Articles and analysis

The ISI and the War on Terrorism

By Professor Shaun Gregory, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford,

First published in Studies in Conflict & Terrorism October 2007.
Reproduced by kind permission of the author to illustrate address to U K Defence Forum 7 July 2008.
All rights reserved - see also foot of article

Pakistan's Directorate of Inter-Service Intelligence [ISI] plays an ambiguous role in the War on Terrorism. An important ally for Western intelligence with whom it has very close links, the ISI also has a long history of involvement in supporting and promoting terrorism in the name of Pakistan's geostrategic interests. This article explores the nature of the ISI and its aims and objectives in the post-9/11 era. It argues that the focus of the ISI's actions are to shore up Pakistan's ruling elite and to destabilize Pakistan's enemies by the promotion of Sunni Islamism at home and of pan-Islamist jihad abroad.

Parliament v Constitutional Court in Turkey

By Baris Gulmez, Research Associate, UK Defence Forum and Turkey Correspondent

Introduction

On June 5th 2008 the Turkish Constitutional Court overturned a law which Parliament had passed by a large majority to change some of the rules underpinning the secular state. In particular this would allow women to wear Islamic-style hijabs in universities (the so called "Turban Decision "). Some claim this is a prelude to allowing hijabs in Government buildings – something the President's hijab wearing wife appears to advocate.

An efficient and effective NATO

Extracts from a speech delivered by Rt Hon Des Browne MP,UK Secretary of State for Defence at the Twenty-Fifth International Workshop on Global Security: An Efficient and Effective NATO on 20 June 2008.

Need for International Institutional Reform

We have been well-served by the institutions founded shortly after the end of the Second World War. The immediate post-war years spawned a remarkable new era in co-operation – with the foundation of the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, NATO and others.

Articles and analysis

The ISI and the War on Terrorism

Parliament v Constitutional Court in Turkey

An efficient and effective NATO

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