While western strategists debate the consequences of withdrawing from the long, drip-bleed conflict in Afghanistan, events across its porous eastern border should remind us that the real strategic challenge in the region is Pakistan. Nuclear-armed and bristling with jihadist groups selectively licensed by its generals, Pakistan – at the intersection of central and south Asia and the Middle East, and on a constant state of alert against India – is again being pulled apart by the egotism of its political class. With elections due in May, Pakistan has just been hit by three thunderbolts. Yet another massacre by Sunni extremists against the...

Pakistan has never been a quiet place. The situation in this Asian country is always strained to the limit. Various protests that often end in bloodshed often occur in Islamabad. Now the country is faced with another such situation that could end in a military conflict or uprising. Several days ago mass protests took place in Islamabad. Forty thousand people came out to the central avenue of the Pakistani capital. They blocked traffic, waving banners and shouting anti-government slogans. Participants of the “March of Millions” accused the security forces of killing those who disagree with the course of the authorities. The...