Poverty is often mistakenly used as the catchall explanation for radicalization, terror and violence. We have reported previously why this rather simplistic explanation doesn’t stand up to analysis of the empirical evidence, such as our article “Facts and fiction about Muslim radicalization
In a development that will see shudders go down the spine of those who believe national integrity greater than transnational cooperation, British troops in Afghanistan will now come under direct US command. The complicated NATO multinational chain of command and the often conflicting ‘national cav
Afghanistan is a complex theater enough due to its inherent nature; but adding to the level of difficulty is the chain of command challenge. We have reported on this before in relation to NATO, where the chain of command is riddled with what are called “National Caveats.” These are the spe
The NATO chain of command is riddled with what are called “National Caveats.” These are the specific rules of engagement that NATO member countries prescribe for their specific troops as a precondition of engagement in the conflict. The rules are highly variable. Some countries say their t
In the current partisan environment every issue becomes politicized even without merit. It is surprising therefore that the trial of Pakistan scientist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui is gathering such little coverage in the mainstream press. The potential for other admittedly more high profile cases being t
02.3.2010 | Afghanistan, Americas, Asia, Pakistan | Stuart Ford
There would be a certain irony - others might see the hand of cosmic humor - in the latest DNA research that seeks to demonstrate that the Pashtun may be one of the ten "Lost Tribes of Israel". There are more than 40 million Pashtuns around the world including around 10 million in Afghanistan
01.19.2010 | Afghanistan, Asia, Israel, Pakistan | Stuart Ford
There is a very active "real" world of jihad on the Internet, at least for the participants. The blogs, bulletin boards are active, virulent and pervasive. The authorities hunt these sites in a game of cat and mouse, but as fast as they are blocked another version springs to life on a different
01.12.2010 | Afghanistan, Asia, Editorials, Middle East | Stuart Ford
It is no great secret that the most extreme madrassas of Pakistan and Afghanistan mark the front line of the battle against radicalization of young Muslims and the potential to stem the flow of ready recruits for the insurgent groups. A recent development though is an increase in the thousands o
12.23.2009 | Afghanistan, Asia, Editorials, Middle East, Pakistan | Stuart Ford
It is becoming a thematic position of ours that in the case of international relations, change is best effected by showing not telling other countries what they should do; foreign policy efficiency resides in slowly affecting change from within. Afghanistan is a case in point. We have been t
There are about 93,000 Afghan police at present. Based on fatality statistics, it is a far more dangerous job than being a member of the army. Like many in the region, the police have a terrible reputation for corruption. This is not a unique situation in the developing world. In many police force
It is difficult for a Westerner to understand the relationship between Pakistan and the big-tent coalition insurgency we term the Taliban. If one reads the many politicians, analysts, commentators, populists and self-professed experts espousing opinions about how Pakistan should do this, believe thi
11.30.2009 | Afghanistan, Asia, Editorials, Pakistan | Stuart Ford
If ever you want to trace the paths of influence of a nation, one doesn’t have to look much further than the investment and trade links. While some Western nations believe boots and bombs is the measure of national spirit, others prefer the more subtle reach of money and trade. NATO has bee
11.28.2009 | Afghanistan, Iran, Middle East | Clarity Staff Reporter
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