Building Bridges, Networks and Expertise Across Sectors
GLOBAL PEACE MOVEMENT
Information
The aim is to establish peace, justice, equality and fairness through a massive public voice. Connect humanity in one singularity primarily through education. Tolerance needs to be practiced.
Location: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN
Members: 133
Latest Activity: Aug 13, 2012
The US and NATO, Global War on Terror (GWOT) and the Afghanistan-Pakistan Issue
The Obama Administration is re-thinking its Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy these days. Firstly, the Obama Administration must consider the sentiments of the people in the region and ask why it is so unpopular with the masses. This unpopularity stems from the fact that the US is unwelcome now after eight years of trying to end the al Qaida strongholds. Clearly, the US was tolerating poor governance, corruption, even criminal behavior among its regional allies like Karzai and Musharraf. This has been going on for some time. The people had not benefited much from the assistance flowing into the two governments. Afghanistan is a mess. The recent elections were disappointment. Unfortunately the elections were rigged by President Karzai. What will the US and NATO do about it now? Most probably nothing will be done about the matter. So much for US-NATO support for democracy in the country! The main issue is bas governance in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. The two states in question have simply not delivered. Poverty is now at alarming levels in both countries. Poverty shall breed extremism surely. What has the US and NATO done about ending poverty in these countries? Not much in reality. Just promises to do so. Corruption is endemic and overall poor governance makes sure that money does not trickle down to the poorest of the poor. People are desperate for better livelihood, even the basic necessities of life. As expected, frustration at the inability of the states to deliver basic public services is fueling radicalism. Finishing off al Qaida will not end the radical phenomenon.
This state of affairs had earned the US and NATO a bad image in the eyes of the people. Plus, an exit strategy was missing. When will the US and NATO leave Afghanistan? The sooner the better for all. Let the Obama talk about an exit strategy like Iraq. The time is now. The Global War on terror is the most important issue of our times. We must strive together to win this war. It is agreed that an exit strategy alone will not work as the two countries are likely to mess up with the funds allocated for reconstruction and development by the international donors. Still remains as a regional; problem and is basically the responsibility of the local powers not US and NATO. Let the locals do the job it is their problem not the responsibility of US and NATO. Certainly, it is not the business of the US to police the world. The problem of al Qaida did not begin in West Asia. The roots of al Qaida are in the Arab world, especially Saudi Arabia and Yemen not in West Asia. The al Qaida came here only when it was ousted from Sudan, and other Arab countries. The Taliban gave it refuge which was a mistake. The Taliban paid a heavy price as they were forced out of power in Afghanistan and later from the regions of the country as well. The victory over the Taliban and al Qaida was achieved by the end of 2001, soon after 9/11. The current comeback is the result of NATO and US presence in Afghanistan and the borders of Pakistan and the GWOT not its cause. The point must be understood clearly by all. The simple fact of the matter is that the NMATO and US combine have run out of their welcome. The people do not want them to stay here forever. All available evidence suggests this public resentment. The 9/11incidents were tragic indeed but they are now distant memories and what needed to be done by the US had been done i.e. a fatal strike at al Qaida and its Taliban supporters. The GWOT must end now. This can only be done when NATO and US pull out their militaries. Otherwise, this will remain an open-ended war which will never end. Is this what the US and NATO want? If and when, the US-NATO do pull out it will create a power vacuum for sure. This power vacuum can be easily filled by UN Peacekeeping forces like in other different hot spots of the world. The United Nations Peacekeepers would be welcome not the NATO and US. The history of colonial rule by Western powers is firmly etched in the psyche of the people in the Middle East and West Asia. The people are reacting to new Western military presence in the region. It is well-known that this exit is not going to be easy for both Afghanistan and Pakistan. These countries are not prepared for it. That is exactly the point. A declared exit strategy by NATO and US will force them to get their act together like in Iraq. They will not be able to count on Western firepower to sort out their own Islamic radicalism problem. The Western media has created hype about al Qaida. It is simply not the great global monster it is portrayed as. The al Qaida global network is widely exaggerated. Some sort of disinformation campaign is at play here. This much is obvious. Reluctantly, the Zardari government decided to use force against the Islamic extremists in Swat and FATA region and has had some visible success in this fight against terrorism. Let the US and NATO supports this operation fully. The Government of Pakistan estimates that the GWOT has cost the country some $35 billion while the US assistance has been much less than warranted. Why is the US reluctant to pay the costs of this GWOT to Pakistan? Why is the US not hard on the corruption issue in both Afghanistan and Pakistan? Knowing fully well that this massive corruption is fuelling extremism in both Afghanistan and Pakistan? Only lip service is paid to governance issues. Unless and until, the US and NATO tackle the governance issues in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the GWOT cannot be won. Simple as that. Finally, the question that now needs to be asked is whether the US and NATO really want to end the GWOT? People in the region are now openly apprehensive about the whole GWOT issue. It is hoped that NATO and US realize their mistake and come up with an exit strategy that works. The sooner the better. Otherwise, the West Asian region is going to descend into further turmoil, instability and bloodshed. The whole world is losers then. Therefore, the time to act is now. Let US, NATO and both Afghanistan-Pakistan governments parley immediately to work out a reasonable exit strategy for Western troops in the region. Let this matter be discussed in the United Nations Security Council so that a new Peacekeeping mission is formulated for West Asia. Time is running out.
Discussion Forum
The Occupy Wall Street Movement and Beyond
Started by Sohail Mahmood. Last reply by Sohail Mahmood Nov 18, 2011. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Comment Wall
Comment
-
Comment by Abdullah MANSOOR ﻋﺒﺪﺍﷲ ﻣﻨﺼﻮﺭ on August 13, 2012 at 4:10pm -
WHAT IS YOUR MISSION FOR PEACE...DO'NT SEE TOWARDS OBAMA ETC.
-
Comment by A.H.M.Mainuddin Ahmed(jahangir) on November 30, 2011 at 12:26am -
Its interesting topic,j
-
Comment by A.H.M.Mainuddin Ahmed(jahangir) on November 29, 2011 at 11:54pm
-
Its interesting
-
Comment by Sohail Mahmood on October 11, 2011 at 11:29am -
Dr Surendra Pathak, best of luck on the seminar. i wish i could attend. getting to neighboring India is nearly impossible for us. So very unfortunate. anyways, my best wishes to u.
-
Comment by Dr. surendra pathak on October 11, 2011 at 7:14am -
Subject: Invitation for the “International seminar on Teacher Education for Peace and Harmony”.
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are happy to inform you that IASE Deemed University, Gandhi Vidya Mandir, Sardarshahar, Rajasthan, India is organizing an International seminar on ”Teacher Education for Peace & Harmony” from Feb 11 to 13, 2012 at New Delhi.
Prior to this International Seminar a One day Pre-Seminar Workshop was
conducted at India International Centre, New Delhi on 24th September, 2011.
About 80 eminent educationists, experts in value education, former
bureaucrats/heads of various Educational organizations like University Grants
Commission (UGC), National Council of Education Research & Training (NCERT),
National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA), Indira
Gandhi National Open university(IGNOU), National Institute of Open School (NIOS),
Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC) etc. and a number of Vice Chancellors interested in the
cause of Teachers Education through Human Values, Peace and Harmony
participated in the workshop. They all advocated that only Value based
Teachers education would bring long term and stable transformation of
society.
We are pleased to invite you in view of your institutional work and your rich experience in the field of peace & harmony development and Teacher education. Your participation will immensely contribute towards improving the quality of the Seminar.
We will appreciate if you could kindly respond to our invitation at your earliest.
Thanking you,
Warm regards,
Dr. Surendra Pathak
Seminar Convener
Note: Please visit
http://www.iaseuniversity.org.in/intSeminar/index.asp
for the details of the Seminar.
-
Comment by firdaus on July 6, 2011 at 2:02am -
i would like to invite you all to my blog on peace in south asia - www.subcontinentalmusings.blogspot.com
-
Comment by James L. Foster on February 3, 2011 at 1:06am -
Sohail, I think we may be experiencing a historic tipping point where the momentum is changing towards peace and justice and nonviolence. What is happening in the Middle East needs to happen world wide. It is a moment of awakening, an evolutionary phenomena with enormous consequences. It is something for which you and I and millions of others have been working and praying for years. There will surely be violent reaction from those in entrenched power. but it is my great hope that we will maintain our present drive until the job is done. This may ultimately be the salvation of us all.
Jim Foster, President
Peacebuilding Institute
-
Comment by Sohail Mahmood on February 2, 2011 at 9:47pm
-
The Moment of Truth
A reawakening has happened in the Middle East. This is an incredible moment in our history. The past was the unfortunate legacy of dictatorship. The future belongs to the people. We must be a part of this reawakening and embrace the future not try to thwart it. The talk of revolution is in the air. We must be cautious in advocating revolution. The last revolution in the Middle East was in 1979 in Iran. The present Iran is certainly no model society to emulate. Revolution is violent change and the problem with it is that violence begets violence. Plus, revolutions need a political party advocating, planning, and eventually executing it. Revolution necessarily is violent change. We wish to avoid it. Therefore, I am not necessarily advocating a revolution per sae but a great and historic awakening as such. A peaceful peoples movement can and will result in the desirable change. The future belongs to democracy and the people. We hope an enlightened Islamic liberal movement like the one in Turkey will spread across the region and come into power through fair, open and peaceful general elections. The people aspire for social justice, good governance and clean government. This is a historic moment and we must all strongly advocate a people’s movement for change. We all must do our part to be the change we all seek. Change is in the air. A peaceful change will surely happen. Let us all do our part to bring positive change in our region.
We all must express our solidarity with the people of Egypt in this historic moment. It is important to stand up and be counted in this moment. Surely, the people’s movement will spread to other parts of the greater Middle East, including Pakistan. A change must come. It is about time. The inept, weak, and corrupt ruling establishments must be removed by the will of the people. The common people have e arisen as thy just cannot stand the humiliation, repression and bad governance any more.
We must all welcome the change. Either you are with the people or with the autocratic regimes suppressing them. No more fence sitting. The United States will oppose change. Notwithstanding the rhetoric of the Obama administration, the United States wants to preserve stability in the region and will therefore support the status quo. It is apprehensive of Islamic radicals coming into power and will use whatever resources it has to thwart their ascendency. The United States has enormous military, economic, and even diplomatic resources that it will utilize to stop the Islamic movement from gaining power. That will be a tragic mistake. Let the people decide. The Middle Eastern people have had enough of autocratic rule and monarchy. Both are decadent and the relics of the past. Turkey is the new model where Islam has been built in the ruling structures in a beautiful manner. Even Pakistan has shed its repressive state culture. The media is free and vibrant though it is getting overboard at times. The higher judiciary is definitely doing well and is doing its part to bring good governance to Pakistan. Even the ruling PPP-led coalition is now feeling the heat of people power. Change is a coming. Let me reiterate an important position. I am not advocating a revolution per sae. Only a massive public voice demanding change. We badly need change. The rascals in government must be thrown out. Of course, in the next general elections. The idea f a mid-term election is not bad. There is certainly nothing sacred in the five year term given to the ruling PPP-led coalition as per the constitution. Given the circumstances of the Musharraf regime, the last general elections were not the best possible. Anyways, the ruling PPP led coalition is indeed legitimate and so is a demand for a mid-term election. If millions want it then it will surely happen. The present government is weak, corrupt, inept and without vision. Good and clean politicians need to form the n
-
Comment by Sohail Mahmood on February 2, 2011 at 8:47pm
-
The wave of change in the Middle East will spread very soon. The future belongs to the people. Join the wave. Support democracy. Stand up and be counted in this historic moment.
-
Comment by Sohail Mahmood on January 30, 2011 at 2:23pm
-
read my blog
The Moment of Truth
Sponsored Link
Please Pay What You Can to Support PCDN
Please consider Paying What You Can to help PCDN grow. We encourage you to consider any amount from $1 and up. Read the SUPPORT page prior to making a payment to see PCDN's impact and how your payment will help.
Sponsored Link
Translate This Page
PCDN NETWORK TWITTER FEED
PCDN Guidelines and Share Pages
By using this site you're agreeing to the terms of use as outlined in the community guidelines (in particular PCDN is an open network indexed by Google and users should review the privacy options). Please note individual requests for funding or jobs are NOT permitted on the network.
Click BELOW to share site resources 
or Share on LINKEDIN
FOLLOW PCDN on TWITTER, FACEBOOK or GOOGLE+
Latest Activity
Zainab Bakarr Kamara liked Cameron M. Chisholm's event 2013 The Hague Symposium on Post-Conflict Transitions & International Justice
© 2013 Created by Craig Zelizer.
You need to be a member of GLOBAL PEACE MOVEMENT to add comments!