Pakistan

Teen suicide bomber helps Pakistani Taliban reaffirm potency

A teen suicide bomber killed at least 31 people in northwest Pakistan Thursday, bringing to an end a lull in major strikes by the Taliban.
Terrorism & Security
Pakistan court extends detention of US embassy official

A Pakistan court is continuing to hold US official Raymond Davis, who is accused of killing two Pakistani men. Some Pakistanis are now calling for him to be tried on terror charges.
Terrorism & Security
Pakistan court refuses to release US official, denying immunity

A Pakistan court refused to release Raymond Davis, an employee of the US Embassy in Lahore, saying that diplomatic immunity only goes so far.
US consulate employee kills two in Pakistan: What we know

The US is claiming diplomatic immunity for Raymond Davis, who shot two Pakistanis last week during an apparent robbery. That could make it harder for the weak civilian government to promote US-backed policies, analysts here warn.
Could there be a liberal resurgence in Pakistan? Lawmaker Sherry Rehman says she's working on it.

A liberal resurgence in Pakistan may not be as unlikely as it might seem, according to Sherry Rehman, a progressive parliamentarian who is attempting to amend the country's blasphemy laws.
US consulate employee kills two in Pakistan, complicating ties

Police told the Monitor that the American claimed to be acting in self-defense, but the incident could further inflame anti-US sentiment in Pakistan.
Global News Blog
World reactions to Obama's 2011 State of the Union address

President Obama mentioned Afghanistan more than any other nation during his 2011 State of the Union address. But what he didn't mention conveyed a lot.
How the Afghanistan war became tangled in India vs. Pakistan rivalry

India-Pakistan tensions muddy US efforts in Afghanistan, where Pakistan's cooperation is needed. One key issue: Islamabad is wary of India's broadening regional role.
Global News Blog
Pakistan earthquake hits Afghan Taliban haven

The massive Pakistan earthquake caused minimal damage, welcome news to a government trying to keep inquisitive reporters away from the Afghan Taliban stronghold of Balochistan.
Vice President Biden pushes Pakistan to target militants on Afghanistan border

Vice President Joe Biden, in Pakistan Wednesday, stressed that Pakistan and the United States have a common enemy, and warned of the dangers to the country of tolerating violent extremists.
Bhutto's son: Pakistanis who praise Taseer assassination are 'covert blasphemers'

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari appears to be the first mainstream Pakistan leader to defend Christians and minorities after the assassination of liberal Gov. Salman Taseer. But he spoke in English from London.
How Pakistan views the assassination of Salman Taseer

The assassination of the governor of Pakistan's Punjab Province, Salman Taseer, has prompted a litany of responses across Pakistan, from praise to lament.
Afghanistan looks to Pakistan for help with Taliban

As Pakistan deals with the fallout from Tuesday's assassination of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani met Wednesday with Pakistan's military chief to help nudge the Taliban to the negotiating table.
What Salman Taseer's assassination could mean for Pakistan

The outpouring of praise for the killer of Salman Taseer, the former governor of Punjab who was assassinated in Islamabad Tuesday, is intensifying concerns in Pakistan about deeply rooted religious intolerance.
Assassination of Pakistani governor Salman Taseer rocks Islamabad

Salman Taseer, the governor of Pakistan's Punjab Province, was seen widely as one of the country's most important political figures.
What is Pakistan's MQM?

The MQM is a kingmaker in Pakistani politics. Its withdrawal from the ruling coalition is seen by some as a move to 'quit a sinking ship early.'
Terrorism & Security
Pakistan's political crisis could complicate fight against Taliban

The Pakistan political crisis worries the US government, which considers a strong Pakistan government key to winning its war in neighboring Afghanistan.
Pakistan's political crisis: Prime Minister Gilani scrambles to shore up confidence

The departure of a key partner in the ruling coalition has sparked a Pakistan political crisis that could distract the government from pressing security and economic problems.
Terrorism & Security
Food aid stalled in northwest Pakistan after female Taliban suicide bomber kills 45

A Pakistani Taliban spokesman said the Christmas Day attack targeted the Salarzai tribe, which has allied itself with the government and formed an anti-Taliban militia.
Terrorism & Security
Mumbai on edge after police say militants plan terror attack

Mumbai police are on the lookout for four men, allegedly Lashkar-e-Taiba militants, who have entered the city and are suspected of plotting a terror attack.
Suicide attacks down, Predator drone exits, and other overlooked stories in 2010

Here are some stories in 2010 that you may have overlooked, including a global decline in suicide attacks and the phasing out of the Predator drone.
Terrorism & Security
NATO denies report of US push for expanded raids in Pakistan

A NATO spokesman denied reports of a US proposal to expand operations along the Afghan border, where the Pakistani government is already frustrated by drone attacks.
China's Wen Jiabao bolsters ties to Pakistan

China's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao ended a three-day visit to Pakistan Sunday after inking a string of deals with an ally one Beijing diplomat referred to as 'our Israel.'
In trip to India, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao takes cues from Obama

Like Obama on his November trip to India, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is traveling with hundreds of executives and has business deals at the top of his agenda.
Richard Holbrooke often struggled to be heard on Pakistan and Afghanistan

Richard Holbrooke's struggle to be heard amid competing US voices in the region has some suggesting that the office of special envoy should be shut down.