States of Conflict: An Update
By IAN LIVINGSTON, HEATHER MESSERA, MICHAEL E. O’HANLON and AMY UNIKEWICZ
NYT
LEAVING aside all the new conflicts in the Middle East, how are our nation’s longstanding struggles in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan going?
Iraq had the best winter of the three. Bombings by insurgents continued, but the disputes over last year’s general election finally tapered off, and the waves of revolution that affected much of the region mostly missed the country. There may be rougher times to come, as United States forces are supposed to withdraw entirely by the end of December, likely leaving big issues like territorial disputes between Kurds, Arabs and Turkmens in the north unresolved. But Iraq is going through a period of at least temporary stability, and oil production and the economy are inching upward.
Pakistan recently suffered two high-profile assassinations — of the former governor of Punjab Province and the minister of minorities — and its civilian government remains quite weak. Fortunately, the military continues to consolidate control in the tribal regions and surrounding areas where Pakistan’s own insurgents have been strongest. The big question for 2011 is whether it will do the same in the border areas that provide sanctuary to the Afghan Taliban.
With the global recession finally ending, this is also an important year for economic growth, particularly after last year’s devastating floods. Development will bring better prospects for stability — and the future of the world’s second-largest majority Muslim state, with the world’s fastest-growing nuclear arsenal — depends upon such matters.
(More here.)
NYT
LEAVING aside all the new conflicts in the Middle East, how are our nation’s longstanding struggles in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan going?
Iraq had the best winter of the three. Bombings by insurgents continued, but the disputes over last year’s general election finally tapered off, and the waves of revolution that affected much of the region mostly missed the country. There may be rougher times to come, as United States forces are supposed to withdraw entirely by the end of December, likely leaving big issues like territorial disputes between Kurds, Arabs and Turkmens in the north unresolved. But Iraq is going through a period of at least temporary stability, and oil production and the economy are inching upward.
Pakistan recently suffered two high-profile assassinations — of the former governor of Punjab Province and the minister of minorities — and its civilian government remains quite weak. Fortunately, the military continues to consolidate control in the tribal regions and surrounding areas where Pakistan’s own insurgents have been strongest. The big question for 2011 is whether it will do the same in the border areas that provide sanctuary to the Afghan Taliban.
With the global recession finally ending, this is also an important year for economic growth, particularly after last year’s devastating floods. Development will bring better prospects for stability — and the future of the world’s second-largest majority Muslim state, with the world’s fastest-growing nuclear arsenal — depends upon such matters.
(More here.)
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