In 2008, after the election of President Barack Obama, new administration re-visited the neglected Afghan theatre. After incremental escalations and surge, President Obama announced withdrawal of majority of U.S. troops by the end of 2014. This set in motion gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops and equipment starting in 2010-11. From 100’000 troops the numbers are…
King’s Counsel by Jack O’Connell is a fascinating account of important events of Middle East by someone who was involved in different capacities. This book was published in 2011 after Jack’s death. A brief biography of author is important to understand his role. Jack earned well rounded qualifications in different fields before joining Central Intelligence…
William Dalrymple’s latest work Return of a King is a fascinating account of First Anglo-Afghan War of 1939-42. Dalrymple is a well known historian of India and his previous works City of Djinns, White Mughals and The Last Mughal are based on his extensive research spanning several years while living in India. One crucial factor…
Colonel Aga Javed Iqbal passed away in Dubai on July 16, 2013. He was from the first generation of post-independence officer corps that joined Pakistan army right after independence. He was from the generation that absorbed all the best traditions of British Indian army and carried it forward in the formative years of the army…
Vali Nasr’s latest work The Dispensable Nation is a tour of the back alleys of diplomacy with all the cat fights of bureaucracy as well as a broad review of U.S. policy and some prescriptions about the future course. Part of the book is based on his experience of working inside the tent, he was…
Pulitzer Prize winner Mark Mazzetti’s book The Way of the Knife is a welcome addition to an increasing amount of work on ongoing conflicts. Mazzetti’s work is based on extensive research and interviews with key players in a secret war that is going on for the last decade. The book provides details of debate within…
“A shrewd person sees trouble coming and avoids it; The ignorant walk right into it and pay the price.” King Solomon son of King David Several countries of the Middle East have seen dramatic changes in the last two years; this has changed the strategic environment of Israel. On April 28, 2013, the Jerusalem Post…
Major General ® Shah Rafi Alam was a well respected officer and gentleman of Pakistan army. He was son of Shah Nazir Alam of Sehswani Sayed family and Irene. Nazir joined Indian Police Service (IPS) and was one of few senior police officers inherited by newly independent Pakistan. Nazir was Inspector General of Police of…
Poona Horse is an armored regiment of Indian army with traditions going back two centuries. In Anglo-Persian war of 1856-57, Poona Horse captured the standard of 1st Khushgai Regiment at the battle of Khushab. A silver hand surmounted the standard and palm was engraved with Arabic words of ‘Yad Allah fawquar aydihim’ (the hand of…
Indian soldiers of British Indian army were not eligible for Victoria Cross (VC) until 1911. The highest award that an Indian soldier could get was Indian Order of Merit (IOM) prior to the eligibility for VC. Indian winners of VC belonged to all religions and ethnicities. Many Jat, Marhatta, Dogra, Garhwali and Gujar Hindus, Gurkhas,…
