Pakistan

The tragic assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto following a campaign appearance in Rawalpindi, Pakistan yesterday evening profoundly saddens us at the Fellowship of Reconciliation. As members of an international fellowship who seek nonviolent resolution of political differences and a path to peace that expands the participation of people in the processes of self-governance, this is deeply disheartening.

Earlier this month, I was so happy to learn of the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) report on Iran’s nuclear program and ambitions. I thought the time had come for open conversation between the US and Iran. I thought that through direct dialog between these two powerful countries, tensions could be calmed in the Middle East and even in Pakistan.

I didn't manage to watch the Democrats debate on TV last night, but I noted in the Washington Post an interesting exchange about Pakistan and whether national security should trump human rights (see excerpt after the jump). I think that any view of "national security" that doesn't include human rights is short-sighted to start with.

The 3D Security Initiative does great work on this subject - their 3 D's are development, diplomacy, and defense - noting that "Security means freedom from fear and freedom from want."