Articles

In the changed global environment, only adherence to Islamic principles will bring about the kind of change Muslims are looking for.

The US has become addicted to killing innocents with drones but ultimately, it is the responsibility of the Pakistani government to protect its people.

Decisions carry consequences; and faulty decisions will lead to negative consequences as the Hamas leadership has found to its cost.

Why is Malala promoted but Nabeela, another Pakistani girl who is the victim of US drone strikes, is ignored, is a question many in Pakistan are beginning to raise including this reader.

The Saudi regime has become extremely jittery and, therefore, even more oppressive than before. Omar al-Saeed, a member of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) was sentenced to 300 lashes and four years in jail for merely demanding a consitutional monarchy in the country. His trial was held in secret and he had no access to a defence lawyer.

Egyptians are beginning to realize that the military and the regime it backs are not there to serve the interests of the people. Hitherto, only supporters of the Ikhwan al-Muslimoon (Muslim Brotherhood) were concerned; now this has spread to the wider society. Students have also joined in large numbers.

Hamid Karzai is furious at the Americans. They have killed another innocent child and injured two women in a bombing raid in Afghanistan. Karzai has been demanding a halt to such attacks and total ban on night raids in people's homes before he signs the Bilateral Security Agreement that would allow American troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond the 2014 deadline.

Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf (PTI), the party headed by cricket-star-turned politician Imran Khan, has named CIA director John Brennen and the CIA station chief in Islamabad, Craig Osth as the principal accused in the murder of six people in a drone strike on a madrassa in Tall, Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa district. PTI Information Secretary Dr Shireen Mazari made the announcement at a press conference in Islamabad on Monday.

While the people of Syria continue to suffer as a consequence of the foreign-inspired war in the country, the so-called poliitical opposition led by the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) as well as the mercenary rebel and takfiri forces refuse to participate in dialogue scheduled for Geneva on January 22, 2014 to resolve the crisis. They are, however, losing the battle inside Syria, both politically and militarily.

Details of the Iran-six powers interim nuclear deal have now been released. For limited sanctions relief (though the major sanctions would remain in place), Iran has agreed to cap its nuclear program at its present level. It has also agreed to provide access to IAEA inspectors. This allows a six-month time period for the parties to work on a comprehensive agreement. US allies Saudi Arabia and Israel are most upset over the deal.