My review of 'Directorate S' by Steve Coll

Directorate S wonderful book written by steve coll. It explores how the US entered afghan quagmire with raw emotions from the 9/11 attacks. Book's first chapter starts with Ahmed shah Massoud's assassination, just 3 days before 9/11 in 2001(saying its Osama's gift/loyalty to Mullah Omar, for protecting him inside Afghanistan). The end chapter explains how the entire world in 2016 has no defined solution in the Afghanistan war, even after nearly 0.15 million deaths and so many destructions. Incidents between 2001–2016 explained in a more nuanced way

Book has so many interesting topics/incidents like

• In response to the US secretary of state threat, Pak ISI chief went to Washington just a few days before the US war in Afghanistan. He warned US authorities, advised to not go by raw emotions of 9/11, further saying the war will be stalemate and will end in huge destruction. ISI chief gave assurance that it will abide by US decision, irrespective of its opinion.
• By September 2001, when ISI chief went to Kabul for asking mullah Omar to hand over Osama, there was another message ISI cryptically informed to Mullah Omar. “Attack US hardly, if they start a war”
• US generals approximately know locations of mullar Omar and other commanders. Instead of bombing those locations in swift mode, US started the war in a traditional way i.e bombing airfields and air defense systems. It gave buying time for Taliban commanders to escape
• Taliban, not a simple network, its strength & sentiments lie deep inside rural Pushtun lands of Afghanistan. This same strength and sentiments later resurrected the Taliban more powerfully.
• US distraction with the 2003 Iraq war, underestimating Taliban and ISI
• Pakistan’s FATA, an alien world inside Pakistan until 2011. It was the heartland of all terror groups(including Uzbeks, Tajiks, Uighurs, Chechens.. so many). Teenagers and kids were easily brainwashed in the name of religion and sent for suicide bombing to various places.
• The sudden big rise of poppy cultivation inside southern Afghanistan and uncontrollable drug trade to the outside world. Poppy cultivation before September 2011 was one of the lowest in afgahnistan
• Mumbai attacks & ISI planning, ISI association with Kashmir militancy
• Osama bin Laden killing operation and after-effects of US relation with Pakistan.Movements of Osama inside Pakistan and some invisible hands protecting him. When 3-star generals met on the morning of May 2, 2011, for a conference, their anger and frustration was worst since 1971 Indo-Pak war
• Accidental burning of Quran texts ( Parwan province) in 2012 & subsequent riots associated with it. After the burning incidents, there was a significant rise of “green on blue attacks”. The killing of John Darin Loftis by a loyal truck driver. Darin one of key player used for WHAM operations
• Obama’s drone campaign and the dragon’s fire from the sky. Victims of drone campaigns and associated politics by ISI/Pak army
• Hamid Karzai often complained to US officials to take action inside the FATA of Pakistan. Karzai shouted one time saying, “if you want to end the war in Afghanistan, bombing should happen inside Pakistan and not inside Afghanistan”
• The assassination of Benazir Bhutto, mushraff links &alqueda celebrations inside Pakistan saying Benazir loyal asset of CIA
• Hijack attempt of PNS Zulfiquar by Al-Queda sub-continent network. The story behind this hijack attempt - a poor estranged Pak navy soldier treated badly by foreign forces. If this hijack attempt was successful, chances were there for a first-ever nuclear terror attack, as the ship was boarded with nuclear missiles as per some sources
• Corrupted warlords & their heinous crimes inside Afghanistan, forcing locals to believe in Taliban
• Insights into Pakistan army/ISI double games, from the start of chapter
• Pakistan army/ISI obsession with India in everything, whenever there is a discussion between US officials and pak/isi generals. Pak generals viewed every event with insecurity from India's prism
• Spike of violent incidents/suicide bombings inside Pakistan after Musharraf sided with the US(War on terror). later it again spiked after killing of osama bin laden
• Tactics/Strategies adopted by various US army generals/diplomats like Flynn, Petraeus, McChrystal, Peter Lavoy, Marc sageman, Robert Grenier, David smith, Kappes, and so many
• Tactics/Strategies adopted by various Afghan army/intelligence generals & ruling president includes Amirulleh Saleh, Asadullah Khalid, Nabil & Karzai
• Centuries-old bondage between Afghanistan and Pakistan in association with the Pashtun clan. Durand line politics and sentiments explored by ISI
• Finally, lessons learned from the unending war

This book will be treat for anyone who follows Afghanistan/Pakistan happenings for a long time

#Taliban #Terrorism #Afghanistan

https://www.quora.com/What-is-your-review-of-Directorate-S-by-Steve-Coll

Growing with memories of Cricket world cup

In South Asia, if there exists any common religion among its population (of nearly 1.7 billion), “It is this,It is this”

Cricket is not merely game, it improved relations among countries, it united rivals, it was considered symbol of racially oppressed fighting against their colonial masters and so on. Few examples that prove cricket is not merely a game

India-Pakistan

There exists lot of diplomacy from ancient period. In lexica of diplomacy, new term called cricket diplomacy too added. India and Pakistan often tried to reduce their tensions in name of cricket diplomacy. Indian fans will remember the love they experienced in streets of Lahore when they went for watching India-Pakistan match in Lahore during 2004. Similarly Pakistan players will remember many sporting gestures by viewers during matches in India.

Srilanka

When Srilankan cricket team won world cup in 1996, even Tamil tiger rebels waved srilankan flags. Rivalry between tiger rebels and Lankan government was unparalleled, as thousands died in their clash. 1996 world cup victory of their national team united them for few days.

Afghanistan/Pakistan

During Afghan/Soviet war, Flood of afghan refugees arrived and settled in areas around Peshawar, Pakistan.  These refugees studied in Pakistan colleges, ate Pakistan food, along with this they learned their favorite game “Cricket”. Today Afghanistan cricket players were once playing “Gully” cricket in their refugee camp, and their favorites were Imran khan, Wasim akram

West Indies

In 1950’s people living in Caribbean were made to believe great Britain as their mother land. They were invited to work in great Britain for some menial jobs to develop their war ravaged country. By 1970’s racism was wide rampant in England targeting black people from Caribbean. This made ordinary Caribbean people to believe if west indies wins cricket match against England or Australia, they won against colonial imperialists. West indies players were already aware of these people sentiments. Clive Lloyd their captain, laid the foundation for building strong team based on these sentiments. When invincible west indies players dominate, scorch opposition (esp England,Australia), Caribbean people felt national pride, even daily wage poor people felt confident they won’t be cowed down by racism. West indies cricket team ruled world cricket from late 70’s to early 90’s. Their accomplishment of ruling world cricket for more than decade changed the past perceptions of superiority.

South Africa

Before 90’s,South Africa cricket team was banned from participating any matches due to its racial apartheid policies. One famous moment is when South African cricket team offered  blank cheque to Viv Richards team to participate in rebel tour in south Africa. Viv Richards refused to participate due to social image and sentiments of his people. Cricket became arena not just for sport, also battle against racism

My Personal experiences/memories with World cup

My cricket world cup journey started from 1992 in small town of udumalpet.During every world cup,i have sweet/bitter memories related to games,incidents, public opinions. Here i am collating some of the memories/moments which are still green in my memory with respect with every world cup

1992 World cup:

 As our 6th standard annual examinations were approaching, some classmates were busy in collecting mysterious cards. They often buy “Big Fun” bubblegum from local shops, though there were no big advertisements in streets/roads/radios. This buying spree is unusual, as bubblegum didn’t promise fresh breath or bright teeth. Slowly through whispers i found there is a secret behind this bubblegum buy spree. There is a card wrapped around the bubblegum. You need to carefully unwrap the card, otherwise it will get tore. Kids cared more about this card than bubble card itself.

This card contain pictures of some superstar cricketers of that era(like Viv Richards, Kapildev). Each card has few points - would be worth either a certain number of runs or a wicket. Gifts/prizes will be given if somebody collects 250 runs or 10 wickets. In school classrooms, kids with more number of cards feel pride and special about them. This festive atmosphere brought awareness about cricket, induced to follow world cup.

Those days we depend on one TV channel, Doordarshan. Since the matches were happening in Australia/New Zealand, we need to wake up early. Generally we used to view 2^nd innings of the match or near end of first innings of match due to the timings(around 6:30AM)

The nine teams and officials line up for photos on a ship in Sydney Harbour 

Some of the match moments which I remember even today

1992 World cup was first world cup for cricket south Africa. Earlier they were banned and isolated in world sport, for nearly two decades. This was due to their previous government’s apartheid policies. New entrant south africa performed well from start, but unfortunately their journey ended due to nature. During one of semifinal between south Africa and England, South Africa needed 22 from 13 balls. South Africa has fair chances of winning, but rain intervened at that time. When the match was restarted, winning run/ball equation has been changed, now 22 runs in 1 ball. This happened due to television demands and game could not be extended after certain minutes. Umpires bowed to these demands and game was shortened.

As getting 22 runs in 1 ball is impossible, south African cricketers end up in despondent mood. Though South African cricket team performed exceeding expectations, nature stopped their further progress 

Jonty Rhodes runout of Inzamam ul Haq

Generally South African players known for setting benchmark for fielding standards. This run out is one of crown example of it.

Javed Miandad and Kiran more episode

1992 world cup is the first world cup where India and Pakistan clashed each other for a world cup match. Generally India Pakistan matches are high pressure matches where tensions and passions run high. This match exhibited same. In middle of match, there was war of words between kiran more and miandad. This heat raised further when kiran more appealed for a wicket in more hyperactive manner, miandad mocked kiran more by continuously jumping in air

1992 World cup Final

England and Pakistan played each other to decide winner of world cup.England were one of clear favorites for winning world cup.Pakistan played in Pakistan way of most unpredictable way. One big positive of Pakistan team was, they were lead by inspiring charismatic leader. On final day,Imran khan roused his teammates by wearing cornered tiger in his
t shirt during toss. His words of “Cornered tiger most dangerous than tiger,will play like cornered tiger” indicated the way they going to attack opponents. Finally the tigers mauled the opponents and Rest is history

Some lighter moments which I want to share,  I watched final in a neighboring friend house who is a Muslim. While watching final match my neighboring house aunty was so passionate about Wasim akram, Imran khan, which is still green memory for me.


Best players in the tournament: Martin Crowe, ....

Future superstars who showed signs in 1992 WC: 
  - Wasim akram,Inzamam,Tendulkar,Lara,Donald

New techniques 
Mark Greatbatch -
One of earliest known pioneer in Pinch hitting(Scoring aggressively in first 10 overs). Following the footsteps of Greatbatch, other pinch hitters(like Jayasuriya,Sehwag,Gilchirst) arrive

                                                           --- to be continued