Conspiracy paranoia and displacement of responsibility often travel together, as in this case. “Anti-Islam forces behind Pak unrest,” from The News (Pakistan), May 10: ABBOTTABAD: Leaders of various religio-political parties on Sunday said terrorism was promoted in Pakistan under a well-hatched conspiracy. Addressing a Khatm-e-Nabuwwat conference, leaders of various religious…
Actually Faiz Mohammad appears to be another Misunderstander of Islam. “Man arrested in Pakistan trying to board plane with batteries and electrical circuit in shoes,” from the Telegraph, May 9: Pakistani officers arrested a man at Karachi airport after batteries and an electrical circuit were found in his shoes as…
This should be, in Rep. Pete Hoekstra’s words, a “game-changer.” And there are indications that the U.S. is reconsidering its stance toward Pakistan’s ongoing existence as a jihadist sanctuary if a successful attack on the U.S. is linked to Pakistan. But shouldn’t an SUV full of propane tanks, fireworks, and…
Is Pakistan’s double game wearing thin? Or will business as usual return once the attention on the Times Square bombing attempt fades? “U.S. Urges Action in Pakistan After Failed Bombing,” by Jane Perlez for the New York Times, May 8: ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — The Obama administration has delivered new and…
Relax, the prime minister said “the world can now move “beyond safety and security concerns’!” Of course, India is the target audience for this display, demonstrating Pakistan’s skewed sense of priorities as jihadists continue to operate freely, and sometimes with official encouragement. “Pakistan test-fires pair of ballistic missiles,” from CNN,…
As Rep. Hoekstra said, that should be a “game-changer.” But it almost certainly won’t be. Note also the claim that “the Punjab government was hoping to moderate such groups.” How? By rewarding bad (and decidedly “immoderate”) behavior? This story demonstrates the dangerous cop-out that “engagement” for “moderation” can be. “Politicians…
It ought to be, and it would be long overdue with regard to American tolerance of Pakistan’s foot-dragging, highly selective approach to addressing jihadist groups within its borders, and the frequent complicity of the Inter-Services Intelligence with those groups’ activities, whether involving Kashmir or the western frontier provinces. “Congressman cites…
Of course, like many practices in Sharia law that violate modern standards of human rights and prohibitions on cruel and unusual punishment, amputation for theft persists in the Islamic world because it is enshrined in the Qur’an (5:38). “Taliban court orders amputation for thieves,” from the Zimbabwe Star, May 5:…
Nerd jihad! Shades of Adam Gadahn, the Al-Qaeda traitor and self-described “revolting geek of mass proportions”! “Who is Faisal Shahzad?: ‘Unremarkable’: American dream faded quickly for accused terrorist,” by Michael P. Mayko for the Connecticut Post, May 5 (thanks to Tom): Faisal Shahzad was never one to draw attention to…
