26/11 Reflections
In this compendium of essays, Gateway House examines the terrorist attack carried out on Mumbai on 26 November 2008, and its aftermath.
Courtesy: Gateway House
Courtesy: Gateway House
Courtesy: aloshbennett/Flickr
26/11: What about human rights?
As events of the 26/11 attacks and similar others, retreat from the collective memory, they remain very much part of the lives of the victims and their families. How and why is it important to adopt a rights-based approach towards victims and perpetrators?
Courtesy: Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
India: up-and-down on Pakistan
The U.S., post-9/11, has made large strides with their homeland security. In contrast, what has India done to counter terrorism? How have Indo-Pakistan relations unfolded?
Courtesy: Broddi SigurðarsonFlickr
Why the UN didn’t respond to 26/11
Today, at the national and regional level, large loopholes still exist in the security system. On the international front, however, there have been a lot more initiatives, yet the apex body of the UN remained silent post-26/11. Were they justified in holding back?
Courtesy: Apoorva Guptay/Flickr
India’s Hydra-Headed Terrorism
Ideological differences have spawned innumerable terrorist groups around the world, but historical records show that dissidence does have a shelf-life. Can India look forward to a future free of terrorism? Only if we can craft a consistent policy on Pakistan and depoliticise our internal processes of investigation
Courtesy: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff/Flickr
The ISI: U.S. backers run for cover
The 'double-dealing' of the U.S. and Pakistani army - all with the ambition of military dominance - has significantly aided various terrorist groups. After 26/11, there is no place to hide for the Mike Mullens and countless others who have been apologists for the Pakistan army and the state it controls.
Courtesy: Kash_if/Flickr
Hope-to-despair-to-hope policy on Pakistan doesn’t work
In the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks, the Pakstani deep state role was highlighted. The U.S. has come to realise this reality too. Bilateral information sharing could prove to be vital to combat terrorism - both regionally and globally.
Courtesy: *_*/Flickr
26/11 Revisited from Lahore
Amidst the ongoing blame game between India and Pakistan, Masood Hasan, a Lahore-based columnist, explores the complex range of Pakistani reactions to 26/11 – from denial to defensiveness to even apathy, and the ramifications of this tenebrous environment.
Courtesy: isafmedia/Flickr
9/11 and 26/11: Are we any safer?
Last May, U.S. citizen David Headley confessed to being a spy for the Lashkar-e-Taiba. What no one has tackled yet is whether there are other Headleys out there whose actions threaten India, or any other country. Even with thousands of intelligence agencies scouting for terrorist activities, are we really safer?
Courtesy: U.S. Navy/WikimediaCommons
The Airavat Incident: Much ado about nothing
In the context of security and sovereignty, India is involuntarily Pakistan-centric and Sino-deferential. India must deal with China with deference without degradation, firmness without confrontation, and raise the threshold of its defense posture in physical and policy measures, without upping the ante.