As some readers are well aware, I filed a report earlier this week in support of the U.S. Department of State's recent travel warning on Pakistan. It is ironic that in the same week, an American aid worker, Warren Weinstein, in Lahore was kidnapped.
A group of some 8-10 heavily armed gunmen stormed Weinstein's residence and overpowered security guards who were assigned there. According to the LinkedIn social network site, Weinstein is the Pakistan country director for J.E. Austin Associates Inc., a position held since 2004. The LinkedIn listing says he has worked on dairy production, horticulture and manufacturing projects, some funded by the U.S. government. Weinstein is in his mid-60s.
COMMENT: According to available information about the incident, the assailants used the pretense of wanting to give the guards food (a typical custom during Ramadan) to persuade the guards to open the external gate leading into the residential compound.
Weinstein's company website describes him as an "expert in international development with 25 years of experience." The site also indicates that Weinstein holds a PhD in international law and economics from Columbia University and has worked in fields including governance and micro-finance.
As I mentioned in my analysis of the Department of State's recent travel warning on Pakistan earlier in the week, relations between the US and Pakistan have never been as bad as they currently are. Unfortunately, there are senior elements of the Pakistani government that sympathize and support the goals of the Taliban and al-Qaeda. Hence, the justified U.S. Navy SEAL operation against Osama bin Laden on May 2 has resulted in worsening conditions between the two governments. Although CIA contractor Raymond Davis' killing of two Pakistanis in Lahore was also justified, it is clear that the result from these developments is that Americans are being harassed and targeted, as in the case of Warren Weinstein.
As we go to press, there have been no demands made for Weinstein's return or his condition after being abducted. Although foreigners have been kidnapped in Pakistan before, many have been ultimately released. On the other hand, relations between the US and Pakistan have never been worse.
This report will be updated as information becomes available.
Those interested in the security situation should refer to my report earlier in the week.
A group of some 8-10 heavily armed gunmen stormed Weinstein's residence and overpowered security guards who were assigned there. According to the LinkedIn social network site, Weinstein is the Pakistan country director for J.E. Austin Associates Inc., a position held since 2004. The LinkedIn listing says he has worked on dairy production, horticulture and manufacturing projects, some funded by the U.S. government. Weinstein is in his mid-60s.
COMMENT: According to available information about the incident, the assailants used the pretense of wanting to give the guards food (a typical custom during Ramadan) to persuade the guards to open the external gate leading into the residential compound.
Weinstein's company website describes him as an "expert in international development with 25 years of experience." The site also indicates that Weinstein holds a PhD in international law and economics from Columbia University and has worked in fields including governance and micro-finance.
As I mentioned in my analysis of the Department of State's recent travel warning on Pakistan earlier in the week, relations between the US and Pakistan have never been as bad as they currently are. Unfortunately, there are senior elements of the Pakistani government that sympathize and support the goals of the Taliban and al-Qaeda. Hence, the justified U.S. Navy SEAL operation against Osama bin Laden on May 2 has resulted in worsening conditions between the two governments. Although CIA contractor Raymond Davis' killing of two Pakistanis in Lahore was also justified, it is clear that the result from these developments is that Americans are being harassed and targeted, as in the case of Warren Weinstein.
As we go to press, there have been no demands made for Weinstein's return or his condition after being abducted. Although foreigners have been kidnapped in Pakistan before, many have been ultimately released. On the other hand, relations between the US and Pakistan have never been worse.
This report will be updated as information becomes available.
Those interested in the security situation should refer to my report earlier in the week.
