Jan Achakzai

As the UK is to expel all Iranian diplomats following the storming of its embassy in Tehran, here is region's Analyst, Jan Assakzai, analyses possible reasons behind the attack.

Pashtuns beware of Imran Khan— By Jan Assakzai Pakistan’s pro-establishment media, journalists, pundits and spin doctors are relentlessly trying to usher in a possible new alternative to the current traditional political class of the country- led by PPP and PML (N). A day hardly passes by when one does not see pressers, articles and talk shows eulogising the upsurge in the political fortunes of Imran Khan. 

Packaged by Correspondent Adil Shahzeb, VOA Deewa Radio speaks to American businessman of Pakistani origin, Mansoor Ijaz, Pakistan's High Commissioner in London, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, and Analyst Jan Assakzai on Pakistan's PPP Government-army rift over Mansoor Ijaz's letter to the top US army Officer Adm(red) Mike Mullen with the memo demanding that Adm Mike Mullen should convey a strict message to the army leadership.

http://pashtunchronicle.com/Blogs/tabid/81/EntryId/20/Jirga-Why-many-could-not-get-it-By-Jan-Assakzai.aspx The four-day long Jirga in Kabul came to an end with fully extending support to President Karzai’s vision of planned strategic agreement with the United States for post 2014 Afghanistan. The Jirga preceded by wider criticism in Afghanistan and in the west. For example, the two main criticisms were: it was argued that despite the Parliament in session, Jirga was held: the underlying thrust of the argument was the lack of constitutional provision justifying holding a Jirga when there is a functioning Parliament. The second argument was: Afghanistan needs modern politics and it needs to bring to an end holding of traditional Jirgas whereas political parties should be crystallising the grievances or problems/interests of the people through the Parliament. The above criticism mainly came from more-politically-active figures, intellectual and member of civil society belonging ...

As President Bush succeeded to clinch Pacific trade pact, VOA (Urdu)'s leading Anchor Syed Qamar Abbas Jafari asked Jan Assakzai of its significance.

Funny side of Silvio Berlusconi vs Altaf Hussian-- Jan Assakzai Silvio Berlusconi- the outgoing Italian Prime Minister- was a charismatic politician and also had a funny side mirroring some Pakistani politicians like Altaf Hussain who some times sings in public speeches as well, says Jan Asskazai

As calls mount for Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi to resign, Jan Assakzai analyses the impact of Italy's economic crisis on EU and World economy.

Is Greek crisis spilling over Italy?  BBC asks Jan Assakzai Greek Prime Minister Papandreou who previously shocked EU partners and sent markets into turmoil after calling for a referendum on an EU deal to bail out debt-ridden Greece, scrapped the referendum. Jan Assakzai looks at the Greece crisis's spill over effects on Italy.

Why Greek referendum matters? - Jan Assakzai  The announcement of a referendum in Greece angered European leaders and sent shockwaves through its markets on November 2, 2011. Jan Assakzai explains why it matters for Euro Zone. 

Blogs - Give up Afghan “red lines" or accept US bases. By Jan Assakzai Given the geo-political manoeuvrings of Pakistan in Afghanistan, the Islamabad-Delhi rivalry, the potential negative fallout of Saudi Arabian- Iran rivalry over Iraq and Bahrain,   China’s effective sponsorship of Islamabad’s dominating role in the region over Afghanistan, in order for Afghans to stop the “little game” of the regional heavy weights like Pakistan is to have continued strategic engagement with the international community particularly the United States. Hence the only chance to ensure territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan in practice is to have the US strategic bases in Afghanistan.

With the visit of the US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to Afghanistan and Pakistan, a new catch phrase came to light: “fight, talk, build,” to characterise the rather new US approach to reconciliation effort viz-a-viz various shades of Taliban. To go by her pressers, conversations and sound bites, this was the main thrust: it is not a strategic shift in the US approach to militant safe heavens in Pakistan and the need to evolve a policy in the run up to and following 2014 when the US forces have left Afghanistan. Contrary to what many commentators suggesting that “fight, talk, build,” is a contradiction in the US approach to the Taliban and the Haqqanis, strategically the US wants to co-opt the reconcilable elements within the Taliban and the Haqqanis, leavening out the irreconcilables; tactically, it seeks to erode their ability to remain a potent force by fighting with them “squeezing” them so that they do not extract big concessions on a negotiating table. How far ...