BU Now » Pakistani intelligence agency

Two senior Taliban leaders arrested

Dick Taffe — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:36:53 +0000

As U.S. and Pakistani intelligence agents press their offensive, two senior Taliban leaders have been arrested in Pakistan. International relations Prof. Charles Dunbar, who once headed the U.S. embassy in Kabul during his four-decade diplomatic career, says the arrests indicate that the Pakistan government may be inclined to help the U.S. more on the war in Afghanistan — but only if the cooperation is genuine.

“The main take-away: Is the seeming Pakistani shift in attitude for real or just more of the same good-bedside-manner diplomacy vis a vis the U.S.?”

Contact Charles Dunbar, 617-353-5633, cfdunbar@bu.edu

Taliban leader’s capture confirmed

Dick Taffe — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:58:08 +0000

Pakistan has confirmed the capture of the Taliban’s top military commander, the result of a joint effort by Pakistani and U.S. intelligence agencies. International Relations Professor Joseph Wippl, a 30-year CIA operations officer, said it highlights the need for such joint enterprises.

“The capture of Mullah Abdu Ghani Baradar demonstrates once again that the success of operations against terrorism will occur only through the cooperation of intelligence services either bilaterally or on a multilateral basis. Success against terrorism on a unilateral basis is and will continue to be very limited.”

Contact Joseph Wippl, 617-353-8992, jwippl@bu.edu