Israel is in a fix right now.  If it allows Iran to go ahead with the nuclear bomb, one ought not to doubt that Iran will supply this bomb to its proxies all over the world to attack Jewish interests.  It really does not matter whether it emanates from Lebanon, Syria or anywhere else.  The idea behind this ideology will be not to have Iranian's direct finger prints on those attacks.  Knowing what the whole world knows about Iranian regime's views about Israel, Iran will do all it can to push Israel into the sea.  This indeed will ask for Israel's retaliatoary attack, may be a nuclear response, which will ensue unimaginable devastation of human lives and destruction of property.  However, if Israel initiates a preemptive attack on Iran, as some perceive may happen, it will indeed may lead to WW III which, needless to say, will bring a destruction of mankind and property to a greater magnitude.  In either case, this writer can see Middle East burning with lot of devastation, misery and destruction of property.  One can only hope that prudence will take precedence on any ill-advised action to avoid this so-called perceived destruction   TIME IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE WESTERN NATIONS TO RESOLVE THIS TENSION BETWEEN ISRAEL AND IRAN.

Looking at the daily ongoing killings and destruction of property in Pakistan, one ought not to hesitate to agree with what Mr. Tufail Ahmed is stating in his study about Pakistan.   He is correct in urging the world to declare Pakistan as a state of genocide.  The plight of minorities in Pakistan is worse than second class citizens, the mental and physical torture perpetrated on them is beyond belief, the humiliation and low self-respect they have to endure is inhumane.  Slowly and slowly, Pakistan is turning the clock backward and becoming a caliphate state, a state where torture, cruelty and stone-age way of life will prevail.  Unfortunately, the moderate literate class in Pakistan is mute and witnessing this scenario without any emotions evinced.  I do not know the basis of Mr. Ahmad's analysis, but I think these are, among others, a few factors for the downfall of Pakistan and they are, the puppet government in Islamabad which does not want to control the militants, lame duck press and media, disrespect of judiciary and an open-ended authority and power accorded to the nexus of ISI and military.  The illiteracy rate cann't be ignored either when it comes to elections.  Since 1947, Pakistan has been controlled by military, zamidars, feudals and landlords whose main aim has been to rule people with suppression.  If one looks around, it is not only in Pakistan but in all Muslim countries, the ideology of repression is adopted to rule the public- keep them illiterate and let them live under the domination of powerful.  NOW THE BALL IS IN THE COURT OF WORLDWIDE CIVILIZED COMMUNITY TO TACKLE THIS PITIFUL SITUATION IN PAKISTAN BEFORE IT BECOMES UNMANAGEABLE.

It appears from Mr. Zardai's statement at the United Nations that the world should not expect any additional efforts from the Pakistani government towards containing the terrorist activities of  militant groups in his country.  One can clearly infer from his statement that it is a signal to the United States and India.  Both countries are the victims of terror menace emanating from Pakistan.  Mr. Zardari in a way is shifting the burden of eliminating terror to the rest of the world.  One wonders if Mr. Zardari and his so called strong army are really incapable of controlling these militant groups or is it just a cop out of not touching the militant groups in Pakistan.  The former plea does not sit well with the writer because Pakistan claims to defeat India if there is another war even though India seems to have a superior conventional power.  Predicated on this premise, Pakistani army can easily defeat and eradicate the militant groups equipped with antiquated equipments.  But it definitely shows that Pakistan has full confidence in its military might.  Hence, it is evident that Pakistan wants to keep the militancy alive in Pakistan to use it against Afghanistan and India, and also to milk the western nations, especially the USA to keep the cash flow intact.  Therefore, what Mr. Zardari said in his speech at the UN is an intentional cop out.  However, what the USA ought to do is to monitor the aid going to Pakistan and make sure that even if some aid has to be sent to Pakistan, it has a long list of strings attached.  NEEDLESS TO SAY, SINCE USA's OWN FISCAL SITUATION IS NOT THAT GREAT, WE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN NEEDS FIRST.

When I read Mr. Bilour's statement, who is a head of the Railway Ministry, asking for help from the Taliban and Al-Queda members to help kill a person who made this anti-Islam film, it raised a red flag in my mind.  He is offering $100,000 as a bounty to kill the film maker.  For a minute, he forgot that these are the same militant groups who killed lot of his party leaders.  Mr. Bilour is so much brain washed with the idea of Islamisation that he, being a representative of the Pakistani government, does not care who he is begging to achieve his misguided goal.  The other interesting point is that there is no voice being heard from the officials in Islamabad against this bounty.  One can clearly come to the conclusion that all leaders in Pakistan are ill advised, brain washed and cann't see outside a box of Islamisation.  With this scenario in mind, the civilized world ought not to expect any good coming out of Pakistan, and it is about time that the whole civilized community segregates Pakistan and stop all kinds of financial assistance. Pakistan is a rogue state, a failed economy and the country is run by Mullahs who don't care about a common man.  THIS PUTS A SPECIAL BURDEN AND RESPONSIBILITY ON THE USA TO STOP ALL AID TO PAKISTAN RIGHT AWAY.

This so-called anti-Islam film is creating a havoc in all Muslim countries.  But it is so strange and inconceivable to see the amount of destruction, killing and mental anguish these Muslims are orchestrating in their respective countries without even realizing that they are killing their own men,women and innocent children, destroying their own country's property along with putting their own economy on the back burners.  Do they really love Prophet Mohammed so much that they are willing to perpetrate this large scale killing and destruction of property or are they just misguided people by the Mullahs who are out there to exploit these illiterate Muslim community to serve their own interest of Islamisation.  If one understands Islam in a true sense, the message Islam conveys is of peace and love and it further states that even if someone hates you, you ought to forgive and forget him.  If that is true, then these Muslims running in the streets killing their brothers and sisters and destroying their own property really do not love Prophet Mohammed, and the only conclusion left is that they are misguided people who do not even realize that they are being exploited by the Mullahs.  It is an opportune time for the moderate Muslim community worldwide to stand up to these Mullahs who have hijacked Islam and inculcating 6th century philosophy of Islam into the Muslim youths.  This will only push the Muslim countries towards the stone age when the rest of the world will be pushing forward with all the technological achievements.  DO MUSLIM NATIONS WANT TO GO BACKWARD OR FORWARD- DECISION IS YOURS?

This incident is another example of Jihadis being over powering every aspect of life of Pakistani people.  Mr. Ansari and his legally wedded wife were not allowed to sit side by side in a McDonald restaurant to enjoy their food because, according to McDonald Pakistan's policy, it leaves a bad impression for the rest of public eating at a public place.   This is what they were told.  However, they could sit there facing each other.  One wonders if it is really a McDonald Pakistan policy or the policy dictated by the militant groups.  There has been no comment so far from the McDonald USA, and I don't think there will be one.  But this definitely forces one to wonder the extent of penetration of the jihadi element into a common man's life.  Are the militant groups trying to turn Pakistan into a caliphate state slowly and slowly which will be guided by the Sharia Law?  Mr. Ansari has shown his frustration in his blog and majority of people after reading his blog disapproved the treatment met by the couple at McDonald restaurant.  But that is not enough.  If people in Pakistan want to eliminate this type of unnecessary interference in public life, they have to voice their opinion openly and publicly.  A note of protest ought to be sent to the McDonald Corporation in Pakistan as well as in the USA to address this issue.  Other US food chains should take a serious note of this type of incident because this incident can set precedence for other restaurants also which will adversely affect their revenues.  ONE WONDERS WHAT IS PAKISTANI GOVERNMENT'S REACTION TO THIS INCIDENT?

China by flexing its muscles is showing the extent of its frustration about the newly purchased property by the Japanese government.  China sent a few ships with the military might to monitor the territory.  This sounds like a baseless and futile exercise on the part of China.  Japanese now own these islands and it is up to them as to how to manage this newly acquired property and China, accordingly, has no business to enter into the now owned Japanese waters.  Even though the neighboring as well as western countries are trying to convince China to avoid this unnecessary interference and scuffle, but it seems like China is playing deaf and dumb.  It simply evinces China's hegemonic posture in order to quench its thirst for territorial expansion.  Knowing the military might China possesses, the neighboring countries on their own are no match to face China militarily.  Hence, China is so aggressive in its attitude in that part of the world.  Unless China is stopped behaving like this, it can lead to catastrophic situation.  If that happens, one can see that it will flare up to not only the neighboring countries of China, but will engulf adjacent countries into it as well.  The question now in front of rest of the world is to find a solution -military or political - to stop this uncontrollable monster before it is too late.  THE BURDEN IS ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE USA, EUROPE, SOVIET UNION AND MAY BE INDIA TOO TO INITIATE STEPS TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE PEACEFULLY.

The trilateral dialogue being discussed among China, India and Pakistan on the issue of Afghanistan is a step in the right direction to stabilize the region.  However, the way Chinese are investing in Afghanistan needs a detailed scrutiny for various reasons.  Chinese are signing contract with the Afghanistan government for natural resources which they need badly for their economy whereas India is aiding Afghanistan in building roads, hospitals and schools which has very less long term contribution to India's economic growth.  China's investment in the Afghanistan's resources will provide them a strong foothold in that country. After the NATO/USA forces are withdrawn in 2014, India will be left alone to handle its interest in Afghanistan especially after knowing that China has very close military ties with Pakistan.  The roads India is building today will be used by China and Pakistan to serve their interest.  Therefore, even though the arrangement of the trilateral dialogues is a positive step, but it seems that it is part of Chinese long term strategy to encircle India and eventually reduce India's influence in the region.  INDIA NEEDS TO BE PROACTIVE AND VERY VIGILANT WHILE DEALING WITH THE CHINESE.

The agreement or implied understanding formalized between India and China during the visit of Chinese Defense Minister sounds like putting a band aid on a wound which is profusely bleeding. This non-curable wound relates to what happened in 1962. One is not sure about the preamble of this agreement which refers to the intent that India and China will work together to maintain peace in the South Pacific region. What does it actually mean? Does it mean that Indian ONGC can continue to drill in the South China Sea unfettered and its naval forces can move with impunity? Or does it mean that China has become the best friend of India and is willing to show the same type of cooperation and understanding in other regions which are under dispute with China? India ought not to forget that China works on a long range vision and their international policy is predicated on 'pick and chose' basis. China has realized that its relationships with the neighboring countries around the South China Sea are deteriorating, it has become a thorn in the eyes of the USA and the close proximity of India to the USA make China feels segregated. Hence, China is endeavoring to show some friendly gestures to India. But be aware that these maneuvers are like chess-game moves which usually are very opaque. Like in chess-game, unless you are thinking a step ahead of your opponent, you are bound to lose the game. Therefore, India needs to be very vigilant and before getting into any Chinese trap, a thorough probe of Chinese moves is warranted. INDIA SHOULD NOT FORGET WHAT HAPPENED IN 1962 - AN ATTACK BY THE CHINESE FORCES AFTER EMPHASIZING THE SLOGAN OF 'HINDI-CHINI BHAI BHAI

The meeting being arranged between the Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan is another futile attempt to solve unsolvable issues between India and Pakistan. Ms. Khar, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, states that India should forget terrorism because it is in the past and India should move ahead thinking on the issue of terrorism 'realistically'. I am not sure what 'realistically' here means. Does it mean that India should forget the innocent lives lost in the Mumbai attack or should India not worry about the support of the Pakistani government to the militants in Pakistan who were responsible to plan, arrange, finance and orchestrate the 26/11 attack or should India ignore the inaction of the Pakistani government to bring the known and proven culprits to books. What does it mean - may be Ms. Khar can elaborate on it? Exchange of dialogues is a good way between two parties to resolve their outstanding issues. But the solutions to problems can be found only if there is a sincere seriousness on both sides. Since, for selfish reasons. the militant groups who are controlling the government in Islamabad do not want any improvement in relations between India and Pakistan, how can Ms. Khar or for that matter any other officials come to the negotiating table with 'no authority' to achieve this goal- impossible. All the time, the basic ingredients - authority and seriousness - have been lacking on the part of Pakistani delegation. Hence, no solutions to common problems have been found since 1947. Is it not a waste of time, effort and resources? INDIA OUGHT TO SWITCH GEAR AND CONCENTRATE ON OTHER DOMESTIC ISSUES INSTEAD.

It is true that the Kashmir has been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan since 1947.  It is also true that since then lot of summit meetings have taken place to find a viable solution to this riddle, but of no concrete outcome.  One wonders as to how many more efforts have to be made and how many more resources have to be devoted to this convoluted issue.  I compare this issue with what Jews and Palestine people have between themselves - a built-in ill will and hatred for each other- an issue whose roots have been poisoned with a heavy doze of pesticides.  Hence, one ought not to expect any fruitful results from these diplomatic meetings - these meetings are just an eye wash.  I also don't think Pakistan really wants to solve this issue.  Pakistan just wants to keep this issue alive so that a chaotic situation in the Indian occupied Kashmir prevails all the time.  The reason being that, in addition to other headaches in the country, Pakistan is not in a position to manage this additional territory fiscally and militarily.  Pakistan, in 1971, lost half the country, now Bangladesh, it is on the verge of losing Balochistan, Karachi is burning everyday and the whole Panjab situation is beyond government control.  Therefore, in my opinion, further discussion on this topic is a futile exercise and wastage of energy and resources.  However, there are two ways to solve the Kashmir enigma; one both parties accept the LOC as an international border and the other one is with a full fledged war and the winner take all.  INDIAN GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO PUT KASHMIR ISSUE ON THE BACK BURNER.

The Pakistani text books used in the schools of Panjab and Sindh Provinces consist of hatred contents towards non-Muslims - Christians, Hindus and Sikhs.  It is sad to know that the respective governments in these Provinces have no objection to this type of teachings in the schools.  Since there is no voice aired against the syllabus of these books by the leaders in Islamabad, one can conclude that it has their blessings also.  It also shows that the militants and misguided people in Pakistan are running the show and the government at the center is just a puppet government.  Under these circumstances, one cann't expect any secular treatment to non-Muslims in Pakistan.  The moderate and educated community in Pakistan is also mute on this issue.  The only choice the victims have is to either stand up against the wrong propaganda and  ill treatment or go to some other places where they are treated like human beings.  CIVILIZED WORLD NEEDS TO PRESSURE PAKISTAN TO MEND ITS BEHAVIOR SOONER THAN LATER.

This story is another example of how stoop Muslims can go to tarnish the image of non-Muslims in Pakistan.  A teenager non-Muslim girl who is medically declared as incapable of doing such things was charged with a crime of burning the Koran in Pakistan.  She was arrested and put behind bar.  As luck would have it, the cleric who actually placed the Koran pages in the fire to frame this girl and get rid of Christians in his neighborhood was caught doing this heinous act by his friend who came forward and got this mischievous cleric arrested.  First of all, in my opinion, this cleric has no spiritual knowledge of Islam or any other religion.  Islam, like other religions,  teaches love and affection for others.  Those who have even an iota of spiritual background would not dare to do such an act.  This incident also proves that there is something wrong with the criterion of selecting these clerics.  When these clerics themselves are misguided how can one expect them to impart spiritual discourses predicated on true Islam.  Secondly, the world did not hear any voice from the Muslim countries, including Pakistan, against this insane act.  One wonders where are the Mullahs, Imams and the rest of the moderate Muslim community?  Are they playing deaf and dumb?  Their silence on this subject conveys only one message to the civilized society and i.e. that this act has their blessings too.  What a shame?  One also wonders had there been a Muslim girl treated the same way by either Christians, Hindus or Jews priest, what type of hue and cry the whole civilized world would have witnessed - not to talk of destruction of public property.  One can easily conclude that the Muslim community is leading a double-faced life and now it is up to the non-Muslims to act accordingly.  IS THE CIVILIZED NON-MUSLIM WORLD LISTENING?