Politics and Terrorism in South Asia, Indian and Pakistani Foreign Policy, Drug Trafficking in South Asia, US role in South Asia, War on Terrorism etc.

Ulama in Pakistani Politics

by Mohamed Nawab

South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies, Volume 32, Issue 2 August 2009 , pages 230 - 247

The ulama are important figures within Muslim societies. In the Indian sub-continent, their influence has transcended... more The ulama are important figures within Muslim societies. In the Indian sub-continent, their influence has transcended the socio-religious realm to include the political realm as well. This paper is an attempt to examine the role of the ulama in Pakistani politics. It also seeks to build a trajectory of their future influence in Pakistani politics. There are four parts to the paper. The first part will examine the historical role of the ulama in the Indian sub-continent. The second part will examine their politics in the period between 1947 and 1979. The third part will highlight how the rise to power of General Zia-ul-Haq and the Afghanistan War of 1979 emboldened the ulama to start seriously contesting for political power. Lastly, the paper will look at how the ulama were again empowered by the military regime of General Musharraf to play an important role in Pakistani politics.

Improving health: can Pakistan prioritise?

by Sabeena Jalal

Pakistan lags far behind in meeting the Millennium Development Goals. Neonatal mortality is responsible for 57% of all... more Pakistan lags far behind in meeting the Millennium Development Goals. Neonatal mortality is responsible for 57% of all deaths in children younger than 5 years in the country, and Pakistan has the highest neonatal mortality rate in the region.1 The under-5 mortality rate has decreased by 24% since 1990. However, both rates have remained more or less static in the poorest income quintile.2 With the devolution of the Ministry of Health last year, Pakistan faces the challenge of developing the much needed provincial infrastructure that would integrate the comprehensive efforts of various stakeholders in promoting better health outcomes. Some reassessment of budgetary priorities will be needed.

Facebook, Twitter - nowe narzędzia arabskiej rewolucji

by Daniel Boćkowski

Published in „Bezpieczenstwo. Swiat – Region – Polska” nr 1/2011, WSAP, p. 21-32; ISSN 2083-0173

Facebook, Tweeter – new tool of the Arab revolution

Social networks are becoming tools of the revolution... more Facebook, Tweeter – new tool of the Arab revolution

Social networks are becoming tools of the revolution that are able to overthrow dictators. Since January 2011 authoritarian regimes in North Africa and Middle East have been aware of the destructive power of Facebook and Twitter that enable free, uncontrolled and instant transmission. Facebook and Twitter broke the monopoly of government information.
Uncontrolled materials and news from around the world are within the reach of anybody who is interested. Until now Facebook and Twitter, as a propaganda tool in Arab world, has appeared most often as weapon used by various fundamentalist terrorist organization have their websites on YouTube and Facebook. The situation has changed a lot within the last few months. Blog and Facebook websites and Tweeter seem to be the best proof to the fact that Egyptian, Tunisians, and some extend Libyan and Syrian revolution, had been ready in virtual world long before they become a fact. A totally new world, parallel to the real one, unexpectedly emerged from cyberspace. It turns out that young people had planned everything very well.

India's Internal Security Outlook: Progress but Still Areas of Concern

by Bibhu Prasad Routray

Published as a RSIS Commentary, No. 002/2012, 3 January 2012

In spite of some improvements, internal security remains a critical area of concern for India in the new year. The... more In spite of some improvements, internal security remains a critical area of concern for India in the new year. The government's ability to end extremist violence and craft a counter-terror architecture continues to be hampered by bureaucratic inertia, inter-ministerial and inter-departmental rivalry and political division.

India in Afghanistan: Light Amid Gloom

by Bibhu Prasad Routray

Published in New Indian Express, 18 December 2011

India’s Afghan policy has invited more critiques than appreciation over the years. It is criticised of being far too... more India’s Afghan policy has invited more critiques than appreciation over the years. It is criticised of being far too dependent on the military effort of the US-led ISAF forces. Predictions have been repeatedly made that once the Taliban-led insurgency makes a comeback to that country, either subsequent to the US downsizing its presence by 2014 or through a reconciliation process, India will have little leverage left in Afghanistan. However, as 2011 ends, the future of India’s presence in Afghanistan appears a little more stronger than before, for the US option of abandoning Afghanistan to its fate in near future looks highly improbable.

Consolidation of paramilitary forces makes sense

by Bibhu Prasad Routray

New Indian Express, 23 October 2011

As the home ministry’s decades-long modernisation programme for the CAPFs focuses on augmenting the capacity of the... more As the home ministry’s decades-long modernisation programme for the CAPFs focuses on augmenting the capacity of the forces, won’t it be a better idea to simply merge the CAPF organisations under one head? If we accept that the Indian Army is doing well under just one supreme command, why not bring the CAPFs under a similar arrangement?

The Balloon Effect: The Failure of Supply Side Strategies in the War on Drugs

by Charles Laffiteau

More Than 10 years ago Dr. Ernest Drucker wrote that “The current model of drug control relies primarily on law... more More Than 10 years ago Dr. Ernest Drucker wrote that “The current model of drug control relies primarily on law enforcement to seize drugs and imprison drug offenders. While these efforts have produced large numbers of arrests, incarcerations and seizures, drug overdose deaths have increased 540% since 1980 and drug-related problems have worsened.” This research paper will discuss the “Balloon Effect” as one of, if not the primary, reasons why supply side strategies have not decreased the availability and or use of illegal drugs. “The Balloon Effect” is an economic term that describes what happens when, given a fairly elastic supply function, temporary supply reductions lead to higher prices which in term stimulates greater supply production. In Part I, this paper reviews government attempts to reduce supplies of a wide range of different types of illegal drugs over the last 50 years in an attempt to ascertain if there is any evidence that supply reduction strategies have ever been successful. In Part II it examines misconceptions about drugs and harm reduction strategies, decriminalization and or legalization as more viable options going forward. The paper concludes in Part III with some suggestions and recommendations for a more effective national and international drug control strategy.