MAGAZINE OR NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
AP Photo
September 16, 2008
"Pakistan: Counter-terror Policy is in Disarray"
Oxford Analytica
By Hassan Abbas, Senior Advisor, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
"A cross-border raid by US ground forces, together with media claims that US President George Bush had authorised Special Operations troops to conduct such operations without seeking permission from Islamabad, has provoked anger from Pakistan's politicians, media and army. Pakistan's counter-terrorism policy may suffer as US-Pakistan relations deteriorate."
AP Photo
April 3, 2008
"Pakistan PM Has Good Credentials, Limited Authority"
Oxford Analytica
By Hassan Abbas, Senior Advisor, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
"Gilani is leader of a coalition government with a strong mandate but facing difficult problems. It is also committed to policies that could cause turbulence, particularly reinstating judges deposed by President Pervez Musharraf. Gilani's position is further complicated by political circumstances, with the leaders of the dominant parties in the ruling coalition directing policy from outside parliament."
imranthetrekker
February 15, 2008
"Pakistan: Opposition Parties Are Poised to Win Poll"
Oxford Analytica
By Hassan Abbas, Senior Advisor, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
"While there is a considerable risk that the elections will be rigged and that poor security will deter voting, pro-Musharraf parties will be swept from power. The PPP is expected to secure the most votes, raising the prospect of a grand coalition of parties united in opposition to the president. Stable government will depend on their ability to work together, as well as with Musharraf, for as long as he remains in power."
dih123
December 11, 2007
"Pakistan: Corps is Ill-Equipped for 'War on Terror'"
Oxford Analytica
By Hassan Abbas, Senior Advisor, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
"A major overhaul of the Frontier Corps in terms of its mandate, service conditions, new training facilities and improved promotion prospects has the potential to rejuvenate the force. However, this is a long-term project, and there is little prospect that it can be transformed quickly to tackle the menace of Talibanisation."
AP Photo
November 28, 2007
"New Army Chief Will Focus on Morale, Image"
Oxford Analytica
By Hassan Abbas, Senior Advisor, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
"Kayani's assumption of military leadership leaves a weakened president with even less power. While Kayani is loyal to Musharraf for now, efforts to boost morale and improve public perceptions of the military will take priority over the protection of an unpopular civilian president."
AP Photo
November 26, 2007
"Is the NWFP Slipping Out of Pakistan's Control?"
Terrorism Monitor, issue 22, volume V
By Hassan Abbas, Senior Advisor, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
"The NWFP is not likely to physically slip out of Pakistan’s hands.... Religious political forces have lost some of their support base (Daily Times, November 22) due to poor governance ..... Musharraf’s arbitrary imposition of emergency rule (read: martial law) has targeted those very forces which can challenge extremists. Many human rights activists and lawyers in the NWFP were arrested and top judges of the NWFP high court known for their progressive views and integrity have been sent home. Among the militants, however, this action of Musharraf is being interpreted as his weakness, further emboldening their activities...."
November 5, 2007
"Musharraf Bid for Survival May Prove Costly"
Oxford Analytica
By Hassan Abbas, Senior Advisor, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
"The imposition of an emergency declaration has exacerbated a political crisis, and threatens to extend it by leading to the postponement of elections."
October 24, 2007
"Who Tried to Kill Benazir Bhutto?"
Terrorism Focus, issue 34, volume IV
By Hassan Abbas, Senior Advisor, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
"Benazir Bhutto, twice-elected prime minister of Pakistan and the first woman head of a Muslim state, decided to terminate her self-exile and return to Pakistan last week. By all accounts, more than a million people (mostly poor and young) welcomed her enthusiastically in the port city of Karachi on October 18. In the midst of the celebration, the political rally was targeted by a series of suicide attacks killing around 140 people. Bhutto and her top party leaders, however, remained unhurt.
Who would have been the potential beneficiary of Bhutto's elimination?"
AP Photo
September 27, 2007
"Increasing Talibanization in Pakistan's Seven Tribal Agencies"
Terrorism Monitor, issue 18, volume V
By Hassan Abbas, Senior Advisor, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
"The government of President Pervez Musharraf is facing policy failure in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan. Taliban forces and their sympathizers are becoming entrenched in the region and are aggressively expanding their influence and operations (especially in Tank, Dera Ismail Khan and Swat Valley in the North-West Frontier Province). A lethal combination of Musharraf's political predicament and declining public support, a significant rise in suicide attacks targeting the army and the reluctance of soldiers deputed in the area to engage tribal gangs militarily further exacerbates this impasse...."
July 19, 2007
"The Road to Lal Masjid and its Aftermath"
Terrorism Monitor, issue 14, volume V
By Hassan Abbas, Senior Advisor, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
"It is clear that most Pakistanis wanted Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) leader Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi to be held accountable for his vigilantism and for trying to enforce his extremist version of Islam on society. The public's views have changed, however, now that it has become obvious that the government used indiscriminate force during the operation and since its claims about the presence of foreign militants inside the mosque complex have not been independently verified."
