Friday
Oct172008
Extremism in Pakistan higher than ever
Extremists in the Middle East believe the war on terror is "targeted against Muslims" said Former Interior Minister of Pakistan Aftab Khan Sherpao. He added that this belief some have in Pakistan is "misguided."
The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) held a discussion on extremism in Pakistan. Sherpao said that the U.S. must rely on dialogue with native Pakistanis, development of the country of Pakistan, and deterrence against insurgents residing in Pakistan. He added that "winning the hearts and minds of people" in that region is very important.
Sherpao did caution that military action would not accomplish anything in the fight against terrorism, but that Pakistan "needs immediate help." He said that Al-Qaeda and the Taliban are "well resourced" and "highly motivated."
Former U.S. ambassador to Pakistan Wendy Chamberlin said that "extremism is spreading" in that region. She added that the situation is as bad as ever in Pakistan, saying "Anti-Americanism is at its peak" in the country. She said that we must not merely help Pakistan on its Afghanistan border, but "all of Pakistan."
USIP Senior Rule of Law Advisor Alexander Thier said that "Pakistan is in turmoil." She said the extremist movement in Pakistan is "threatening everything." Sherpao agreed, saying extremism in
Pakistan "affects the world as a whole."
The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) held a discussion on extremism in Pakistan. Sherpao said that the U.S. must rely on dialogue with native Pakistanis, development of the country of Pakistan, and deterrence against insurgents residing in Pakistan. He added that "winning the hearts and minds of people" in that region is very important.
Sherpao did caution that military action would not accomplish anything in the fight against terrorism, but that Pakistan "needs immediate help." He said that Al-Qaeda and the Taliban are "well resourced" and "highly motivated."
Former U.S. ambassador to Pakistan Wendy Chamberlin said that "extremism is spreading" in that region. She added that the situation is as bad as ever in Pakistan, saying "Anti-Americanism is at its peak" in the country. She said that we must not merely help Pakistan on its Afghanistan border, but "all of Pakistan."
USIP Senior Rule of Law Advisor Alexander Thier said that "Pakistan is in turmoil." She said the extremist movement in Pakistan is "threatening everything." Sherpao agreed, saying extremism in
Pakistan "affects the world as a whole."
Relationship between Afghanistan and the U.S. will improve under a new American president
terrorism," but helping the economy and well-being of Afghan citizens.
Jawad said he was happy with the recent improvement in the economy in Afghanistan, but there was "further business potential." He said the greatest improvements in Afghanistan's economy have been made in telecommunications and mining. He added that "promoting investment opportunities" in Afghanistan internationally is important as well.
Chairman of the Institute for State Effectiveness, Ashraf Ghani said Afghanistan is at a "fork at the road" between a vicious circle and a virtuous circle. Ghani stated that the vicious circle included an economy that created an atmosphere where "people are forced to embrace the gun." That would also create "new enemies" for the country, according to Ghani. He said that a virtuous circle would mean a
"stable" economy where the poor become "stakeholders in the system."
Ghani added that Afghanistan had five "latent assets" that could drastically improve the economy of the country if used properly. He said they were water, geology, agriculture, location, and money. He
called these assets latent because they were not being used currently by the government. Ghani also said that water specifically was "critical to the region" and would be as valuable as oil in time.