Author: Maxter ʚïɞ

This author has written 2722 articles

SUMMARY of the Article “75 years of Nato,” by Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Dawn, July 21st, 2024

In commemorating NATO’s 75th anniversary at the Washington Summit, discussions were predominantly focused on the Russia-Ukraine war. The summit’s declaration strongly condemned Russia’s “brutal war of aggression” and its “irresponsible nuclear rhetoric.” NATO’s 32 members pledged enduring support to Ukraine, promising 40 billion euros for security assistance in the upcoming year. Furthermore, NATO has stationed over 500,000 combat-ready forces on its eastern flank and affirmed that “Ukraine’s future is in NATO,” committing to Ukraine’s full integration into the Euro-Atlantic community. The historical backdrop of NATO-Russia rivalry dates back to the Cold War, initiated by the North Atlantic Treaty signed on April 4, 1949, by 12 Western European and North American countries to counter the Soviet threat. The Soviet Union’s counteraction was the formation of the Warsaw Pact in 1955. The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the end of this rivalry, but NATO’s eastward expansion continued to irk Russia. Despite the formation of the NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council in 1997 and Russia’s inclusion in the G8, Moscow remained concerned about NATO’s presence near its borders. NATO’s suspension of cooperation with Russia followed the annexation of Crimea in 2014, leading to the deployment of multinational battlegroups in Eastern Europe. The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine heightened tensions, with NATO declaring Russia a direct threat to Euro-Atlantic security and supporting » Read More…

SUMMARY of the Article “Bangladesh Chaos,” Editorial, Dawn, July 20th, 2024

Chaos has gripped Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh following escalating anti-government protests, which intensified after several demonstrators were killed in clashes with security forces and government supporters. The unrest has led to the closure of educational institutions, media blackouts, and widespread internet disruptions. Approximately 40 people have died, and hundreds have been injured in the violence. The protests were initially sparked by the reinstatement of quotas in government jobs for the descendants of ‘freedom fighters’ from the 1971 war of independence, a decision that angered many young people, particularly students, who have been at the forefront of the demonstrations. The job quotas, which reserve nearly half of public sector employment, have become a contentious issue amid economic stagnation and high unemployment rates in Bangladesh. Prime Minister Shaikh Hasina Wajed, who secured a fourth term in elections earlier this year amid opposition boycotts and questions of legitimacy, has faced criticism for her heavy-handed approach to opposition forces and economic mismanagement. The current protests are a reflection of broader discontent with political disenfranchisement and economic » Read More…

SUMMARY of the Article “How US can learn from China,” by Azhar Azam, Tribune, July 8th, 2024

Azhar Azam’s article critically examines the United States’ stance towards China, highlighting that for over a decade, the US has viewed China as an economic threat rather than a potential teacher. The article references former President Barack Obama’s 2011 State of the Union address, where he pointed out China’s advanced infrastructure compared to the US’s deteriorating one. The US’s approach of seeing China as a competitor has led to underinvestment in its own infrastructure while blaming China for its domestic shortcomings. Despite recent legislative efforts like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal and the Inflation Reduction Act, America’s infrastructure funding remains inadequate, potentially widening to $3.7 trillion over ten years. The article suggests that rather than scapegoating China, the US should reconsider its policies, which have seen trillions spent on military campaigns instead of domestic improvements. In contrast, China’s focus on a multipolar world and infrastructure development has positioned it as a socio-economically effective model. The US’s interventionist foreign policy and quest for global dominance have hindered its development, leaving it with minimal high-speed rail compared to China’s extensive network. » Read More…

SUMMARY of the Article “A heavy burden,” by Ehsan Malik, Dawn, July 6th, 2024

The article critically examines Pakistan’s federal budget and its implications for securing the 24th IMF program, arguing that it unfairly burdens salaried employees and those already taxed heavily while neglecting the powerful untouchables and avoiding significant government expenditure reductions. The need for the IMF program is acknowledged to maintain Pakistan’s fragile solvency and avoid debt restructuring, but skepticism remains about whether this program will bring the necessary reforms to be the last one. Pakistan’s history with 23 IMF programs is highlighted, with previous programs failing due to unrealistic, front-loaded targets that didn’t account for the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) capacity or political will. The 2024-25 budget follows this same flawed approach, deepening the tax base rather than broadening it, and employing revenue-extractive measures that favor short-term fixes over sustainable change. The article stresses that Pakistan needs to boost exports and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to manage its external account but criticizes the budget for making exporters’ lives difficult and deterring foreign investors with high taxes and unpredictable fiscal policies. The imposition of high taxes on skilled talent may drive them to leave the country or shift to the informal sector, while the imposition of an 18 percent GST on packed dairy products will likely increase inflation. The budget also fails to address major recommendations for reducing the tax burden on the formal sector, such as phasing out supertax and restoring group taxation. Overall, the budget is deemed inequitable, unfair, and misaligned with the goals of » Read More…