Apparently, I wasn’t one of the only ones a little less than impressed by President Obama‘s recent interview with Dawn. You know, the interview where Obama talks about his great love and respect for Pakistani culture, Urdu poetry, and his ability to cook keema and daal. The ever-hilarious Jon Stewart broke it down for us on The Daily Show:
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The U.S. President’s sit-down with Dawn’s Anwar Iqbal certainly seemed warm and fuzzy, but considering the U.S. drone strike that killed 45 people happened just three days later, I’d like to say, “That’s great. Now please stop bombing our country!“
Hahaha Stewart is hilarious and so on point. Hi, thanks for taking an interest in my culture, but moving along…
Although, I still have to say it’s mad cool that Obams can cook keema and reads Ghalib. Even though he seems to be doing just as shite a job in Pak as the previous administration, his affinity for Pak culture is a step up than other officials and could possibly good for the long run in working with locals. Possibly. Maybe. Just saying.
*I meant winning over the locals
haha I love Jon Stewart! But he needs to properly make fun of Obama on real issues… I think he goes light on him for partisan reasons.
LM,
I mean, it is a step up – all these gestures to the “Muslim World” and countries like Pakistan to show that yes, I understand you, etc. But it all seems a bit hollow and actually patronizing when it’s not matched by a policy that shows understanding of the ground realities, that shows a comprehension of the anti-U.S. backlash that occurred and has occurred.
I still hope that when it comes down to actual diplomacy, his admin exhibits a better understanding of Pakistan’s nuances. We’ll have to wait and see, as much as I am an Obama fan, I haven’t seen any tangible policies to back up his words yet. Cross fingers though!
HGW,
I think Stephen Colbert does a good enough job for both of them. Colbert pretends to be a “right leaning Independent” but does so in order to mock the Republican party. He also takes no prisoners with the Democrats though too. It’s actually funny because a lot of big name Republicans think he’s a conservative as well, not that he’s poking fun at them.
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I agree that policy has yet to match Obama’s overtures, however, this is quite fascinating–in a light-hearted way, of course. Imagine any other President saying confidently that they can cook daal and keema! of course, his daal and keema or poetry recitals wont save relations with the so called “Muslim World” but it does shed some light into his character–well read and culturally nuanced, and this is something that is refreshing coming from the leader of the most influential nation in the world at the moment.
now, fix the economy.
ps. George W Bush once said while in office that he doesnt read books
I think we’re lightyears ahead with the incumbent..
No I agree. I mean thank God for a U.S. President that actually has lived overseas, that represents the “melting pot” of America. He is eloquent, well-spoken, etc. – I think that is great, it is why I supported Obama all through his campaign. But…when it comes to Pakistan, there needs to be less discrepancy between a so-called understanding of Pakistan and Pakistani culture and the authorization of military strikes that kill innocent civilians and are detrimental within the grander scheme of the war of ideas – drone strikes not only damage anti-U.S. sentiment, it also threatens to damage support for the military’s offensive. It doesn’t help that no high-level targets have actually been hit with these strikes, or the fact that the 45 people killed in the aforementioned strike were at a funeral mourning the death of people from the LAST strike.
Hearing Obama discuss his interest in Pakistani food and poetry was exciting for most Pakistanis because it was refreshing to see a US President not shy away from openly praising the culture of a country that has been, in many ways, ridiculed around the world. The same way most of us were jubilant to see Pakistan win the World Cup, this also reinforced the idea that there is more to our country than terrorism, bombs and honor killings.
Does this change the fact that his policies are still not in line with his words, of course not–but it is a definite step forward.
Kalsoom, I agree with you on the patronizing bit. It doesn’t mean much to cook keema when they keep bombing our people!
Kalsoom, reading your blog and your comments today made me realise that you are not that different fromt he rest of the Pakis who miss the obvious points and criticize anyone and anything. Paleeeese, give Obama and the rest of the world a break. Concentrate on how we Pakistanis can better our country and how we can overcome our stupid problems rather than expect the world to kowtow to us. We have created monsters in our own midst and don’t have the guts to clean up the act and expect others to do it for us. In the meanwhile, we also expect that the rest of the world should place us on a high alter. Positive critique is great which I found in your blog till now. Hopefully, Obama will go to fixing the US economy and leave our mess alone so we can just duke it out with the idiotic talibans and the rest of the home grown terrorists and annihilate our own kind. That should please the US and the rest of the world, I’m sure. I am surprised that you do not see the bigger picture.
KP,
As always, I welcome your critiques and your comments. However, before you make judgments about my ability to see the “big picture,” I encourage you to read all my past posts. I have constantly insisted on pragmatism when understanding politics and especially U.S. and Pakistani relations, in fact, during my coverage of the U.S. elections I said it was not unexpected for any U.S. president to call for a more hawkish policy towards Pakistan because of U.S. national security interests – it is naive to suggest that they would not care what happens in the Af-Pak border region.
Having said that, I think it’s one thing to be a realist, and quite another to denounce U.S. drone strikes. I have not found any literature that has said this is the most EFFECTIVE military policy – in fact, from the numbers I recently saw, a significant higher number of innocent civilians have been killed than actual Al Qaeda/militant targets. Moreover, as has been evident in the past, drone strikes have had serious ramifications for anti-U.S. sentiment in Pakistan. This subsequently can impact support for Pakistan’s own military offensive. Given that this war is just as much about ideology as it is about tangible military victories, this point is important.
The U.S. should explore other policies that satisfy their national security interests but still don’t kill numbers of innocent civilians – intelligence sharing, training of Pakistani forces in COIN strategy and tactics, even allowing Pakistanis themselves to man the drones (coupled with political agents talking to tribal elders and clearing out targeted areas prior to the strike to minimize casualties) to take out high-level targets, if it is actually efficient and beneficial.
Moreover, I have never stopped from criticizing our own government and our own military – in fact, several posts ago, I criticized the Pakistani military policy of bolstering anti-Mehsud groups that were still anti-U.S./NATO in nature: http://changinguppakistan.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/analyzing-the-asassination-of-a-baitullah-mehsud-rival/
I am entitled to my own opinion on U.S. drone strikes, and as I noted above, I think I made that opinion based on a lot of my own research and reading. I don’t think I’m uninformed or unfair. More importantly, I don’t think I’m missing the “obvious points” or criticizing something just to criticize it, as you so vehemently noted.
Again, thanks for your comments, I hope I was able to address your criticism fairly. But please, in the future, don’t place judgment on me without taking into account all the opinions I have expressed so carefully on this forum.
KP, I disagreed with Kalsoom over this post today. In fact I had a heated debate with her on gchat and blackberry messenger for several hours. Personally, I appreciated Obama’s gesture towards Pakistanis even though it was only about Qeema and poetry (I must admit I agree with most of what AF said in the comment above).
However, let’s not say that Kalsoom is “not different from the rest of the Pakis who miss the obvious point and criticize anyone and anything” because that is far from the truth.
Over the past few months (the 138,000 plus hits are a testiment to this), CHUP has not only kept us up to date with the latest happenings but has also praised the efforts and policies that deserve to be applauded.
This young lady is doing an amazing job in keeping us up to date with matters that not only relate to security issues but also about our culture.
She is cynical only because she is against US drones and the fact that the US government was attacking Pakistani civilians (even if it was unintentional) a day after proclamations regarding the love for Qeema.
She is an expert on all matters related to security (drones, FATA, Al Qaeda, ISI, IDPs, madrassahs etc). Let’s not be harsh with our words, instead we should encourage her to keep doing her best so that we can stay well informed. We may have different points of view at times but we must remain united.
O, I say it as I see it only because it was put out there. Excuse me but to propogate understanding one day and scorn the other seems strange. I agree with the unity part and had actually believed in my own silly little brain (after reading the blogs here from front to back) that Kalsoom was different! Surprise, surprise. As a subscriber, I have the right to have my say as well.
Pakistan is in the middle of an internal war and regardless of who started what, it is here. The point is how to find ways to overcome our own differences and internal problems and move FORWARD. Sure, the world may have contributed to many of those problems, but that is neither here nor there. We will never be able to move forward if we do not see the bigger picture….our world. Who cares if someone is an American or a Pakistani, or an Indian or a French. This is our WORLD and we need to nip the differences some day otherwise we are all doomed. Sorry if my words were a bit harsh, I actually meant them to be, especially after reading the last sentence in the blog. I actually believed Kalsoom to be a difference than what I see on so many other Pakistani blogs and if I had a let down, I expressed it. K
KP
I addressed your comment myself. I am actually surprised and offended that you would judge a facetious post and comments that I made pretty diplomatically on this forum. It’s a little sad that your opinion of me could change so quickly and so harshly, but I guess that’s how it goes sometimes.
O,
Thanks for your continued support! I know we have our own differences and I appreciate when you tell me you disagree with me, because that’s the goal here – healthy discussion.
KP and Kalsoom,
Hug it out!
Kalsoom,
I know you just can’t stand the new administration’s policy of continuing the drone strikes, but here is a counter view:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/3268368
It says(I extract a few relevant points):
“The targeting of Mehsud is a departure from previous drone policy, which concentrated on killing Afghan Taliban and especially al Qaida operatives who were hiding in the tribal belt.”
“there’d been much criticism in Pakistan that the drones went only after the enemies of the United States . This led to a conspiracy theory — which had a wide following — that Mehsud wasn’t a target because he was an American agent. …These operations help Pakistan contain Baitullah Mehsud.”
So now they are specifically going after Baitullah Masud’s operation and in process also undermining the conspiracy theory that he is a US or Indian agent to weaken Pakistan.
Though I must say drone attacks is an inefficient way to achieve whatever objective they are trying to achieve, sort of like trying to kill a fly with a hammer-bound to cause other damages! But I guess if the militants have some local support and Pakistani military cannot penetrate deep enough and Pakistan’s sovereignty is not to be violated, they have used drones as a middle path policy…not a full scale incursion, but to keep building the pressure nevertheless. Only time will tell if it was effective or counterproductive! One crucial swing in public opinion I see is that at least some now see the Pak military offensive as their war to reclaim their country, rather than just America’s war. Crucial question, is that still only a minority point of view?
Thanks Pravar!
I’m all for opposing views, and I want to actually do a post exploring the validity and benefit of drones, so this would be a great piece to use for the other side. Appreciate it.
Kalsoom,
On an entirely unrelated topic, I must share my surprise at the occassional use of the word ‘Pakis’ by some respondents in ur blog. Also I’m equally taken aback at the singular lack of objection to that by others. Is it because the users are obviously Pakistanis & its ok in such a case? If I used that offensive term(with my name clearly indicating that I’m Indian), I would expect a richly deserved shower of vitriolic ire. With absolutely no intention of putting down anyone who used that term, I must point out that the term is racist at worst & derogatory at best. It is the equivalent of the N word associated with Afro Americans. If a Pakistani uses that term, aren’t u legitamising the word coined by the low lives among the Americans & British? To those who think I’ve no locus standi to comment on this, what with my not being Pakistani, my apologies in advance but it is food for thought & indeed, a serious matter.
Sashi,
I think one commentator used it (another quoted the other commentator), and yeah I think it’s deemed ok to use it if you’re Pakistani. I personally wouldn’t use the term, but if you’re not Pakistani and you DO use it, it definitely is seen as offensive. And you’re right, it is the same hypocrisy we are all guilty of that pertains to other races, particularly the N word. Definite food for thought, and thanks for raising it.
Kalsoom,
Got ur point but the danger here is the Brits & Yanks will wonder why we are making a fuss if the Pakistanis themselves are using it. Now, that u definitely don’t want.
On Obama, even I was mesmerised by his race to the top & felt that it was great to have the 1st black Prez of US of A, though I’m sure Zardari would have loved the Republicans winning. Remember his nauseating & shameless flirting with Sarah Palin aka Caribou Barbie?
I must say, like u, even I feel let down but for different reasons. I’m ok with his foreign policy esp the focus on AfPak(a clear proof of his accurate estimation is the rise of the Yahoos all over Pakistan).
I’m more incensed at his woefully inadequate handling of the economy, both American & Pan Global. He comes thru as a smooth talking, articulate slick used car salesman. Mark my words, America is in a terminal decline, much like the British Raj.
P.S: I must take greater care in my spellings or maybe u could edit my boo boos. Pl read as ‘legitimising’ & ‘low lifes’ in my last post.
Kalsoom, after reading over my steamy and uncouth posts, I have to shake your hand and admire your stand. You are entitled to it just as much as anyone else and I should respect it rather than attack it. I’ve seen too many of our own make a fool of themselves and guess I carry the feeling too far. I apologize for my hasty posts and anger, I hope you can forgive.
As for the word “Paki”….it was regarded as a slur eons ago but of late it portrays the “Power of Paki” in Islamabad. The idea behind it is…throw stones at us, throw whatever, we don’t care. We are Pakistanis and proud of it, so call us Pakis, it makes no difference.
No need for apologies. There’s no reason why we can’t have different opinions, but just discuss it like adults rather than letting anger get the best of us
. Hope you continue to read and comment.
KP,
I can see where u r coming from on the ‘Power of Paki’ thing but I would like to share with u an incident which played out a couple of months ago & seek ur take on that.
I was returning to India from UK after a stay of 3 months & my friends decided to have a sort of farewell party for me. Now, this lot is a predominantly Pakistani group with 2 Indians & 1 Sinhalese lady to complete the lineup. I suspect the party was more in relief at seeing my back than a farewell & if that’s true I warn my friends(in case they are reading my comments) against confirming my suspicions on Kalsoom’s open blog. Anyway, I digress.
We dropped in at a pub on the outskirts of London & were generally having a nice time with one of the guys doing a remarkable impersonation of Rehman Malik & his gaffes. The entire conversation was in a mix of English & Urdu/Hindi. With our distinct South Asian looks, talk & the occasional use of Zardari’s name (which must be one of the most recognizabe names internationally) it didn’t need a rocket scientist to determine our geographic origin. A group of British youth,at a nearby table, were very vocal in deriding us with a liberal dose of ‘Pakis’ thrown in. It took a huge amount of collective effort to rein in a Balochi friend from having a go at the loutish lot. And before anyone jumps to the conclusion that it must have been an alcohol induced aggression on the part of my Balochi pal, let me put it on record that he’s a staunch teetotaller. All the Pakistani men & women in our group (correction, all of us) were hugely offended at the word. Which brings me to the question, is the tolerance to that word different among Pakistani youth IN Pakistan where the user is a liberal Pakistani & among those Pakistanis living in the West where the offender could be of other nationalities.
The jury is still out on this one, my friend.
Incidentally, none of my Pakistani friends & acquaintances living in UK or US would dream of using that word, in public or private. So, for them,it still remains a slur.