President Obama
might believe he is rooting out terrorists, but the drone attacks in Pakistan
are also creating more radicals
The US airstrike last week, which killed the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) second in command Wali ur Rehman
has again raised the contentious issue about the legality of US drone
strikes in Pakistan. The United States, like many of its allies across the
international community were quick to hail this operation a success. Yet
underneath this bravado lays a very serious question and that is despite
killing high profile figures such as Wali ur Rehman and Baitullah
Mehsud in 2009, the methods used to target the Taliban may in actual fact be
acting as a recruitment tool for extremist organisations in Pakistan who have
an apathy towards the Taliban.
|
ˈair strike
|
an attack made by aircraft
|
Airstrikes on civilians became a
matter of routine.
|
|
contentious /kənˈtenʃəs/
|
creating disagreement;
likely to cause disagreement and
disputes
|
Both views are highly contentious.
Try to avoid any contentious
wording.
a contentious
issue/topic/subject
|
|
bravado /brəˈvɑːdəʊ/
|
boldness or courage; a
real or pretended display of courage
|
‘Don’t threaten me,’ she whispered
with false bravado.
He behaved aggressively out of
bravado.
an act of sheer bravado
|
|
high profile
|
public
prominence
|
This issue has had a high profile
in recent months.
I advised her to keep a low
profile for the next few days (= not to attract attention).
|
|
apathy /ˈæpəθi/
|
lack of enthusiasm or energy
|
There is widespread apathy among
the electorate.
public/political/student apathy
Such attitudes can only lead to
apathy.
a general apathy towards politics
|
Guardian
2 June 2013
Sharif Calls on Obama as U.S. and Pakistan Try to Turn the Corner
ReplyDeleteNo major breakthroughs are expected, but a friendly summit would be an achievement
By Jay Newton-Small / Washington @JNSmallOct. 22, 20136 Comments
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry shakes hands with Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif before their meeting in Washington
Yuri Gripas / Reuters
Secretary of State John Kerry shakes hands with Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif before their meeting at the State Department in Washington, October 20, 2013.
Fourteen years after his last Oval Office visit, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is poised to meet this Wednesday with U.S. President Barack Obama. In between, Sharif was deposed in a 1999 coup and then endured nearly a decade in the political wilderness. His arrival this week in Washington marks another moment of triumph for one of South Asia’s political heavyweights.
The trip is Sharif’s first to Washington during what is now his third stint as Pakistan’s premier and comes at a time when U.S. and Pakistan’s turbulent relations are slowly on the mend. Washington rolled out the red carpet for Sharif’s visit: Secretary of State John Kerry hosted him for a dinner on Sunday; he met with business leaders on Monday; and, on Tuesday, Sharif delivered a standing-room only speech at the U.S. Institute of Peace. “I have come here as the elected leader of Pakistan, a land of ancient civilizations and cultural traditions, but a state still young and aspiring to be a modern, moderate and progressive country,” Sharif told the crowd.
Read more: http://world.time.com/2013/10/22/sharif-calls-on-obama-as-u-s-and-pakistan-try-to-turn-the-corner/#ixzz2iYL2Wtaj