Pakistan government to respond to Bin Laden raid, as US demands access to wives (+ analysis of Bin Laden's targets); Egyptian military partols streets after religious violence; Softer bailout terms for Greece and Ireland?; Bashir faces third trial; and more

Top of the Agenda: Pakistan PM to Address bin Laden Affair

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is expected to brief the Pakistani parliament regarding the unilateral US strike on Osama bin Laden's Abbottabad compound that killed the al-Qaeda chief last Sunday. The assault has embarrassed Pakistani intelligence, who have denied knowledge of bin Laden's hideout, and fueled a domestic political backlash over the perceived impunity of the US operation (al-Jazeera) and the incompetence of the nation's military establishment. US President Barack Obama requested that Pakistan investigate the support network that enabled bin Laden to elude capture for so many years just outside the nation's capital. Analysts suggest Washington has been cautiously diplomatic, careful not to directly accuse the government of complicity (BBC) and alienate a vital strategic partner.

The increased US pressure on Pakistan (Guardian) includes demands for access to bin Laden's three wives, now in Pakistani custody, who lived with him for several years and who US officials believe may have information as to whether Pakistan abetted the al-Qaeda leader. Islamabad also has possession of a considerable amount of the documents that were retrieved from bin Laden's compound during the raid.

Relations between the CIA and Pakistan's ISI (WSJ) continue to deteriorate after reports that Pakistani media aired the name of a man they claim to be the CIA's station chief in Islamabad. Some US officials suspect the move may have been retaliatory for the outing of Pakistani operatives in a US lawsuit relating to the Mumbai terrorist attacks, as well as fallout from the Raymond Davis affair.

Analysis:

Revelations about bin Laden's plans to attack targets in the United States raises questions about his role in al-Qaeda and the impact his death will have on the idea of global jihad.

In this op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, CFR's Leslie Gelb writes that Afghanistan is no longer a war about vital US security interests since al-Qaeda is no longer based there.

This CFR issue guide provides background and analysis on the foreign policy implications of the death of Osama bin Laden.

Background:

Foreign Affairs offers a collection of articles on al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden.

This CFR backgrounder on al-Qaeda offers historical insight into the international terrorist organization behind the September 11 attacks.

 

PACIFIC RIM: Indonesia Seeks Life for Radical Cleric

Prosecutors in Indonesia seek a life sentence for radical Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir (CNN) who is accused of a series of terror-related charges. It is Bashir's third trial; he was detained in August for suspected links to a militant training camp raided by authorities in Aceh in early 2010.

Japan: Chubu Electric Power Company refused to comply with a request from the Japanese government to suspend operation of its Hamaoka nuclear plant (WSJ) until safety procedures can be improved. Because the plant has cleared official government safety standards, it cannot be forced to shut down.

 

ELSEWHERE:

- Cairo on Edge Following Sectarian Strife
- US, China to Meet on Economic Dialogue
- Ireland Seeks Softer Bailout Terms

 

 

 

This is an excerpt of the CFR.org Daily News Brief. The full version is available on CFR.org.