|
NEWSNOTES
WORLDWATCH
 Afghanistan:
The reported death of Afghan opposition leader Ahmed Shah Masood in a
bomb attack on September 9 signals the virtual collapse of the Northern
Alliance and a possible sweep of the war-torn country by the Taliban.
The 49-year-old Tajik commander, known as Lion of Panjshir Valley, was
the lynchpin of anti-Taliban forces and had tacit support from the West,
Russia and India. For Delhi, Masood's demise has several security ramifications.
It will lead to the consolidation of Pakistan-which is the main supporter
of the Taliban Government-in terms of strategic depth. The veteran guerrilla
leader accused Islamabad of providing men and equipment for fighting in
Afghanistan. He believed that by backing the Taliban, Pakistan wanted
to become the axis for all Islamic countries in the region. The stage
has already been set for the spread of terrorism from Afghanistan to the
Central Asian republics with Taliban-backed Uzbek resistance building
up in the Ferghana valley. While India is verifying reports of Masood's
death, intelligence inputs indicate that he may be on life-support systems
after a bomb burst in his face. Delhi feels that with the Taliban's principal
adversary out of the way, the focus of pan-Islamic jehadis will shift
to Kashmir, causing major internal security problems. It is felt that
Masood's death will lead to greater instability in the Afghanistan-Pakistan
arc and give a fresh impetus to terrorism and narco-trafficking.
—Shishir Gupta
SPOTLIGHT
The Deadliest Terrorist Groups
These outfits are the ideological or ethnic founts
of much terror across the world
AL-QAIDA: Established by Saudi millionaire
Osama bin Laden to unite Sunni Islamic extremists. Goal is to establish
a pan-Islamic Caliphate throughout the world by overthrowing regimes it
deems "non-Islamic". Issued statement in February 1998, saying
it was the duty of all Muslims to kill US citizens, civilian or military,
everywhere.
 LTTE:
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam began their armed conflict with the
Sri Lankan government in 1983. Exact strength not known but estimated
to have 8,000-10,000 fighters in Sri Lanka. Involved in narcotics smuggling
and has a worldwide presence. Known for its suicide bomb attacks. In control
of northern, eastern coastal areas.
 HAMAS:
The ideological mooring for all extremist Palestinian groups. However,
it is perceived as weakened by internal conflict and diminishing external
support. Does not recognise Israel's right to exist and has carried out
attacks against Israel. Fighting cadre strength not known but has tens
of thousands of supporters across the world.
NOSTRADAMUS
Predictions
What was it that had us recalling Nostradamus
as chilling images of America's Black Tuesday unfolded on our TV screens?
In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, we turn the pages yet again.
The 17th century French seer-the "man who saw tomorrow"-had
predicted "the city of man-made mountains (skyscrapers)" would
be devastated. "Two brothers (twin towers) torn apart by Chaos ...
The third big war will begin when the big city is burning." In quatrain
97, he says, "The sky will burn at 45 degrees latitude" (New
York lies between 40-45 degrees). He also hinted the Anti-Christ would
come from North Africa or the Middle East. If the days to come prove that
right, will the "third big war" be
World War III?
—Compiled by Samrat Choudhury
|
METRO TODAY
Web
Exclusives
