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Keywords: Taliban

  • AUSTRALIA

    The roots of Obama's Afghanistan strategy

    • Ben Coleridge
    • 10 July 2009
    4 Comments

    The current strategy is underpinned by a consensus on counter-insurgency that has gained ground since 2007. Marine Brigadier General Nicholson advocates drinking tea and eating goat with the locals, over and above firing bullets.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Rehabilitation of a failed state

    • Ben Fraser
    • 21 May 2009
    2 Comments

    Perhaps it's an omen: election day in Somalia, and the first voter to approach the polling station wears an Obama t-shirt. Elections, and the act of voting, are a powerful affirmation of one's ability to stand and be counted. For refugees, it is all the more significant.

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  • RELIGION

    Making friends with the Taliban

    • Herman Roborgh
    • 01 May 2009
    14 Comments

    The deployment by Western nations of more troops to Afghanistan will serve to exacerbate the Taliban's rising influence across the border in Pakistan. The history of Jesuit involvement in Pakistan reveals an alternative solution.

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  • RELIGION

    Kevin Rudd and the problem of evil

    • Andrew Hamilton
    • 23 April 2009
    25 Comments

    With uncharacteristic vehemence, Mr Rudd said people smugglers could rot in hell. This kind of language echoes the tabloid characterisation of people who have done foul deeds as monsters. The Christian view of evil is more complex.

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  • INTERNATIONAL

    Asylum seekers are not criminals

    • Sacha Bermudez-Goldman
    • 21 April 2009
    9 Comments

    If we regard asylum seekers as illegals who burn boats to force themselves on us, we might choose to close our doors to them. Rather than criminals, we should regard them as human beings in great need, deserving our respect and compassion.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Howard asylum seeker policy must remain history

    • Michael Mullins
    • 20 April 2009
    9 Comments

    The military misadventures of nations including Australia contribute greatly to the motivation of asylum seekers. Australian immigration policy must de-emphasise border protection in favour of being a 'good international citizen'.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Pakistan is not doomed

    • Kimberley Layton
    • 03 April 2009
    1 Comment

    In due course the Taliban problem will be confronted and hopefully resolved, but not before the internal political situation stabilises. Patience is a virtue in Pakistan. The situation is not improving quickly, but it does seem to be improving.

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  • MEDIA

    Afghanistan's media explosion

    • Jan Forrester
    • 20 March 2009

    Tolo TV is the most popular network in Afghanistan. A young population enjoys its Indian soap operas, racy by conservative Afghan mores. The Government tried to censor Tolo and another leading network. The latter bowed to pressure. Tolo refused.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Dialogue with the enemy

    • Peter Kirkwood
    • 18 March 2009
    3 Comments

    When asked if America was winning the war in Afghanistan, Obama answered: 'No'. His call for dialogue with the Taliban reflects a form of inter-religious dialogue that goes beyond a lovey-dovey, 'underneath we're all the same' approach.

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  • INTERNATIONAL

    The nun and the burqa

    • Bronwyn Lay
    • 02 December 2008
    20 Comments

    When Germaine Greer savaged Michelle Obama's dress, I sighed. The 'beauty' market is a challenge to feminism. In France, two extremes of fashion ideology — burqas and plastic-surgery 'mannequins' — line up to buy bread.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Debate points to refreshed post-Bush America

    • Tony Kevin
    • 29 September 2008
    1 Comment

    Both candidates in Saturday's presidential debate came across honourably, with the right note of steel. Obama will have pleased younger Americans with his empathy with their concerns, McCain older voters for his reaffirmation of traditional values.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    US military strikes blunt Pakistan honour

    • Mustafa Qadri
    • 17 September 2008
    3 Comments

    The tribal peoples of northern Pakistan distrust foreigners due to centuries of interference that have left them marginalised. The casual nature with which US forces excuse civilian casualties suggests an abject ignorance of this history.

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