David Kilcullen, an Australian army reservist and top adviser to Gen. David H. Petraeus during the troop surge in Iraq, has spent years studying insurgencies in countries from Indonesia to Afghanistan, distinguishing hard-core terrorists from "accidental guerrillas" -- and his theories are revolutionizing military thinking throughout the West.
CLICK ON IT TO ENLARGEKilcullen's 2003 paper Complex Warfighting formed the basis for the Australian Army's future land operational concept, officially approved in 2005. Dr Kilcullen's most widely-read paper, "Twenty-Eight Articles" is a concise practical guide for junior officers and non-commissioned officers engaged in counter-insurgency operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Article 25 of 28 states: Fight the enemy's strategy, not his forces. At this stage, if things are proceeding well, the insurgents will go over to the offensive. Yes, the offensive-- because you have created a situation so dangerous to the insurgents, by threatening to displace them from the environment, that they have to attack you and the population to get back into the game.
Can you think of a situation in our neighbourhood, where this is actually being played out :).
Read about it in Small Wars Journal :
In an interview to Washington Post © Washington Post : Kilcullen answers a few questions:
What is the real central front in the war on terror?
David: Pakistan. Hands down. No doubt.
Why?
David: Pakistan is 173 million people, 100 nuclear weapons, an army bigger than the U.S. Army, and al-Qaeda headquarters sitting right there in the two-thirds of the country that the government doesn't control. The Pakistani military and police and intelligence service don't follow the civilian government; they are essentially a rogue state within a state. We're now reaching the point where within ONE TO SIX MONTHS we could see the collapse of the Pakistani state, also because of the global financial crisis, which just exacerbates all these problems. . . . The collapse of Pakistan, al-Qaeda acquiring nuclear weapons, an extremist takeover -- that would dwarf everything we've seen in the war on terror today.
How important is it to kill or capture Osama bin laden?
David: Not very. It depends on who does it. Let me give you two possible scenarios. Scenario one is, American commandos shoot their way into some valley in Pakistan and kill bin Laden. That doesn't end the war on terror; it makes bin Laden a martyr. But here's scenario two: Imagine that a tribal raiding party captures bin Laden, puts him on television and says, "You are a traitor to Islam and you have killed more Muslims than you have killed infidels, and we're now going to deal with you." They could either then try and execute the guy in accordance with their own laws or hand him over to the International Criminal Court. If that happened, that would be the end of the al-Qaeda myth.
READ BETWEEN THE LINES:
Point he makes:
1. Pakistan military, police and intelligence service do not follow the civilian government.
2. Within 6 months there will be a collapse of the Pakistani state.
3. Al-Qaeda acquires nuclear weapons and extremists take over Pakistan.
What Kilcullen does not say is this: Pakistan’s ISI takes control of Pakistan effectively, enforcing an Islamic revolution in Pakistan. After all, ISI is in charge of these so called “extremists” who are about to take over Pakistan.
THE CURRENT US VIEW ON ISI:
Bruce Reidel stated: “If there was a state sponsor of al-Qaeda, it was the Pakistani army, acting through its Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)".
In April 2009, US Defense Secretary ROBERT GATES said, "‘The ISI's contacts with some of these extremist groups —with Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the Haqqani network, Commander Nazir (sp) and others —are a real concern to us."
PAKISTAN HAS BEEN TOLD OF OBAMA'S WISH REGARDS ISI: John Kerry made it clear that the Obama Administration will ask the Pakistan government to bring the ISI firmly under civilian control.
And we expect the ISI to roll over and do so! FAT CHANCE!
To know the minds of these ISI religious fanatics – misguided minions of Gen Zia ul Haq’s Islamofascist agenda, one needs to see this interview of Sufi Mohamad where he declared that democracy is not permissible under Sharia law. SIMPLE ! All these politicians and freedom of speech advocates in Pakistan will be going in a deep freezer and soon !
In an interview, to Daily Times (Pakistan), Sufi Md replied:
What are Fazlullah’s plans after the peace deal?
Sufi: He will support imposition of sharia law.
You have termed democracy ‘infidelity’. But Maulana Sami-ul Haq, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Qazi Hussain Ahmad are taking part in the democratic process.
Sufi: Democracy is not permissible in sharia law. I will not name [these leaders] but they are taking part in infidelity. I will not offer prayers if one of [these leaders] is leading those prayers.
Do you intend to export sharia law to other parts of Pakistan?
Sufi: If people help me, I will. Otherwise, no.
Now the points I made in many articles prior to this (hence a repeat to many, but I will have to state it to tie in the facts):
1. Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies built Taliban, the terror organizations of Lashkar e Taiba (LeT), HuM etc. Their connection is deep and strong.
2. Pakistan’s military realized that Islam is the binding force that keeps Pakistan together. PAKISTAN’S Army is scared of entho-lingusitic forces within Pakistan raising their heads for greater freedom – be it Balochis, Sindhis, Northern Areas, or even Pashto speakers demanding Balochistan / Pashtunistan etc. The Army / ISI believe that Islam is the binding force that will keep Pakistan as a single entity and Talibanisation of Pakistan is a small price to pay for that. After all, majority within the Pakistan Army are already Talibanised. Earlier it was the bogey of Kashmir that kept the Pakistanis united - today Pakistan needs something stronger.
3. Hamid Gul, the godfather of Taliban and ex ISI Head said: “We should be ready to lead the world and for this, we need ideological educational institutions," he said, maintaining that there were lot of schools pushing students against the ideology of Islam and Pakistan.
Gul said Pakistan was not formed for economic gains or other petty reasons rather it was formed to lead the world after providing a practical and workable Islamic model to govern people. He said his aim of life was to promote this idea and he was not retired or tired and the enemies of Pakistan knew it well. "Pakistan and Islam are tied to each other.”
Let’s go back again to what Kilcullen(guru of counter-terrorism) is saying. He is foreseeing an extremist takeover of Pakistan within 6 months. Which means to me, if this is true, the Islamic revolution I was taking about takes place within this time frame.
Hamid Gul brings for the Hadith on Ghazwatul Hind fast forward. I had talked about the Hadith (weak strain) which talks about these soldiers of Allah carrying black flags from Khorasan (modern day Afghanistan and parts of Iran etc) that will go on to attack India and Palestine.
In my recent article which deals with this I titled the article: ISI PLANS ATTACKS ON USA WHILE HAMID GUL EYES THE PRIZED NUCLEAR BOMBS"
And here comes the VALIDITY, almost on cue – an article on DAILY TIMES, Pakistan:
Pakistan’s NWFP Police chief stated: “Qaeda, Taliban planning 9/11-like attacks in US, Europe.”
Pakistan’s NWFP (North West Frontier Province) police chief Malik Navid told the Pakistan National Assembly's standing committee that the extremist organisations were spreading rapidly through the country and were no longer confined to the mountains of NWFP or Waziristan. He said the terrorists' aims included destabilisation of current regimes in the Middle East - a long-term objective of al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden.
Navid said Taliban were moving towards major cities like Lahore and Karachi. "Their people are present in every city and town. In some places they are active, in others they are dormant. Taliban's philosophy is to create pockets everywhere," he said, adding that jihadi groups were moving through southern Punjab and eventually aimed to reach the financial hub of Karachi. Navid said: “Al-Qaida-Taliban combo hoped to use parts of the Middle East as launch pads for attacks against the West and pointed out that the groups had developed some expertise in making bio-chemical weapons.”
BuA: Make no mistake. This will be Pakistan Army / ISI / Islamo-fascist elements taking over Pakistan and its nuclear assets under the guise of a controlled revolution. The Taliban have been infiltrated in the cities so that civil society will not be able to raise a voice or lead protests. Police / para-military will be helpless bystanders and in all probability already part of the deal.
The way Lahore police behaved after the attacks on Sri Lanka cricketers certainly shouts of complicity. The video of attackers going back in bikes and a police car coming from the other side making no attempts to stop the terrorists also shouts of complicity.
India’s choices?
What Taliban? – we have a Lok Sabha elections round the corner, money to be made, vote bank politics to be enacted. No time for terrorists !! We are Indian politicians – do not disturb us with stupid national interest and all that. What is our interest?
Laloo gives Sahabuddin’s wife, Heena Sahab (a wife in burqa, as she is devout – are there any other kinds) a Lok Sabha ticket. This same Sahabuddin whose named his eldest son OSAMA and his wife a student of a school named after DAWOOD.
44 comments:
u said it right BUA!!! our fucking politicians only car about their own interest. Bastards.. anyway the case is pretty much the same for pakistan.. but that's no scapegoat for us to be lean
Once in a while we get so called "Western experts" and others predicting the demise of Pakistan. This started from the 1990's, and we are in 2009. So it hasn't happened yet.
Additionally I happen to think that the majority of the Pakistani military and civilian officers are not mini-me Hamid Gul fruit cakes, who will aid and abet a Taliban ascendancy. If that were the case Pakistan wouldn't be hosting the Americans on their soil, and most curiously hosting predator attacks against sovereign Pakistan territory from Pakistan military bases, which kill Pakistani civilians mostly, and make 500,000 civilians flee from so called Taliban strong holds..........LOGICALLY dear blogger if the Taliban were really all pervasive in Pakistan society with power,as you suggest, the USA wouldn't get a lookin within Pakistani society, as they do now.
In Feb 2008 elections fundie parties fared very badly so most Pakistanis don't want the Taliban.
Clearly dear blogger you've got an angle that Pakistan is a lost cause that is overrun by extremist Islamists ....whilst that maybe true to a certain extent they are a long way off from actually taking over the nation of 180 million............The Taliban couldn't take over even more primitive Afghanistan after 7 years of jehad, so how are they going to achieve anything near that in Pakistan.........answer obviously not.
They have nuisance value and thats it.
The Americans are destabilizing Pakistan, in addition.
The ISI works as an annex of American intelligence, and was created by the British in 1948 as an instrument of their control.
Ali, first of all hopefully people like Z.Harris can learn a thing or two from you.
One correction though, you say:
"The Taliban couldn't take over even more primitive Afghanistan after 7 years of jehad, so how are they going to achieve anything near that in Pakistan"
The Taliban (with the help of their big daddies ISI and USA) successfully drove out the Soviets and ruled over Afghanistan (or indeed the largest and most valuable parts of Afghanistan) for over a decade.
Now however there are hundreds of Taliban groupings unlike what was in Afghanistan, a unified group. While a unified group can rise faste, it can also fall faster if ideology is intercepted. Now with hundreds of splinter groups, even if the ideology of 10 groups are changed by Pak estb., it will further splinter into 100 new groups who are against their leader's switch.
With hundreds of groups I agree no one can sit on top if the Taliban overruns Pakistan. Perhaps there will be new "kings" every month! And nuclear bombs will rather be used on other factions instead of US or Israel
Ali,
Letter taken in good spirit - however that there is a creeping Talibanization of Pakistan is not disputed by you - only the degree of intensity is disputed.
Let me tell you two facts about Karachi.
1. In an upscale Pakistani multinational, the company had to fire a Pushtun driver after he started complaining to HR (the audacity) that women should not be working in companies along with men. It seems all Pushtun drivers were phased away. Now these well heeled Pakistanis are asking themselves if the Pushtun security guards that they have employed - are they sleeper Taliban ?
Hence: Pakistani population are definitely not Talibanized. But the fear of Taliban has come down from FATA - way down to Karachi.
2. On a far grimmmer scale - in the elite Defense Housing Area in Karachi, 42 mosques have sprung up and 40 of these are under the control of Taliban extremists. These are facts Ali and you are free to check them. If then this is true, do you not see complicity? Why would one allow them to the security and succour of using these mosques as an instrument to further their nefarious activities.
House of Saud was a small tribe - that came to rule over the whole of Arabia and named it Saudi Arabia.
Swat voted overwhelmingly for a secular party the ANP and threw out the fundoos. The truth is that these same fundoos cut a deal with your government and are now ruling SWAT. So much for the voting rights of the people.
Hence, I stand by my article.
Ali, first of all hopefully people like Z.Harris can learn a thing or two from you.
(I'm not a security expert who is trying to sell a specific agenda to a particular party...........and thus try and fit in everything around this policy)
One correction though, you say:
"The Taliban couldn't take over even more primitive Afghanistan after 7 years of jehad, so how are they going to achieve anything near that in Pakistan"
The Taliban (with the help of their big daddies ISI and USA) successfully drove out the Soviets and ruled over Afghanistan (or indeed the largest and most valuable parts of Afghanistan) for over a decade.
(NO incorrect, and I am sure you didn't mean the Taliban.....they only appeared in the scene from 1994 in Afghanistan, not before. So basically nobody ruled the whole of Afghanistan, after the Soviets departed in 1989. The ISI backed Taliban came close, but they failed to conquer the Tajik part of Afghanistan and a Northern Alliance stronghold, backed by Russia, Iran and India.
The Pashtun Mujaheddin mainly, and Mehsuds Tajiks drove out the Soviets from Afghanistan with the backing of Pakistan, USA, UK, Israel....Israeli units were in Pakistan training the Mujaheddin (and a significant source of arms that the Israelis already had---captured ex-Soviet arms from the Arab Israeli wars.....the Israelis played a BIG role in this area, which the Pakistanis don't publicize, obviously). Then you've got Saudi Arab money, Gulf state money, and Chinese arms. The Pakistanis trained about 85,000 Afghan Mujaheddin, as did the British,USA and Israel. 300,000 Afghans participated in the 9 year war, and active members participating in the fighting were 80,000--90,000 mujaheddin at any one time. MONEY/Finance from USA/GULF states---$5-20 billion the biggest clandestine ops of American intelligence. Afghan Opium also financed the war, so the actual finance could be far greater.
Ideologically the Mujaheddin themselves varied widely, ranging from moderates who were fighting for a democracy, and Ahmed Shah Mesud (Moderate).....to hardline Islamic fundamentalists like Hekmatyar favored by Pakistan....so it would be wrong to say the entire Afghan Mujaheddin were like the Taliban, they were a varied lot with differing views of post-Soviet Afghanistan and how should be governed.......THATS WHY you had a Afghan civil war after the Soviets departed in 1989, because they couldn't agree who should run the country, and on what political basis it should be run)
Now however there are hundreds of Taliban groupings unlike what was in Afghanistan, a unified group. While a unified group can rise faste, it can also fall faster if ideology is intercepted. Now with hundreds of splinter groups, even if the ideology of 10 groups are changed by Pak estb., it will further splinter into 100 new groups who are against their leader's switch.
(No there aren't hundreds of Taliban groups, just a few divided into Afghan Taliban which is backed by Pakistan, and Pakistan Taliban some of which may be backed by the USA, UK and even Pakistan for their particular agenda's.
In relation to Pakistan, under General Zia ul Haq in the 1980's proxy fundamentalist groups were created as an extension of state policy, to use against Shia minorities in Pakistan, AND against Indian Kashmir from 1989........but here again we are not talking about 100's of groups......just a small number of group run by the ISI...LeT etc)
With hundreds of groups I agree no one can sit on top if the Taliban overruns Pakistan. Perhaps there will be new "kings" every month! And nuclear bombs will rather be used on other factions instead of US or Israel.
(would not make sense, except in a Bollywood movie. Too take over a country, with a population of 180 million you need to be well organized, and quite big number wise in terms of membership.....e.g Pakistan military, otherwise its not going to happen, and can't happen.........The Iran mullah model might be applied by the USA, but most Pakistanis unlike the Iranians in 1979, have CLEARLY STATED THROUGH THE BALLOT BOX that they do not want fundies running Pakistan)
Mostaque.
Letter taken in good spirit - however that there is a creeping Talibanization of Pakistan is not disputed by you - only the degree of intensity is disputed.
(You can't miss it, the Talibanisation has been going on since the 1970's, through the Pakistan military mainly, but they are not all pervasive governance wise, except in parts of the NWFP...SWAT for example.)
Let me tell you two facts about Karachi.
1. In an upscale Pakistani multinational, the company had to fire a Pushtun driver after he started complaining to HR (the audacity) that women should not be working in companies along with men. It seems all Pushtun drivers were phased away. Now these well heeled Pakistanis are asking themselves if the Pushtun security guards that they have employed - are they sleeper Taliban ?
Hence: Pakistani population are definitely not Talibanized. But the fear of Taliban has come down from FATA - way down to Karachi.
(There are a million Pashtuns in Karachi, migrating for work there due to lack of employment opportunities in the NWFP from the 1960's......not to teach the rest of Karachi about Islam but purely for economic reasons they exist there, in the margins of economic activity and benefit......so can't quite see Karachi with a population of 14 million going the FATA way just yet!!!!)
2. On a far grimmmer scale - in the elite Defense Housing Area in Karachi, 42 mosques have sprung up and 40 of these are under the control of Taliban extremists. These are facts Ali and you are free to check them. If then this is true, do you not see complicity? Why would one allow them to the security and succour of using these mosques as an instrument to further their nefarious activities.
(I've not heard of this, and I am not going to check it......Pashtuns constitute currently 7% of Karachis cosmopolitan population....the MQM of Altaf Hussain is the most powerful political groups and that organization is by no means fundamentalist. )
House of Saud was a small tribe - that came to rule over the whole of Arabia and named it Saudi Arabia.
(!!!!!?????? Wahabi Arab Saudi Arabia, essentially a medieval desert society when the house of Saud ascended, and Indic Pakistan, with a population of 180 million, and a significant Middle Class. The Taliban is essentially a Pashtun phenomenon......and it seems most Pashtuns did not even vote for them in the 2008 elections)
Swat voted overwhelmingly for a secular party the ANP and threw out the fundoos. The truth is that these same fundoos cut a deal with your government and are now ruling SWAT. So much for the voting rights of the people.
(SWAT is fishy-------read my blog)!!!!!!! last several posts. 800,000 unofficial Pakistan military machine, backed by 300,000 paramilitary defacto surrendering to 3,000 rag tag Pakistan Taliban, never in a million years)
Ali,
My point one on Karachi was to showcase the growing mistrust of local population for the Pushtuns. Not to show that Taliban are about to take over there.
Second point when you get to know will buttress the argument - for they are true (mosques in defense housing area run by Taliban)
Fine, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan can not be compared, and probably was not a good example.
Swat is certainly fishy and I am yet to read your article. In my earlier article I alluded that the SWAT deal other than giving the Talibs a home to attack / counter attack the NATO / ISAF forces in Afghanistan - it also gives ISI & jihadis a place which is just a hop, skip and jump from Kashmir. Let me read your article and get back (but later!).
Cheers
BuA
Also Pakistan is not going to collapse in the sense a that there will be a demise of a nation state.
North Korea, in far worse condition, prevailed over dire predictions time and again. Last time the South Korean premier predicted the demise of their northern counterpart in "a few months". This was after a wave of a particularly bad famine. Nothing happened.
When the visiting US journalist was shown the weekly quota of foodgrains given to North Korean peasants - he replied that he eats more for lunch. Yet, North Korea did not fall apart.
After the missile launch, no one is about to attack North Korea either. More sanctions cannot hurt the nation any further. There is no other way but negotiations with North Korea.
However, North Korea is not infested with terrorists. THe only thing common with Pakistan - both have nuclear (Pakistan much more, N Korea maybe -- not very sure).
Of course Pakistan will survive. But survive to become what? That is the most important question and not its demise BuA?
Interesting to see Mr. ALi Mostaque counter with mind and logic not emotions. Welcome Mr. Ali, it is refreshing to hear your views on here. It gives all of us a view which is not available very easily. I agree with you on the last sentence. "But SURVIVE TO BECOME WHAT?" Excellent. Simply marvelous and to the point precise and concise. Guess Mr. Ali here has give you the next topic BuA.... Good luck to both of you. And Mr. Ali, will defo read your blog soon.
Thanks to both of you.
My point one on Karachi was to showcase the growing mistrust of local population for the Pushtuns. Not to show that Taliban are about to take over there.
(Karachi is a big Third World city, with multiple communities living side by side, and like any Third World cosmopolitan city, there are tensions between various ethnic groups for a variety of reasons not just to do with the various shades and interpretations of Islam. The priority for Pakistan, in terms of dealing with terrorism is in FATA, and the NWFP generally)
Swat is certainly fishy and I am yet to read your article. In my earlier article I alluded that the SWAT deal other than giving the Talibs a home to attack / counter attack the NATO / ISAF forces in Afghanistan - it also gives ISI & jihadis a place which is just a hop, skip and jump from Kashmir. Let me read your article and get back (but later!).
(logically if the SWAT Taliban set up shop there to attack the Occupation Forces in Afghanistan, that would not be the best place, as it is a clearly demarcated area, significantly away from the Afghan border. Thats why the Afghan Taliban residing in Pakistan inhabit border areas of Pakistan saddling Afghanistan, in FATA, and lets not forget Baluchistan.
General Deepak Kapoor has stated that he is not concerned about the Swat Taliban, and there seems not to be any infiltration of them from there into Indian Kashmir.
So whats the problem? Who set them up? The Swat Taliban looks to me a creation of the Pakistan military (extremist elements) to destabilize the country, and bring the military back into power as national saviors of Pakistan......and we see the Swat Taliban fanning out to the hinterland of Swat such as Buner recently, so that may be one explanation for their sudden appearance/creation by the Pakistan military.)
Mostaque.
PS: In Bangladesh a Bua is a maid, maybe a different spelling.
OR when a person talks "Bua kotha" its false or foolish talk????.........My Bengali is not very good.
Also Pakistan is not going to collapse in the sense a that there will be a demise of a nation state.
(The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, and so can Pakistan through negative internal factors......through poor leadership and bad judgment from within Pakistan, and destabilization from outside............less likely an outright invasion by America and then an Iraq like division will take place........who can say for certain)
North Korea, in far worse condition, prevailed over dire predictions time and again. Last time the South Korean premier predicted the demise of their northern counterpart in "a few months". This was after a wave of a particularly bad famine. Nothing happened.
(North Korea is a totalitarian state where the Communist Party control and enforce their rule ruthlessly, backed by a 1.2 million military force which is very close to the party. North Korea is backed by China solidly, and the Americans understand this. Indeed the Russians and Chinese held joint military maneuvers recently just to let the Americans know that they will defend North Korea. All this gives the North Korean leadership significant self confidence, and how they posture themselves)
When the visiting US journalist was shown the weekly quota of foodgrains given to North Korean peasants - he replied that he eats more for lunch. Yet, North Korea did not fall apart.
(Its a totalitarian dictatorship, where maybe tragically 2 million people have died through starvation, and the regime allows indirectly people to flee into China and South Korea as refugees when they can't feed their own population. The USA provides assistance also. )
After the missile launch, no one is about to attack North Korea either. More sanctions cannot hurt the nation any further. There is no other way but negotiations with North Korea.
(Correct)
However, North Korea is not infested with terrorists. THe only thing common with Pakistan - both have nuclear (Pakistan much more, N Korea maybe -- not very sure).
(Pakistan has about 50 nuclear warheads at Sargodha allegedly, whilst North Korea might have one or two maybe...not verified. Pakistan is infested with terrorists, but a lot of them are actually run by the Pakistan military for internal political agenda's and external agenda's against Afghanistan and India.)
Ali,
I dunno about Gen Kapoor and even today Army denies this but the latest news is this:
"Union home ministry on Wednesday sought a report from security agencies about the reports that Taliban groups may have entered into the Kashmir valley though Army denied reports to this effect.
The move comes after a wireless intercept reportedly suggested that a group of nearly 20 militants, said to be Taliban, were fighting the Army in Gurez sector of North Kashmir. "
With 1000 new concrete bunkers very near to LOC on the Pakistani side to launch the militants in, the plans of Military to "take over Kashmir" gathers strength.
ISI Head Shuja Pahsa did not meet Holbrooke - when asked to do so - adding to further speculations.
It sure is getting hot !!
And yes, Salauddin Qader Chowdhury, the BNP MP from Bangladesh called Sheikh Hasina a BUA - which means a "housemaid".
Well BuA here - Bengal under Attack but hey, BuA or BUA - depends on what you mean ;).
Ali, I agree Taliban cannot 'take over' Pakistan as a whole, but the meaning of Pakistan with 6 months to "live" means the ability of a single entitiy called Pakistan to survive with a central government, irrespective of whether it's military of civilian.
1. Taliban is not a well-organized faction with the ability to overthrow a government and a strong army to raise their flag. And even if they do we will see nothing more than one Taliban faction trying to topple the other.
2. However a hundred dozen Taliban factions, fighting over different "cultural" boundaries has a strong enough effect to bring down a centrally established state.
3. With reference to Soviet Afghanistan, what happened after the Soviets were driven out was a loss of a single, unified Afghan state. As you described there were various groups controlling various regions. It was in such a precarious condition that Afghanistan's airspace was, under most circumstances, not used by civil and commercial airliners because there wasn't a single force that could be consulted.
4. However, Taliban was the most powerful grouping controlling Afghanistan, and by most ibnternational publications, Afghanistan was recognised under the government of Taliban from 1996 until 2001. The US even negotiated with Taliban to use Afghanistan for the construction of gass pipelines. You have to understand that a government is formed and maintained under public definition. Afghanistan was internationally defined as a "failed state under an Islamist government, called Taliban".
5. Northern Alliance itself was a splinter group of Afghanistan. Remember than the Northern Alliance, together with the other Tajik fighters were all under a unified cause to drive out the Soviets. However they later splintered as each wanted sovereignity over the other. And more and more splinters emerged that is causing Pakistan in its current dire circumstance.
6. North Korea, although has a higher hunger rate than Pakistan, is a well unified entity. For a country to "survive", one key is for it to be unified. The minute a country is divided, the old establishment "dies" and two new entities are "born". Under no foreseeable circumstance will North Korea be divided under Kim Jong Il. No North Korean would dare go against his regime.
7. What Pakistan is seeing is not a problem with hunger, but people, a large group of people, both locals and pumped in foreigners, trying to destabilize the current government to establish their rule in small swaths of land. Can you describe anything of scale in North Korea of this nature?
8. SWAT is probably the best example of negotiating and giving in to Taliban. Now that one Taliban is satisfied, would the others do to see one guy there given a candy while their mouths are still bitter?
9. Concisely, What Pakistan is seeing is increasing rebellion to the unifying factor - the government of Pakistan. Groups are seeking to establish their own rule in Pakistan in the little swaths of land they hail from.
10. This is supported by the US, Russia and Iran who wanna see a break-up of Pakistan.
11. What the author says is we will see a Pakistan ruled by warlords - much like Darfur or Afghanistan pre 9/11.
12. Living in this context doesn't mean one Taliban coming and taking over Pakistan and "killing it" by detonating the 50 nuclear bombs within Pakistani territory. It means Pakistan no longer being a country under a single entity of governance. These groups will eventually overrun the state and there will be small sultanates instead, with local Talibans as king.
13. And this is EXACTLY what the US wants. They have already proposed a new form of Pakistan - being split into 4 parts: Jinnahpur (Punjab), Sindhudesh (Sindh), Baluchistan and Pashtunishan.
http://www.amazon.com/Divide-Pakistan-Eliminate-Syed-
Jamaluddin/dp/0595417663
{to open the link please ensure there are no spaces between the letters above.
Further I would like to add one thing - a country can have 160 mil or 1 bil people. If a significant part of the population is against the current formation, theres nothing much even a nuclear-armed government can do.
Its' just like the partition of India. The Muslims, which formed only 20% of the population felt the need of division. THis was reinforced by British pushing for their own interests, through their medium, Ali Jinnah. The majority of India however were not in favour of division. Yet a strong voice from the people that formed a rather significant proportion caused the partition, and causing BUA and me and you to discuss over this blog.
Similarly think about how the Bengali people opposed the strong, iron fisted government of Islamabad for their freedon, and got it their way.
In yet another case, the Afghan people were united to want the Soviets out. While the iranian people were united in overthrowing the Shahs.
So while Pakistan is a country of 160 million, you have to understand that a significant proportion are Taliban backers. I can provide videos of how packed Taliban hate-speeches are. And also Taliban propoganda CDs (including grusome beheading and torture) are what people watch in the NWFP for entertainment - since other media is banned.
(Taliban must surely have a good following if they can lose so many fighters to the US, and still have enough to threaten to carry out 2 suicide bombings in Pakistan per week, and even sell suicide bombers!! - clear notion of oversupply!!).
Also consider the percentage of schoolchildren studying in militant run schools. It's a stagerring 39% of all Pakistani boys are studying in Madrassas that are not registered in the Pakistani board.
Imagine the power contained within this 39% of population. Isn't it sufficient to bring down any army or government?
That coupled by a determined US and Russia to encourage a break-up.
It's a perfect concoction for disaster!
Some important facts about the Taliban government. Was it a government? If Ali is a Pakistani, it was!
Only Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates ever recognized the Taliban government. Turkmenistan also de facto recognized the Taliban government, as it had official meetings and agreements with Taliban government ministers.
SOME MORE FACTS ABOUT AFGHANISTAN -
In reaction to the anarchy and warlordism prevalent in the country, and the lack of Pashtun representation in the Kabul government, a movement arose called the Taliban. Many Taliban had been educated in madrasas in Pakistan and were largely from rural Pashtun backgrounds. This group was made up of mostly Pashtuns that dedicated itself to removing the warlords, providing law and order, and imposing the strict Islamic Sharia law on the country. In 1994 it developed enough strength to capture the city of Kandahar from a local warlord and proceeded to expand its control throughout Afghanistan, occupying Herat in September 1995, then Kabul in September 1996, and declaring the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (although there was no Emir). By this time Afghanistan was in its 17th year of war. It had the highest infant, child and maternal mortality rates in Asia. An estimated 10 million landmines covered its terrain. Two-million refugees were in camps.
Pakistan recognized the Taliban as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan in 1997. By the end of 2000, the Taliban occupied about 95% of the country, limiting the opposition to a small corner in the northeast Badakhshan Province. Efforts by the UN, prominent Afghans living outside the country, and other interested countries to bring about a peaceful solution to the continuing conflict came to nothing, largely because of intransigence on the part of the Taliban.
The Taliban sought to impose an extreme interpretation of Islam—based in part upon rural Pashtun tradition—upon the entire country and committed human rights violations, particularly directed against women and girls, in the process. Women were restricted from working outside the home or pursuing an education, were not to leave their homes without an accompanying male relative, and required to wear a traditional burqa.
The Taliban repressed minority populations, particularly the Shia, as a retaliation in which approximately 2,500 Taliban soldiers were massacred by Abdul Malik and his Shia followers; attacked the Iranian embassy, killing eight diplomats and a television reporter, claiming them as spies.
In 2001, as part of a drive against relics of Afghanistan's pre-Islamic past, the Taliban destroyed two large statues of Buddha outside of the city of Bamiyan and announced destruction of all pre-Islamic statues in Afghanistan, including the remaining holdings of the Kabul Museum.
In addition to the continuing civil strife, the country suffered from widespread poverty, drought, a devastated infrastructure, and ubiquitous use of landmines.[1] These conditions led to about a million Afghans facing starvation.[2]
NOW LOOKING AT PAKISTAN< DO YOU THINK IT"S IMPOSSIBLE FOR PAKISTAN TO BE THE NEXT AFGHANISTAN PRE 9/11?
I DON'T THINK SO.
Bua Bhai Saab kamon asen?
I was born in the Brahmanbaria area, Bangladesh.
Did you read my blog posts, as you said?
Ah the problems of South Asia, what is to be done?.......TOGETHER WE RISE, TOGETHER WE FALL, if you look at South Asian history. Especially more so now in this modern day and age. The weak link here is Pakistan, and ACADEMICS like myself can only speculate as to what might be done in order to
"save" the situation for South Asia.
In the process of doing so we must not over focus on specific issues and their problems in themselves, because for some of us there isn't much else in life and its a great filler of time, but we must also seek solutions to problems, turning negative situations into positive outcomes.......for sadly too often human nature relishes pondering negatively over problematic situations........because its sensational, it titillates us....and there is a certain amount of pleasure seeing the misfortune of others (its gives us reassurance.....thats not addressed to you Bua)
And so we write about such things.
MOSTAQUE.
I dunno about Gen Kapoor and even today Army denies this but the latest news is this:
"Union home ministry on Wednesday sought a report from security agencies about the reports that Taliban groups may have entered into the Kashmir valley though Army denied reports to this effect.
The move comes after a wireless intercept reportedly suggested that a group of nearly 20 militants, said to be Taliban, were fighting the Army in Gurez sector of North Kashmir. "
(Whats the source of the news??? is this significantly different from before?)
With 1000 new concrete bunkers very near to LOC on the Pakistani side to launch the militants in, the plans of Military to "take over Kashmir" gathers strength.
(I don't think you need concrete bunkers to advertise to your adversary that you are going to infiltrate insurgents..........are you sure the Pakistani military STILL after all these years want to take over Kashmir. My understanding is that the Pakistani military after the Kargil experience hope to barely hold their line against the might of India.......India as of now is about 3/4 times more powerful than Pakistan, spending 2% on defense, and as a long conventional war progresses, through the force multiplier, with an economy 8--10 times bigger than Pakistan will become even more powerful.......The Pakistani general staff for all their shortcomings understand this. They clearly understand that America will not support them in such an adventure...re. 1965, and finally aren't the Pakistani military's hands full in Baluchistan, FATA, NWFP?.......so why would they want to take on new burdens in this troublesome juncture????????? This is not to negate the fact that a certain amount of insurgency from Pakistan is still going on)
ISI Head Shuja Pahsa did not meet Holbrooke - when asked to do so - adding to further speculations.
(It was reported by the Pakistani media he didn't want to meet, then he did later...........was he playing to common Pakistani sentiments, maybe??? Its the ISI ney? PR)
It sure is getting hot !!
(Are they?)
@Ali
Simply becoz Pak Punjabis r not Talibanised doesnt mean they would resist. Pak is completely anti-American and ambivalent to Taliban. Nazi party too initially didnt have many followers..they gained power through shortcuts and fed most of population with propaganda..to keep them on their side..
So the main factors will be sympathisers inside army,intelligence and political parties...
Islamic organizations are notorious for slow cunning,systematic infiltration of bureaucracy,military before starting the overt assault..This is the pattern in Bangladesh and lately Turkey
So Quislings are the key to what will happen...
Neo-Taliban is very organised and have
good conventional stand-and-fight capability. Look how cleanly LeT fought with special forces in Mumbai. And Neo-Taliban also inflicted casualities to ambushing teams of Indian Army's elite Para commandos armed with stuff like Tavor and night vision. Also remember how a while ago a combat outpost of Americans (9 US soldiers got killed) in Afghanistan was stormed cleanly in infantry style.. This suggests some good professional help possibly ISI-SSG which have all the tactics available to British SAS.
I am clubbing LeT,Taliban and AL-Qaeda coz although these guys have slightly different agendas and orientation..they all share skills,training and safe houses with each other. But recently I guess some fissures have developed with Punjabi Taliban and TTP.
Anonymous said...
Further I would like to add one thing - a country can have 160 mil or 1 bil people. If a significant part of the population is against the current formation, theres nothing much even a nuclear-armed government can do.
(They can if the central government is effective, and authoritarian.......Iraq under Saddam Hussain, and the Kurds, and a couple more examples...)
Its' just like the partition of India. The Muslims, which formed only 20% of the population felt the need of division. THis was reinforced by British pushing for their own interests, through their medium, Ali Jinnah. The majority of India however were not in favour of division. Yet a strong voice from the people that formed a rather significant proportion caused the partition, and causing BUA and me and you to discuss over this blog.
(The British CONTROLLED INDIA, in 1946/7......so the terms of partition and the consequent death of a million people was their work...........partition was not inevitable, and Congress was offered Partition or the possibility of civil war....Congress chose partition.
I am not sure ALL Muslims who constituted 24% of India's population by 1947 wanted partition, if that was the case than there wouldn't be 160 Muslims still in India now. And I know for a fact that many Muslims did not want Partition even in West or East Pakistan, BUT the British created the Muslim League in Dhaka 1905, activated it as a mass party from 1940, and guided it into the creation of Pakistan. Jinnah most probably was a British agent ----READ MY BLOG ABOUT HIM---A version of that is happening with the Swat Taliban in Pakistan with the guidance of the Pakistan military, and the partition of Pakistan.......for some stupid reason people think military's exist to protect and defend the country ONLY)
Similarly think about how the Bengali people opposed the strong, iron fisted government of Islamabad for their freedon, and got it their way.
(1,000 miles away from West Pakistan, and surrounded by India......so easy)
In yet another case, the Afghan people were united to want the Soviets out. While the iranian people were united in overthrowing the Shahs.
(Thats too generalising of history.......the Pashtuns put up the greatest resistance to the Soviets, they did the bulk of the fighting, not the whole of Afghanistan. The Iranian Islamic revolution was an artificial revolution created by the USA/UK/France......and if you are talking about minorities overcoming the majority then stick to that argument, don't go all over in giving your arguments effect)
So while Pakistan is a country of 160 million, you have to understand that a significant proportion are Taliban backers. I can provide videos of how packed Taliban hate-speeches are. And also Taliban propoganda CDs (including grusome beheading and torture) are what people watch in the NWFP for entertainment - since other media is banned.
(And so what????? The February 2008 elections showed clearly that the majority of Pakistanis don't want fundies running the country..........what more clear indications do you need from the people that this is what they really want. A CD here, and video there...what do they mean???nothing........granted that there is a propaganda campaign going on to make the Taliban seem bigger than they really are, but thats not the reality)
(Taliban must surely have a good following if they can lose so many fighters to the US, and still have enough to threaten to carry out 2 suicide bombings in Pakistan per week, and even sell suicide bombers!! - clear notion of oversupply!!).
(Don't be overwhelmed by their propaganda......they are a rag tag force which is doing badly against the coalition forces in Afghanistan........they have suffered huge losses, they have no aircover, and they are controlled by the Pakistan military, the worst types of pimps to have if you are a whore)
Also consider the percentage of schoolchildren studying in militant run schools. It's a stagerring 39% of all Pakistani boys are studying in Madrassas that are not registered in the Pakistani board. Imagine the power contained within this 39% of population. Isn't it sufficient to bring down any army or government?
(NO. To take over a huge country requires organization.........requires usually educated Middle class people with organizational abilities............most of these people are dirt poor, uneducated, attending schools because the government cannot provide adequate STATE education cover for the whole country.....traditionally Pakistan use to spend 1% of GDP on education)
That coupled by a determined US and Russia to encourage a break-up. It's a perfect concoction for disaster!
(USA and the UK, the nation with 8,000 troops in Afghanistan maybe helping Pakistan break up........Russia doesn't come into this at all, and is busy fending for itself against NATO expansion in its back yard)
One of the best exchanges of comments in any blog. Hats off to the commentators (except me) ...
:)
@Ali (MOSTAQUE)
Simply becoz Pak Punjabis r not Talibanised doesnt mean they would resist. Pak is completely anti-American and ambivalent to Taliban. Nazi party too initially didnt have many followers..they gained power through shortcuts and fed most of population with propaganda..to keep them on their side..
(Propaganda and organization obviously plays a major part----But at the end of the day if the vast majority of Pakistanis don't want fundie parties, as expressed in the 2008 elections then obviously there ain't going to be a Taliban government in Pakistan.
Humans are contradictory...a person can both hate America and like America, its different aspects....AND to loathe American foreign policy should not be translated as hating America per se. To loathe America more generally is no indication of ones LOVE for the Taliban.......Pakistanis have seen what the Taliban exactly did in Afghanistan, and just like you Kannan, they want the modern good things in life like most people around the world......THE MAIN THREAT COMES FROM THE organizational ability of the military and their Taliban sympathizers.........The attacks on Lahore was the work of the Pakistan military, to threaten Nawaz Sharif himself a pseudo-neo fundie Zia ul Haq protege.)
So the main factors will be sympathisers inside army,intelligence and political parties...
Islamic organizations are notorious for slow cunning,systematic infiltration of bureaucracy,military before starting the overt assault..This is the pattern in Bangladesh and lately Turkey
(YES.....The threat is from the military in the case of Pakistan ONLY, but then again in Bangladesh which party won an over whelming landslide victory? The military stood by that democratically elected government.
In Turkey where I taught and lived for one year, the mood of the country is generally towards a greater Islamic identity, away from secularism but this should not be interpreted simply as "Islamic fundamentalism". The Turkish military has a strong secular instinct, which is pro -Israeli traditionally, imbibed with "Ataturkism". There are historical deep rooted factors for this......and as the Turkish middle class grows, and the country prospers......Largest Islamic economy, than the chances of Fundamentalism wanes.....successful countries do not embrace fundamentalism)
So Quislings are the key to what will happen...
Neo-Taliban is very organised and have
good conventional stand-and-fight capability. Look how cleanly LeT fought with special forces in Mumbai. And Neo-Taliban also inflicted casualities to ambushing teams of Indian Army's elite Para commandos armed with stuff like Tavor and night vision. Also remember how a while ago a combat outpost of Americans (9 US soldiers got killed) in Afghanistan was stormed cleanly in infantry style.. This suggests some good professional help possibly ISI-SSG which have all the tactics available to British SAS.
(Who are the neo-Taliban, I've never heard of them.......The Taliban are Talibn be they Afghan Taliban or Pakistan Taliban "controlled Opposition" controlled by the Pakistan military, or the USA, UK and so forth......and if they are "controlled opposition" that means they can't be an effective fighting force. They have no air-cover and nearly in all their engagements they lose against the Occupation forces except in one or two rare occasions.
If the jehadis are having success against the Indian elite units then they are most likely not Taliban but actual soldiers from the Pakistan military in civilian garb.....
Mumbai......was that Pakistan's work, or India's????? Sorry friend but I am not sure, if you read my opinions on my blog. To be sure the Pakistanis are well known for doing such things but I am not sure on this occasion it was the Pakistanis----the FBI don't think so, in terms of organization backing from Pakistan....it sucks when you sometimes have to ponder just a little that your own are perhaps not so perfect....Lt Col. Purohit...RSS/SS/etc.........and that you have extremists just as bastardly in your own society, threatening your society)
I am clubbing LeT,Taliban and AL-Qaeda coz although these guys have slightly different agendas and orientation..they all share skills,training and safe houses with each other. But recently I guess some fissures have developed with Punjabi Taliban and TTP.
(YES they are all the same with the same ideology. They are also they same in the sense that they are controlled by state institutions...)
@Ali
Col Purohit is a "blowback" phenomenon of pandering to Muslim vote banks and not letting intelligence and police agencies do their work.I saw this coming and wonder why this came so late.I admit I have a very low opinion of Muslims in general vis-a-viz their intolerance(though I am a big fan of couple of my female muslim friends) and I believe they are a threat to India and rest of population in long run.We have a live terrorist caught and with lots of other evidence and Pak even admited their nationals are involved and finally its Congress party that is ruling Maharastra and India at the moment..so if they got a handkerchief of Abhinav Bharat from Mumbai attack site they will surely use the opportunity and will pull all stops to get them implicated. Remember the main reason for attack to take place even though there was specific intelligence and GPS co-ordinates of LeT boats from RAW..Maharastra ATS was disproportionately utilizing 90% of their own resources for finding so called "Hindu terrorists"..and paid for it themselves..
Ali,
Your critique of Ahmed Quraishi is excellent. I was always thinking a little "weirdly" on the microwave machines u talked about - wondering even if true - why on you?
Anyway, your analysis and replies are very cogent, logical and intelligent.
Good to have u on this blog - even if we agree to disagree.
Ali,
That part where you state that Mumbai is probably an India ops is way off target.
Why?
India brings in FBI to corner Pakistan. Why else? Unless you want to say that India sent these LeT terrorists from within Pakistan - and then Col. Sadatullah of SCO is caught on NSA tapes directing the terrorists in Mumbai.
No, Ali - this part you are wrong, very wrong. This was a Pak ops that went wrong. India may have known about it - may have had prior knowledge but I guess it did not anticipate the magnitude of the terror attacks.
Hi Bua, call me Mostaque; Ali is my surname
I was always thinking a little "weirdly" on the microwave machines u talked about - wondering even if true - why on you?
(The UK is a state of the art security police state, with a veneer of democracy----The British electorate are given the choice of two elite controlled parties who essentially follow the dictates of the UK elites.
Like all security states they identify possible future "dissidents" who may be or perceived to be a threat to the state, defined in very wide terms.......thus a peaceful political activist, lawyer, Trade Union member, a writer, journalist, historian,academic........may be considered a threat to the state, and such people once identified are monitored.......both electronic and Humit, and where necessary harassed in their personal life...........leading to loss of jobs.....broken marriage....., and where necessary tortured using state of the art machines such as micro-wave machines which can be operated from a distance, to discourage from continuing with their activity.......IN MY CASE writing about certain sensitive issues related to security/war/foreign policy/intelligence........not the conventional stuff you read on the MSM, but alternative perspective...............which undermines the official narrative: what we may term "information and propaganda war"....in many respects a serious business, if you think about it.
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The following letter was addressed to Amnesty International, and the United Nations Human Rights Organization, and gives you more information about my background which you may find interesting.
I would imagine a number of people from the UK of all background are in my situation.......some of them aware.....some of them unaware....be they English Scottish Irish Welsh or of immigrant bank ground.
_____________________________
November 2008.
The following is a outline of the history of my experiences with harassment from security from various countries, and my personal history over the last 22 years. I hope this gives you a better perspective of who I am, and what my problems are.
In the UK I first came under state surveillance from 1985. I had moved to the UK with my family as a 7 year old, and eventually gained citizenship in 1984. My father was working as a research fellow at university and the whole family joined him in 1973. The political instability in Bangladesh, advice of relatives and a letter from an official from the ministry of defense in Bangladesh, all advised staying away.
The UK is a fine country, and I accepted it as mine with the zeal of he newly arrived immigrant. The UK is rich, and has many good things to recommend the country to foreign persons. Unless one has really bad experiences most foreign people are happy living in that country. For political asylum seekers it is still the premier destination, as it is for many immigrants from around the world.
In the UK during the 1980's there were in existence the files of 2-3 million UK citizens held by the Security Services out of a population 57 million at that time, for a variety of factors most due to trivial 'political' activity, or other activities deemed as a threat or concern to the state. Most Security Service files of individuals begin when they first attend university, as it is deemed that most peoples "political awakening" begin from there. Tony Blair, Jack Straw, David Blunkett attending leftist anti-Pinochet rallies all had their secret service files activated at university. This would also be the same for Conservative politicians. Of the 100 or so universities in the UK, each has an intelligence officer posted to the university carefully monitoring and watching. The UK is an unmatched state of the art police state, with a veneer of democracy, managed by the Rothschilds.
My secret Service file was activated as I started university in 1985, and joined the University Officers Training Corps at Bristol. The fact that I have a Muslim name, and joined the UOTC would be another factor that would raise 'interest' from the Secret Services. But it should be noted that I am not a practicing Muslim and never have been, and I have never associated with any political organization in my life. My father in his youth attempted to join the Pakistan army and failed, and this general desire and ambition was passed on to me. It was normal with that background that I should try and join the British army as an officer, as I considered myself fully British. However after 6 weeks, with the rigors of training and my first serious attempts at romance failing (I had invited a girl to a ball) I lost interest in the UOTC quickly, and promptly left. Such is the flippancy of youth, and there does not seem to have been a deep commitment to such a career. Attendance was required once a week on Wednesday evenings, at the Bristol UOTC artillery grounds, Whiteladies road, Clifton Bristol. The sergeants were friendly and the officers more so.
However by merely applying to the UOTC I had aroused the attentions of the paranoiac UK Secret Services, and became caught up into their twilight world. Specifically MI-5, that bastion of little England, and prime tool of the Jewish Rothschilds many members of whom actually served in MI-5, notably Victor Rothschilds. MI-5 is staffed by lower Middle Class types, from small towns in the Home countries with university degrees in basket weaving. The types that usually never came to contact with foreign people, before their career, and had certain pre set perceptions of immigrant people........usually not good perceptions.
Now most people might suppose that an intelligence agency is a "Pillar of the State" that "serves" the country in an impartial objective manner. It carries out the will of the elected government in accordance with its mandate.
This I must tell you is a fairy tale, a bad fairy tale having focused on the topic for over a decade. In the case of the UK such organizations would be better termed "Mafia fronts for sections of the criminal elite". They conduct illegal surveillance of private individuals; commercial industrial espionage; narcotics trafficking which is embedded in their training as "Smelly Cheese"; abducting, transporting and supplying little children to satisfy the sexual proclivities of the deviant elite in the UK....Jersey and other places ("Sun, Sea and Satan" book), false flag terrorist ops and political interference in national politics. Such organizations have very little use, least of all to their countries. At a mild level they are a nuisance which is tolerated, at a more serious level they can and have subverted the whole state.
It is for you to verify what has been stated in the above paragraph through your own resources. I am merely reciting my point of view as a victim.
In the case of MI-5, this "State Pillar" serves the interests of certain businesses such as the Rothschild’s, Sainsbury, Tesco's and Marks & Spencers. It amplifies the paranoia and interests of this narrow section of the elite of the UK and Israel, nothing more. Their work is not objective based, and what is in the "National interest" or "National security", but work subjectively for the interests of sections of the elite in the UK. What may be good for sections of the elite in the UK may not be necessarily be good for the whole of the country. Such businesses send their sons to work in such organizations, and obtain training, and then there after to "The City". As a perquisite to controlling such organizations by such elite groups only certain types of people are recruited into such organizations.
Consider the case of Julian Pettifer, a fine upstanding journalist who worked for the BBC. He was put under state surveillance, and all manner of illegality was conducted against him. His secret police file was later copied by a sympathetic government agent, and passed onto the press, who then informed him of what was going on, otherwise he would have unaware of it all. And what was Mr. Pettifer's high crime against the state? He belonged to a very "dangerous" organization called the RSPCA, and he observed, and photographed the movement of wild birds in marshes, and moors as part of his career and passion of being a TV presenter and nature journalist. Sometimes wearing a hat, equipped with binoculars, with pencil and paper to draw the birds............all very suspicious you see, and acquiring the full resources of the Secret Police to put him under surveillance.
So what was the real problem? Mr. Pettifer wrote articles in nature magazines about the plight of wild birds, and the problems they were facing in their natural habitat as a result of the rapid expansion of multi-million pound agro-business many of which are owned by Tesco's, Sainsbury's and Mark & Spencers. He being a well established and respected nature journalist writing such articles critical of their agro-businesses was considered bad publicity for the likes of Tesco's, so the company used their contacts in MI-5 to create problems for the journalist, until these illegal activities by MI-5 were exposed. Otherwise it would have continued for ever, as once started these things have a momentum of their own.
Now translate that level of paranoia and illegal moonlighting work against someone like me, who is not ethnically English and has a Muslim name. Spice it up with a few unlikely tall tales. Let me guess, I am the reincarnation of Cyrus the Great, who is going to create an Aryan empire from Iran to India, and is a threat to the world...................you've got your obedient dogs at MI-5 primed against yours truly, and any other idiot willing to believe such stories.
In my first year at university (Economics and Politics joint honors 1985-86), I found adjusting very difficult, and at the end of the academic year I was involved in a near fatal car accident, where one fellow student died in May of 1986. He was a son of a former British minister. In the second academic year 1986-87 I was mostly ill and failed ALL the exams. The University very generously allowed me to repeat the second year during 1987-88, but I found focusing on studies very difficult and very much the same happened as the previous year. I felt like a zombie. So I left the course.
During 1988-92 I mostly drifted, and did nothing substantive to terms of building a future for myself. In 1992 I enrolled again at university to study law, and after fours years finished my LL.B in 1996, as a mature student.
In the final year of 1996, for my dissertation I submitted a paper titled, "The Relationship between the State, the Security Services and the law". The paper argued that Security Services generally worked outside of the law because of the nature of their work, and that there should be greater parliamentary oversight of such organizations, and greater control of their work. The tenor of the paper was generally critical of such organizations, and the paper itself was quite pedestrian, partly given what was going on all around so I couldn't really focus and give my all. I used secondary material from open sources, and it certainly was not ground breaking revealing state secrets.
It has a certain relevancy in terms of what is going in the UK now. It was a title agreed between me and my supervising lecturer, and the need to avoid cliché titled dissertations (racial discrimination, equality laws, immigration laws, female rights at work....etc). During and after writing the dissertation, I experienced "strange events" at the university from January 1996 to June 1996, involving university security, janitors and possibly plain clothes police. The main theme seemed to be harassment, whether I was in the library, moving between lecture rooms or even going to the canteen. The first reaction was, denial, "this isn't happening to me" “Who would want to do this to me", then alarm (I was taking my final year). I forced myself to ask friends and they did some discreet inquiry after which they repeated pretty much what I had actually experienced. They told me to be careful, as things were "going on" but nothing specific.
After the exams I brought to the attention of the head of the department of the law faculty what had happened in a letter, and he passed it on to a senior administrative officer of the university, who interviewed me and did some investigations in the summer holiday. After a few weeks I received a polite one sentence letter from the senior university administrator that his investigations had not revealed anything untoward me, and that from the universities perspective I had nothing to worry about.
There was for me a clear disconnect between what I saw and experienced between January 1996 to June 1996, and confirmation from friends, and what the university told me. From March and April of 1996 there were developments outside of the university as well, with the police, fire engines, and ambulances furiously passing by blowing their horns at full speed. On one occasion whilst I was with the family in the car, a police car screeched behind the family car, stopped and the two policemen ran out into an adjacent shop and started laughing.........and so on.
In September of 1996 I enrolled at the University of Warwick to study for my Masters in Law. I had an excellent Professor as tutor, Professor Upendra Baxi former Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University, a significant figure in Indian jurisprudence. All the other staff were also very agreeable, as one would expect from an Ivy League university. I was fortunate to have a professor as tutor, whose specialty was human rights, who had written reports for the UN, and had done extensive other work. As my tutor I mentioned my concerns and showed him a copy of the letter of events in my previous university. He informed me that there were things going on which he was familiar with currently, and that I should maintain a detailed diary of all untoward movements which concerned me. He further added that the pattern of harassment was what he had seen and read about in other countries related to Human Rights cases. It was very important for me that he acknowledged that I was under surveillance, and more important that he suggested some practical measures which I could take to protect myself.
The purpose of all this was psychological he explained-----to push someone over the edge. His final advice was to go to the Commission For Racial Equality (CRE) and report the matter to them, which I did in Birmingham, but the CRE told me they couldn't do anything without more substantive information. They gave me news bulletins of Neo-Nazi activity in my previous university (University of Central England), and the fact that an Asian student had been attacked by Neo-Nazi students, which created quite a drama at the university in 1994/5.
The general advice from others was that it was 'all part of my imagination'; 'They had better things to do than bother themselves with someone unimportant like me'; 'they don't have the resources to do so much against one individual'; 'It will all fizzle out eventually, just grin and bare'; 'Just get on with your life, and the best way to beat them is to have as much fun as possible'...........slowly it began to dawn on me what it was like to live as a foreigner who was discriminated against; All those stories one hears about from inner cities of various parts of the country.
Whilst I am quite a stubborn sort, I wasn't seeing any respite to any of this harassment....and rather than receding, the whole affair seemed to be snow balling from my perceptions. After I finished my Masters in September 1997, I began for the first time thinking about moving out of the country. I visited Bangladesh in 1997 where I merely experienced similar patterns of harassment that I saw in the UK.
As planned I returned to the UK, and started working for a government agency, The Crown Prosecution Service in December 1997. I applied for the job for many reasons. I needed to save money for my Bar Finals Course; make a little contribution to the family, and to pinch myself and say this was not happening to me (I was still in denial). To work for such an agency you require a security clearance, which they carry out. I passed the clearance, and I started working for them dealing with police files, and the various actions related to police files....taking the files to Court, to police stations and Barrister Chambers. Phoning and contacting police stations about various cases and so forth. It was quite a surreal experience meeting detectives and senior police officers as they came into the office, shaking hands, exchanging smiles and polite conversations.......standard professional men going about their work, juxtaposed with what was going on outside the office.
In 1998 there were some developments. In the summer I made brief trips to London related to my Bar Course in that year, and in addition tried to contact some newspapers; The Times; The Guardian, The Observer and The Independent to highlight my situation. The Times sent a polite letter stating that their investigations revealed nothing, and reassured me that I should not be concerned, whilst the other papers did not respond. I also on my visits to London contacted "Liberty" a human rights organization, and one of their officers informed me that they had a limited budget and they only dealt with a few significant cases. Finally I also visited the offices of "Amnesty International". They informed me that unless a victim had clear torture marks, or a limb missing, they couldn't take up my case.
Whilst my stay in Bristol instigated the covert harassment from 1986, it was in Birmingham from March/April 1996 that the overt harassment began, variations of which I experience in various countries to a greater or lesser degree. This harassment where it began in the UK is primarily the work of MI-5. But I must clearly state that I have not done anything from 1985 to the present to warrant such surveillance and harassment from the Secret Police. I am not against any country per se, although I may not agree with certain policies of a few countries, but I ONLY express my disagreement and disapproval of such state policies through my writing, as it always has been the case. I am a highly qualified individual, with reasonable intelligence and this is the natural and logical avenue through which I express my opinion, at my blog for example. However I do understand even with expressing ones opinion on apparently unimportant subjects such as birds and their habitat, let alone contentious subjects as Israel, Jews, GWOT, and intelligence work can arouse the ire of the powers that be in the UK. However I should like to add that I am deeply flattered if the powers that be in the UK ever thought that anybody was paying attention to my two minute rants, and was worth all the hassle that I have received for the last 22 years. That I was ever a person with the writing skills of Salman Rushdie, or the professional standing of Julian Pettifer, with their requisite audience reach. Then I accept the harassment and illegal surveillance as a badge of my writing "Skills".....thank you.
1998 was also significant because that was the year when gas was used against me. They shifted from psychological to physical torture, in Birmingham. Why? I cannot say for certain, I can only offer educated guesses. 1998 was the year when I enrolled on the Bar Vocational Course, and the long process of enrolling began at the beginning of the year. Barristers in the UK are an elite group, with high standing in the very much class conscious British society, conferring prestige and honor to an individual. There are only about 8,000----9,000 practicing Barristers who usually specialize in specific areas of law. From my own understanding the security Services maintain files on all Barristers, regardless of their political orientation. From the Security Services perspective someone like me, with my background and writing history, qualifying as a Barrister would be a major no no. As an undergrad I wrote about certain sensitive subjects, and what if I as a Barrister wrote whole books on such subjects! So what happened was the instigation of various spoiler tactics, a mixed bag of pscy-ops and physical harassment of gas from about April 1998, through to micro-wave machines from January 1999 in Bristol at first. (For further details about micro-wave machines please follow this link---http://www.whale.to/b/rifat.html )
So why did I choose Bristol of all places to undertake the very challenging task of passing the challenging Bar Course? I hear that in some quarters I am referred to as the "Uzbekistani Ox", and yes I like the challenge of going back to the place where it all went wrong, with in 1998 two qualifications under the belt and now the BVC in Bristol. It was tough, but I plodded and plodded. The actual thrill of taking the Bar Course, of attending dinners at Lincolns Inn as a member, rubbing shoulders with Law Lords and senior lawyers was stimulating and motivating. Of course I was well aware that the Bar Course, what ever the end outcome would give me life long skills, even if I didn't eventually become a Barrister.
Under the normal rules of nature I should not have passed the Bar Course, the harassment and torture were piled on as the course progressed, but I can say with certainty, with my perseverance and a little encouragement and help from certain unexpected quarters, I eventually succeeded after taking some retakes, in 2000.
I am quite certain I received help from MI-6. Why? I am not sure. There is quite a lot of rivalry between MI-5 (Internal intelligence), and MI-6 (External Intelligence). I don't think MI-6 were particularly interested in me as a person, as they never contacted me directly, but the idea that they could get one up against MI-5 at no real expense to the state, against their rival I think tickled them. I also like to believe that with their greater experience in world affairs, rather than being tied down by "Little England' matters for the likes of the Rothschild’s and Tesco's, they were able to see the circus and fuss around me for what it really was, and not in the manner that it had been indoctrinated into MI-5.
Psychological support was one important aspect, and I think they clearly understood the level of pressure I came under, and practical physical support of course to reinforce it. The intentions of MI-5 were that I pass all the exams bar one ( "you missed by just one subject--hard cheese!"), and have my tail between my legs, head down and return to Birmingham as a failure..........as with Bristol 1985-88, and 15,000 pounds worth of student loan debts on top of all that. With a little help I over came that barrier and some resits, and I am quite sure that the terrorist attack on MI-6 headquarters a day after my final result came out in October 2000, was linked to me passing the final exam. This may sound egotistical, and implausible, but the Real IRA had been thoroughly penetrated by MI-5 in the 1990's, and MI-5 agents working in the IRA had killed up to 50 of its own members on false British fed disinformation that these 50 were 'grassers'...and if the Real IRA should attack anybody it should have been MI-5, active in all manner of ops in Northern Ireland, and not MI-6, external intelligence, and the instigator of talks between the IRA and British government officials in the 1990's. This is MI-5's character and behavior. The idiots wanted a shootout with their rivals in the streets of London, over a guy passing his exams.
After Bristol and the Bar exams, I moved to London in September 1999. London was the main center for Barristers to make their career (65% of all workload), and I subsisted in hostels, for one year. But the reality was there was very little opportunity for legal work for me, and I had no choice but to do very basic clerical work, and though this covered the cost of living expenses, it was nevertheless extremely frustrating not being able to work in the law field. One realizes, that ones legal skills can be lost if you don't keep in touch with this area, as with everything. I tried very hard to get a foothold into the legal field but it was tough, and the fact that I spent an inordinate amount of money, and eight years of effort did not make the pressure and frustration any easier. The harassment continued, and increased, and my thoughts again turned to leaving the country, always a difficult decision to leave your familiar environment of family and friends into an unknown environment where do not know anybody. In May/June 2000 I headed into "Liberal" Holland to seek work there. A country where English is spoken by virtually everybody, and there are many multi-national companies based there with plenty of job opportunities, and of course there was cosmopolitan Amsterdam. I had a limited budget, and I could not find a suitable job in time, nor with my week long quest in Germany. So I returned to the UK in June 2000.
I continued living in London between June 2000 to March 2002. London is a big noisy stressful city, if you like that sort of thing, but I don't. You could put up with it if your career was going some where, but with the continued harassment, the high focused hair wire reactions to everything you said, thought or wrote, well it became a bit too much. But it is a great city for networking, and whilst in London I met army officers from Bangladesh, diplomats, and politicians. I also in London met the President of the Dhaka Bar Association, who presented himself to me, a Mr. Owais along with his wife and rather pretty daughter. He gave his card and repeatedly encouraged me to visit Bangladesh, where he hinted I would have a great future as a Barrister....limo to the airport and all that. I should have guessed where it was all going when he said that the UK was the greatest country in the world, and most powerful. A comment like that would normally register in my mind given my background and experience in the UK, but my mind was on more pretty things. As it happened I did go to Bangladesh to establish my legal career in March 2002, and I did call the President of the Bar Association, and after being busy for a quite a few days he did invite me to his offices at the High Court, where he kept me waiting for hours and hours, and then appearing in the scene with a foreign women (British embassy staff?), strutting right past me, without even an acknowledgment. I had been had as they say. He clearly was an Anglofile, and a good deal of Bangladesh’s elite is Anglofiles, God bless them, it was after all Britain’s colony. But I didn't think that he would be that kind of an Anglofile, behaving in that manner behaving this way with a foreign women, against his countrymen. He is supposed to represents the cream of the country.
So in 2001 I plodded on with clerical work, working for a charity for disabled people in London. The work was simple and not challenging........and then 9/11 occurred in the USA, where the American Jewish Mafia, with MOSSAD and sections of American intelligence pulled off the murder of 3,000 Americans mostly, to start a war against Muslims, and expand Israel's boundaries into "Eretz Israel." I was saddened by the episode, and refused to watch the televised scenes for two days. I immediately signed the book of condolences at the American embassy in Grosvenor Square, and I prayed...and prayed, that is all I could do. The atmosphere in London became ugly, as if it couldn't get any uglier than it already was.
So my thoughts turned to leaving the country again. I had by now saved some money from my work, and I could afford to go much further than before. I did a quick job search in France, and there after decided to go to Bangladesh against my better judgment in March 2002. I stayed with relatives, and obtained work at the Chamber of Tawfik Nawaz, specializing in Civil law, and work related to NGO'S; quite a lot of them in Bangladesh. Tawfik Nawaz was Oxbridge educated and an obvious Anglofile, who played his flute sometimes at the British embassy in Dhaka, to entertain staff there. His general demeanor and accent also indicated his close linkages with the UK. But I was desperate for work, and the lure of finally working as a Barrister, and traveling around South East Asia dealing with cases thrilled and tempered my more cautious side. In all events at a personal level Mr. Tawfik Nawaz seemed a very decent human being. Personally I liked him, and found him very intelligent, modern and someone who I could work for, and build my career. However outside of the Chamber the harassment that was typical in the UK continued in Bangladesh, with the added mental burden that it was your own kind doing it against you, and the British in plain sight in your country, organizing it with obvious glee. The NSI, and now named DGFI has close links with the UK, and the armed forces have close links with the UK also. The police forces of Bangladesh are rotten, colonial era and pathetic. My parents had joined me in Bangladesh, and eventually seeing where it was all going, I eventually decided to leave Bangladesh in May 2002, and return to the UK, back to Birmingham.
So I stayed in Birmingham between May to November 2002. I had no job, no money, living on state handouts, harassment continuing where originally the overt harassment first started since 1996. In that kind of atmosphere it is very hard to do anything and so my thoughts turned to leaving the UK again. I saved my government handout money and borrowed a little from a friend, and I left the UK for Greece. Why did I choose Greece? Greece seemed like a neutral out of the way country which didn't partake in world affairs and didn't bother anybody, and run by a friendly government----Simitis government. However you can have friendly governments and friendly people, however if you don't have a job, all that friendliness means very little, so after five months I left Greece for Germany, which was slightly more prosperous in 30th March 2003.
I landed in Munich without any money, only the clothes on my back, and started wondering the City. I eventually found some Bangladeshis who very generously offered me lodging, and food. I soon found some work, and enrolled on German language courses. I lived on state benefit for a considerable period of time, in private rented accommodation paid for by the state. However, although my basic needs were provided for by the state, I could not live in such conditions for ever. I had to find productive work and build a career, and so I applied to some places to teach English. But the job situation even in Munich was bad, and as a result I started thinking about moving out of Germany all together. It was during my stay in Munich that I decided that I should like to become an English teacher in foreign countries. It was a respectable profession. Most of my families were teachers, and you can live, travel, and see many countries with such an occupation. Otherwise in Germany I also was at the receiving end of harassment and at times it was quite quite painful…….(the aura of Nazi Germany had not quite disappeared) They really went for it at times, especially if my writing displeased them. I was writing and faxing my personal ideas to an American source. They were using gas and micro-wave to torture and of course the usual psy-ops. My understanding was that in Germany I would never be allowed a regular job, and the best I could hope for was washing dishes. The general tenor of the German security was disrespectful….belittling of me as a person in what were often tough times for me in that city. There were days, after days when I had no money or food………in the richest city in Germany.
I saved up some government benefit money, and I got some money from a friend in the UK. I applied and finally got a response to teach English in Indonesia in April 2005. I had also applied to Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand, but this was the first response and I took it. The head of the school was from the UK, and it was part of the vast EF language schools network worldwide. The school was near the beach, in beautiful surroundings….$450 per month. The interview and enrolment process was swift and easy, and so I left my Munich apartment, belongings, and took what I could carry. I made a ticket, and at the airport I received an email from the head of the school that there had been an earthquake, and his school had been closed. He advised that I should not go to the country. I decided otherwise, and since I had terminated all my arrangements in Germany there was no going back, and so I boarded the plane and traveled to Jakarta, with the idea that once in the region I could hop to another country any time if things did not work out. The main point being now was that I was determined to be an English teacher come what may. The determination stiffened after the experiences of Germany.
I stayed in Jalan Jaksa, Jakarta. The Indonesian people were friendly, and in terms of character completely different from Europe. This for me was an eye opener. However as with any visit to any country finding a teaching job is the main priority, and much of the days were spent going to interviews at various private schools, and making applications. It was tough. I eventually got sponsorship to teach English from a private university, however the general chaotic nature of Indonesia, today this, tomorrow that……….meant that even with a guarantee of a university job, I could not live in that country.
Whilst there, I met prominent journalists, politicians, academics and senior government officers, so I was well respected, but at the end of the day if you cannot do your teaching job peacefully all such formalities and courtesy do not really mean a thing. Also Indonesia in 2005 was a country dominated by America and Michael Howard’s Australia, and that could not have been good for the country and its general atmosphere. Their pervasive presence was every where, as if I had infringed wrongly and illegally in their turf. I loathe confrontation so I moved out.
In early June 2005, I arrived in Malaysia. Malaysia is a great, beautiful, modern country, but it is also an ex-British colony which is close to the UK, so no real intention of working there. Whilst there I applied to Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and Korea, and soon I received offer of work from Korea.
In July 2005 I started work in Korea at a private English school. Korea is a good country to work in, and the conditions are good. I loved the teaching, as it was my first job and I am grateful for being given a chance to teach there and improve my teaching skills. However often situations are not always perfect, and I decided to move out of the school after six months. The international security circus was present, and that affected my teaching to a certain degree. I moved out of the country and back in again in February 2006 at another school. After May 2006 I decided to leave that job too. Yes I have mostly good memories of Korea; Kimchi, T-shirts and huge apartment blocks, but no houses; and miles upon miles of new roads. Bitter winters and humid tropical summers…..it was good.
Psychologically I wanted to go to Japan next, after Korea, but physically I was exhausted. I applied for work in Vietnam as before, at least to test and see how I would be treated by a Communist country not connected to the UK, or the West. I had been accepted for work with an American run English school in Ho Cho Minh city, after an extensive hour long telephone interview. My tourist visa was refused however, with no explanation, the first time this happened in my life, and so I was in Seoul with an airline ticket for Vietnam but no visa. So what should I do? I saw a very nice brochure of Thailand in the tour operator’s office in Seoul and there and then I decided to head for Bangkok.
So I came to Thailand in late May 2006 to mainly relax and rest. It was a good experience, and after a while I prepared to go to Japan. Japan is one of those countries where you simply can’t start work just like that. A lot of paper work is involved, and the whole process of being sponsored, and then finally start a job takes maybe 10 or more weeks. With my savings, and the cost of Tokyo, that is too long a process, but I had not calculated that Japan would be different. So I gave one extensive interview to teach English at university, where upon I was told to get a little more experience…….so after a short stay in the country I left towards Europe again.
After a short search in Ukraine, I arrived in Turkey in September 2006. After a few days I quickly had offers of work in Istanbul, the commercial hub of the country. I taught one to one English in an extremely friendly, relaxed, informal school. The head of the school was more like a brother than my boss, and of similar age. I obviously enjoyed the job because I stayed there the longest of any teaching job, 13 months and he almost persuaded me to stay for another year.
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Yours sincerely,
Mostaque A Ali.
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I was introduced to your blog through Vikram Soods blog, who in my opinion doesn't blog often enough....and usually pastes material of other people. But I suppose he has better things to do with his time.
As to you Bua I do not know who you are, for all I know you could be a mid-20's young man and a supporter of the BJP, even in West Bengal. Your articles point in that direction, and possibly you have some guidance from Indian security????? Numbers games etc........the types and shades of opinions etc.....if that is the case then I am tickled to comment just as much as I am with Ahmed Quraishi and his possible security links.
According to research civilization evolved primary through "adda"..........and blogs are an excellent medium for communication of like minded people on similar topics of interest.....this can be done in a civilized manner which benefits all.
On a separate note but far more important in terms of how you discus topics and how you explain the actions of various state and non-state actors in South Asia is that SOUTH ASIA DID NOT win its true independence but was given it by the British Raj, and thus many of the people and institutions which sustained the Evil British Raj essentially continue to operate as per usual after independence in INDIA, PAKISTAN AND OF course Bangladesh.
The elites of these countries exist not to serve their host countries but rather other foreign countries such as the USA, UK and so forth. This would explain why a high % of India's wealth is deposited in foreign bank accounts rather than being invested in India, because the elites have no faith or interest in the welfare and growth of India. The same goes for Pakistani and Bangladeshi elites...............this would explain why after Independence and the passage of 62 years approaching,..... there are still in India and the rest of South Asia various multiple problems some of which are quite basic in terms of solutions:
1. Terrorism/Pakistan based/Naxal/North East/Hindu rss.
2. Religious Intolerance/BJP.
3. Water Shortage/non monsoon season especially
4. Unequal economic development....poor economic planning. 840 million with minimal income.55 billionaires.
5. Corruption.
6. Capital flight-----$1.5 trillion to 3 trillion.
7. Devalued Currency.
8. Unemployment.....hiring system.
9. Low Education.investment......poor quality education....poor quality teachers....poor quality students.........loss of the best to foreign countries. Lack of investment into research...R&D.
10.Weak Foreign Policy.........inconsistent foreign policy....the failure of SAARC, and relations with neighbors especially Pakistan. Aspires to be the regional power, is the regional power but no clear leadership.
11. Poorly performing agricultural sector./farmer debts/low investment and innovation.
12. RAW misadventures.
13..............Failed state characteristics/wikipedia/duplicate.
14. Foreign interference...USA/UK.........behind the scenes through the post-colonial elite.
15. Rapid population growth.
16. Poor governance.....political parties/bureaucracy/poor leadership.
17. Poor environmental policies/ enforcement and awareness by public--state and national.
18. Post colonial elite...which has no fealty to India.......exemplified by capital flight.
19. Poor infrastructure.
20. Small industrial base...low investment in this sector.
21. Weak financial system.
22. Indian bureaucracy...red tape.
23. Backward society and the inherent problems of backward society, culturally and psychologically........religious obscurantism and fatalism.
24. Indian colonial police......corruption and criminality.
25. Cultural stagnation....crass trash Western copy Hindi movies etc.
26. Social harmony and value......soaring crime rates etc....standard social norms.
Once you have grasped this basic fact, then you can begin to look at major issues within India through a different perspective, and one that is a more honest one.
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As the years progress the failures of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh will only become more apparent, because of the existence of elites in each country which exist for themselves and their foreign masters.
The situation will become desperate as people die from hunger, and general suffering ..........and various false prophets and groups will appear offering false solutions.......and false sources of the national problems:
The BJP in India.......Solution: All India's problems will be solved if India becomes more chauvinistic, builds the Ram temple, and teaches Pakistan a lesson..............Pakistan and the Indian Muslims are the main and only source of ALL India's current problem, and once we "deal" with them with the right amount of balls all will be well.
In Pakistan the military........we are the only ones that can be relied on to protect the nation, and run the country properly........the civilian politicians are corrupt, and are a joke. A little bit more of Islam will save Pakistan for sure.
Bangladesh------mixed scenario but the nation has thrown its vote behind the Awami League......got a massive landslide which is an indication that the people were fed up with the BNP, and a sign of desperation that allowed one party to sweep the seats in parliament.And what exactly does the Awami League offer that will change the direction of the country.........prosecution of the killers of Shaikh Mujib, and the same with Pakistani army collaborators in the 1971 war.....the only talk since they came to power 4 months ago......obviously that in itself is not going to solve the country's substantial problems is it?
Mostaque,
Very interesting life - can also be a life of a jehadi. Do not take it otherwise, I have read about your ambigous love for religion, but you have visited and lived in places where Al Qaeda has sleeper cells. And just like them - on meagre resources and in ghetto like community housing "found Bangladeshis and stayed with them."
Also the point of feeling self importance was not lost but its better to be positive about oneself than negative I guess. But you did lose me in Indonesia where you mentioned that being a Brit / Australian influenced country, you were stepping in their (whose ??) toes and hence left. Why? What did you mean by that?
The best advice was given by many to which I alluded to earlier - why you? what makes you so important for a state to waste its finite resources on? I am not saying it has not happened, but the logic eludes me.
I am in 30s. I studied in India and in the US (New York city) - had gone on a full Presidential Scholarship.
Written two articles on Bangladesh - time thakle pore dekho. One deals with climate change and Bangladesh and the other on BDR revolt.
WHat you might find interesting though is this article on UK :
http://bengalunderattack.blogspot.com/2009/02/uk-was-biggest-drug-runner-in-19th.html
Mostaque,
Your inference that Israel did 9/11 puts you firmly with together with Hamid Gul. He said the same thing.
1. The then ISI Head wired $100,000 to Md. Atta.
2. Pakistan paid a lot of money to the senators of 9/11 commission to have their names struck off.
HOW WOULD ISRAEL COME IN HERE ON THE ABOVE TWO POINTS?
I will ask you to read my article: BEFORE THE NEXT 9/11 PAY THE SENATORS OFF. (Google it).
And then comment.
Thank you for the response!
"have read about your ambigous love for religion"
Not sure what that means-----you did read I am secularish.......agnostic to be exact.......that there is a supreme force, but not connected to any religion.
I have not lived in any ghetto like condition per se, most of the time in my life or with Bangladeshis.........I've existed in comfortable Middle class conditions with employment in the UK,AND in other countries most of my life. I always strived to better myself career wise............LL.B, LL.M and a Barrister, where I am developing my career lecturing in law at universities......I hope to write books etc in the future.....NOT SLUMMING IT because that is some kind of career option.
Where I lapsed in conditions very briefly is when I was out of work and money, and I refused out of some foolish self pride to take the help of my family (when in Germany) or state help....available to all EU nationals.
Life is a strange unpredictable merry go round, and as you get older and mellower and ponder a little bit more you may find highly qualified people "down and out" in such strange places as London, the UK generally, the USA, and especially in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.........that a man who is Muslim and down and out very briefly does not mean he is automatically a terrorist......unfortunately there are too many GOOD people around the world be they Iranian exiles, Iraqis fleeing their country, Americans affected by the economic down turn.......educated Middle class people who go through what I am going through......
For me obviously, for my self preservation more than anything else it is important that I publicize my position to the relevant people....Human Rights organisations especially, and places which are viewed by the public widely.......blogs for example and forums where you openly express your opinion USING YOUR ORIGINAL NAME, HONESTLY.........the worst thing you can do in my situation is suffer in silence, and in the process of doing so you may come across as some what egotistical.....and self opinionated........which is a hazard of giving your views often on contentious issue.
THESE WOULD NOT BE THE ACTIONS OF A PERSON WITH HIDDEN AGENDA'S..........damned by some for keeping silent, damned by some for speaking out. From a Human Rights perspective when state entities create problems for you with their power and organization it is always better to speak out to a wide an audience as possible, and tell all, and tell your side of the truth.
I am no Gandhi and obviously I am not trying to copy him; he had certain political agendas which he tried to promote in a variety of peaceful ways, and in the process went through many "ghetto like" conditions with his fellow merry travelers in his life and cause. He too was defined by the state as a "dangerous" dissenter.........the state, especially authoritarian state does not like its weaknesses highlighted or exposed.
You Bua, what ever is your real name have a specific mind set which seems BJP'ish......judging by the types of article you post. You were educated in your Major in New York, USA........and you propagate the standard narrative about "jehadis" which is current in the USA MSM, and in India......that is your privilege, that is your opinion which is the standard fare from sections of India. This ofcourse means that you cannot "see the Forest above the trees" the wider issues, the real issues, and thus propagate standard opinions which are misplaced....READ MY LAST POST INCLUDING ALL THE LINKS.
There is an alternative narrative about 9/11, if you are unaware by people from around the world which states that MOSSAD in collaboration with local American agents in NEW YORK carried out 9/11.......I am sure I don't need to spell out in detail what this alternative narrative is, you must already know, and that whole sad episode has been questioned by many prominent people, including military experts from the USA, AND senior politicians..........
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4721278347208555897&postID=6762984285323809311
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4721278347208555897&postID=6532435303822112305
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Summary real intended outcome of 9/11:
1) 9/11 was primarily a criminal financial act by elements within the USA and Israel, a high percentage of those who were really involved being Jewish.
2) 9/11 would help Israel and America come closer together, 'Were in this together'.
3) 9/11 would enable the Israel first Bush administration to launch a Crusade for Israel and smash countries deemed to be a threat to Israel.-------7 countries in 5 years was the talk in late 2001, at the Pentagon.
4) 9/11 would allow the Israelis to more openly pursue their agenda's without the critical Western media being too scrutinizing. Dealing with the Palestinians more harshly, as they have done so since 2001, and then attacking Lebanon and there after Syria---'A Clean Break' document 1996.
5) 9/11 would allow the Jew greater control over America, by creating a security police state, with them setting and deciding the agenda's in America.
*For sure the ISI is involved with 9/11, but I would think it is peripheral....if the main action was in the USA. Their role would be to create a narrative that 9/11 was planned from Afghanistan......and that this happened..and that happened..and this happened....a fake narrative.
* I am also aware that strangely Indian intelligence provided the names of the 19 9/11 plotters to the ............FBI.
* I am also aware that in 2000 under the guidance of the BJP Indian intelligence moved closer to Israeli intelligence, and that since that sad episode there have been a spate and increase in "jehadi terrorism" in INDIA.
You can rest assured that I have no plans of visiting India..........my background and history should mean that given the politics of India it would be unwise to visit the country for tourism or to live and work there...........this is my loss. More so Pakistan and Bangladesh.
It is a shame when others create false narratives we all too often accept and follow them without questioning their underlying validity.
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4721278347208555897&postID=939826636662103732
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4721278347208555897&postID=2599491147947175031
"Your inference that Israel did 9/11 puts you firmly with together with Hamid Gul."
Bit basic adolescent thinking. "You are either with us or against us" Bush narrative. Mother Teresa loved going to the odd Bollywood movie........Himmler loved seeing the odd Hollywood movie, therefore Mother Teresa = Himmler.
I'm obviously not Mother Teresa!
If one is a skeptic of 9/11 this does not automatically put you in the Hamid Gul camp. The man is an avid Taliban and al-Qaeda fan, who in addition is vehemently anti-Indian..........he is a much touted "media personality" whose opinions are sought by the Western MSM........I OBVIOUSLY through my opinions and blogging am not in that camp, quite the contrary.
My opinions seem to irritate some in the "West". They don't like it and they express this in a variety of ways.
Yes so we have a little in common....I wrote about the efficacy of environmental laws of both India and Bangladesh, for my masters final dissertation, and how laws once passed by these countries are seldom effectively implemented by local and national governments.
You have highlighted an article about the British and their opium trade.......not sure why? Whats the connection, are you attempting to advertise an agenda?.........London is the center of global narcotics and money laundering....as it was in the 19th century...And the reason why the British are in Afghanistan in strength again, 8,000 troops and the same for Americans...
So the story about fighting the Taliban and going after al-Qaeda is fake, cover story.
I talked about the problems of India, and how they have not been addressed properly by the leaders of India.......how they misdirect the people with clear non-issue sloganism, especially near elections.
What is the solution?
What is your opinion?
This applies to ALL South Asian countries.
Mostaque,
I am acutely aware of these Jewish propaganda on 9/11. Why, there were even talks in mainstream media in Pakistan and elsewhere that all Jews were evacuated before Twin Towers came down and that not a single Jew was killed. This is all bullocks - to paraphrase a term from your country.
At the same vein there is a thin thread of link that one can pursue. Deutsche Bank, where my friend works, in downtown Manhattan had given their security to Israelis. And prior to 9/11 they talked about de-risking their portfolios by having "hardwares", informations and people moved elsewhere. Now, one can call that proof or it was simply that they were doing a job. You take your pick. I had alluded to Operation Northwoods too - after all 9/11 gave Americans the only reason to be in Afghanistan - they had no prior reason whatsoever.
However, if Israel created 9/11 - tell me how is it safer today than in 2001? Iran is on its way to build a nuke, Pakistan is Talibanized - the dangers are more profound now than in 2001. So ?
I am not BJP'ish. I am right of centre. And if I see Congress toeing this line - I will vote for Congress. I am not bound to any political party or ideology. I have my own thoughts - that's a different matter.
On a different matter altogether - what is your personal gripe with the Jews? I like them - they are inventive, hardworking, and have a very small homeland surrounded by hostile neighbors. And they were there first - if we ever go to history !
Most politicians of today are scumbags - only after personal wealth or family wealth will very little regard for the country. The only people really concerned about their country are the far right - but then if they take power - as they did in Austria - the world gets worried.
Hence, que sera sera.
My solution will be made, if I am ever in a position of power in India. Have not thought about it - but the solution is simple, its deliverability complex - and I will like to keep that to myself !
Ali,
California state, if it were a country, would have been the 5th largest economy. Since you did economics you would understand about state budgeting and deficits. California is about to declare itself bankrupt (it actually is, but has declared itself so - were it to honor all its payment obligations - it will fail in honoring them). How can California stave off bankruptcy - it is by declaring that "grass / cannabis / ganja" be declared legal and taxed. There are imp articles actually advocating this. I have talked about drugs as I am aware of the AAE (Anglo American Agenda).
If you were to read my two articles - it will tell you that I am little more aware than I am letting on.
If you go to my JANUARY articles you will get a treasure trove (even if I may say so) of articles that I think you will like.
1 http://bengalunderattack.blogspot.com/2009/01/mumbai-attacks-peeling-5-layers.html
2. http://bengalunderattack.blogspot.com/2009/01/mumbai-attacks-peeling-5-layers-part-2.html
3. http://bengalunderattack.blogspot.com/2009/01/sir-olaf-caroe-viceroys-studies-group.html
4.http://bengalunderattack.blogspot.com/2008/12/michael-vickers-and-mumbai-attacks.html
5. http://bengalunderattack.blogspot.com/2008/12/great-game-in-central-asia.html
6. http://bengalunderattack.blogspot.com/2008/12/ultimate-game-us-plans-for-central-asia.html
I know you will understand, agree and disagree too - but feel free to fault the logic.
I am OK to side with the lesser evil - coz there is no one GOOD out there.
Mumbai 26/11 as argued along the lines of 9/11 skeptics looks to me like a inside job, carried out by Indians to facilitate certain agenda's, and therefore fix the agenda for the political leadership by Israel and her Indian friends concentrated in and around Siv Sena Mumbai.
The following is an attempt to look at the "forest above the trees"....the wider general issues...then we can look at the specifics LATER.
________________________________
1. Especially Since 2000 Indian security has moved closer to Israel under BJP guidance, with Israeli security personnel being allowed into India and especially Kashmir and other sensitive parts. As a correlating event there has also been a noticeable rise of terrorism by so called "Jehadis" in India since 2000, under the BJP AND UPA governments..........SOME OF WHICH WERE LATER DISCOVERED TO BE carried out by Indian security....I am not talking about reports from Amaresh Mishra or Arundhoti Roy and the like, but many other Indian journalists, and ex-RAW officers such as Kakare.
2. It is an open secret that Israel has been pursuing the Pakistan nuclear program for 30 years. That they asked India to attack Pakistan jointly with Israel through airstrikes, half a dozen times in the 1980's which India turned down correctly.
3.That Israel has pumped India with $10 billion worth of arms specifically for this purpose, and is now Israel is the biggest arms supplier to India. They want India to wage war against Pakistan clearly........unfortunately for Israel the Indian military weren't/aren't ready because fundamentally the Indian political class across the board distrust the Indian military and don't allow it to properly develop it to the levels of fighting efficiency as it should for an "emerging super power".2% spent on defense annually.
4. It is no secret that the BJP is the primary vehicle through which Israel articulates its policies in India and the wider region........the BJP follows the Israeli model of politics...which is mass provocation, backed by chauvinism expressed through quasi-fascist nationalistic fundamentalist rallies......Much like the Nazi party. General JACK JOSEPH is a perfect example of that, the Jew in the Indian army who joined the BJP and its extremist chauvinistic policies.
5. The attack took place in Mumbai a city CONTROLLED by the Siv Sena, an extremist Hindu regional party which does not hide its agenda. Indeed in their various speeches they have stated that terrorism is a good way to enforce their writ, against Muslims and against North Indians.
6. The Siv Sena have extensive ties with Israel the little terrorist state. In addition it has extensive ties through the Bene Israel Jewish community which once existed in Mumbai and its hinterland for many years (might also in addition explain the content of a lot of Bollywood movies)------most of the Bene Israel now live in Israel, numbering 60,000.........and about 4,000 remaining in Mumbai.....Other articles have stated that the Siv Sena conduct narcotics trafficking business with the Israelis through the huge number of Israeli tourists who visit India, ex-IDF mainly.
7. States conduct terrorist acts as an extension of state policy: The Chechen attack's inside Russia in the 1990's were later discovered to be work of Russian intelligence who wanted to get into power, and usurp Yeltsin.
Musharafs adventure into Kargil....an attempt to dictate state policy where Sharif wanted to initiated peace overtures with India, and Musharaf did not want that.
Emperor Nero's order to burn parts of the Christian sector of Rome, and then blame this on the Christians.....so as to persecute them.
The Nazis deliberate burning of the Reichstag, and then blame the Communists for this.....
and so on and so on.
Obviously Bua for you the Indian state in whatever form could not stoop to such levels of underhanded behavior, in collaboration with Israel?
8. I do believe elections were ongoing around that period in India, state elections, and national elections not too far away.
"Most politicians of today are scumbags - only after personal wealth or family wealth will very little regard for the country. The only people really concerned about their country are the far right - but then if they take power - as they did in Austria - the world gets worried."
You say you are center right, and yet you put your political and presumably moral faith in the likes of Hitler and Mussolini? Where is the consistency dear boy?
Do the extremists right always do the right thing by their country........can you give a historical example where the extremist right solved the national problems or in reality added to them?
Are you therefore saying right wing Islamic fundamentalism will solve Muslim countries problems......Iran for example?
Jorge Haider, the faggot was most probably killed by Jews for daring to question the Jews role in the current banking crisis in Austria and the world........or are you going to tell me Jews are not involved in Banking?
"However, if Israel created 9/11 - tell me how is it safer today than in 2001? Iran is on its way to build a nuke, Pakistan is Talibanized - the dangers are more profound now than in 2001. So ?"
We often make the mistake of looking at issues from purely from our own perspectives NATURALLY. However when we do so, we often fail to see the rational and motivations of the people for doing such things...........you have made the above statement from a perfectly obvious human being point of view, without seriously looking at the issue from the Israelis perspectives.
Why of course there is much more chaos in the world since 9/11, and surely the Israelis like the rest of humanity would not have wanted such an outcome.
Unless you really know Israeli state policy, and you have meditated on their covert Modus Operandi throughout history with a pinch of detached cynicism, and what is their real strategy in the greater Middle East, then YOU cannot answer that question with absolute certainty.
The present situation and chaos is precisely what Israel wants.......READ MY LAST POST.
Through chaos the Israelis believe they can achieve their state policies....."crisis management" this has been Israeli state policy since 1947.
Finally the NIE 2007 stated categorically that Iran is not developing nuclear weapons, and Admiral Blair the overall head of American intelligence believes the same......
Pakistan has not been taken over by the Taliban, and the last time I checked the civilian elected government under the gangster Zardari is still in power.
Mostaque -
Are you aware of the fact that Mossad was in Pakistan helping them covertly to train Mujahideeds to fight the Russians?
India will move to Israel and S. Africa for arms, defense and other pacts - you will see the second shift happening sometime soon. These countries do not have much conscience baggage in order to sell armaments / expertise. And both countries know the meaning of hostile / unstable neighbors.
What is this Jew fixation you have ? You fear their mental prowess - poor guys they are such a meagre percentage of the world population. :)
Mostaque:
"You say you are center right, and yet you put your political and presumably moral faith in the likes of Hitler and Mussolini? Where is the consistency dear boy?"
This was not in good taste.
"Are you aware of the fact that Mossad was in Pakistan helping them covertly to train Mujahideeds to fight the Russians?"
Yes I am aware, in fact I wrote about it in this very comments section, my second comment, if you read through it..........you are reading ALL my comments as I am reading ALL yours aren't you? That way we avoid repetition of points made. Secondly we are more focused on our topics of discussion, which gives our "conversation" more meaning; we are not thus discussing everything from UFO's to the type of skirts they wear these days in Bollywood.
The Israelis have cultivated the Pakistan ISI since the 1980's. 1) To get greater understanding of Pakistan's covert nuclear program, a high priority for them. 2) To control the narcotics and arms business around the "Operation Cyclone" viz Afghanistan and the Mujaheddin from the 1980's again.............in relation to point one the Israelis through Turkey provided Pakistan with nuclear technology in the 1980's from America, which formed part of Valarie Plame's investigations; Sibel Edmonds and all that......and AQ Khan network, and his nuclear black market into North Korea, Iran and Libya amongst many other countries.
I know many in India somewhat naively think Israel is a great new buddy of India, because of the geographic's and actions of Israel......."They attack and kill Muslims" ......"the enemy of my enemy is my friend" logic.....so many simple BJP type Indians think, thats good enough for me.......but obviously with the simple information you have just provided about MOSSAD involvement of Mujaheddin training in the 1980's....and much more within Pakistan........THE Israelis are playing a double game with India.
SO not a good source of arms, surely..........if the MOSSAD/ISI LIAISON officers meet in say Germany, Munich over a cup of tea and the ISI officer says we want all the specifics and details of the Arun tank, its weaknesses and strengths, since you are ironing out all the glitches for the Indians..........than thats not good is it? For India.
"India will move to Israel and S. Africa for arms, defense and other pacts - you will see the second shift happening sometime soon. These countries do not have much conscience baggage in order to sell armaments / expertise. And both countries know the meaning of hostile / unstable neighbors."
Surely it should be the other way round........that India does not suffer from a conscience baggage when dealing with the likes of Israel.......given the image India likes to project itself into the world...tolerant secular society that is all inclusive.
Israel has no real hostile neighbors thats just an old myth. It is the 4th most powerful nation on earth, which can mobilize 1.1 million soldiers; 1,000 combat planes; 4,000 tanks, 3,000 artillery...and 200 nuclear heads. Backed by the guaranteed support of the USA militarily if Israel is attacked...........which explains Israel's boldness militarily, and the weakness of the Arab neighbors like Egypt when the Israelis embark on slaughtering innocent women and children.
South Africa under the ANC has no hostile neighbors.
In the final analysis Bua if India wants to be an effective military power, India has to make her own arms.......whether they turn out crap initially is besides the point........YOU HAVE GOT TO MAKE YOUR OWN ARMS, AND NOT RELY ON IMPORTS........Russia makes her own arms, and China makes all her own arms and the USA makes her own arms......and somewhere soon India has to learn to make her own arms for a big league player......Now I appreciate somewhere there corruption is involved, because with foreign arms the corrupt elements in the Babus, netas, middle men and military can earn extra rupees.........but for the sake of India a strong focus must be made to concentrate on only purchasing local arms.
"What is this Jew fixation you have ? You fear their mental prowess - poor guys they are such a meagre percentage of the world population. :)"
Its a personal experience thing which I couldn't begin to explain on such a medium as a comments section.....maybe in the future we can have a one to one about this in an informal setting and I will do my best to explain to you why this is so.........I have experience of them for 30 years in the UK and outside, negatively.
Remember I am essentially secular, educated of middle class background brought up in an open minded liberal family background.......so the Jew must have really riled me to speak about them in such a way.......
At another non-personal level I do happen to think that they as a collective group are doing things which are not good for the world generally.
"You say you are center right, and yet you put your political and presumably moral faith in the likes of Hitler and Mussolini? Where is the consistency dear boy?"
This was not in good taste."
Indeed you say you are center right, and then in another comment you say:
"Most politicians of today are scumbags - only after personal wealth or family wealth will very little regard for the country. The only people really concerned about their country are the far right - but then if they take power - as they did in Austria - the world gets worried."
The Far right would be Hitler and Mussolini surely (Right wing would be George Bush, Sarkozy, BJP....and center right would be .......... be the Gaullist and Jacque Chirac....of course its all much more complicated than that)
The term "old boy" is a term of endearment that was once used in England....when you have conversations with somebody else........not meant to be offensive; you are a man in your 30's after all.
Mostaque,
Would love your intelligent analysis on my latest article on Ghazwatul Hind.
Waiting for your critique ..
BuA
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