Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was incensed by a Quran-burning protest in Stockholm last week. Sweden needs Turkey's backing to gain entry to the trans-Atlantic military alliance. Sweden should not expect Turkey's support for its NATO membership bid after a copy of the Quran was burned in a Stockholm protest, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday. Far-right Danish-Swedish politician Rasmus Paludan burnt a copy of the Quran during a protest last Saturday afternoon outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm. Erdogan said in a speech after a cabinet meeting, "Those who allow such blasphemy in front of our embassy can no longer expect our support for their NATO membership." "If you love members of terrorist organizations and enemies of Islam so much and protect them, then we advise you to seek their support for your countries' security," he added. Sweden in damage control mode The Swedish government distanced itself from the action, but referred to the freedom of expression that applies in the Nordic country. "Freedom of expression is a fundamental part of democracy," Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson wrote on Twitter, "But what is legal is not necessarily appropriate. Burning books that are holy to many is a deeply disrespectful act," he added. His Tweet, on Saturday, was too late to stop Turkey from cancelling a planned visit by Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson. Ankara also summoned Stockholm's ambassador for a dressing down. On Sunday, dozens of protesters demonstrated outside the Swedish consulate in Istanbul, where they burned a Swedish flag. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom declined to comment on Erdogan's remarks immediately on Monday. He, however, did say, "Sweden will respect the agreement that exists between Sweden, Finland and Turkey regarding our NATO        membership,"  Why Sweden needs Turkey's support Sweden is trying to convince Turkey to ratify it and Finland's bids to join NATO. For a bid to succeed, it would need support from all the military alliance members. Turkey and Hungary were the only holdouts, but Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has promised that his parliament would ratify the two bids next month. Even before the weekend events, Turkey demanded Stockholm hand over Kurdish activists. Erdogan, on Monday, again criticized Sweden for allowing pro-Kurdish groups, including the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, to hold rallies in the country. The PKK is considered a terrorist group in Turkey, the European Union and the United States, but its symbols are not banned in Sweden. "So you will let terror organizations run wild on your avenues and streets and then expect our support for getting into NATO. That's not happening,'' Erdogan said. US says Quran burning could be sabotage US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said those responsible for burning the Quran "may have sought to put distance between two close partners of ours, Turkey and Sweden." They "may have deliberately sought to have an impact on the ongoing discussion regarding the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO," Price said. He called the incident "disgusting" and "vile." Price declined to comment on whether Washington thought Erdogan's comments meant a definitive shutting of the door to them. "Ultimately, this is a decision and consensus that Finland and Sweden are going to have to reach with Turkey," Price said.

Amid the ebb and flow of political order in the Pashtun belt, the Pakistani army is counting on Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) to carry the dirty work of muffling secular and nationalist struggles, primarily spearheaded by National Democratic Movement (NDM) and Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM).   Senge Sering, President of Gilgit Baltistan Institute in Washington, writing in Baltimore Post-Examiner said that the Pakistani military’s unpromising tryst continues with the TTP, though the establishment initiated a major crackdown on the organization for massacring 132 students of a military-run school in 2014.   Two weeks ago, four members of the Youth of Waziristan became victims of terrorism. The Pashtuns are critical of military-militant collusion and resultant damage to the secular fabric. Mohsin Dawar, a Pakistani parliamentarian representing NDM, while referring to this incident called the peace talks with TTP futile with a disastrous impact on the tribal culture, reported Sering.   The military establishment foresees NDM and PTM launching a region-wide protest against the armistice agreement with TTP. Ali Wazir, the prominent PTM leader and parliamentarian from South Waziristan, remains a formidable challenge to Pakistan’s policy of employing terrorism for strategic benefits in Afghanistan.   In 2020, Wazir was framed and arrested for a purported hate speech crime. This is a cruel joke on a person who has dedicated an entire life to opposing extremism, hatred and bigotry. Many see the military’s hand in his incarceration which could be protracted to create a much-needed breathing space for TTP in the tribal districts, reported Baltimore Post-Examiner.   Past results show that conditional negotiations like these produce short-lived peace and often favor TTP’s expansion. In return for no (or fewer) attacks on its soldiers, army generals will surrender the safety and wellbeing of TTP’s political opponents as well as the freedoms of ethnic and religious minorities.   Studies show that TTP sanctions female education and necessitates forced marriages of minor girls in the areas they control. They also carry out attacks on artists and musicians in the name of enforcing Islamic laws, reported Sering.   On June 24, TTP released an official statement echoing its pledge to bring Pakistan under Sharia. The statement confirmed the fears of many Pashtun leaders since TTP rebuffed the precondition of surrendering weapons for talks.   While calling the Pakistani government and military western slaves, TTP also declined to submit to the constitution. Left with no wiggle room, the cash-strapped military generals will most likely follow through with the deal, said Sering.   At this juncture, a majority would place a wager on the dwindling ruling coalition of the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to chime in, since they are desperate to preserve the fragile nexus with the military.   Moreover, the Taliban’s return to power is profiting both its long-standing allies and new friends. According to a recent UN report, the Al-Qaida (AQ) is able to reclaim safe havens in Afghanistan in the wake of Ayman al-Zawahiri’s growing bonhomie with the Taliban’s head, Hebatullah Akhundzada.   Taliban regime has also enlisted several UN-proscribed terrorists for the executive and high-ranking ministerial portfolios. The AQ is expected to join forces with the Pakistan-backed Haqqani Network to transform Afghanistan into the once-famed epicenter of terrorism. With a new lease on life, the Afghan Taliban is leveraged to mediate a truce between its Pakistani counterpart, the TTP and the Pakistani military.   Both Taliban and TTP desire to see Pakistan become a Sharia state and consider military establishment a major obstacle in their quest. Amidst the resurgence, TTP has restored contacts with the Islamic State of Khorasan (IS-K), which is a growing concern for the military.   This is the absolute worst time to hand huge swaths of land to TTP and AQ especially when FATF is espoused to remove Pakistan from the grey list. Such myopic and malevolent tactics will only lead to large-scale ethnic violence and anarchy in the country. A deal with TTP, which has no intentions to shun the guns, is immature and leaves an entire region to the mercy of an international terrorist network, reported Baltimore Post-Examiner.   Source: ANI

United States (US) Ambassador in Bangladesh Peter Hass has said Bangladesh can count on the US partnership for decades to come to accomplish the shared goals between the two nations. "Through its remarkable first five decades of independence, I like to think that Bangladesh has found no better partner than the United States," he said marking 50-year anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two democratic nations today.   "And we intend to build upon that partnership over the next 50 years," he added. Haas mentioned that the United States and people of Bangladesh want the same things: a vibrant, secure, and prosperous democracy, judicial accountability and basic human rights for everyone. "Our two countries are peers ... Bangladesh can count on our partnership for decades to come to accomplish these shared goals," the envoy said, adding that Bangladesh's transformation over the past 50 years has been stunning. The ambassador recalled that the country emerged from the dark days of its Liberation War as an independent, sovereign nation while its economy was shattered, infrastructure destroyed, and countless of its best minds had been murdered.   He said many thought Bangladesh would never be able to thrive on its own and it would be forever dependent on the assistance of others. "Those days are long gone. Today, Bangladesh is widely admired as a success story," Hass said.   He lauded drive, resourcefulness and innovation of the Bangladeshi people as the country has made rapid improvements in health and literacy, achieved 100 percent electrification and became one of the world's fastest growing economies. Indeed, he said, Bangladesh would soon graduate into middle-income status, a remarkable accomplishment. Besides, the American envoy said, Bangladesh now lends a helping hand to its neighbors as it stepped in to support Sri Lanka during its cash crisis and provided COVID assistance to the Maldives. "While development assistance is still important (for Bangladesh), our economic relationship is increasingly about trade, not aid," he said, adding that the US is Bangladesh's largest export destination, and more and more American corporations now identify Bangladesh among their most important trade and investment partners. Recalling the US assistance to Bangladesh after its Liberation War in 1971, Haas said, "Since we first clasped our hands in friendship on this date in 1972, the United States has provided more than US$8 billion in development assistance." The US has partnered with the people of Bangladesh to save lives following deadly cyclones, combat terrorism and human trafficking and help people to lead healthier and more prosperous lives, he added. Most recently, the ambassador said, the US provided more than 61 million COVID-19 vaccines to assist Bangladesh for its efforts to combat this pandemic. "Bangladesh is the largest recipient of US-donated vaccines worldwide. That's what friends do," he continued. As the largest contributor of UN peacekeeping forces, he said Bangladesh plays a critical role in ensuring peace around the globe. Besides, the envoy said Bangladesh, as one of the world's most vulnerable nations to the effects of climate change, has emerged as a powerful voice in urging major emitting countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.   The US and Bangladesh have a common historical experience as both the countries fought bloody wars for independence, united by a fervent belief in democracy, and have learned that democracy is a process, not an end state, he said.   In the US, Haas mentioned that people have witnessed unspeakable acts of violence and racism while Americans are confronting these issues openly, honestly, and sometimes noisily in an effort to hold people accountable and to effect real change. "Many in Bangladesh are doing the same, and we applaud their courage," the ambassador added. Source: BSS AH

Democrat Joe Biden was on the cusp of winning the presidency Friday night after he opened up narrow leads over President Donald Trump in critical battleground states. Biden had leads in Pennsylvania, Nevada and Georgia, putting him in a stronger position to capture the 270 Electoral College votes needed to take the White House. The winner will lead a country facing a historic set of challenges, including the surging pandemic and deep political polarization. The focus was on Pennsylvania, where Biden led Trump by more than 16,000 votes, and Nevada, where the Democrat led by about 22,000, as Americans spent a third full day after the election without knowing who will lead them for the next four years. The prolonged process added to the anxiety of a nation whose racial and cultural divides were inflamed during the heated campaign. Biden was at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, as the vote count continued, and aides said he would address the nation in primetime. Trump stayed in the White House and out of sight, as more results trickled in, expanding Biden’s lead in must-win Pennsylvania. In the West Wing, televisions remained tuned to the news amid trappings of normalcy, as reporters lined up for coronavirus tests and outdoor crews worked on the North Lawn on a mild, muggy fall day. Trump’s campaign, meanwhile, was quiet -- a dramatic difference from the day before, when it held a morning conference call projecting confidence and held a flurry of hastily arranged press conferences announcing litigation in key states. A handful of states remained in play Friday evening, with Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Nevada all too early to call. In all four states the margins between Trump and Biden were too narrow and the number of ballots left to be counted too great for the AP to declare a victor. In Pennsylvania, officials were not allowed to begin processing mail-in ballots until Election Day under state law. In Nevada, there were a number of provisional ballots cast by voters who registered on Election Day, and officials had to verify their eligibility. And recounts could be triggered in both Pennsylvania and Georgia. With his pathway to reelection appearing to greatly narrow, Trump was testing how far he could go in using the trappings of presidential power to undermine confidence in the vote. On Thursday, he advanced unsupported accusations of voter fraud to falsely argue that his rival was trying to seize power in an extraordinary effort by a sitting American president to sow doubt about the democratic process. “This is a case when they are trying to steal an election, they are trying to rig an election,” Trump said from the podium of the White House briefing room. He took to Twitter late Friday to pledge further legal action, tweeting “Joe Biden should not wrongfully claim the office of the President. I could make that claim also. Legal proceedings are just now beginning!” Trump did claim that he won late on Election Night. He also tweeted that he had “such a big lead in all of these states late into election night, only to see the leads miraculously disappear as the days went by,” although it was well known that votes cast before Tuesday were still being legally counted. Biden spent Thursday trying to ease tensions and project a more traditional image of presidential leadership. After participating in a coronavirus briefing, he declared that “each ballot must be counted.” “I ask everyone to stay calm. The process is working,” Biden said. “It is the will of the voters. No one, not anyone else who chooses the president of the United States of America.” Trump’s erroneous claims about the integrity of the election challenged Republicans now faced with the choice of whether to break with a president who, though his grip on his office grew tenuous, commanded sky-high approval ratings from rank-and-file members of the GOP. That was especially true for those who are eyeing presidential runs of their own in 2024. Maryland GOP Gov. Larry Hogan, a potential presidential hopeful who has often criticized Trump, said unequivocally: “There is no defense for the President’s comments tonight undermining our Democratic process. America is counting the votes, and we must respect the results as we always have before.” But others who are rumored to be considering a White House run of their own in four years aligned themselves with the incumbent, including Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who tweeted support for Trump’s claims, writing that “If last 24 hours have made anything clear, it’s that we need new election integrity laws NOW.” Trump’s campaign engaged in a flurry of legal activity, saying it would seek a recount in Wisconsin and had filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia. But judges in the three states quickly swatted down legal action. A federal judge who was asked to stop vote counts in Philadelphia instead forced the two sides to reach an agreement without an order over the number of observers allowed. “Really, can’t we be responsible adults here and reach an agreement?” an exasperated U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond said during an emergency hearing Thursday evening. “The whole thing could (soon) be moot.” The Trump campaign said it was confident the president would ultimately pull out a victory in Arizona, where votes were also still being counted, including in Maricopa County, the state’s most populous area. The AP has declared Biden the winner in Arizona and said Thursday that it was monitoring the vote count as it proceeded. “The Associated Press continues to watch and analyze vote count results from Arizona as they come in,” said Sally Buzbee, AP’s executive editor. “We will follow the facts in all cases.” Source: AP/UNB AH