By

 Waheed Hamid

 Pakistan went for elections 2013 with a debate that is Pakistan a nation on collapse and a failed state. Pakistan ranked number 12 on a list of the “most failed states”,  published in annual report of Foreign Policy magazine in 2011.The amount of corruption, misdirected leadership and forecasting of intellectuals would have synergized for a normal nation to actually collapse but what keeps Pakistan from sinking remains a question unanswered.  Stories of Taliban ruling  Islamabad and  taking control of  country’s nuclear weapons to threaten the world are not old but time has proved them to be far from TRUTH. The truth of brilliant upcoming generation in form of enthusiastic young force “Janoon” with Arfa Karim Randhawa and eight year old Uzair Jaswal beating Microsoft experts somewhere remain on low burner. The election 2013 witnessed youngsters persuading old parents who never voted in their life to come out and vote for Pakistan.  However, the failing infrastructure and absence of good governance,  corruption cases, prolonged electricity shutdowns, declining economic and social indicators keep   strengthening   the gloomy  perceptions. How many have really researched to find truth remains a simmering question. In 2006, 30 terrorist attacks, including 10 of a sectarian nature, took place, leaving 100 people dead and 230 others injured. In 2007, 34 terrorist attacks and clashes, including suicide attacks, killings, and assassinations, resulted in 134 casualties and 245 injuries, according to the PIPS security report. Pakistan faced 20 suicide attacks (mostly targeted at security forces) during 2007, at least 111 were killed, besides injuring another 234 people. The statistics show a progressive increase in extremist activities starting from 2006 and sudden decline in the recent  years.  After  success of Swat operation and settlement of displaced people of Swat the violence fell by 60 per cent in the second half of 2009, compared with the first half. Overall the sense of security in Pakistan improved. In IRI polls the number of people saying that they felt less secure fell from 78 percent to 60 percent in the March 2009 poll, while the number saying that they felt more secure rose from 19 to 38 percent. This was further augmented by a survey of  Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) which said the number of violent incidents and terror attacks in Pakistan fell by 11 per cent during 2010, compared to 2009.  The security force did it what analysts thought was not achievable.

Despite long stand off the solution of NATO supply route issue  proved that Pakistan stands as the most logical and economical out let to the world in this region.  Despite serious differences with world powers operating in Afghanistan the U.S leadership finds Pakistan, the most important country. Hillary Clinton said in a press conference that  “I’m sure we will continue to have our ups and downs. But this relationship is simply too important to turn our back on — for both nations”.  Nature has gifted Pakistan to become a challenge for the world and it is only Pakistanis which can convert this challenge into opportunity. The successful conduct of elections and the quantum of  increase in turnout show seriousness of the Nation to address National issues. It has been a large cross- section of  individuals in Pakistan, the expatriates  and the business community which are directly and silently contributing to  the sustainability and strength of a future looking prosperous Pakistan.  This silence has to be broken  and translated  for enhancing national pride  and individual motivation by giving recognition to the silent Patriots.

The shortfall  in power is not only at top agenda for the government , One of the largest urea manufacturing public limited business  in Pakistan has recently come up with Pakistan’s first wind power 50 MW electricity generation project  in District Thatta, Sindh  to help Pakistan overcome power shortage . The wind turbines  and electrical equipment have already arrived at site, successfully installed and will start functioning  in few months. This pilot Project,  shall not only provide cleaner sustainable energy and help address electricity shortage in the country but will open avenues for alternate energy systems in Pakistan.  Unfortunately, a Pakistani  cries and bleeds at hands of corrupt practices which effects majority of society. Few benefit and successfully make others hostage to this corrupt culture. These few play with emotions of majority from rich as well as poor segments of society and use tools and techniques to convince that progress only lies in moving in line with the corrupt culture. The government will have to identify and synergize the efforts  of individuals , professionals, institutions and industries running in right direction and support them. Pakistan  has seen Crisis and pressures which has  helped foster a change in its politics. The political setup seen after the election has a natural system of check and balance and it provides a strong hope to the nation .  Imran And Nawaz both have the opportunity at National and provincial level. The time will prove how they utilize and deliver.

Print this Report

Sending  just a para on energy crisis  for publish on one of the major problem Pakistan is facing with hope that we start learning from others who keep perfecting their systems looking into future. More importantly we start doing something for the future generations . Hope this  strikes  mind of a decision maker and we may also come out with something called “plan to fight energy shortfall”.

 By: Waheed Hamid

America’s Energy Opportunity

Published in Foreign Affairs By CFR

How to Harness the New Sources of U.S. Power

Michael Levi

An energy revolution is unfolding in the United States — but unlike most past or promised revolutions, this one is not confined to a single fuel or technology. After falling for more than two straight decades after 1985, U.S.crude oil production has now risen for four consecutive years, and in 2012, it posted its largest one-year increase since the dawn of the oil industry more than 150 years ago. Meanwhile, in 2011, natural gas surpassed coal as the United States’ biggest source of domestically produced energy, thanks to surging output and plunging prices. And all this growth in U.S. fossil fuel production has not prevented the rise of zero-carbon energy sources: the amount of electricity generated from cutting-edge renewables – wind, solar, and 

geothermal — has doubled since 2008, and prices have plummeted. Moreover, as technological innovations have made U.S. motor vehicles more fuel efficient, the country’s oil consumption has fallen by nearly ten percent since 2005, reversing what previously seemed to be an interminable upward trend. The U.S. energy landscape has not undergone such drastic changes since the 1960s and 1970s, which witnessed the emergence of nuclear power, peak U.S. oil production, two oil crises in the Middle East, and the birth of the environmental movement. Not surprisingly, the present transformation is prompting big predictions about the future. Oil and gas enthusiasts are projecting such massive growth in production that the United States might soon grasp the Holy Grail, energy independence; natural gas, meanwhile, is being hailed as a one-stop solution to climate change and a replacement for petroleum. Advocates of renewable energy are just as jubilant, predicting that their technologies will soon be cheaper than fossil fuels, and supporters of advanced automobile technologies are heralding an impending move beyond oil. Virtually every energy booster is also insisting that his or her fuel or technology of choice will turbocharge the U.S. economy.  There is something to all these claims. Yet what they often miss — and what too few players in the usually zero-sum world of energy politics embrace — is that the best future lies in capitalizing on all the new developments. The energy revolution is splitting Americans into two rival camps: one that is enthusiastic about the resurgence of oil and gas and another that favors renewable sources and more fuel-efficient cars and trucks. The first camp typically rejects government support for renewables and advanced automobile technologies, warning that it wastes taxpayer money and threatens the country’s economic health. The second camp often opposes efforts to enhance U.S. oil and gas production, arguing that these fuels pose grave risks to the environment and could kill progress on clean energy. Both camps raise important concerns, but each regularly overstates its case — especially when it claims that the other’s gains are intolerable. The truth is that the best way to strengthen the American economy, bolster national security, and protect the environment is for the country to take advantage of all the new energy opportunities. No single fuel or technology can solve the country’s problems: increased oil production will not free the United States from involvement in global petroleum markets, natural gas alone will not solve climate change, renewables remain expensive, and vehicles that do not rely on oil are far from being broadly economically competitive. The central challenge, therefore, is figuring out how to  capitalize on all the new opportunities, which will require enthusiasts of different energy sources to start cooperating, or at least to stop fighting so  bitterly. Leaders around the country, and particularly in Washington, need to adopt a most-of-the-above approach: carefully increasing opportunities  for energy production of all kinds, while penalizing dangerous energy consumption that would worsen climate change and sustain U.S. dependence on oil.

Find Complete : http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/139111/michael-levi/americas-energy-opportunity

Print this Report

   By Enum Naseer

Pakistan’s Economy

“During the past 5 years of government, the economy of Pakistan has suffered at the hands of the myopic vision of its political leaders.  The dismal economic condition raises concern about the future and results from lack of vision, corruption and instability. The problems will pose enormous challenges to the new government and will be a true test of its sincerity and commitment to national interest”.

Pakistan’s economy is in a state of free fall. Long-standing social and political problems have thwarted macroeconomic progress reducing the country to sheer helplessness. The experience of democracy is still new- it is the first time in history that an elected government has completed five years of its tenure. While this is a fact to celebrate, the present economic scenario has left the future of the country in doldrums.

What became evident during the 5 years of uninterrupted democracy was a sad tale of conflict of interests. The national interest and the interests of the ruling elite were seen to be standing poles apart. It seemed that the struggle for democracy by the latter was in effect one for accession and then holding on to power. Ethics, fairplay and rule of law were the victims. Numerous cases of mega corruption were unearthed- thanks to an empowered media. Yet, not a single culprit was brought to justice and the looted money recovered. In fact, it became apparent that the custodians of public trust were among the beneficiaries. Disillusioned Pakistanis chose to emigrate in droves to look for a more egalitarian environment.

The economic troubles will carry over. Dwindling foreign currency reserves of $6.64 billion will be further depleted as IMF repayments in the next two years amount to a whopping $5.3 billion! With no substantial FDIs to speak of, this will leave nothing in the kitty. Acute power shortages have not only crippled the industry but have made the life of a common man miserable. Besides costing him his job as the industry continues to lay off workers, it has taken a toll on his personal life as well. Essential amenities are all dependant on availability of electricity-nowadays a fickle commodity to come by.

The public debt has ballooned to a record Rs14,561 billion in 2012 just to cater for the day-to-day expenses without the launch of any megaprojects for public welfare whilst the printing of Rs.2-3 billion continues everyday with scant regard to runaway inflation and its impact on the economy. No solution was found to the circular debt which amounts to an alarming figure of 872 billion and continues to grow.

Financial experts believe that the annual losses of Pakistan Railways, PIA and Pakistan Steel Mills collectively amount to an equivalent of funds allocated for defence of Pakistan. These are estimated to be Rs.625billion. PSO is on the verge of bankruptcy. Furnace oil reserves for power generation will be exhausted by early May as no new import orders are in place as yet. The cash-stripped government is generously paying Rs. 3.10 per unit subsidy on electricity that it cannot afford. The government is also unable to generate enough taxes to help its situation. The tax-to-gdp ratio (9.1% in FY2011-2012) remains the lowest in the world. Besides this, the tax revenue collection target has been revised downward thrice. The current target fixed at Rs2,116 billion is still highly unachievable.

     The law and order situation continues to get precarious as cases of target killing and kidnapping for ransom are on the rise in financial hubs such as Karachi. Attempts on the lives of prominent ANP and MQM leaders force them to curtail their election campaign drastically. Attacks on security forces are escalating. Close to the election day in May, with the day-time temperatures soaring to mid forties and above, huge electricity outages with consequent water scarcity, high food prices with critically reduced incomes and job opportunities and a chaotic law and order situation make for a venomous mix.

Under these circumstances, it is quite ironic to see the different political parties vie for power for the seat of the next chief executive- the prime minister of Pakistan. The challenge is gargantuan to stare the myriad of economic, social and security issues straight in the eye without flinching. It would need a proverbial Herculean strength and effort coupled with vision and sincerity. It is going to be a difficult road to tread for a long time to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The only question that is lingering among the masses is: do our leaders realize how difficult the task before them is or does their naïveté and lack of vision convince them that they are in for another regal self-enriching term?

Print this Report

By

Waheed Hamid

         The increased diplomatic activity in Pakistan with closing of election schedule is not a silent issue any more. Islamabad, Karachi and  Lahore have become hub of undiplomatic activities of the Diplomats. After meetings of diplomats  with the politicians the surfacing of  promises in quite circles of media about  give and take between both have raised suspicions on patriotism of politicians. There are reports of direct involvement of embassy staff for influencing the political future of Pakistan through use of tools like NGOs. Planning of surveys for political leaders and parties and the task of exploring venues to influence  the election system has already been given to these NGOs. A number of NGOs have been lined up in Multan, Shekhupura, Quetta and Khairpur where special programs will be run to influence the future of democracy in Pakistan The Church World Services (CWS) P/A  is all set to organize and impart training to journalists and civil society in Peshawer to monitor the elections. All expenses, boarding and lodging will be borne by them. Similar plan of CWS are in hand for Quetta and they are using senior members of  journalist community to act as their front man. A common Pakistani is dragged into conspiracy theories when CWS, an International Non Governmental Organization (INGO) which implements humanitarian and development activities across Pakistan and Afghanistan starts throwing its finances into Pakistan’s elections. Moreover, the foreign funding for local foundations run by political parties in Karachi are being negotiated with promises of facilitation for the business zones adjacent to Kimari . It is not only the terrorists of Balochistan who sit in foreign lands and defame Pakistan but it has been learned that a political party has plans to approach United Nations and they are actively conspiring with diplomats seeking their  support. A meeting has already taken place a few days back between a female party leader at the residence of a diplomat to work out cooperation.

            It sends a wave of concern for Pakistanis when they hear that  Chief of USAID, Mr Raju Shah has increased his interaction with election commission of Pakistan with ready funding from his  embassy for number of projects on elections.  These rumors of unusual diplomatic attention and international funding will not only result in increase of trust deficit between the countries but  domestically  the gap between such political leaders and the public will also enhance. The decision of US military leadership not to visit Pakistan at this time was a welcome step but activities of  USAID are bound to pose problems as the region enters the Exit stage in Afghanistan. The requirement of these  activities are even of more  concern after the UNDP project’s for conduct of election in Pakistan have already focused on  provision of technical assistance for the needs identified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in extensive consultations with UNDP and as articulated in ECP’s 5 year Strategic Plan, 2010-2014. The project is for 3 years duration and is divided into two phases, with Phase I covering the period up and including the conduct of elections while Phase II focuses on the post election period. There fore all other forms being initiated through NGOs will negatively affect Pakistan’s democratic future. To oversee all this domestic game there are reports of establishing  a  front line office for monitoring and influencing internal affairs of target countries in Doha , Qatar under the garb of business solutions consultancy. These rumors keep spreading in social circles and media when they find some link to happenings on ground, with even more intensity as 11 May approaches.

          The credibility and fairness of oncoming elections now largely depends on vote by the maximum without any foreign interference. The optics of election are as important as the conduct. The people are much aware now and have the capacity to identify friends and foe from within and outside.  At this juncture along with the politicians the role of institutions and organs of the government is equally important. Where it is constitutional duty of judiciary to ensure that all institutions play their role within ambit of constitution and support the electoral process, it is moral obligation on part of  other organs and institutions to fully support this Nation building event.  The significance of these elections is much more than the natural and artificial calamities of floods , earthquake , terrorist attacks and other nation building projects where the institutions have been playing a role. The politicians, civil society, media and the government should take measures to ensure maximum turnout. The institutions which have to remain non political and yet support election have an uphill task but where there is will there is a way. Firstly, they must recognize that they themselves comprise of a huge vote bank themselves. There is a need to ensure that maximum government employs are motivated and facilitated to cast their vote . The government employees who get their earning from the money collected from  tax certainly have more responsibility towards accomplishment of voting as a nation building task.  Secondly , this vote bank which has a better education level be used to educate others to maximize cast of  votes in National interest. Lastly, the institutions who have to provide shield and stop undiplomatic activities must move forward to protect the solidarity and pride of Pakistan and minimize foreign meddling in elections. The media must unearth and expose anti state activities. With article 62 and 63 there is a need to also refresh  Pakistan Penal code, section 123-A which say who ever endangers safety of Pakistan, condemn its creation, harm two Nation theory or advocate the curtailment of sovereignty of Pakistan shall be punished  under the law.

           Despite heartening statements from the leaders of glowing democracies of the world the actions of same nations strongly contradicts and unveils their intentions  Non interference  at this moment in Pakistan is the most desired and friendly course but we find  quite a few  of the diplomatic missions  involved in undemocratic activities. The wooing of media and political parties by other countries  to fulfill their goals is understandable but silence of National media and moving of politicians into this trap is mind boggling.  Barack Obama emphasizing his second term foreign policy objectives, vowed, “ the US would support democracy in Asia and the Middle East and resolve its differences with the world peacefully”. A  press release issued by the British High Commission recently  said: “The UK strongly supports democracy in Pakistan. Representative, accountable government that delivers for the people, and is chosen according to constitutional processes, is in the best interests of Pakistan,” but some how they fail to check and block the undemocratic forces operating in this part of the world.  Those political leaders and the friends of Pakistan who eye for short term advantages  must  realize that time of manipulated democracy is over and any manipulation  will not only harm Pakistan’s democratic forces  but will prove a serious dent in people to people  relationship of the countries.

Print this Report

 M M ALAM DEPARTS

BUT AFTER ENSURING LIFE TO MANY PAKISTANIS

     ISLAMABAD 18 MARCH, 2013: Air Commodore (Retd) Muhammad Mahmood Alam, Sitara-i-Jur’at (with Bar), a veteran of 1965 and 1971 wars and world renowned ace pilot of PAF, after prolonged illness, breathed his last at PNS Shifa (Hospital), Karachi today. He was 78.

Air Chief Marshal, Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force has expressed his grief on the sad demise of the iconic legend and a national Hero M M Alam. The Air Chief further said that any chronicles on the World’s Aviation Hall of Fame or accomplishments of Pakistan Air Force would remain incomplete without the mention of Air Commodore (Retd) M M Alam. A daring fighter pilot, Top Gun of his own class, war hero, scholar par excellence, a patriotic Pakistani and a committed professional, M M Alam was an icon and a role model not only for the PAF airmen but also for the Muslims across the world.

M M Alam, was born on 06 July 1935 in a well educated family of Calcutta, British India. Having completed his secondary education from Government High School, Dhaka, in 1951, M M Alam joined PAF in 1952 and was granted commission on 2^nd of October, 1953.

During his service career, Alam underwent many courses including Fighter Conversion Course, F-86F Familiarization Course, Fighter Leader Course, PAF Staff College Course, Orientation Training Course-USA and Royal College of Defence Studies Course – UK.

His major appointments included Air Gunnery & Tactical Instructor at Fighter Leader School, Officer Commanding No 11, No 5 and No 26 Squadrons, Director Operation Research, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Flight Safety) and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans) at Air Headquarters. He also served in Syria on deputation.

HE WAS A TERROR IN THE SKY

    During Indo Pak war in 1965, Squadron Leader M M Alam, while Commanding No 11 Squadron at Sargodha, shot down 02 and damaged 03 Indian Air Force aircraft on 6^th September, 1965. On this act of outstanding bravery and heroism, he was awarded with Sitara-i-Jur’at (gallantry award). 7^th September 1965 is the day when M M Alam rewrote the history of Air Warfare by setting new records while defending Pakistan’s Airspace against the aggressors. He shot down 05 Hawker Hunter fighters of Indian Air Force, in air-to-air combat by shooting down five Indian aircraft in less than sixty seconds, the first four within a span of 30 seconds only. For such an awe inspiring feat of gallantry, M M Alam was again awarded Sitara-i-Jur’at (with Bar). Govt of Pakistan also paid him a befitting tribute by naming one of the prominent roads in Gulberg, Lahore after his legendary name.

His funeral prayers would be offered at PAF Base Masroor, Karachi at 1700 Hrs today. He would be buried with full military honours at PAF graveyard Masroor Air Base.

Print this Report

   The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has published a Special Report entitled “Pakistan and the Narratives of Extremism”. The report has been sponsored by USIP’s Center for Conflict Management and focuses on how extremist narratives have penetrated into Pakistani society and the challenge that they pose to Pakistan’s stability as well as perceptions about the country in the international arena.

The report has been authored by Amil Khan, a journalist based in the U.K. with experience of working with Reuters and BBC in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa. He now heads a strategic communications’ firm “Breakthrough Communications Ltd” in London.

A gist of the salient points made in the report are:

• In Pakistan, violent extremists have successfully exploited the country’s social, political and historical narratives, using them as an effective tool to portray its own viewpoint as the country’s perspective to the rest of the world.

• Al-Qaeda’s “war against Islam” narrative resonated with and has served to rally together the various local militant, religious outfits in Pakistan around its cause.

• The attack on Malala and the assassination of Governor Taseer demonstrate how the narratives surrounding other actions can be construed as being part of a broader world view of Al-Qaeda.

• The expansion of what is considered “anti-Islamic” in Pakistani discourse has led many stakeholders in Pakistani society to readjust their positions to better e.g. Punjab Assembly adopting a resolution against musical concerts in girls colleges, T.V. anchors interrogating young couples in public parks etc.

• The enduring ambiguity over Pakistan’s original purpose is often attributed to the untimely demise of Mohammad Ali Jinnah. The extent of the role of Islam in affairs of the State continues to remain a question mark. Pakistan’s founding fathers sought unity through Islamic identity, but the people failed to abandon their ancestral and clan-based origins.

• Pakistan’s narrative contends that the country was established to serve Islam, it is beset by non-Muslim enemies that continuously conspire against it, the army is the protector of the nation’s ideology and a symbol of pride, it is Pakistan’s destiny to become an Islamic superpower, a “pure” Islam that is free of corrupting influences is the ultimate goal.

• Ten out of eighty-five audio/visual messages from Osama bin Laden and/or Aiman al Zawahiri focused on Pakistan. This reflects a great degree of importance to a country, which Al-Qaeda felt it could seize control of and use as a base to expand its power. It was particularly vulnerable to those forces which could project themselves to be more “Islamic” than the State.

• The ten messages on Pakistan by Al-Qaeda’s top leadership portray Pakistan as an Islamic refuge for persecuted Muslims, a hope for a strong Muslim government, a bastion against the “anti-Islam crusade”, a victim of greed rulers who disobey Islam, and a hospitable and welcoming populace.

• Al-Qaeda exploits existing narratives in Pakistan, cloaked behind conspiracy theories against Western, Indian or Jewish aggressors, to mount attacks on Pakistan’s security establishment while escaping suspicion or public backlash.

• Any counter-extremism communications strategy in Pakistan should draw on its existing narratives and the country’s sense of itself. Indeed, these narratives provide significant opportunities for counter-extremists to attack the vision and worldview of groups like al-Qaeda.

• Strategic communications efforts against extremism need to move away from crafting the “right” message from the practitioners’ point of view and move toward focusing on emotionally engaging the audience.

• A successful counter-extremism campaign should focus on enabling and empowering the youth, developing and reforming the media and “crowding out” the extremist’s narratives.

• All such efforts should be long-term and Pakistani-led, with the capacity to involve state and private entities. They may not necessarily subscribe to the foreign policies of any particular actor e.g. the U.S. or other Muslim countries.

• The country’s suffers from a certain “narrative fragility” due to the lack of opportunity for various stakeholders to debate and evolve narratives for themselves and for Pakistan as a whole.

Complete:   http://www.usip.org/files/resources/SR327-Pakistan-and-the-Narratives-of-Extremism.pdf

Print this Report

   Charles Timothy “Chuck” Hagel (born October 4, 1946) is an American politician who is the 24th and current United States Secretary of Defense, serving since 2013. He served as a United States Senator from Nebraska from 1997 to 2009.

A recipient of two Purple Hearts while an infantry squad leader in the Vietnam War, Hagel returned home to start careers in business and politics. He co-founded Vanguard Cellular, the primary source of his personal wealth, and served as president of the McCarthy Group, an investment banking firm, and CEO of American Information Systems Inc., a computerized voting machine manufacturer. A member of the Republican Party, Hagel was first elected to the United States Senate in 1996. He was reelected in 2002, and retired in 2008. Hagel is currently a professor at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, chairman of the Atlantic Council, and co-chairman of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board. He also serves on a number of boards of directors, including that of Chevron Corporation.

On January 7, 2013, President Barack Obama nominated Hagel to serve as Secretary of Defense. On February 12, 2013, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved Hagel’s nomination by a vote of 14-11. On February 14, 2013, Senate Republicans denied Democrats the 60 votes needed to end the debate on Hagel’s nomination and proceed to a final vote, citing the need for further review. It was the first time in American history that a nominee for Secretary of Defense was filibustered, although candidates for other cabinet offices have been filibustered before On February 26, 2013 the Senate voted for cloture on Hagel’s nomination and confirmed his nomination by a vote of 58-41. He took office on February 27, 2013 as his predecessor Leon Panetta went into retirement.

Personal life

Hagel has two younger brothers: Thomas is a professor at the University of Dayton School of Law and Michael, an artist resident in Omaha, Nebraska

Hagel’s third brother, James, died in an automobile accident at the age of 16.In 1979 Hagel married Patricia Lloyd. The couple separated in 1981 and divorced a year later. He married his second wife, LilibetZiller, in April 1985. The couple live with their daughter, Allyn, and son, Ziller, in McLean, Virginia.

Early life, education, military, and early political career

Hagel was born in North Platte, Nebraska, the son of Betty (née Dunn) and Charles Dean Hagel(7/22/1923-December 25, 1962). His father was of German heritage, while his mother was of Polish and Irish descent

He served in the United States Army infantry in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. Holding the rank of Sergeant (E-5), he served as an infantry squad leader in the 9th Infantry Division

Business career

After leaving government employment, Hagel co-founded Vanguard Cellular, a mobile phone service carrier that made him a multi-millionaire.

In 1992 Hagel moved back to Nebraska to become president of the McCarthy Group, LLC, an investment banking firm.

U.S. Senate (1997–2009)

Elections

In 1996, Hagel ran for the open US Senate seat created by the retirement of Democrat J. James Exon.. Hagel won and became the first Republican in twenty-four years to win a Senate seat in Nebraska. Six years later in 2002, Hagel overwhelmingly won re-election with over 83% of the vote, the largest margin of victory in any statewide race in Nebraska history

Senate voting record

According to Boaz, among his most notable votes, Hagel:

•           Voted for the Patriot Act;[33]

•           Voted for the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts;[34][35]

•           Voted against No Child Left Behind;[36]

•           Voted against Bush’s Medicare prescription drug bill;[37]

•           Voted against McCain-Feingold.[38]

Foreign policy

On October 11, 2002, Hagel, along with 76 other Senators, voted in favor of the Iraq Resolution. Hagel, a later critic of the war, commented on his vote authorizing the use of force against Iraq

Hagel in a 2002 visit with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and Afghan Minister of Women’s Affairs Sima Samar

In July 2007, Hagel was one of three Republican Senators who supported Democratic-proposed legislation requiring a troop withdrawal from Iraq to begin within 120 days

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hagel voted in favor of Senate Joint Resolution , authorizing “necessary and appropriate U.S. Military force” in Afghanistan against those who planned or aided the September 11 attacks. During his tenure in the Senate, Hagel continued his support for NATO involvement, and funding in the War in Afghanistan. In 2011, after he left office, Hagel stated that President Obama needs to start “looking for the exit in Afghanistan”, and that “We need to start winding this down.”

Committee assignments

• Committee on Foreign Relations
  • Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs
  • Subcommittee on African Affairs
  • Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs
  • Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs, and International Environmental Protection (Ranking Member)
• Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
  • Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment
  • Subcommittee on Financial Institutions (Ranking Member)
  • Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development
• Select Committee on Intelligence
• Committee on Rules and Administration

Hagel and Senator John McCain were close friends until 2007 when they diverged regarding Iraq policy; Hagel did not endorse McCain for President in the 2008 republican primaries or in the general election.

Post–U.S. Senate career (2009–present)

Secretary of Defense

Former Senator Hagel meeting with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of StaffMartin Dempsey, and former VirginiaSenatorJohn Warner

President Obama nominated Hagel to succeed Leon Panetta and serve as his second term Secretary of Defense on January 7, 2013. Hagel, who would be the first former enlisted combat soldier if approved as Secretary of Defense, was interviewed by the Senate Armed Services Committee during a seven and a half hour hearing on January 31, 2013.

Criticism of the nomination

According to Jon Swaine writing in the Telegraph, Hagel has been accused of having “views [that] verged on anti-Semitic” due to his stating in a 2006 interview with Aaron David Miller that “[t]he Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people [on Capitol Hill]“, and “I’m not an Israeli senator. I’m a United States senator.” Hagel also has been criticized by the American Jewish Committee for an incident in 1999 where he was the only senator not to sign an open letter to Russian President Boris Yeltsin threatening to cut aid to Russia if it did not take action against rising anti-Semitism in the country. However, Hagel’s refusal to sign the letter was consistent with his policy of never signing letters to foreign heads of state. Hagel, instead, wrote to Bill Clinton on this issue, saying “Anti-Semitism or any form of religious persecution should never be tolerated.”

Hagel was criticized by The Christian Science Monitor and many Republicans, including senators like John McCain, for opposition to some sanctions against Iran, and for calling for direct negotiations with both Iran and with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which both the U.S. and Israel refuse to engage directly

Some of Hagel’s policy positions became the subject of heated debate in the Senate, including support of defense cuts, opposition to preemptive action against Iran, and support of talks with Hamas and Hezbollah. However, U.S. News and World Report cited public opinion polls and foreign policy experts to suggest that Hagel’s views were within the mainstream of American foreign policy thought. Opponents also complained of Hagel’s 2011 call to have the Pentagon “pared down”, saying that “[t]he Defense Department, I think in many ways, has been bloated.”

The Human Rights Campaign criticized Hagel for having a “consistent anti-LGBT” voting record in the Senate and for opposing President Bill Clinton’s nomination of James Hormel as the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, stating that Hormel was “openly, aggressively gay.” The group demanded that Hagel apologize for this 1998 remark The Log Cabin Republicans ran full-page newspaper ads opposing Hagel’s nomination Hagel apologized to Hormel in December 2012. On January 24, 2013, Senator Jeanne Shaheen stated that Hagel will oppose restrictions on LGBT military family benefits.

The New York Times reported that the media campaign opposing Hagel’s appointment is financed by new groups including a conservative group Americans for a Strong Defense and a gay rights group Use Your Mandate. The donors of these groups are mostly anonymous and running advertisements on issues raised by critics.

His Comments that India has sponsored terror attacks against Pakistan: Hagel

Feb 26,2013

United States Secretary of Defence nominee Chuck Hagel had suggested in a previously unreleased speech that India [Images ] has ‘for many years been using Afghanistan to fight a proxy war against Pakistan by sponsoring terror attacks inside it’.

According to a video obtained by Adam Kredo of the Washington Free Bacon, “India has over the years financed problems for Pakistan in Afghanistan,” Hagel had said during an address on Afghanistan at Oklahoma’s Cameron University in 2011.

“India for some time has always used Afghanistan as a second front, and India has over the years financed problems for Pakistan on that side of the border,” Hagel said in the speech. “And you can carry that into many dimensions, the point being the tense, fragmented relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistanhas been there for many, many years,” he added.

Read Complete:   http://www.mediapoint.pk/india-has-sponsored-terror-attacks-against-pak-hagel/

Comments :::

What the Hagel Victory Means, 

(The new Foreign Policy team of President Obama – John Kerry as Secretary of State and Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defence – does not change American interests but there may be a paradigm shift in the objectives of the USA. Iran may not be invaded. Greater Israel, Greater Baluchistan, and the Kurdistan State, all of which are indo-Zionist projects, may be quietly dropped thus abandoning the ‘mission’ of break up of the Muslim world into mutually hostile warring blocs and states. But this would not happen unless countries like Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia put pressure on the USA to give up support to Israel and insurgency in Kurdish and Baloch tribal areas. USA is bankrupt but is eager to put its house in order. The Muslim World can help if the USA abandons the old policy of ‘bribing and bullying’ and make genuine friends as until 1967 Arab Israeli War. ( Usman Khalid, Director RIFA)

 

 by Stephen M Walt

I suspect a lot of people would like to believe Chuck Hagel’s confirmation as secretary of defense shows that Obama has broken the back of the Israel lobby and will now move U.S. Middle East policy in a direction that would be better for us, better for Israel, better for the Palestinians, and maybe even better for the entire region. 


Don’t count on it. 


It is of course a very good thing that the Senate confirmed Hagel. He had excellent credentials for the job, had done nothing to disqualify himself, and to have been denied the post on the basis of the lobby’s slander would have been truly disheartening. And there’s no question that the antics of the Emergency Committee for Israel (note: for Israel, not the U.S.), the Washington Free Beacon, Elliot Abrams, Ted Cruz, Jennifer Rubin, et al. ultimately did more harm to themselves than to Hagel. 


They revealed both their preference for innuendo over facts and their belief that support for Israel matters more than any other aspect of U.S. defense policy. As I’ve noted before, their behavior merely confirmed what some of us have been saying for a very long time, and they did so center-stage with the spotlight on. Very gratifying indeed. 


But it would be a huge mistake to conclude that the lobby’s clout has been broken and that Obama will now be free to chart a new course. 


For starters, the behavior of several senators on the Senate Armed Services Committee shows that they are still mightily beholden to groups like AIPAC and extremist Christian Zionists, not to mention some unrepentant neoconservatives. Chuck Hagel was about as bulletproof a candidate as one could ask for (decorated war hero, defense and intelligence expert, successful businessman, respected ex-senator, etc.) and that didn’t stop these zealots from unloading the SIOP against him. The fact that they ultimately failed is important, but so is the fact that they could even make an issue of it. 


The lobby failed to stop Ronald Reagan from selling AWACs to Saudi Arabia in 1981, but they made him work really, really hard to get the deal through and he never took them on again. 


One should also remember that Obama has basically been caving in to the lobby ever since 2009, which tells you something about its clout. It’s true that he doesn’t have to run for re-election again. But most of those Congressmen do, and they aren’t going to back him up if he tries to play hardball with Netanyahu. The annual aid package to Israel will be approved like clockwork, which means Obama won’t have many levers to use if he needs to push both sides toward a peace deal. 


And that’s why I previously argued that you aren’t going to see a big Middle East peace push during the second term. Sure, Obama might let John Kerry see what he can accomplish. But Netanyahu will just stiff him, and Obama won’t do anything about it. The Palestinians are still divided and too weak to negotiate a fair deal, and conditions throughout the region are hardly propitious for compromise. If Obama is looking for a legacy, in short, the Middle East is not the place to find it. And I suspect he knows that. 


Which is not to say that there isn’t good news here. The pro-peace, pro-two state lobby J Street’s support for Hagel was vindicated, and that’s likely to win them greater access going forward. (I mean, who really wants to be in the company of the smear artists who went after Hagel?) Hagel’s confirmation and the lobby’s defeat diminishes the push for war with Iran — which is a good thing — and might encourage the administration to formulate a negotiating strategy toward Tehran that has some prospect of success (as opposed to the dead-on-arrival offers we’ve been making so far). And it certainly doesn’t hurt for politicians in Washington to be reminded that the lobby doesn’t win every time. 


But the bottom line is that no powerful interest group disappears after a single defeat. Even when a lobby doesn’t get its way, it can gain a partial victory by making the winning side pay a price, and by reminding everyone that it can still make trouble. And that was the lobby’s real strategy here. They probably knew that Hagel was likely to be confirmed, for the simple reason that he was a well-qualified candidate whose patriotism was beyond question. Their aim instead was to deter future administration from nominating people who weren’t lobby-certified, and to discourage ambitious young foreign policy professionals from doing or saying anything that might put the lobby’s crosshairs on them. 


In short, so long as opportunistic rabble-rousers like Ted Cruz believe that pandering to the lobby is the smart political play, Capitol Hill will remain supine, the executive branch will be constrained, and U.S. Middle East policy will be about as successful as its been for the last couple of decades. 


Stephen M. Walt is the Robert and Renée Belfer professor of international relations at Harvard University.

Print this Report

February 26, 2013 13:09 IST  Rediff

   United States Secretary of Defence nominee Chuck Hagel had suggested in a previously unreleased speech that India [ Images ] has ‘for many years been using Afghanistan to fight a proxy war against Pakistan by sponsoring terror attacks inside it’.

According to a video obtained by Adam Kredo of the Washington Free Bacon, “India has over the years financed problems for Pakistan in Afghanistan,” Hagel had said during an address on Afghanistan at Oklahoma’s Cameron University in 2011.

“India for some time has always used Afghanistan as a second front, and India has over the years financed problems for Pakistan on that side of the border,” Hagel said in the speech.

“And you can carry that into many dimensions, the point being the tense, fragmented relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistanhas been there for many, many years,” he added.

Sharply reacting to the remarks, a spokesperson from the India embassy told the Free Beacon on Monday that Hagel’s remarks were not ‘grounded in reality’. “Such comments are contrary to the reality of India’s unbounded dedication to the welfare of the Afghan people,” he said.

“We will continue to work to help the Afghan people build a democratic and prosperous future for themselves in an environment free from terror and intimidation,” he told the daily.

In contrast, Hagel had termed Pakistan as a ‘real nuclear power and quite unpredictable’, and said that the nation is a very complicated reality in terms of atomic weapons and American assistance to Islamabad [ Images ] should not be ‘unconditional’.

Hagel’s nomination as secretary of defence has been frowned down upon by many. Republican senators had expressed concern over the views of Hagel, on several key issues, with the White House defending him saying that he is in ‘sync’ with the resident’s policies.

Israel too had expressed concern over Hagel’s nomination, with a top leader saying, “We are worried because of the ex-Republican senator’s stance towards the Jewish nation.”

US President Barack Obama [ Images ], while nominating Hagel as the secretary of defence, had praised his ‘willingness to speak his mind’ and had said that Hagel ‘understands that America stands strongest when we stand with allies and with friends’.

http://www.rediff.com/news/report/india-has-sponsored-terror-attacks-against-pak-hagel/20130226.htm

Print this Report

By Waheed Hamid

TODAY(23 Feb 13) Indian Expert and an Ex RAW officer B.Raman spoke what analysts in Pakistan were saying for long in past in support of patriotic Indians from different walks of life pointing follies in Indian Investigations. The truth can not die it can only be hidden for a while. The world community, society , media and analysts must speak out and support the truth so that the community suffering in India must end and terrorism can be defeated.

The unprofessional way of dealing with terrorism

February 23, 2013 11:43 IST

   B Raman analyses why most terror cases in India remain undetected

Excerpts::  It is less than 48 hours since the two blasts in the Dilsukhnagar area of Hyderabad resulted in the death of 16 people.

The police and the intelligence agencies are still in the preliminary stages of the investigation. They have not yet done a reconstruction of the act of terrorism. The collection and examination of the forensic evidence have not yet been completed No arrests and interrogation have been made yet.

Instead of waiting till the investigation makes substantial progress, the police and the agencies, with the help of sensation-hungry media, have already started pointing the finger at the Muslim community, the Indian Mujahideen [ Images ] and Pakistan.

Complete: http://www.rediff.com/news/column/the-unprofessional-way-of-dealing-with-terrorism/20130223.htm

Writers from Pakistan

The Indian Investigation profile

  Each passing day discovers new realities about shining India when the truth glitters from the false cover stories . On 18 Feb 2007  at least 68 people mostly Pakistani were killed in a series of explosions and a fire on Pakistan-bound train in the northern Indian state of Haryana, near Panipat, about 80km (50 miles) north of Delhi. Initial investigation blamed  LeT and JeM , even a Pakistani national Azmat Ali was arrested. Later it was found by the investigating  Police that the  right-wing Hindu activists and an Indian army officer Colonel Prohit had a significant role. The confessions of Swami Aseemanand further confirms hindutva redical’s role in terrorism..…This shows a glimpse of investigation handling in India however, the larger story can be summarized in what a human right activist and Mumbai advocate Mihir said,”  It is believed that CBI is seeking directions from the  home ministry to see the Ajmer, Mecca Masjid, Malegaon and other blasts in conjunction after there has been no conclusive evidence of the involvement of Islamic groups”.

Complete:    http://www.mediapoint.pk/the-indian-investigation-profile/

Indians Challenge Intolerance

…Indian Interior Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde , has put serious blames on Hindu Extremist Organizations supporting Pakistani claims. He confessed that “We have reports that training camps of BJP and RSS are promoting Hindu terrorism. Hindu extremist organizations recruit Armed People. We are closely watching it.” At the AICC session in Jaipur, Shinde had accused BJP and RSS of conducting terror training camps and promoting “Hindu terrorism”.  Mani Shankar completely agreed to Interior minister and said,“ its good that interior minister himself told this as it is not something hidden, everybody knew it but no one had the courage to speak.” Unfortunately the extremists in India have high jacked the majority view.   Meenakshi Ganguly, senior South Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch said that “It is extremely rare for the security forces in Kashmir to turn over one of their own to the civilian justice system,”. Over the past two decades, the conflict in Kashmir has left over 47,000 people dead by the official count.. However , Indian Interior Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde was later forced to take back his above words under extremist pressure.

Complete: http://www.mediapoint.pk/indians-challenge-intolerance/

Print this Report

By

Waheed Hamid

  The Supreme court decision to award voting rights to Pakistanis living abroad is a step in right direction but possession and casting of voting right are two separate issues. The huge gathering of people on call of Imran and Tahir-ul –Qadri indicate an emerging and growing group of people who want a change. A change in agenda, a leadership which can lead them on path of Nation building and reject all those forces who have been part of self, institution and party building. There has been lot of debate on performance of politicians, Army, judiciary and  beauracracy, the main stake holders in past and their shortfalls have been amply discussed.  However, there has been negligible effort on highlighting any  achievement  which has made us survive for the last seven decades in what ever form we exist today. The phenomenon of blame game further flourished in vibrant media environment forcing many stake holders to play strictly defensive. The ones who were required to come out in aid of Nation building have gone into hibernation with each stake holder leaving Nation building endeavors for the other to execute under fear of media criticism. History has proved time and again that progress lies in learning lessons from both negativity and positivity of the past. A quote from Roman philosopher  Cicero in 55 BC would tell us what history has for us but only if we want to learn, he said  ”The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work instead of living on public assistance.”  Pakistan stands today in state of despondency mainly due to crisis of responsibility and leadership in most of the state organs. This difficult time does not only require patriotic but competent and bold leadership.

Finland was the first nation in the world to give all citizens the right to vote and to run for office (in 1906). New Zealand was the first country in the world to grant all citizens the right to vote (in 1893), but women did not get the right to run for the election until 1919. Let Pakistan emerge the first country  in the world of democracies which took  practice of voting as a Nation Building task. The time has changed, mostly people call this a defining moment in our history. The regional and global environment demands a bold and out of box decisions coming from leadership at all levels. All efforts of the non political leadership must be seen largely in support of Pakistan and not in short term benefits for support of personality, party or institution.  The support of constitution in letter and spirit is of more importance than just reading the written lines and this is where the role of non political leaders emerge. The energies need to focus on how we can increase the comfort level of Pakistanis and  guarantee them that their vote matters, their vote is counted, and that in the voting booth, their vote has a weight as that of any one at the highest portfolio.

Print this Report