Pashtun / Pashtunwali / Pashtunistan (catch all)

[Jedburgh]

REI, 2 Apr 08: ‘Pashtunistan’: The Challenge to Pakistan and Afghanistan

Summary: The alarming growth of al-Qaeda and the Taliban in the Pashtun tribal region of north-western Pakistan and southern Afghanistan is usually attributed to the popularity of their messianic brand of Islam and to covert help from Pakistani intelligence agencies. But another, more ominous, reason also explains their success: their symbiotic relationship with a simmering Pashtun separatist movement that could lead to the unification of the estimated 41 million Pashtuns on both sides of the border, the break-up of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the emergence of a new national entity, an ‘Islamic Pashtunistan’.

This ARI examines the Pashtun claim for an independent territory, the historical and political roots of the Pashtun identity, the implications for the NATO- or Pakistani-led military operations in the area, the increasing co-operation between Pashtun nationalist and Islamist forces against Punjabi domination and the reasons why the Pashtunistan movement, long dormant, is slowly coming to life.

[Entropy]

Excellent articles all. As for blogs, don't forget the Baluchis!

[Jedburgh]

Two products requiring AKO Log-in and BCKS membership to access:

Micro Mission Guide: Afghanistan

Afghanistan's history and culture are complex. This guide is a starting point that draws from the experiences of military operators, academics, and analysts. It complements existing cultural intelligence products on Afghanistan and gives deeper insight into the way Afghans conduct themselves when holding meetings, attending special events, and conducting negotiations.

NWFP and FATA Pakistan Regional Culture Smart Card

This culture smart card provides unclassified information on NWFP and FATA culture. Topics addressed include:

Cultural History
Governing Laws
Pashtun Society
Tribal Agencies
Centers of Authority
Frontier Corps

[Jedburgh]

First issue of a new publication from the Aryana Institute of Regional Research and Advocacy:

Kyber - The Voices of Pashtuns, June 2009

Kyber is an initiative to engage the Pashtun intelligentia and youth, both in the homeland and in the diaspora with the aim to discuss Pashtun issues and contribute to a more informed debate on the Pashtun question on both sides of the Durand Line. The magazine also intends to provide a forum to our youth to remain in touch with their culture, art and literature and at the same time, to illustrate a softer image of the Pashtun to the outer world.

Articles include:

• Pashtun Population: An Estimate

• Pashtun Besieged: Is there a way out?

• Pashtun Ethnic Cleansing and Opportunity for Peace

• What do we (Pashtun) need?

• The code of Pashtunwali

• IDPs Crisis and Governance Confusion

• IDPs updates as on 8-5-2009

• Irfan Khan Revealed Interview with Irfan Khan

• Video (Specially edited for KHYBER)

• Afghani Cuisine

• Green Tea of Peshawar

[George L. Singleton]

Thanks for all these Pashtun background info posts, some of which I did not know about.

Simplified the folks who are the Taliban are Pakhtuns, in the main, in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. There is nothing "honorable" about abusing women and children, and other more gross and fatal acts that are common practice by the Taliban "using the excuse of religion" in today's world.

But you all know this.

Again, thanks for some citations I will not take time to explore which I formerly was unaware of.