April 05, 2005
The Taliban’s Selective Memory
“We neither express grief nor joy over the death of the Pope. Some of what he said about peace and harmony was worth considering. We hope that his successor will try to lead his followers to the path of peace…. Posted by GPR on 2005 04: Read more… | Comments (0)
February 23, 2005
Positive Political Developments in Iraq and Afghanistan
Two stories over the past twenty-four hours indicate former regime elements in both Iraq and Afghanistan are reconsidering their options, presumably in response to the changing political landscape over the last few months. Iraq: Some insurgents are contacting the U.S…. Posted by GPR on 2005 02: Read more… | Comments (0)
December 11, 2004
Winter Offensive in Afghanistan
U.S. led forces have reportedly launched “Operation Lightening Freedom,” the much anticipated winter offensive in Afghanistan aimed at further weakening Taliban and Al Qaeda remnants ahead of parliamentary elections slated for the spring. One of the other goals of the…Posted by GPR on 2004 12: Read more…
December 07, 2004
Historic Day
Congratulations to Hamid Karzai as he was sworn in today as the first nationally elected President in Afghanistan’s history: The U.S.-backed leader, wearing a traditional green robe and a black lambskin hat, took the oath of office in a solemn… Posted by GPR on 2004 12: Read more…
December 03, 2004
Looking Back
As only he can, Victor Davis Hanson provides some perspective as the world watches Iraq steadily approach her first democratic elections next month: [W]e already see how few talk of what it was like in the very dark days of… Posted by GPR on 2004 12: Read more…
November 11, 2004
The Power of Democracy
Popular support has reportedly been eroding for the Islamic “insurgency” in Afghanistan and the recently held popular elections are believed to be the reason. Seeking to strike the enemy while they are wounded, U.S. led forces, in conjunction with their… Posted by GPR on 2004 11:Read more…
November 03, 2004
Afghanistan Election Update
Hamid Karzai has been declared the official winner of Afghanistan’s first ever democratic elections by winning 55.4% of the popular vote…. Posted by GPR on 2004 11: Read more…
October 29, 2004
Ignoring Afghanistan’s Transformation
Charles Krauthammer reflects on the the remarkable three-year transformation in Afghanistan: In the 1990s, Afghanistan was allowed to fall to the Taliban and become the global center for the training, indoctrination and seeding of jihadists around the world — including… Posted by GPR on 2004 10: Read more…
October 19, 2004
Hidden Stash
Canadian soldiers recently discovered large cashes of Soviet era weapons hidden in multiple bunkers in Afghanistan: They’ve “discovered” a huge Soviet ammunition dump a few kilometres from Camp Julien with the potential of obliterating the camp, as well as most…Posted by GPR on 2004 10: Read more…
October 16, 2004
Post-Election Afghanistan
The election count in Afghanistan is coming to a close and as expected, Hamid Karzai is in the lead so far. OpinionJournal’s Asian bureau has some thoughts on the new path Afghanistan is embarking upon: A foolproof way to know… Posted by GPR on 2004 10: Read more…
October 14, 2004
Update on Former Gitmo Detainee
The Pakistani military launched an operation today to try and free Chinese and Pakistani hostages being held by a former Guantanamo Bay detainee: Chinese engineer held hostage by al Qaeda-linked militants in Pakistan was killed on Thursday but his colleague… Posted by GPR on 2004 10: Read more…
October 12, 2004
What a Surprise
Another former Guantanamo Bay detainee is causing trouble again after his release: A delegation from the Mehsud tribe – from which the kidnappers’ leader, Abdullah Mehsud, hails – is leading efforts to secure the hostages’ release. Mr Mehsud says the… Posted by GPR on 2004 10: Read more…
October 09, 2004
Election Updates (II)
Australian Prime Minister John Howard was reelected as expected, meaning that Australian troops will remain in Iraq for the foreseeable future and Australia will continue to be a strong ally of the United States in the War on Terror. Regarding… Posted by GPR on 2004 10: Read more…
October 08, 2004
Election Updates
Two important elections are taking place this Saturday under very different, yet related circumstances. Afghanistan is preparing for their first democratic elections in their nation’s long history. Violence is expected to mar the event as Taliban remanenats are threatening all…Posted by GPR on 2004 10: Read more…
September 28, 2004
Democracy Perspective
David Brooks of the New York Times offers an excellent historical perspective and rationale for holding the Afghanistan elections next month and the Iraqi elections in January 2005 despite ongoing violence. Here is an excerpt: Conditions were horrible when Salvadorans… Posted by GPR on 2004 09: Read more…
September 26, 2004
Once Bitten, Twice Shy
We are not sure how this story escaped the evening news. Perhaps it was reported too late in the day and will grace the cover of the New York Times tomorrow morning. In the odd chance it does not, here… Posted by GPR on 2004 09: Read more…
June 02, 2004
Better Late Than Never
The formation of an Iraqi government on Tuesday that will have genuine decision-making capabilities and increased responsibility in Iraqi affairs was long over due. Stated more bluntly, the U.S.-led coalition that toppled Saddam last March has all but wasted an… Posted by GPR on 2004 06: Read more…
