The Bomb Was Horrifying. The Alternatives Would Have Been Worse.
Historical records show that dropping atomic bombs was the least bad option.
List of Pakistan articles
![Police commandos escort former Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan (C) as he arrives at the high court in Islamabad on May 12, 2023.]()
Police commandos escort former Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan (C) as he arrives at the high court in Islamabad on May 12, 2023.
It’s Time for the Generals to Let Go in Pakistan
Imran Khan’s arrest is cycling the country through crisis yet again.
![Relatives and security officials offer funeral prayers for policemen killed by a roadside bomb in the Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan.]()
Relatives and security officials offer funeral prayers for policemen killed by a roadside bomb in the Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan.
The Taliban Are Throwing Pakistan a Googly
Extremism, more than all the other crises, challenges Pakistan’s very survival.
![Supporters gather around a car carrying former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan as he arrives to appear before the high court in Lahore, Pakistan.]()
Supporters gather around a car carrying former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan as he arrives to appear before the high court in Lahore, Pakistan.
The Many Trials of Imran Khan
The ousted Pakistani leader and his party face dozens of charges he says are politicized—but he hasn’t been arrested yet.
![Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan stand atop a shipping container.]()
Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan stand atop a shipping container.
Politics Are Holding Pakistan’s Economy Hostage
Drama around former Prime Minister Imran Khan leaves Pakistan’s finances in the lurch.
![Supporters carry placards displaying a portrait of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan during a protest in Karachi.]()
Supporters carry placards displaying a portrait of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan during a protest in Karachi.
A Coup Would Put Pakistan Squarely in China’s Bloc
An isolated junta would be cripplingly dependent on Beijing.
![Policemen stand guard along a street in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Feb. 1.]()
Policemen stand guard along a street in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Feb. 1.
The Deep Roots of Pakistan’s Terrorism Crisis
Considering some militants as instruments of regional influence while fighting others has had disastrous consequences.
![Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan carry white flags during a peace rally in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Feb. 3.]()
Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan carry white flags during a peace rally in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Feb. 3.
Rising Terrorism Stirs Protests in Pakistan
Long-suffering residents near the Afghan border are voicing their grievances with militancy—as well as the powers that be.
![Children internally displaced by Pakistan’s floods attend a mobile school class near a makeshift camp in Dera Allah Yar on Jan. 9.]()
Children internally displaced by Pakistan’s floods attend a mobile school class near a makeshift camp in Dera Allah Yar on Jan. 9.
Pakistan’s Climate Disconnect
The country’s growing leverage at U.N. negotiations has not resonated with much of its population.
![Supporters of the religious Namak Mandi Tajir Group against French President Emmanuel Macron during a protest against the publishing of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad they deemed blasphemous.]()
Supporters of the religious Namak Mandi Tajir Group against French President Emmanuel Macron during a protest against the publishing of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad they deemed blasphemous.
Pakistan’s Government Is Choosing Extremist Islam Over Economic Stability
By curtailing free speech and doubling down on blasphemy laws, Islamabad is endangering its relationship with Europe and the United States.
![Outgoing Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in 2008]()
Outgoing Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in 2008
Pervez Musharraf Dragged His Country Down
The charismatic Pakistani general aimed to be a great national leader but failed by shredding the constitution and recklessly doing Washington’s bidding.
![Kashmir-Chenab-railway-bridge-IMG_5459]()
Kashmir-Chenab-railway-bridge-IMG_5459
How India’s New Bridge to Kashmir Divided a Region
Kashmiris fear an expensive infrastructure project will mean more military domination and demographic change.
![People take boats to cross floodwaters in Pakistan.]()
People take boats to cross floodwaters in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Year of Turmoil
In 2022, the country has seen a dramatic change in power, record-high inflation, and catastrophic floods. What could happen in 2023?
![A man walks through a relief camp for people displaced by the floods in Keamari, Pakistan.]()
A man walks through a relief camp for people displaced by the floods in Keamari, Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Climate Migrants Face Tough Odds
People displaced by climate disasters remain vulnerable, as this year’s floods show.
![Girls-Boxing-LongGame-podcast-square-FP-site]()
Girls-Boxing-LongGame-podcast-square-FP-site
Boxing Provides a Path Out of Poverty for Girls in Pakistan
A young boxer is using the sport to change her country’s gender norms.
![An Indian soldier and Pakistani soldier shake hands.]()
An Indian soldier and Pakistani soldier shake hands.
Why the India-Pakistan Rivalry Endures
A recent book emphasizes domestic politics in the conflict but doesn’t account for the depth of the impasse.
Load 10 More Articles
It’s Time for the Generals to Let Go in Pakistan
Imran Khan’s arrest is cycling the country through crisis yet again.
The Taliban Are Throwing Pakistan a Googly
Extremism, more than all the other crises, challenges Pakistan’s very survival.
The Many Trials of Imran Khan
The ousted Pakistani leader and his party face dozens of charges he says are politicized—but he hasn’t been arrested yet.
Politics Are Holding Pakistan’s Economy Hostage
Drama around former Prime Minister Imran Khan leaves Pakistan’s finances in the lurch.
A Coup Would Put Pakistan Squarely in China’s Bloc
An isolated junta would be cripplingly dependent on Beijing.
The Deep Roots of Pakistan’s Terrorism Crisis
Considering some militants as instruments of regional influence while fighting others has had disastrous consequences.
Rising Terrorism Stirs Protests in Pakistan
Long-suffering residents near the Afghan border are voicing their grievances with militancy—as well as the powers that be.
Pakistan’s Climate Disconnect
The country’s growing leverage at U.N. negotiations has not resonated with much of its population.
Pakistan’s Government Is Choosing Extremist Islam Over Economic Stability
By curtailing free speech and doubling down on blasphemy laws, Islamabad is endangering its relationship with Europe and the United States.
Pervez Musharraf Dragged His Country Down
The charismatic Pakistani general aimed to be a great national leader but failed by shredding the constitution and recklessly doing Washington’s bidding.
How India’s New Bridge to Kashmir Divided a Region
Kashmiris fear an expensive infrastructure project will mean more military domination and demographic change.
Pakistan’s Year of Turmoil
In 2022, the country has seen a dramatic change in power, record-high inflation, and catastrophic floods. What could happen in 2023?
Pakistan’s Climate Migrants Face Tough Odds
People displaced by climate disasters remain vulnerable, as this year’s floods show.
Boxing Provides a Path Out of Poverty for Girls in Pakistan
A young boxer is using the sport to change her country’s gender norms.
Why the India-Pakistan Rivalry Endures
A recent book emphasizes domestic politics in the conflict but doesn’t account for the depth of the impasse.
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