U.S. military liaisons return to Pakistan
Quiet return: The U.S. Department of Defense said Thursday that two military liaison officers have returned to Pakistani Army headquarters in the northwestern city of Peshawar at Pakistan’s request, potentially signaling an improvement in strained relations between the two countries (AP, NYT, AFP, Reuters). Three Pakistani security forces were injured and six militants were killed during clashes in Kurram ...
Quiet return: The U.S. Department of Defense said Thursday that two military liaison officers have returned to Pakistani Army headquarters in the northwestern city of Peshawar at Pakistan's request, potentially signaling an improvement in strained relations between the two countries (AP, NYT, AFP, Reuters). Three Pakistani security forces were injured and six militants were killed during clashes in Kurram Agency in northwestern Pakistan (ET).
Quiet return: The U.S. Department of Defense said Thursday that two military liaison officers have returned to Pakistani Army headquarters in the northwestern city of Peshawar at Pakistan’s request, potentially signaling an improvement in strained relations between the two countries (AP, NYT, AFP, Reuters). Three Pakistani security forces were injured and six militants were killed during clashes in Kurram Agency in northwestern Pakistan (ET).
The Pakistani Taliban vowed on Thursday to kill Dr. Shakil Afridi, who was sentenced to 33 years in prison for his "close links" to the militant group Lashkar-e-Islam, but is also accused of helping the CIA hunt down Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad (CNN). Lawyers representing Dr. Afridi said Friday that they had filed an appeal in Peshawar against his conviction (AFP).
Pakistan’s federal cabinet will meet Friday to review a proposed budget of more than Rs 3 trillion ($32 billion) for fiscal year 2012-2013 (Dawn, ET, DT)
Deadly attack
A suicide attacker slammed his truck full of explosives into a checkpoint at a NATO base in the eastern Afghan province of Khost on Friday, an attack followed by a gunfight that resulted in the deaths of 14 militants (AFP, BBC, AP). Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said Thursday the number of civilians being killed in Afghanistan is still "unacceptably high," despite a 21% drop in civilian casualties in the first four months of this year (AFP, VOA).
Food for thought
Encouraging more children to attend primary school in Pakistan’s northwestern district of Swat is easy; the World Food Programme has increased enrolment by 60% since 2009 by providing children with free food rations (ET). Holding the oil canister he would bring home to his family, one child gushed this week, "We get parathas with tea at school daily in the morning!"
— Jennifer Rowland
More from Foreign Policy
Chinese Hospitals Are Housing Another Deadly Outbreak
Authorities are covering up the spread of antibiotic-resistant pneumonia.
Henry Kissinger, Colossus on the World Stage
The late statesman was a master of realpolitik—whom some regarded as a war criminal.
The West’s False Choice in Ukraine
The crossroads is not between war and compromise, but between victory and defeat.
The Masterminds
Washington wants to get tough on China, and the leaders of the House China Committee are in the driver’s seat.
Sign up for World Brief
FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day, written by Alexandra Sharp. Delivered weekdays.
By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time.