Faris Islam

The other superpower changes leaders

What little news coverage the Chinese leadership transition has received has been quick to point out how “carefully scripted” the process is. Published 10 Nov, 2012 02:03pm

A response to apologists

"I don’t recall Leon Panetta ever vowing that they’d be back to finish off the job as the TTP spokesperson gleefully did after the attack on Malala." Published 23 Oct, 2012 11:17am

Co-opting controversy

We’ve had more than our share of violence as a nation; we must now ask ourselves if we’re ready to make a constructive dialogue. Published 02 Oct, 2012 02:38pm

The need for leadership

Since Roti, Kapra aur Makan there’s been little emphasis by political parties towards another national rallying cry and even less effort towards providing the three. Published 18 Sep, 2012 03:14pm

Forward in friendship

While much of our national attention has been fixated on the ongoing soap opera of Pak-US relations and the growing... Published 03 Oct, 2011 04:42pm

Building communities to tackle disasters

As another monsoon season lashes Pakistan with rain, much of interior Sindh is drowning once again. With 5.3 million... Published 01 Oct, 2011 12:00pm

The pros and cons of deploying the army

This is the second in a two-part series of pieces on the violence in Karachi. The first piece discusses the ... Published 08 Sep, 2011 12:15pm

Security vs. Safety

Once again Karachi is bleeding. The country’s largest – and most economically significant – city is once again... Published 25 Aug, 2011 11:39am

Aid and the perils of pride

Following a horrendous surge in target killings across Karachi that led to over 60 dead in three days, the US ... Published 18 Aug, 2011 12:49pm

The necessity of conflict

The possibility of confrontation once again loomed on the horizon as the judiciary and the PPP-led government look... Published 04 Aug, 2011 07:11am

Dissecting the double standard

After five tumultuous months, which included the aftermath of the bin Laden raid and a few rounds of Indo-Pak... Published 28 Jul, 2011 03:49pm

Reevaluating Carrot and Stick Diplomacy

– Illustration by Faraz Aamer Khan/Dawn.com Another blow was dealt to those seeking a friendly, long-lasting... Published 21 Jul, 2011 08:22am

The need to confront violence and injustice

Watching the footage of the aftermath of the Lahore blast, it’s tragic how familiar a sight this has become across... Published 02 Sep, 2010 10:49am

A letter to the Pakistani youth

Dear Pakistan, First of all Ramazan Mubarak to everyone! In the dark days our country now faces, what could possibly... Published 20 Aug, 2010 11:44am

Justice or reconciliation?

Afghan women walk past a wall with pictures of presidential and provincial council candidates in Kabul. - Reuters As... Published 19 Aug, 2009 12:00am

Iraq: Operation Over?

Faris Islam asks if future nights in Baghdad will be punctuated with fireworks or more fighting? When explosions ... Published 02 Jul, 2009 12:26pm

The media’s Iran problem

Faris Islam writes about how reporting on the current situation in Tehran has been fraught with difficulties. As... Published 30 Jun, 2009 12:47pm

A rocky relationship

Relations between Pakistan and Iran have been troubled for decades, but may be getting better. — Reuters (File ... Published 04 Jun, 2009 12:00am