Shaukat Paracha, Asma Shirazi, Meher Bukhari, Saima Mohsin are some of the names that were in attendance, in a Drink & Dance party hosted by the US Ambassador to Pakistan, Anne W Patterson.
Politics and Counterterrorism? Gimme a Break!
The upcoming issue of The New York Times Magazine has a piece by Peter Baker on John Brennan and Obama’s counterterrorism strategy. The article draws comparisons between George W. Bush’s “war on terror” and Obama’s strategy for eliminating Al-Qaida. Baker points out that a significant portion of Obama’s counterterrorism team are Bush-era officials (Gates, Mullin, Brennan, and Leiter among others), and in many respects Obama has continued Bush’s policies, including increasing the number of Predator and Reaper drone attacks in Pakistan (more on this later).
For me some of the most interesting aspects of the article concerned the political implications that counterterrorism decision-making carries with it. Matt Yglesias already touched on this subject some in a valuable way. Baker reports that several senior Bush counterterrorism officials were happy with the continuity between the strategies of the two administrations. However they were reluctant to say so on record fearing that it would “make Dick Cheney mad and they’re timid, gutless careerists,” as Yglesias put it. Likewise, the Obama administration likes to claim it has made significant shifts from Bush’s counterterrorism strategy, while in reality it is more or less the same. So sadly, yes, politics extends to even the most important issues of security and terrorism and neither side is innocent.
One other thing the article pointed out relating to the politics of counterterrorism was the issue of holding Khalid Shaikh Mohammed’s trial in New York City. Rahm Emanuel was worried that holding the trail in New York as Attorney General Eric Holder suggested would cause a firestorm of criticism, and squander the president’s political capital. It was nice to read that despite Emanuel’s correct warnings, Obama declined to intervene in Holder’s decision. The administration is certainly suffering a political backlash, only time (and the verdict) will tell whether it was the right decision or not.
Another interesting thing that came to my attention was the problem posed by the sheer volume of information that the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) must process everyday. The recent development of homegrown terrorists becoming a threat to our national security makes the process of thwarting 100% of all terrorist attacks more complex for the administration. John Brennan and others in the intelligence community have been defending themselves from the onslaught of criticism directed at them since the failed Christmas-day attack by citing the ever-growing amount of information that must be processed. This sounds like a job for Google to me. Some type of filtration system that can separate serious strategic threats from irrelevant ones is needed. Hopefully investment in some such program or system is forthcoming.
Sadly I think it will be nearly impossible for the US (or any host of countries for that matter) to eliminate terrorists and extremists around the world. The sooner we update our counterterrorism strategy and infrastructure the closer we will come to achieving this goal. President Obama is getting briefed on how to do exactly that this afternoon. I am confident he, Brennan, and the rest of the counterterrorism team are working assiduously to correct the problem, and that they are some of the most well-qualified people to do this. Some of the criticism from outside the administration and infighting within it is misguided, unconstructive, and only plays into the terrorists’ strategy. Let’s use this failed bombing attempt to update our security systems and move forward united, and better prepared to defend ourselves from terrorists.
For me some of the most interesting aspects of the article concerned the political implications that counterterrorism decision-making carries with it. Matt Yglesias already touched on this subject some in a valuable way. Baker reports that several senior Bush counterterrorism officials were happy with the continuity between the strategies of the two administrations. However they were reluctant to say so on record fearing that it would “make Dick Cheney mad and they’re timid, gutless careerists,” as Yglesias put it. Likewise, the Obama administration likes to claim it has made significant shifts from Bush’s counterterrorism strategy, while in reality it is more or less the same. So sadly, yes, politics extends to even the most important issues of security and terrorism and neither side is innocent.
One other thing the article pointed out relating to the politics of counterterrorism was the issue of holding Khalid Shaikh Mohammed’s trial in New York City. Rahm Emanuel was worried that holding the trail in New York as Attorney General Eric Holder suggested would cause a firestorm of criticism, and squander the president’s political capital. It was nice to read that despite Emanuel’s correct warnings, Obama declined to intervene in Holder’s decision. The administration is certainly suffering a political backlash, only time (and the verdict) will tell whether it was the right decision or not.
Another interesting thing that came to my attention was the problem posed by the sheer volume of information that the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) must process everyday. The recent development of homegrown terrorists becoming a threat to our national security makes the process of thwarting 100% of all terrorist attacks more complex for the administration. John Brennan and others in the intelligence community have been defending themselves from the onslaught of criticism directed at them since the failed Christmas-day attack by citing the ever-growing amount of information that must be processed. This sounds like a job for Google to me. Some type of filtration system that can separate serious strategic threats from irrelevant ones is needed. Hopefully investment in some such program or system is forthcoming.
Sadly I think it will be nearly impossible for the US (or any host of countries for that matter) to eliminate terrorists and extremists around the world. The sooner we update our counterterrorism strategy and infrastructure the closer we will come to achieving this goal. President Obama is getting briefed on how to do exactly that this afternoon. I am confident he, Brennan, and the rest of the counterterrorism team are working assiduously to correct the problem, and that they are some of the most well-qualified people to do this. Some of the criticism from outside the administration and infighting within it is misguided, unconstructive, and only plays into the terrorists’ strategy. Let’s use this failed bombing attempt to update our security systems and move forward united, and better prepared to defend ourselves from terrorists.
Underestimating Our Afghan Summer?
1. The guys who attacked us on 9/11, while not born and raised in Afghanistan, relied heavily on the safe haven the Taliban provided for fundraising, training, planning, and organizing.
2. The Taliban is, by any humane standards, a brutally repressive regime; especially so with regards to women. The other day a video leaked out of a young Pakistani woman being publicly whipped for the crime of having a man to her home who was not part of her family. Those who prosecuted her under Sharia law said that she could have been executed and claimed that, if anything, they were being lenient. Here’s a link to the video: Taliban Video Shows Teen Girl Beaten for ‘Adultery’
3. The Taliban is back on the rise in Afghanistan and the Karzai government is widely seen as ineffectual outside of Kabul.
4. The number of troops we have there now is universally seen as insufficient. Our military’s movements in most key areas are limited to the extent that soldiers rarely go far from their bases.
5. The terrorism and extremism in Afghanistan has overflown into large swaths of Pakistan’s tribal region, destabilizing it greatly and ruining the tourism driven economy the SWAT valley used to enjoy. Worst of all, Pakistan’s own military has proven either unwilling or unable to staunch the bleeding. Everyday the Taliban’s influence creeps closer to Islamabad.
6. Pakistan has a nuclear arsenal.
Comparing such imperative threats to the thread of bad intelligence our government used to link 9/11 to Iraq and launch a massive invasion, makes it clear that, for once, we may have a war of necessity on our hands. Maybe war is never justified, but some wars are certainly more justified than others.
Such has been my thinking on the prospect of a renewed campaign in Afghanistan: It’s going to be tough, it’s going to be expensive, and there’s no guarantee of success. But at least we have some solid reasons to be there. At least an honest debate on the merits of more or less involvement seems warranted.
Well, a couple days ago I read an excellent article which contained firsthand account of a firefight in the region as well as some eye-opening specifics on what we can expect from Afghanistan as the fighting ramps up this summer. While it does an excellent job of highlighting the huge strides that could be made if the massive poppy industry (which bankrolls the Taliban) can be shutdown, it is also a sobering reminder of the worst-case scenario: a protracted and bloody, conflict with heavy U.S. and civilian casualties
Burj Khalifa in Dubai
World’s highest substation from ABB powers world’s tallest building.
2010-01-07 - A host of ABB products and solutions are improving energy efficiency and offering electrical stability in the world-famous Burj Khalifa - an iconic building in the UAE that has the power needs of a small town.
At 828 meters high, the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, was officially inaugurated on January 4th, 2010. In addition to being an architectural and structural engineering feat, Burj Khalifa also presented many electrical engineering challenges. Recognizing ABB’s ability to meet these unique challenges, the developer, Emaar Properties, selected ABB to provide custom solutions for delivering energy efficiency and reliable and safe power to apartments and offices on all occupied floors.
Upon receiving the challenge from Emaar Properties and Hyder Consulting, ABB designers and engineers began working on a one-of-a-kind distribution substation solution that would be able to control and distribute power throughout the 5-million square-foot building.
The distribution substation and control equipment that ABB custom-engineered for the building are sitting on the 155th floor. The world's highest substation ensures reliable, safe power to everything from lighting and elevators to the ventilation, heating and air conditioning system.
"ABB's local presence coupled with our high quality products and service that the brand stands for were the key factors in securing this landmark project,” says Elias Rizk, head of the construction unit for ABB in the UAE.
As part of the project, ABB delivered 50 lightweight gas-insulated medium voltage switchgears, which offer a space-saving design that is easy to service. ABB has also supplied 72 Resibloc dry-type transformers, specially designed for the tower with a flexible enclosure to fit in a tight space.
Additionally, ABB supplied 37 TTA low-voltage main distribution boards, other low-voltage panels and a host of low-voltage variable speed drives, which increase energy efficiency by regulating air-handling units, booster pumps, water pumps and air fans in the tower. ABB’s variable speed drives enable motors to run efficiently at optimal speed as and when required, instead of running constantly at fixed speed or stopping and starting as the demand for power varies.
ABB's low voltage main distribution board and transformers power the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab EmiratesEmaar Properties needed a solution that was space-saving and compact with state-of the-art products and control, along with strong local service support - and that was exactly what ABB was able to deliver.
Elias Rizk, head of the construction unit for ABB in the UAE commented, “The customer and the consultant were clear that this was a prestigious project for the UAE and therefore they wanted to work with a well-reputed company that was available locally to collaborate with them on a one-of-a-kind electrification solution. They were also keen on making the building as energy-efficient as possible. Our local presence coupled with ABB’s high quality products and service that the brand stands for were the key factors in securing this landmark project
2010-01-07 - A host of ABB products and solutions are improving energy efficiency and offering electrical stability in the world-famous Burj Khalifa - an iconic building in the UAE that has the power needs of a small town.
At 828 meters high, the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, was officially inaugurated on January 4th, 2010. In addition to being an architectural and structural engineering feat, Burj Khalifa also presented many electrical engineering challenges. Recognizing ABB’s ability to meet these unique challenges, the developer, Emaar Properties, selected ABB to provide custom solutions for delivering energy efficiency and reliable and safe power to apartments and offices on all occupied floors.
Upon receiving the challenge from Emaar Properties and Hyder Consulting, ABB designers and engineers began working on a one-of-a-kind distribution substation solution that would be able to control and distribute power throughout the 5-million square-foot building.
The distribution substation and control equipment that ABB custom-engineered for the building are sitting on the 155th floor. The world's highest substation ensures reliable, safe power to everything from lighting and elevators to the ventilation, heating and air conditioning system.
"ABB's local presence coupled with our high quality products and service that the brand stands for were the key factors in securing this landmark project,” says Elias Rizk, head of the construction unit for ABB in the UAE.
As part of the project, ABB delivered 50 lightweight gas-insulated medium voltage switchgears, which offer a space-saving design that is easy to service. ABB has also supplied 72 Resibloc dry-type transformers, specially designed for the tower with a flexible enclosure to fit in a tight space.
Additionally, ABB supplied 37 TTA low-voltage main distribution boards, other low-voltage panels and a host of low-voltage variable speed drives, which increase energy efficiency by regulating air-handling units, booster pumps, water pumps and air fans in the tower. ABB’s variable speed drives enable motors to run efficiently at optimal speed as and when required, instead of running constantly at fixed speed or stopping and starting as the demand for power varies.
ABB's low voltage main distribution board and transformers power the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab EmiratesEmaar Properties needed a solution that was space-saving and compact with state-of the-art products and control, along with strong local service support - and that was exactly what ABB was able to deliver.
Elias Rizk, head of the construction unit for ABB in the UAE commented, “The customer and the consultant were clear that this was a prestigious project for the UAE and therefore they wanted to work with a well-reputed company that was available locally to collaborate with them on a one-of-a-kind electrification solution. They were also keen on making the building as energy-efficient as possible. Our local presence coupled with ABB’s high quality products and service that the brand stands for were the key factors in securing this landmark project
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