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https://corkroo.com/thread/14944 President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday imposed sanctions on four judges at the International Criminal Court, an unprecedented retaliation over the war tribunal's issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a past decision to open a case into alleged war crimes by U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's Economy: Navigating a Profound Crisis with Nascent Stability. (Part 1) As of early 2025, Afghanistan's economy remains in a state of profound crisis, though some measures of macroeconomic stabilization have been observed following the catastrophic collapse in late 2021 and 2022. The economy operates at a significantly reduced capacity, what some economists term a "low-level equilibrium." Key Details:- Severe Contraction and Stagnation: The economy experienced a massive contraction (over 20-25% in the initial year after the Taliban takeover). While the freefall has largely halted, meaningful recovery and growth remain elusive. GDP per capita has plummeted, pushing a vast majority of the population into poverty. Humanitarian Crisis: A severe humanitarian crisis persists, with over half the population facing acute food insecurity. While international humanitarian aid continues to flow, it is insufficient to address the widespread need and does not replace the development aid that previously propped up the economy. Banking and Financial Sector Paralysis: The formal banking sector is largely dysfunctional due to frozen foreign reserves, international sanctions, a lack of liquidity, and the absence of correspondent banking relationships. This severely hampers trade, investment, and everyday transactions. Drastic Reduction in International Aid: The cessation of large-scale international development aid, which previously financed around 75% of public spending, has had a devastating impact on aggregate demand, public services, and employment. Dominance of Agriculture and Informal Economy: Agriculture remains a crucial sector, employing a large portion of the population, but it is highly vulnerable to recurrent droughts (a significant issue in recent years) and lacks investment. The informal economy, including illicit activities like opium cultivation (despite an official ban), plays a substantial role. Nascent Private Sector Activity: Some small-scale private sector activity, particularly in trade (including coal exports to Pakistan) and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), continues. The Taliban administration has focused on domestic revenue collection (customs, some taxes) and reports some success in curbing corruption, which has contributed to relative currency stability in the afghani. Restrictions on Women and Human Capital Flight: Severe restrictions on women's education and employment are not only a grave social concern but also a significant economic impediment, shrinking the available workforce and potential for human capital development. A substantial "brain drain" of skilled professionals has further weakened institutional capacity. Limited International Engagement: Lack of formal recognition of the Taliban administration by most countries limits access to international financial institutions, foreign investment, and broader trade relationships. Fiscal Challenges: While the Taliban administration has managed to collect domestic revenue to cover its basic operating budget, this budget is drastically smaller than pre-2021 levels and lacks funds for significant development or public services. Outlook: The economic outlook for Afghanistan in 2025 remains bleak. Without a significant improvement in the political and security situation, meaningful engagement with the international community, a resolution to the banking crisis, and a reversal of policies that restrict human capital (especially for women), the economy is likely to remain stagnant at a very low level, with continued high rates of poverty and humanitarian need. By Jo Ikeji-Uju https://afriprime.net/pages/Anything

Can Pakistan's goverment overcome their internal terror groups and extreme religious within the citizens let the government and private sector help improve their country image and economy? (Part 2) Overcoming internal terror groups and religious extremism is a profound and deeply complex challenge for Pakistan, one that directly impacts its potential for economic improvement. While the government has been engaged in efforts to combat these issues, the path to sustained success is fraught with difficulties. Challenges in Overcoming Internal Terror Groups: Resurgence and Persistence: Despite numerous counter-terrorism operations, including the ongoing "Azm-i-Istehkam," Pakistan continues to face a significant threat from various militant groups. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Baloch nationalist insurgents, and other extremist entities have shown resilience and the ability to conduct attacks, particularly in regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Reports from early 2025, including the Global Terrorism Index, indicate a concerning security situation with a rise in terrorist activities in the preceding year (2024). Cross-Border Sanctuaries: The porous border with Afghanistan has historically been, and continues to be, a major challenge, with militant groups often finding safe havens across the border. This complicates Pakistan's efforts to definitively neutralize threats. Internal Support Networks: Terror groups often rely on local facilitators, sympathizers, and intricate networks for recruitment, funding, and operations, making them harder to uproot entirely. Geopolitical Complexities: The regional security landscape, including relations with neighboring countries, can influence the dynamics of internal militancy. Government Efforts: Military Operations: Pakistan's security forces have conducted extensive intelligence-based operations (IBOs) and larger-scale military campaigns, achieving periods of relative calm in certain areas. National Action Plan (NAP): A comprehensive plan was formulated to tackle terrorism and extremism, encompassing legal, social, and educational reforms. However, consistent and thorough implementation of all its points has been a persistent challenge. Counter-Financing of Terrorism: Efforts have been made to comply with international standards, such as those set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), to curb terror financing, leading to Pakistan's removal from the "grey list." However, sustained vigilance is crucial. New IMF conditionalities (as of May 2025) also emphasize controls on terror financing. Challenges in Overcoming Extreme Religious Ideologies: Deep-Rooted Extremism: Religious extremism in Pakistan has complex historical and socio-political roots, including the impact of state policies from previous eras (e.g., Zia ul Haq's Islamization) and the fallout from regional conflicts like the Soviet-Afghan War. These ideologies have permeated segments of society. Madrassa Reforms: While some efforts have been made to regulate and reform religious seminaries (madrassas), many of which have been accused of propagating extremist narratives, the scale and success of these reforms remain debated. Online Radicalization: Extremist groups effectively use online platforms for propaganda and recruitment, posing a continuous challenge for law enforcement and a battle for counter-narratives. Socio-Economic Factors: Poverty, lack of education, and limited economic opportunities can make individuals, particularly youth, more vulnerable to extremist recruitment. Political Exploitation: At times, religious sentiments and groups have been manipulated for political purposes, complicating efforts to foster a more tolerant and moderate society. Government Efforts: Counter-Narratives: There have been initiatives to promote a more moderate and inclusive interpretation of Islam, though their reach and impact are often questioned. Educational Reforms: Broader educational reforms are seen as crucial in the long term to foster critical thinking and resilience against extremist ideologies. Legal Measures: Laws against hate speech and incitement to violence exist, but their consistent application can be challenging. Can these Challenges be Overcome to Improve the Economy? The link between security, stability, and economic prosperity is undeniable. Direct Economic Costs: Terrorism and extremism have inflicted massive direct economic costs on Pakistan, estimated in the tens of billions of dollars over the years due to damage to infrastructure, loss of life, and increased security expenditure. Deterrent to Investment: An unstable security environment severely deters both foreign direct investment (FDI) and domestic investment. Concerns about security have, for instance, impacted projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Impact on Trade and Tourism: Instability disrupts trade routes, increases the cost of doing business (e.g., higher insurance, security costs), and devastates the tourism industry, which has significant potential in Pakistan. Brain Drain: A climate of insecurity and extremism can lead to a "brain drain," with skilled professionals seeking opportunities in safer and more stable environments. Diversion of Resources: Significant government resources are diverted towards security and defense, which could otherwise be invested in development sectors like education, health, and infrastructure, all crucial for long-term economic growth. Conclusion: The Pakistani government faces an uphill battle in comprehensively overcoming internal terror groups and extreme religious ideologies. While it has demonstrated capacity in conducting security operations and has acknowledged the need for broader societal and ideological countermeasures, the challenges are deeply entrenched and multifaceted. If Pakistan could make significant and sustained progress in these areas: Improved Investor Confidence: A more secure environment would undoubtedly boost investor confidence, attracting much-needed foreign and domestic capital. Economic Growth: Reduced security risks would lower the cost of doing business, facilitate trade, revive tourism, and allow for a more efficient allocation of resources, all contributing to higher economic growth. Private Sector Dynamism: The private sector, freed from the burdens and uncertainties of instability, would be better positioned to innovate, expand, and create jobs. Government Focus on Development: The government could reallocate resources from security to critical development and social welfare programs, fostering human capital and improving living standards. However, achieving this "if" is the crux of the matter. Success will require unwavering political will, consistent and comprehensive implementation of reforms (including the National Action Plan), tackling the root causes of extremism (including socio-economic grievances and educational reform), effective de-radicalization programs, and fostering a national narrative that unequivocally rejects violence and extremism. It is a long-term endeavor with no easy solutions, and progress is likely to be gradual and face periodic setbacks. While Chinese loans and other international support can provide temporary economic relief, lasting economic improvement is intrinsically tied to Pakistan's ability to ensure internal peace and stability. By Jo Ikeji-Uju https://afriprime.net/pages/Anything

Can Pakistan's goverment overcome their internal terror groups and extreme religious within the citizens let the government and private sector help improve their country image and economy? (Part 1) Navigating the complex interplay of security, religious extremism, and economic prosperity is one of Pakistan's most formidable challenges. While the government has expressed renewed commitment to tackling internal terror groups and acknowledges the pervasive issue of religious extremism, the path to overcoming these deeply entrenched problems and thereby unlocking significant economic improvement is fraught with difficulties. The Challenge of Internal Terror Groups and Religious Extremism: Pakistan has been grappling with a resurgence of terrorist activity, particularly from groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-K), and Baloch separatist organizations. Recent years, including 2023 and 2024, witnessed a spike in attacks, primarily in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, leading to instability and significant human cost. The government and military have responded with renewed counter-terrorism operations and a commitment to dismantle these networks. High-level meetings and pronouncements in early 2025 underscore a resolve to address the militant threat through enhanced security measures and intelligence-based operations. However, the challenge extends beyond organized militant groups. Religious extremism, a more deeply ingrained societal issue, contributes to an environment that can foster intolerance, violence, and resistance to progressive reforms. This can manifest in various ways, from social coercion to direct challenges to state authority, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty that is unconducive to investment and broad-based economic development. Can the Government Overcome These Challenges? Combating Terror Groups: Pakistan's security apparatus has demonstrated capabilities in degrading militant outfits in the past. However, completely eradicating these groups has proven difficult due to factors such as rugged terrain, cross-border sanctuaries (particularly concerning the Afghan border), and the complex socio-political landscape that can be exploited for recruitment. The success of current efforts will depend on sustained political will, consistent policy implementation (including the full scope of the National Action Plan), intelligence sharing, and addressing the root causes of radicalization, such as socio-economic deprivation and perceived injustices. While a significant reduction in violence is possible, it requires a long-term, unwavering commitment. Tackling Religious Extremism: Addressing religious extremism within the citizenry is a far more complex and generational challenge. It necessitates a multi-pronged approach involving education reform to promote critical thinking and tolerance, the promotion of counter-narratives by credible religious scholars, strengthening the rule of law to counter extremist vigilantism, empowering moderate voices, and providing viable economic and social alternatives to extremist ideologies. The government's capacity and willingness to confront powerful religious lobbies and entrenched extremist narratives remain significant hurdles. Progress in this domain is likely to be slow and face considerable resistance. The Link to Economic Improvement: There is a direct and undeniable correlation between security, social cohesion, and economic prosperity. Improved Security: A significant reduction in terrorist violence would: Boost investor confidence, both domestic and foreign, leading to increased investment. Reduce the substantial security expenditure, freeing up resources for development and social programs. Improve Pakistan's international image, potentially reviving tourism and facilitating better trade relations. Ensure smoother implementation of economic projects, particularly in restive regions. Curbing Religious Extremism: A society less dominated by extremist narratives would: Foster a more open and tolerant environment conducive to innovation, cultural exchange, and modern economic practices. Reduce social unrest and disruptions to economic activity. Make Pakistan a more attractive destination for international businesses and skilled professionals. Allow the government to implement progressive economic and social reforms with less opposition. Conclusion: A Conditional Path Forward If the Pakistani government can make substantial and sustained headway in curtailing internal terror groups and, crucially, begin to roll back the influence of religious extremism within society, it would undoubtedly pave the way for significant economic improvement. A more secure and stable environment would allow both the government to focus on sound economic policies and the private sector to invest and expand with greater confidence. However, this is a monumental task. While the intent to combat terrorism is evident, the capacity to achieve lasting peace and the political will to address the deep-rooted issue of religious extremism are constantly tested. Without a comprehensive, consistent, and long-term strategy that goes beyond kinetic operations to address underlying grievances and societal attitudes, the specter of insecurity and extremism will continue to cast a long shadow over Pakistan's economic prospects. Therefore, while the potential for economic uplift through improved security exists, realizing it remains a profound challenge for Pakistan. By Jo Ikeji-Uju https://afriprime.net/pages/Anything

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