President Obama visits London- What next?

US President Barack Obama’s visit to Europe witnesses its second destination after Ireland. The President arrived at London, 12 hours before his schedule, avoiding the ash flight delays. He was welcomed at the Buckingham Palace with royal pomp and show as ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ was played in the background by the Scots Guards.

But to anyone who has been scrutinizing how Obama was welcomed in Ireland and the royal treatment he got in London- the British style of offering honour and delight will get more than obvious. Also becaus I am currently reading Barack Obama’s auto-biography, I am able to understand, though to a very less degree for sure, what is going on in his mind.

And yes, its humor for me.

His words come in my mind, during the days when he was trying to establish himself in the Democrat role, ‘I tried my best to keep my mouth shut and hear what people had to say. I listened to people talk about their jobs, the local school, their anger at Bush and democrats, their dogs, their back pain, their war service and the things they carried from their childhood.’

Thus, I can imagine Obama listening about ‘the royal wedding, concern over Joplin, recession, Middle East, back pain, London’s weather, war service and of course, Afghanistan.’

As the US President and his wife meet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the essential changes in the relationship between US and UK get highlighted.

Recently, both President Obama and British PM David Cameron had written a joint article mentioning the relationship between US and UK is ‘essential’ rather than just ‘special.’

‘Key Issues’

The emerging world issues integrated with the brutal protests going on in the Middle East prove to be the core underlying reasons behind the Europe tour. This is President Obama’s eighth trip to Europe.

Currently, the priority of this Europe trip is to definitely clarify and function on the West’s role in the Arab uprising. Promotion of financial stability and democracy are the other major concerns.

‘Rift in US-UK relations’

Over the past few years, the US-UK relations have definitely witnessed the emergence of rift. Though, it started with the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico last year. Moreover, the unilateral announcement of UK to withdraw 10,000 troops from Afghanistan came as another major jolt to the relationship.

The recent stand of US in not taking a very upfront stand in Libya has also widened the differences. Moreover, President Obama not being invited to the Royal Wedding, a subject which was not much debated on, did show another crack.

‘Houses of Parliament’

President Obama would be addressing the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday and speaking about the role of western countries in Afghanistan.

Following the speech, both President Obama and PM Cameron would have private talks related with the current Middle Eastern uprising.

‘Group of Eight- French Summit’

Later both the politicians would join the French summit ‘Group of Eight’ which has already been confirmed by President Obama’s recent speech on the Middle-east.

The summit would focus on the economic and market integration of the Egyptian and Tunisian financial conditions so that they witness an upliftment.

Meanwhile, Obama’s departure would take place on Sunday. He would also visit France and Poland in this trip.

The entire trip tends to hold international importance as it would follow the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in the later month.

Another Scar: Terrorist attack on Pakistan, conspiracy theories, role of India and US

The 18 hour long terrorist attack on the PNS Mehran airbase in Karachi leading to the loss of 2 Orion P-3C aircrafts, each valuing $36m is a jeopardising blow for Pakistan, especially after the Abbottabad raid of Osama bin Laden. The inferno not only proves to be a damage to installations and assets but it questions about security, safety and once again, death.

‘Attacks on symbols of defence and security create more panic as they convey a vivid impression that what about the common man if our defenders are unable to protect themselves.’ comments Pakistan Observer.

‘India’s Hand?’

One of the Pakistani newspapers have stated the utter dislike which India has for PC3 Orions and has already shot down one over the Rann of Kutch during a huge fight.  Also, the Orions are equipped with  Harpoon anti-missiles, which are a great challenge to India.

Though, Dawn reports that the Pakistani Taliban has confirmed their hand in this attack, once again, stating it as a brutual revenge to Osama’s death.

‘Insider’s hand?’

Security analyst Imtiaz Gul has stated that it ‘looks like an insider’s job‘. Especially, the mere fact analysis of the methodical tactics involved. Discrepancies on how the Islamist fighters manage to gain access is another debatable question which haunts the Pakistan security, especially after the PFA was unable to detect American raid on 1st May.

‘ America’s role‘

The PC3 Orions were American surveillance planes. Army leader Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has stated that US Senator John Kerry confirmed that US was not interested in seizing Pakistani’s nuclear weapons.

General Ashfaq wants to enhance the morale and dispel the impression of incompetence by re-doubling the efforts against terrorism.

Meanwhile, Naval Chief Adm. Nauman Bashir is being criticised for stating that there was no security lapse.

Though, Pakistan’s ability to safeguard its own vital assets and nuclear installations is getting damaged.

‘Meanwhile, in India.’

In India, as the trial as Tahawwur Hussain Rana who was accussed of helping plan the terror attacks in Mumbai is getting judged in a Chicago court, the main prosecution protagonist Headley has confessed that he had help from Pakistan’s spy. He even testified, exposing the role of Pakistan’s ISI.

‘ Another scar’

Pakistan has witnessed innumerable atrocities. The first one, in this manslaughter was seen in 2007 when the commando base witnessed a suicide attack. Next was 2009 Rawalpindi on a mosque on 4th December where 5 armed suicide attackers hurled fire on around 150 worshipers. The recent attack was when Pakistani Taliban Tehrik-e-Taliban carried out two bomb attacks in the Frontier Constabulary located in Charsadda district.

The real questions?

There are two main questions which are involved in the entire Karachi attack. The first one deals with, who did it? Though, Taliban has once again confirmed but it does not seem possible for the organisation to carry on an attack like this without the aid of any foreign hand. Secondly, who ever did it, did it, but till when will the innocent people of Pakistan face the fear and ignominy?

‘Pakistan can take care of her problems’

The entire butchery reminds me what Dr. Zaid Hamed , the political commentator had once said. ‘The western media states that the more you believe in conspiracy theories, the lesser you believe in facts. If Pakistan questions their deception and lies, it makes her a conspiracy theorist.’

In his interview, he had stated how he was not against any country but the ideology that governs it. The fact that even many citizens can be hard core fanatic believers in their country’s policy or might be against it, builds a nation.

Ultimately, he had voiced. ‘Pakistan can take care of her problem. But the Pakistani people have been lied for the past 60 years.’

Undoubtedly, the intrusion into Pakistan’s politics is because of its ideology, it being a Muslim nuclear state the physical location and the geopolitics involved.

He ultimately states why Pakistan is unable to mend her ways. ‘Its because the Russian, Chinese, Indians, Israelis, Arabs, Iranians and Americans are so involved with what is happening in Pakistan.’

For a spectator like me, India has the Mumbai attacks to heal herself with, Pakistan recently had the Karachi attack, US had the World Trade Centre, Afghanistan and Iraq had their own soil being infiltrated by soldiers, the middle east has continuous bloodshed.

But ultimately, what humanity has, no one knows. Perhaps, it does not have anything left, anymore.

Photo Credit: From Reuters