Pictures From Ossetia Conflict

If you're reading this blog, you are surely already aware that Russia invaded Georgia Friday morning. This situation is extremely tragic for a country like Georgia that is desperately trying to democratize and modernize and a warning for anyone who dares contradict Russian power in its backyard. Russia is still desperate to assert itself in regional politics, and they seem to prefer their classic methods, namely coercion, deception, and violence. The NY Times has posted a couple of photo albums that include pictures from the conflict. They can be found here:

Ossetian Conflict

Assorted Pics, including Ossetia conflict, Afghanistan, Uighur protester

And in case you were wondering, the conflict has escalated to the point where the Russians have begun bombing the beautiful city of Tbilisi.

The Pakghani Front

The Wall Street Journal carries an interesting commentary on the need to secure the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan if any progress is to be made in the former country.

A stickier problem for the Afghans and coalition forces is the eastern frontier abutting Pakistan's tribal belt. More boots on the ground there could better patrol the porous, mountainous border. The new and weak government in Pakistan in March struck truces with militants there, mostly Pashtuns and a handful of foreign terrorists. They use this sanctuary for strikes into Afghanistan. On a clear day, American troops can see the training camps on the other side of the frontier.

Afghanistan is a regional problem. As foreign terrorists are flushed from Iraq, many make their way to the al Qaeda and Taliban-run training camps in the Pakistan tribal belt. The blame for this falls squarely at the feet of Pakistan's democratically elected government. For the second time in two years, the Pakistanis have struck ill-considered deals with the terrorists there.

Pakistan has been meddling in Afghani affairs for decades and is not willing to stop now. They have supported the Taliban from the beginning and they really don't seem to have stopped at all, despite their declared position as an ally to the United States. Well, with allies like Pakistan, who needs enemies? With the recent findings by American intelligence services that Pakistani intelligence agencies helped plan the recent bombing of the Indian Embassy in Kabul, I think it's high time Pakistan status as a 'friend' to America and in the world in general should maybe be revised. They aren't helping in Afghanistan(or anywhere else for that matter) and they are very much hindering any progress.

Zawahiri Dead?

Unconfirmed reports emerging that Zawahiri may be dead or severely wounded. Probably not true, since Pakistani and US officials seem doubtful, but I guess we'll find out soon.

Al Qaeda in Iraq Switching Front to Afghanistan

An interesting post from Jihadica about AQI bailing out of Iraq in favor of Afghanistan.

--Thanks to Jari at Stupidest Man on Earth for directing me there.

Pakistan ISI Helped in Kabul Bombing

Icka, you'll be interested in this one: Pakistan's intelligence service was an accomplice in the recent bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul.

The ISI has had long standing ties with Al Qaeda and affiliated groups since before 9/11. Afghanistan is our war, not Pakistan's; Pakistan's existential enemy is India, not Afghanistan.

Jehovah's Witnesses Jailed in Uzbekistan Terror Raid

Forum 18 reports that two Jehovah Witnesses have been jailed after a raid by anti-terrorist police. Other members of the faith have been fined or sentenced to labor camps. The current total of Jehovah's Witnesses now imprisoned in Uzbekistan now stands at four.

Authoritarian regimes in the region have used the 'threat' of terrorism as an excuse to lock up or persecute religious minorities consistently since 9/11, including minority Muslim groups that don't subscribe to 'official' Islam. The Jehovah's Witness faith was outlawed in 2006 and the members of the organization were arrested as part of a special terrorist cleaning campaign.

Salafism Spreads in Tajikistan

RFE/RL has an interesting article about the spread of Salafism in Tajikistan.