The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon dramatized the threat posed by terrorism in an unprecedented fashion. The US administration has, at least for the moment, shifted from a unilateralist approach in its foreign policy to one that is oriented to coalition-building. At the same time, a surprising range of countries have indicated sympathy for the United States, and willingness to offer support. These offers need to be understood in the context of those countries understanding of their own interests.

Many of the links on the Foreign News , Afghanistan, and US Strategy and Goals pages are pertinent.

Reactions and Alignments
A true independence movement in Kashmir? January 21 "In recent days, Pakistan has taken steps to remove outside Islamist groups from the struggle over the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir. But the crackdown could raise another uncomfortable issue for both India and Pakistan: a dormant movement for Kashmiri independence"
Pakistan continued to aid Taliban into October December 8 "Inter-Services Intelligence, or I.S.I., remains what many describe as a state within a state, with independent, and worrying, political tendencies."Power remains in the hands of a powerful group of `jihadi' generals who are outside the government apparatus, but have tentacles in government," the former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, said in an interview.
Iraqi opposition says US tying its hands December 4 "The State Department last month rejected the group's proposal to spend $23 million on a variety of opposition activities, including gathering intelligence from inside Iraq on weapons of mass destruction, human-rights violations and terrorist activities, as well as distributing a newspaper and providing humanitarian aid. Instead the agency offered the group $8 million to cover such costs as rent for the INC's London headquarters, its satellite television broadcasts to the Middle East, opening a Paris office and "management initiatives and services." "The Department of State is not prepared to fund INC activities inside Iraq at this time," according to a letter dated Nov. 8 from Ryan Crocker, deputy assistant secretary for Near Eastern affairs.
Pakistan disappointed in American refusal to release F-16s November 12
Police in Pakistan kill four pro-Taliban demonstrators November 9 This story reports other demonstrators taking police hostages "The protesters placed large rocks on the highway, sat on the rail line, and then threw stones and fired shots when police tried to remove them, authorities said. Police responded with live fire, killing four protesters, according to the city's deputy mayor, Hafiz Khalid."

Gulf states face considerable domestic discontent November 8 "while Pentagon officials admit that some of the bombing sorties and other military action against Afghanistan originate from bases in the Gulf, governments here -- well aware of the war's unpopularity -- are united in saying that no such thing is happening on their soil. If any bombers do take off from the region, officials across the Gulf's six monarchies insist, they must be doing it from a neighboring sheikdom. Few people are fooled by such denials. "The governments just say this because they are chicken," says Ahmad Bishara, a Kuwaiti professor who heads the National Democratic Movement, a liberal political group. "We all know that bombers fly from here -- even senior officials admit it behind closed doors -- but they get away with denying it. That's because living with big lies and hypocrisy is just part of life over here."
Pakiston tries to gag Taliban ambassador November 7
Pakistan states policy of not allowing jihadis to cross border November 7 "Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider said on Tuesday that the government had adopted a policy to stop the activists of religious parties from entering Afghanistan and taking part in the war along side the Taliban. Tthe minister said the government was not allowing people to go for Jihad as these people could do nothing against the US airstrikes. "Can these Jihadis harm the US fighter planes dropping bombs from the height of 30,000 feet with their revolvers and guns," he asked. | Another story describes Pakistani authorities letting them cross the border to get rid of them: "They had been blocking our roads and threatening us at every turn, so our attitude is let them go and die in Afghanistan, beneath the wings of the B52s, if that is what they really want," chief prosecutor in the Malakand Tribal district Mohammad Zaman was quoted by the Daily Telegraph saying on Tuesday."

Pakistan protests shelling by India November 7 "Tensions first erupted when the Indian army launched a "punitive" artillery barrage against the Pakistani army along the LoC on Oct 15, damaging or destroying 11 Pakistani posts in the heaviest fire in eight months along the border."
Mushareff asks US to stop bombing during Ramadan November 7
Germany offers to send troops to Afghanistan November 6
Contrary to Pakistani denials, thousands of volunteers cross border to fight for Taliban November 5
Pakistani army moves 50,000 troops to Kashmir border November 5 "Voicing concern over Pakistan's army buildup near the Indo-Pak border, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Monday said it was "a serious matter and wondered whether Islamabad was preparing for another Kargil incursion."
Saudi support for US shows sign of strengthening November 5 Excellent article on political dissent in Saudi Arabia November 5
In Iran, protests against Islamic regime show surprising strength November 5 Former Shah's son hopes to take leadership role
Moderate Pakistani leader held for protesting US military effort November 2 The league's spokesman, Sadiq ul Farouk, condemned the arrest as a sign of Gen Musharraf's growing isolation amid the anger over US-led air strikes on Afghanistan.He told The Telegraph: "President Musharraf doesn't even enjoy the support of moderates in this country any more and that is why he is lashing out at them. This isn't an issue of fighting terrorism because there is no fundamentalist Islamic threat in this country. The West needs to stop supporting an unpopular dictator."
Bush considers missile cuts, economic incentives to improve promote change in ABM treaty with Russians November 2
China continues to sell missiles to Iran and Iraq November 1
Syrian president tells Blair civilian casualties are unacceptable October 31 "In a diplomatic embarrassment for the Prime Minister, President Bashar Assad delivered a public rebuff and the first serious setback to Mr Blair's round of shuttle diplomacy, declaring that the "hundreds" of civilian casualties caused by the bombing in Afghanistan were intolerable."
Pakistan prohibits its citizens from crossing border to Afghanistan October 30 Taliban supporters block key road, occupy airfield in northern Pakistan Blockade now reported lifted
Many of India's Muslims admire bin Laden, but hide their views October 29
Columns of Taliban's Pakistani supporters move to border October 28
Christian church service attacked in Pakistan, 18 killed October 28 "The area has a history of tensions between Sunni and Shia Muslim extremists, and hundreds of Muslims have died in sectarian violence over the years. But Sunday's shooting, police say, is the first such attack on Christians in the region, which is near the border with India." 13 implicated in church killings arrested October 30
Thousands of armed Pakistani tribesmen move to support Taliban October 27
Iran rejects role for Taliban in new government October 21
Efforts to radicalize Muslims in Southeast Asia bearing little fruit so far October 20
Chinese affirm support October 19 In seeking help, administration shifts away from "strategic competitor" view of Chinese Chinese unsettled by region's tilt to US following attacks
How vulnerable are the Saudi royals? October 17 "The N.S.A. intercepts reveal the hypocrisy of many in the Saudi royal family, and why the family has become increasingly estranged from the vast majority of its subjects. Over the years, unnerved by the growing strength of the fundamentalist movement, it has failed to deal with the underlying issues of severe unemployment and inadequate education, in a country in which half the population is under the age of eighteen."
French general's memoirs of war of Algerian independence set off outrage October 17 When he captured fighters, they were either killed or tortured; French now worry about retribution
Despite public statements, Mushareff's position is increasingly shaky October 16 "Musharraf has been trying to cool the anger by claiming that Pakistan's support to the US against the Taliban and the Al Qaeda would bring in not only financial and military assistance, but also strategic gains in the form of a more favourable Western attitude towards Pakistan on the Kashmir issue and the induction into Afghanistan, after a collapse of the Taliban, of a UN peace-keeping force led by Pakistan from which India would be excluded. He has been claiming that the Bush Administration has come to accept that Pakistan should have a determining role in Afghanistan after the Taliban and that India would have no locus standi there"
Over 200 reported killed in Nigerian Muslim-Christian fighting October 14 "Although Saturday's violence was linked to the bombardment of Afghanistan, it followed a familiar pattern of deadly religious clashes that have rocked Nigeria over the past two years, killing thousands."
Russians playing prominent role in military preparations October 14 "Putin still faces potential backlash from his military commanders, who have expressed their opposition to the US presence. But there is also concern among Russians that the United States will pull out of Central Asia too soon. ''The Russians are worried about two things: One is that the Americans will stay, and the other is that the Americans will go, leaving a very unstable region behind,'' said Robert Nurick, director of the Carnegie Moscow Center think tank."
One killed in demonstration at Pakistani air base October 14 President Bush says he's baffled October 14 "How do I respond when I see that in some Islamic countries there is vitriolic hatred for America?" United States President George Bush asked during a media conference yesterday. "I'll tell you how I respond: I'm amazed. I just can't believe it because I know how good we are."
Saudi clerics call for jihad against US, condemn regime's support October 13 "In what could be one of the most significant internal challenges to the Al Sauds in their 80-year dominance of the Arabian peninsula, in a series of fatwas released from inside Saudi Arabia, prominent Muslim clerics have instructed their followers to wage jihad on Americans in the kingdom and condemned the rulers who give them protection as infidels. The religious edict appears to sanction the overthrow of the house of Al Saud, and makes the royals apostates, subject to the Koranic punishment of death."
Robert Fisk: Egypt's difficult position October 12 "An Egyptian police colonel once told me – and he was an intelligent, educated man with a strong sense of morality – that unless he did his job, then his wife and daughters would be hanging from lamp-posts as "apostates". It was a war between "good" and "evil"."
Kashmir issue strongly divides India and Pakistan October 12
General strike protest planned today in Pakistan, militants mass in Quetta October 12
Muslim states criticism of US muted, hoping to win rewards October 11 "Still, religion is often a banner for secular domestic grievances, such as corruption, and the most visibly violent reactions to the U.S. strikes are occurring in places that already had strong movements opposing the government: Indonesia, Pakistan and Palestine"
India considering attacks on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir October 11 "Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah had urged the government to launch attacks on militants across the LoC. Vajpayee said the government was considering his request, which has been made for years, but has gained significance since a Pakistan-based militant group has been implicated in a car bombing that left 40 people dead last week in Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir...."Pakistan has been promoting terrorism ... All of sudden it started opposing terrorism under pressure," Vajpayee said."
Pakistan allows US to use airfields October 11
Arab meeting warns US against attacks on other Muslim nations October 9
Mushareff seeks India's help against terrorism October 9 The call comes after India threatened to attack terrorist bases in Pakistan following last week's car bombing of a Kashmir legislature, killing over 35
Times of India: US alternately "leaning on and coddling Pakistan" October 9 "Washington's promise that it will hold Gen. Musharraf's feet to the fire appears to have some merit in it considering the military regime's moves over the past two days to sideline extreme elements from the country's political and military fabric."
Indonesia moves to protect US embassy October 8 violent protests in Indonesia October 9
Mushareff tries to calm rioters in Pakistan October 8 "The BBC's Daniel Lak in Quetta said the authorities appeared to have been caught by surprise. He said General Musharraf's assertion that most Pakistanis supported him was probably correct, but there could be a backlash if civilians were killed in Afghanistan."
Some ramifications of US troop deployment in Central Asia: Uzbekistan October 6
Review of responses to US bombing October 8 Jakarta protests expected, Major shake-up in Pakistani army coincides with attacks , Pakistani and Indian papers respond,
India feeling sidelined as US courts Pakistan October 6 "when a die-hard Indophile like New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone sought to express support to India and question the administration’s courtship of Pakistan, he was asked by the Democratic leader Richard Gephart to can it."
Why did Blair, not Rumsfeld, go to Pakistan? October 5 "Washington has been showing signs of deep unease with its long-term south Asian ally ever since Pervez Musharraf seized power in a coup almost two years ago. President Bill Clinton did actually visit Pakistan, the only important world leader to pay the general that honour until Mr Blair's visit today, but it was one of the more extraordinary diplomatic events of recent times: dubiously and controversially tacked on to the fag end of Clinton's tumultuously successful Indian tour, it lasted half a day. A succession of decoy Air Force Ones landed at Islamabad's airport to reduce the probability of the President being blown up; several armour-plated black limousines rolled through the capital for the same reason. Mr Clinton refused to smile and did not even permit a photograph of the two of them shaking hands. That's a measure of how much the world has changed. Pakistan's self-declared President is now the West's valued ally; Pakistan, tossed in the strategic garbage bin in preference for huge, sexy India, finds itself fished out again. And mirabile dictu, here comes Mr Blair to press the flesh."
Russian indicates open to NATO expansion October 4
Saudis caught between two alliances October 4 "Osama has no hope of overthrowing the U.S. -- but he does seek that in his own country," says Chas W. Freeman Jr., a former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia. "What he hopes we will do is attack a broad target in the Middle East, and thus delegitimize both what we do and the Saudi regime"
Russia-Iran arms pact troubles US October 3 Iranian news agency coverage
Russian support for anti-terror campaign could lead to major shift in US-Russia relations October 2 see also Moscow Times, "Will Russia ask to join NATO?"
US missile defense plans complicated by new alliances, backdrop of nuclear proliferation in Cental Asia October 2
Western leaders criticize Berlusconi for remarks on Islam September 27
Tensions ease in North Asia in response to US coalition building September 27
India worries about US tilt to Pakistan September 27
Mubarak calls for Mideast conference on terrorism September 25
Russia pledges cooperation with US, opens bases September 25
Prime Minister Blair pledges support for the US
President Chirac pledges support for the US
Afghan opposition to Taliban welcomes US support
New York Times on softening of Iranian stance to the US, September 21

Saudi Arabia
Saudi Youth blame US for Saudi economic decline October 23 "Frustrated by a society in which hope for change is often sheer optimism, the students say the U.S. is responsible for the drastic drop of the kingdom's per capita income to just under $8,000 last year from $28,000 in the 1980s. They also blame it for unemployment estimated to be at least 14%, widespread corruption and a tightening of Saudi Arabia's already restrictive social rules that segregate men and women, ban most forms of public entertainment, and empower purists to enforce the country's militant Wahhabi form of Islam. With an average annual increase in births of 4.7%, economic deterioration has rendered Saudi Arabia's oil wealth insufficient for the government to continue pampering Saudis from cradle to grave."


Iran
Iran ready to work with coalition if US doesn't impose its will September 28
Iranian and Saudi Arabian representatives condemn attacks, encourage restraint September 23

Pakistan
Text of Chritiane Amanpour's interview with Mushareff October 3 'There Is No Terrorist Group In Pakistan'
An Indian editorial ridicules the idea of Pakistan as an ally against terrorists September 28
Pakistani Christians fear attacks by Islamic militants, September 24
Is the president of Pakistan walking into a trap?, September 24 Indian commentary on the difficulties facing Pakistan "While Musharraf claimed only 15% of Pakistanis sided with the Taliban in the current standoff, a Gallup poll conducted the same day pegged that number at 67%."
Some Pakistanis go to Afghanistan to fight for Taliban, September 24
UK Guardian, estimates extent of support for Taliban in Pakistan at 15 to 20%, September 23
Influential Pakistanis accept risks connected with support for the US
The Nation on the likelihood of a revolt if Pakistan aligns with the US, September 20

Southeast Asia
Strong anti-US sentiments in Pakistan September 30
Indonesian protesters threaten to attack US interests September 27
Randomly Sampled Poll of Britons, September 22 Range of questions, including their views of actions of both US and British actions