and a variety of other platforms). Probably the easiest way to keep up the podcast since we don’t have a regular schedule is to subscribe to one of the links above! In this podcast we reverse positions and guest blogger Maneesh Taneja interviewed me (Omar Ali) instead of … Continue reading Browncast: Omar Ali on Pakistan, Myths and Realities
I had posted an earlier blog post with the somewhat tongue in cheek title “America’s brilliant strategy in Afghanistan”. This was basically a note (and an audio version of the same) from Major Amin, arguing that strategically a US exit was a brilliant move as it ensured that this tar baby is now the problem … Continue reading Afghanistan; Graveyard of Western Policy Wonks (but certainly NOT the graveyard of empires)
From Major Amin. As most readers know by now, I am not a fan of this kind of realpolitik because I am too faint-hearted to be this cynical about thousands of Afghans being sold down the river, but the world is a nasty and brutish place and in the big picture, who knows… Anyway, the … Continue reading America’s Brilliant Strategy in Afghanistan
I started yesterday with a news article about how US intelligence said that the Taliban could take Kabul in 90 days. After the previous week had been filled with over half a dozen Afghan provincial capitals falling, it became clear that the Taliban were deploying all their strength across the country to capture as much … Continue reading 30 days? That’s an excuse to run consulate shredders — Kabul’s government won’t last the week
From Major Amin. As time goes on, we will no doubt see more information about how the USA “lost Afghanistan”. At the level of American PR/media the blame will mostly fall on Pakistan for now, since there is a lot of truth in it and it gets the clowns who run the state dept and … Continue reading What Happened to the Afghan Army?
Some random thoughts from Major Amin about the Hazaras of Pakistan and Afghanistan and the (exemplary and successful) use of divide and rule by the British.. HAZARAS -VICTIMS OF IMPERIAL POLICIES OF DIVIDE AND RULE Hazara Pioneers were employed by Brigadier General Dyer of Jallianwalla Bagh notoriety in Sarhad District of Iranian Baluchistan in First … Continue reading Hazaras, and Divide and Rule in the British Empire
From Dr Hamid Hussain. As usual, he gives sensible advice, but it is not going to be heeded. On this issue, I think Major Amin is right, there will be a civil war, Pakistan will take sides, PTM will not be reconciled and will instead be further demonized, things will not get better. I also … Continue reading Afghan Conundrum II
From Major Amin. There was duplicity on Pakistan side in not agreeing to simple formula proposed by Lord Mountbatten that Muslim majority states join Pakistan and non-Muslim majority states join India-Thus Pakistan was unrealistically hoping to get Hyderabad Deccan , Jodhpur ,Bikaner and Junagadh– Thus technically and legally Maharaja of Kashmir’s joining India was legitimate … Continue reading Run up to the Kashmir War of 1947-48, Pakistani POV