Category Archives: Pakistan????

Anand Gopal: Traveling In Taliban Country

Posted on May 26, 2009 by michaelhastings

Today one of the most insightful sources of reporting from Afghanistan comes from Anand Gopal, a writer for the Christian Science Monitor. I had the pleasure of meeting Anand on my visit to Kabul last fall. Over the course of a few dinners, … Continue reading →

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'The Army Is A 24-Hour Gay Joke'

Posted on May 21, 2009 by michaelhastings

This week, ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ has come back into the news. Obama promised on the campaign trail he’d scrap the rule, but hasn’t. On Tuesday, Rachel Maddow interviewed Air Force pilot Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbech, who’s being kicked out because … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, Afghanistanimation, Iraqness, Pakistan????, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

So Here's That Plan To Secure the Nukes

Posted on May 15, 2009 by michaelhastings

A week or three ago, I was wondering what the Taliban seizing control of Pakistan’s nukes would actually look like.  I took a somewhat skeptical tone to my post, noting that this kind of ‘Taliban With the Finger on the Button Scenario’ … Continue reading →

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More On McKiernan: A 'Dirty' Move…'Surprised It Didn't Happen Sooner'

Posted on May 12, 2009 by michaelhastings

Traveling today, so a quick follow up on the post below. Heard back from a U.S. official who knows about these things. (Yes, I know that’s vague sourcing, but we’ll have to live with it.) The bullet points from that … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, Afghanistanimation, Pakistan????, Politics, Uncategorized, World | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Does McKiernan's Exit Mean?

Posted on May 11, 2009 by michaelhastings

Earlier today, SecDef Gates announced that General David McKiernan was stepping down as the U.S. commander in Afghanistan. His replacement is Lt. General Stanley McChrytsal. Gates is billing this as a way to get “fresh thinking” on the situation.   So what does this “brutal … Continue reading →

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U.S. Airstrikes a Taliban Conspiracy, Says Ex-VP Richard Bruce Cheney

Posted on May 11, 2009 by michaelhastings

After unplugging for two glorious days, I return to find my Google Mail Box filled with stories about American Airstrikes.  Sort of like American Apparel, but without the great billboards.   Mostly we’re talking airstrikes in Afghanistan. The latest flare up concerns thirteen bombs dropped … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, Afghanistanimation, Journalism, Pakistan????, Politics, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

What If McCain Was Escalatin'?

Posted on May 7, 2009 by michaelhastings

E&P’s Greg Mitchell, tweeting yesterday from a media conference in New Orleans, shared this: “Deep thought: If McCain had won, and enacted the same Afghan policy we see with Obama, you’d be all over him.” No doubt. (Granted, there’s a good chance … Continue reading →

Posted in Afghanistan, Afghanistanimation, Iraqness, Pakistan????, Uncategorized, World | 1 Comment

'Pakistan's Failed For Over A Decade'

Posted on May 6, 2009 by michaelhastings

What I like about this piece in Foreign Policy is that it’s looking at the problem, more or less, from the Pakistani perspective–not the what Washington Needs to Do To Save Pakistan lens. “It is now the Pakistani government that … Continue reading →

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Even the 'Extras' Joined the Taliban

Posted on May 5, 2009 by michaelhastings

Here’s a film I’m looking forward to seeing:  Son of a Lion, by Australian filmmaker Benjamin Gilmour. He spent a good chunk of time “embedded” with Pashtun tribes in Pakistan’s Northwest Frontier Provinces in 2007. Writing in The Australian a few months … Continue reading →

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Another Idea On How To Save Pakistan

Posted on April 28, 2009 by michaelhastings

How to save Pakistan. – By Nicholas Schmidle – Slate Magazine. This is the only country in the Islamic world where tens of thousands protest in the streets for the rule of law. Sure, there’s some support for the Taliban … Continue reading →

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