Overview for pakistan

Democracy's Enemies in Pakistan

A horrifying act of sectarian terrorism targets Shiite worshipers in Afghanistan: KABUL — Twin blasts at Afghan shrines on the Shiite holy day of Ashura left at least 58 people dead on Tuesday, with one massive suicide attack in Kabul ripping through a crowd of worshippers including children. …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday December 6, 2011

Democracy's Friends in Pakistan

Pakistan's national security establishment may be the most dangerous force threatening world peace. Yet not all the news is bad. Eli Lake has produced an astonishing report detailing the construction of a pro-American counter-establishment within the Pakistani services which is struggling at …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday December 6, 2011

Can One Man End Pakistani Democracy?

In my column for CNN, I discuss how Mansoor Ijaz is putting Pakistani democracy in danger: Big events do not always have big causes. The British once went to war over an injury to a sea captain's ear. And today's Pakistan may collapse into military rule because of one man's eagerness to read …

Written by David Frum on Monday December 5, 2011

Who Strains the US-Pakistan Relationship?

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Written by David Frum on Thursday December 1, 2011

Salute a Brave Man

In an atmosphere of intimidation and menace, Pakistan's democracy-minded ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani, accepts a summons to return home. Let's hope that the Pakistani military understands very well how closely the US is watching for the safety of the ambassador and his family.

Written by David Frum on Friday November 18, 2011

Meet the Man Looking for bin Laden's Body

Treasure hunter Bill Warren wants to launch an expedition at sea to find Osama bin Laden’s body. Treasure hunter Bill Warren wants to launch an expedition at sea to find Osama bin Laden’s body. “Yeah, he was a bad man, but I have a compassionate heart,” says the author of Shipwrecks and …

Written by Nicole Glass on Saturday July 16, 2011

Is this Evidence that Pakistan Threatens Journalists?

When Pakistani journalists decline "for fear of reprisals" to comment on allegations that they have been threatened by the state security services, doesn't that strongly suggest that the allegations are true? When Pakistani journalists decline " for fear of reprisals " to comment on allegations …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday July 5, 2011

America's Pakistan Problem

Hillary Clinton's recent visit to Pakistan to gauge the country's commitment to fighting Islamic extremism didn't go well. Hillary Clinton visited Pakistan on Friday (Pakistan time). According to the New York Times : [US] officials described [the visit] as an effort to measure Pakistan’s …

Written by David Frum on Friday May 27, 2011

Pakistan: Pariah State to Investors

Pakistani investors have shrugged off their government's reckless confrontation with the U.S., but foreign investors aren't so sanguine. Domestic Pakistani investors have shrugged off their government's reckless courting of confrontation with the United States. International investors are not …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday May 10, 2011

Pakistan's Markets Not Worried About Rift With U.S.

Pakistani investors seem strangely unworried about possible consequences to their country from being caught harboring bin Laden. Pakistani investors seem strangely unworried about possible consequences to their country from being caught harboring bin Laden. Or by their government's decision to …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday May 10, 2011

Five Questions About Bin Laden's Killing

One week after the death of Osama Bin Laden, there are growing questions about the raid and Pakistan's role. 1) Was there an informant inside the Osama Bin Laden compound? Might that explain why there's so much confusion in the White House account of the action - there is a fact they are anxious …

Written by David Frum on Monday May 9, 2011

America's Afghan Mission: The Wrong Front Line?

The world's most important terrorist safe haven is visibly not Afghanistan, but instead next-door Pakistan. After the death of Osama bin Laden, the U.S. is now faced with a difficult question. My latest column for CNN.com asks: Is the commitment of 100,000 troops in Afghanistan hurting our ability …

Written by David Frum on Monday May 9, 2011

Cross-Border Manhunts Put the Heat on Al Qaeda

As any student of history knows: countries have regularly ignored international borders when in hot pursuit of their enemies. Many pundits are pointing the finger at America for breaking international law with its unilateral incursion into Pakistan to eliminate Osama Bin Laden. But as any student …

Written by Peter Beeching on Sunday May 8, 2011

Bin Laden's Death Brings Justice For 9/11 Families

Bin Laden's death brought out a wide range of emotions in families affected on 9/11. While they felt justice had been done, they were also again reminded of their loss. On Thursday, President Obama will visit ground zero in New York City to mark Osama Bin Laden’s death and to meet with families of …

Written by Elise Cooper on Tuesday May 3, 2011

Bin Laden's Medieval Hideout

Bin Laden's fortress in Abbottabad might look like a modern cement bunker, but a glance at his floor plan shows real similarities to western European castles. Osama Bin Laden's violent, terrorist, anti-modern brand of Islam has little to do with the Middle Ages (medieval Muslims were, mostly, more …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Tuesday May 3, 2011

Pakistan Has Some Explaining to Do

If Pakistan wants to convince the world that they aren't a safe harbor for terrorists, they better get to work. From a column in Pakistan's Dawn : We have to prove to the world that Pakistan is not a country that accommodates and hides mass murderers. Yep. Tweet

Written by David Frum on Monday May 2, 2011

The Post-Bin Laden World

Bin Laden's death will have serious strategic implications in the years to come, most clearly in the U.S. relationship with Pakistan. Here are five strategic implications of the bin Laden killing: 1) The US begins to recognize Pakistan less as a strategic partner, more as a strategic problem if …

Written by David Frum on Monday May 2, 2011

Pakistan's Only Christian Minister Assassinated

Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's minister for minorities, had bravely opposed Pakistan's blasphemy laws. Today he was assassinated in Islamabad. Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's minister for minorities, has apparently been assassinated in Islamabad. Bhatti, a Roman Catholic, had publicly opposed Pakistan's …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday March 2, 2011

Will's Exit from Afghanistan

Anybody who does not share George Will’s frustrations with the Afghan mission has not been paying attention. But that does not mean George Will is right in his call for an American evacuation and a new approach. Anybody who does not share George Will’s frustrations with the Afghan mission has …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday September 1, 2009