CORRUPTION
AP Photo
2010
Militancy in Pakistan's Borderlands: Implications for the Nation and for Afghan Policy
Report
By Hassan Abbas, Former Senior Advisor, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
This paper provides a critical perspective on past Pakistani policy toward jihadist militant groups, the growth of their influence in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Kyber Pukhtunkhwa Province (KPP), and what steps need to be taken in order to reverse their momentum. Abbas argues that Pakistan's civilian and military leadership will have to transition from a short-term strategy of deal-making and army offensives to a long-term political solution that will erode the gains made by militant groups in these areas since 2002.
April 2009
Police & Law Enforcement Reform in Pakistan: Crucial for Counterinsurgency and Counterterrorism Success
Report
By Hassan Abbas, Former Senior Advisor, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
"The police infrastructure is one of Pakistan's most poorly managed organizations. It is aptly described as ill-equipped, poorly trained, deeply politicized, and chronically corrupt. It has performed well in certain operations; overall, however, that is a rare phenomenon. Arguably, the primary reason for this state of affairs is the government's persistent failure to invest in law enforcement reform and modernization. It is ironic that despite frequent internal crises since its inception in 1947, ranging from ethnic confrontations and sectarian battles to a sharp rise in criminal activity and growing insurgencies, both political and military policymakers have never given this sector top priority. Hence, poor police performance in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency is not surprising. The fact that the police successfully challenged some militant religious groups in Punjab and tackled an insurgency-like situation in Karachi in the late 1990s shows that they do have the potential to deliver the desired results when political support is present and resources are provided...."
November 2008
Partnership for Progress
Report
By Xenia Dormandy, Former Senior Associate, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and Hassan Abbas, Former Senior Advisor, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
The Belfer Center's Xenia Dormandy and Hassan Abbas participated in a working group on the state of Pakistan convened by the Center for American Progress. The resulting report proposes strategies for enhanced security, democratization, and economic growth.
AP Photo
March 4, 2008
"Police Reforms: Agenda of Change"
Op-Ed, The International News, (Pakistan)
By Hassan Abbas, Former Senior Advisor, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
"...Besides leading to bad governance and a deplorable law and order situation in the country, police failures also have compounded the threat of religious extremism and terrorism. Poor data collection on crime and criminals and inadequate analytical capabilities hamper effective law enforcement. In many instances, banned militant organisations continued with their publications and in some cases wanted criminals, and terrorists changed their party affiliations (hurriedly joining groups that were not under government scrutiny after theirs were banned) and the police remained clueless. Here the police was also handicapped as many militant groups were producing "freedom fighters" for Kashmir and Afghanistan and had working relations with the intelligences services, and hence police officials were reluctant to go after some of these elements thinking that they might be the assets of some "other state institution." Things are reported to be progressively changing in this sphere lately, but the serious challenge remains...."
September 1, 2003
Political Prosecutions Threaten Russia's Ambitions
Op-Ed, Wall Street Journal Europe
By Graham Allison, Director, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs; Douglas Dillon Professor of Government, Harvard Kennedy School
It has been over a month since Platon Lebedev, a key figure in Russia's most valuable company and biggest oil producer Yukos, was abruptly and publicly arrested. And while the initial shock has worn off, the implications of what is seen by most as a Kremlin attack on one of Russia's most successful oligarchs remain serious
January 22, 2013
"Italian Yields Began to Fall as Soon as Berlusconi was Ousted"
Op-Ed, Financial Times, Letter to the Editor
By Pierpaolo Barbieri, Ernest May Fellow in History and Policy, International Security Program
"To argue that 'Mr Monti promised reform and ended up raising taxes' is to grossly misunderstand an imperfect but positive labour reform, pension changes and progress on competitiveness, tax evasion and corruption."
October 9, 2012
"En el Mundo, Pero Fuera de Él"
Op-Ed, El Pais
By Pierpaolo Barbieri, Ernest May Fellow in History and Policy, International Security Program
"La radicalización económica de este tercer Gobierno kirchnerista ha redoblado el control estatista en materia de comercio exterior e industria, tratando de reemplazar la iniciativa privada con fuerza estatal."
August 24, 2012
"El Autoritarismo Económico en Argentina"
Op-Ed, El Pais
By Pierpaolo Barbieri, Ernest May Fellow in History and Policy, International Security Program
El aislamiento no es sostenible. La libertad es más eficiente —y justa— que el estatalismo.
AP Photo
August 9, 2012
"A Lesson in Crony Capitalism"
Op-Ed, Wall Street Journal
By Pierpaolo Barbieri, Ernest May Fellow in History and Policy, International Security Program
"As the U.S. gears up for an important presidential election, Argentina is a sad reminder of how crony capitalism is the enemy of genuine development."
AP Photo
April 19, 2012
"The Tragedy of Argentina"
Op-Ed, Wall Street Journal
By Pierpaolo Barbieri, Ernest May Fellow in History and Policy, International Security Program
"...Athens has a choice: It can press on with painful but ultimately necessary structural reform, or it can go the Argentine route. It should beware, however, that exit from the euro is likely to bring back the cycle of inflation and instability. Argentina is a reminder of the past Greece escaped, and a future it would be well advised to avoid."
