B Raman, former head of counter-terrorism, Research and Analysis Wing, is currently director, Institute for Topical Studies.

• The need for para-diplomacy   - August 5, 2002
'Our experience with para-diplomacy through Pakistan's intelligence agencies has been unsatisfactory. However, memories of the past exercise need not deter us from trying it again.'

• The dangers of intelligence cooperation   - July 18, 2002
'Indira Gandhi had laid down strict dos and don'ts about intelligence co-operation. This was done both orally and through orders written in her own hand, without even dictating them to her personal assistants.'

• Musharraf or worse?   - June 18, 2002
'The argument that if Pakistan has to be decontaminated of the virus of terrorism, the army has to go back to the barracks and Musharraf sent on his long overdue superannuation does not have many takers.'

• Musharraf's speech was an anti-climax   - May 28, 2002

'America should remove the blinkers from its eyes, but it does not want to do so lest it start seeing Musharraf for what he really is -- the godfather of international terrorism emanating from this region.'

• Who bombed the French?   - May 8, 2002

The perpetrators could have been anyone from Al Qaeda supporters to Pakistan-based pro-Kashmir organisations.

• Kaluchak and after   - May 17, 2002
'Persisting weaknesses in our internal security infrastructure and the lack of a counter proxy war policy through covert actions continue to be our weak points in dealing with Pakistan's proxy war.'

• The omens of Anaconda   - March 16, 2002
'The key to the end of the Al Qaeda-inspired terrorism against the international community lies in the Pakistan-southern/eastern Afghanistan region and not in Iraq, Iran, North Korea or Yemen.'

• The attack on democracy   - December 14, 2001
Whoever might claim responsibility for the terrorist strikes on the Indian Parliament on the forenoon of December 13, 2001, the involvement of one of the Pakistani components of Osama bin Laden's front is a strong possibility.

• Enduring freedom or enduring terrorism   - October 11, 2001
'Bush and Blair have given bin Laden the halo of a religious leader. The war is no longer looked upon as one against international terrorism. It is perceived as a war against Islam and, more particularly, a war against the Pashtuns.'

• 'Don't send an army of elephants to kill a cockroach'   - September 18, 2001
'Laden could take shelter in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan where he is worshipped like God. Even the Pakistan Army and ISI don't know the area well.'

• The first war of the 21st century   - September 14, 2001
'If the US and other NATO powers really want their counter-offensive to triumph, they have to work for the replacement from power in Islamabad of Musharraf & Co with moderate officers.'

• Dawood, Shakeel & Co   - August 21, 2001
'When there are violent incidents in Karachi almost every other day, which are ignored by Bombay's underworld, why did it get excited by the grenade attack, triggering rumours of Chhota Shakeel's injury or death?'

• Operation Whitewash   - June 22, 2001
'India should not fall prey to attempts to re-package Pervez Musharraf as a man of peace and goodwill until his sincerity in wanting to control the rogue mullahs is proved.'

• Waiting for Musharraf   - June 7, 2001
'Musharraf looks upon Afghanistan as his greatest success story and believes this can be repeated in J&K. He interprets the change in Indian attitude as indicators of the onset of battle fatigue in the Indian security forces.'

• The sting in sting operations   - March 19, 2001
In the US, tehelka.com would have been liable for prosecution. In India, however, there are no laws regulating the use of covert equipment by private individuals. Which is why it is all the more vital to make sure tehelka.com's investigation is above board.

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