Articles of the year 2021

Imran Khan in two words sent a policy message that echoed around the world. He has stated categorically that the days of leaders cringing with “For Sale” signs around their necks were days bygone. There was a new Sheriff in town who had passed his exams and did not need a crib sheet.

He did not cower when US helicopters swooped into Pakistani territory to murder Osama Bin Laden, whose presence was denied by the then President Zardari. Worse still, Zardari thanked Obama the next day for removing Osama from Pakistan. This brought collective humiliation on all Pakistanis. The US wrongly blamed the Twin Towers bombing on Osama and then murdered him in a helicopter ‘Smash and grab’ from a Sylvester Stallone script.

Osama was not a terrorist, but branded as one by the US, and was punished on command even thanked by the then President Zardari. Probably the most shameful period for Pakistan. Similar to the hanging of Saddam for his weapons of mass destruction. Imran Khan’s “Absolutely Not’ sent cheers through a nation that is now definitely not for sale.

The Americans have been soundly thrashed by the Taliban, but the US insists on playing the great game even though they have lost. The new line up is more than evenly matched. The Russians and Chinese are with Pakistan. The Indians are already grappling with a huge enemy in the Coronavirus which is infecting 300000 people a day.

They do not have healthy numbers or the will to fight. Can the US fight against such formidable numbers for no apparent reason, but simply to maintain their image of the neighborhood bully. That reputation was shattered by the incredible Afghans who stand undefeated. This time the Russians and Chinese are together, and the technology of the Chinese may just be superior to the US.

The Indians are out of the game as is Europe. Biden may not have the stomach for such a high stakes game. The Europeans are to busy to rebuild an economy shattered by the coronavirus. Any tub - thumping will not find followers, as the British recently ventured into the Crimean Sea, and were shooed off by the Russians making it clear that Britannia does not rule the waves. It is a new world order now.