World Encyclopedia | Environmental Sciences

"Space has become the 4th medium in which the military operates in the protection of our national security interests’’ . General Howell J. Estes III (ex Commander in Chief of US Space Command). Recently Mike Pence , the US vice president, has announced plans to create a standalone “Space Force” by 2020, becoming the sixth branch of America's military. And president Donald Trump directed the military officials to complete the project of creating a "Space Force" by 2020. Similarly,  “We must establish and maintain space superiority. Modern warfare demands it. Our nation expects it. Simply put, it’s the American way of fighting".  General Lance Lord, commander of U.S. Air Force Space Command. And  “Space superiority provides freedom to attack as well as freedom from  attack.” Counter-space Operations, Air Force Doctrine 2-2.1. US Space Command’s "Vision 2020" sets out two principles: ⦁ Dominating the space dimension of military operations to pr...

Extremism has emerged as a major threat to the security of Pakistan in recent years. Despite many warnings by veterans about surging violence and fanaticism in the country, successive leaders have failed to work out a comprehensive strategy to arrest the trend of growing dogmatism and extremism. Again, the religious right in the country demonstrated its street power by bringing the country to a standstill and openly challenging the writ of the state. Laws related to blasphemy have become controversial as the fanatics exploit these laws to render street justice. Mob lynchings of alleged blasphemers have become a routine happening. Last year, Mashal Khan , a student of Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan , was brutally murdered by an angry mob for allegedly posting blasphemous content online. Back in 2011, Salmaan Taseer , the 26th governor of Punjab, Pakistan, was assassinated in broad daylight for allegedly stand in support of a christian woman who were convicted by a trial court fo...

                                            ‘ The oldest dispute on UN agenda’ Introduction: Since the partition in 1947, Kashmir has been a bone of contention between Pakistan and India. They have fought three wars (1948, 1965, 1999) so far over the disputed territory. The issue was referred to the United Nations in Jan, 1948 and both countries had agreed to accept the solution proposed by the United Nations.  After prolonged deliberations, it was decided by the UN (Resolution 47, 13 August, 1948) that a "free and fair" plebiscite would be conducted to determine the will of people---whether to accede to India or Pakistan. Then Indian Prime minister J awaharlal Nehru pledged to abide by the UN ruling and take immediate measures to conduct a "free and fair"  plebiscite. However, as  Arundhati Roy in her book ‘Kashmir: the case for freedom’ articula...

The Supreme Court's verdict on Asia Bibi case triggered countrywide protests. All major roads are blocked, mobs violence is in full swing, schools and colleges were closed, section 144 has been imposed, people are trapped inside their houses and protesters have vowed to fight till the decision is overturned by the court. To put it more precisely, yet again, the country has been paralyzed by a "small" section of society. Firebrand speaker, Mulana Khadim Hussain Rizvi , did not spare anyone this time around. He openly abused the judges, who were on the bench, and urged their drivers to kill them ; protesters crossed the red line by hurling accusations against the army, a few even raised questions about the A rmy Chief's faith . More alarming was the courage of a cleric, who asked other generals to rebel against the army chief for maintaining silence on the issue. The prime minister issued a warning to the demonstrators to mend their ways or be ready to face a puniti...