A Strategic Conundrum: Pakistan’s Transit Corridor to Iran as Lifeline or Liability
The US-Iran standoff over the Strait of Hormuz — disruptive to global trade and energy flows, and devastating for debt-burdened economies — has handed Pakistan an unexpected geoeconomic opportunity, one that may persist even if the framework agreement announced on June 14 results in a lasting peace and permanent reopening of the strait. But seizing it will have interlocking consequences for Islamabad’s ties with Tehran, Washington, and the Gulf states.
Russia’s Taliban Embrace Signals a New Power Shift in Afghanistan
Sometimes the only thing more frightening than Afghanistan’s problems is the Taliban’s solutions and the recently signed Russia-Taliban military-technical agreement may be the most alarming one yet. The partnership signals that Afghanistan’s security architecture is being rebuilt without the United States, and increasingly by America’s rivals. Washington should pay close attention because the deal hands one of the world’s most repressive regimes a pathway to becoming more capable and deeply entrenched in a regional order where Russian influence is expanding at America’s expense.
The Pakistani General Running Washington’s Backchannel to Tehran
As Washington and Tehran edge closer to escalation, the most critical line of communication keeping the crisis from spiraling is being run not by polished diplomats, but by an unlikely figure: a Pakistani general. Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s powerful army chief, has quietly become the key intermediary in the U.S.-Iran standoff, managing what may be the most important backchannel between the two sides. The mediation has thrust Pakistan to the center of the crisis while exposing it to enormous risk.
Withdrawal from Afghanistan: Next Steps and Challenges
Wed, 3/20/2013 12:00 pm to 1:30 pmLocation: The SEIU Building1800 Massachusetts Avenue, NWWashingtonDistrict of Columbia20 036 The Middle East Institute is proud to host Lieutenant General (Ret.) David W. Barno and Dr. Michael E.
The Blasphemy Case Against Ambassador Sherry Rehman
The dust of speculation on the Supreme Court’s role during populous cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri’s recent march in Islamabad had hardly settled down when it lent itself to more speculation. A two-member bench of the Supreme Court has admitted for hearing the petition of a citizen against Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Sherry Rehman for allegedly making blasphemous remarks during a television program in 2010. This petition had earlier been rejected by the session court as well as the Multan bench of the Lahore High Court.
Could South Korea “Save” America’s Relations with Pakistan?
This piece was originally published by The Diplomat on December 21, 2012
Assertions and opinions in this publication are solely those of the above-mentioned author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Middle East Institute, which expressly does not take positions on Middle East policy.
This piece was originally published by Foreign Policy Blogs on December 20, 2012
Assertions and opinions in this publication are solely those of the above-mentioned author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Middle East Institute, which expressly does not take positions on Middle East policy.
The Middle East Institute’s 66th Annual Conference
The Middle East Institute’s 66th Annual Conference
November 13-14, 2012
The Grand Hyatt Hotel
1000 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Banquet:
Tuesday November 13
Keynote Speaker: Ambassador (Ret.) Ryan C. Crocker
Ryan C. Crocker recently left his post as U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan.
He has also served as U.S. ambassador in Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, and Lebanon.
The Middle East Institute’s 66th Annual Conference
The Middle East Institute’s 66th Annual Conference
November 13-14, 2012
The Grand Hyatt Hotel
1000 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Banquet:
Tuesday November 13
Keynote Speaker: Ambassador (Ret.) Ryan C. Crocker
Ryan C. Crocker recently left his post as U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan.
He has also served as U.S. ambassador in Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, and Lebanon.
The Middle East Institute’s 66th Annual Conference
The Middle East Institute’s 66th Annual Conference
November 13-14, 2012
The Grand Hyatt Hotel
1000 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Banquet:
Tuesday November 13
Keynote Speaker: Ambassador (Ret.) Ryan C. Crocker
Ryan C. Crocker recently left his post as U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan.
He has also served as U.S. ambassador in Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, and Lebanon.
The Middle East Institute’s 66th Annual Conference
The Middle East Institute’s 66th Annual Conference
November 13-14, 2012
The Grand Hyatt Hotel
1000 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Banquet:
Tuesday November 13
Keynote Speaker: Ambassador (Ret.) Ryan C. Crocker
Ryan C. Crocker recently left his post as U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan.
He has also served as U.S. ambassador in Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, and Lebanon.
The Middle East Institute’s 66th Annual Conference
The Middle East Institute’s 66th Annual Conference
November 13-14, 2012
The Grand Hyatt Hotel
1000 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Banquet:
Tuesday November 13
Keynote Speaker: Ambassador (Ret.) Ryan C. Crocker
Ryan C. Crocker recently left his post as U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan.
He has also served as U.S. ambassador in Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, and Lebanon.
Malala Yousufzai – Reclaiming Ideological Space in Pakistan
The attempted assassination of Malala Yousufzai by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan on October 9, 2012, marks a milestone in the trajectory of Pakistan’s future. It has manifested the balkanization of Pakistani society along the lines of those who have been labeled in the popular vernacular in Pakistan as “liberals,” and those who claim ideological proximity with the reactionary religious ideology and demonstrate mistrust and disapproval of American policies instituted in the “War on Terror.” How this debate pans out between the two groups will mark the path to Pakistan’s future.
The oldest peer-reviewed publication dedicated to the study of the modern Middle East, MEI’s flagship journal covers politics, society, and culture in the region.
