Mushahid Hussain

An unintended but positive spin-off of the Iraq War has been a shift in the debate from the 'war on terrorism' to anti-United States sentiment.

The US will have to evaluate the impact of its Middle East policy in view of the deadly response by suicide bombers in Saudi Arabia and Morocco in recent days

The US war o­n Iraq, notwithstanding its predictable military outcome, should serve as a humbling experience for the sole superpower

A couple of positive aspects need to be noted about the antiwar protest around the world. For o­ne, the clash within the West has defused tensions between the Muslim world and the West.

The transition from military rule to a quasi-civilian government places Pakistan on a rocky road. Although this is the third change to civilian rule, there are new factors this time around that complicate matters.

A polarised public opinion in the war to oust Saddam Hussein propels the US to mount a major offensive that includes military, political and media-related moves to cultivate ties with the Muslim world. But is the US succeeding there?

It is not only Afghanistan which had seen profound changes since the Sept 11 attacks. Other countries in its vicinity had also witnessed radical change and new policies. Much of these would have been unthinkable a year ago.