Akbar Ahmed
Pakistan’s patience with terrorism may finally have run out
Attitudes towards terrorism in Pakistan can be complicated, but the attack on a Peshawar school on Monday may have tipped the balance against the Taliban and other militant groups. The brutal assault seems to have shifted the mood among Pakistani politicians, even those who usually take softer lines on terror.
The Question of Divided Identity
As an American citizen, Boston bombing suspect Dzhokar Tsarnavez will be tried in a civilian court. But the Obama administration has made the decision to delay reading him his Miranda Rights, citing a public safety exemption to allow law enforcement officials to first ask him questions relating to any other terrorist or violent attack that […]
US, Afghanistan Reach Strategic Partnership Agreement
After months of on and off negotiations, the U.S. and Afghanistan have announced a strategic partnership agreement that ensures an American presence in Afghanistan until at least 2024. That’s a full decade after U.S. combat troops are scheduled to withdraw from the country in 2014. But the agreement, whose text was not released, does not […]
In Afghanistan, Rioting Over Koran-Burning Continues
In Afghanistan, there’s still no sign to the end of escalating violence over the destruction of copies of the Koran by American troops. Why is burning the Koran such a deeply offensive gesture to Muslims? American University Islamic Studies professor Akbar Ahmed joins The Takeaway, next.
Ramadan Rules: An Exception for Revolutions?
Last night, during the holy month of Ramadan, Libyan rebel forces flooded into the capital of Tripoli, battling with Col. Moammar Gadhafi loyalists and capturing two of Gadhafi’s sons. Civilians were celebrating in the streets over what may be the end of Gadhafi’s 42 years in power of Libya. Fighting during the holy month is considered particularly offensive. […]
