Adil Najam
Let me start with my own ‘WikiLeak moment.’ I have been wanting to write about the whole WikiLeak saga and how we Pakistanis have been reacting to it. However, I have still not figured out what there is to say about it. I am clearly in a minority (maybe even a minority of one) on this one since everyone seems to have nothing else to talk about except WikiLeaks: All WikiLeaks all the time seems to be the roller coaster that Pakistan is on right now.
Hence this post. To ask our readers what in the WikiLeaks, or about the WikiLeaks, has surprised them the most. As for me, maybe I have become too cynical myself, but there is nothing in or about WikiLeaks that has really surprised or stunned me. At least , not yet.
Of course, there is much to chatter about for the chattering classes in the WikiLeaks. For a nation that seems to run on talking points, there is talking points a plenty. But to what avail and for what point. That I do not know. And that is what I seek to learn from you, dear readers.
Maybe the surprise is that there still are many who seem (or feign) surprise at finding that Americans wish to influence other countries in pursuit of their own national interests, or that our own leaders seem interested only in their own personal interests. That our leaders are bent on bad-mouthing each other with gusto and seek favors of Americans who they seem to think are the arbiters of their own political fate should also not be a surprise to anyone who has ever seen a Pakistani talk show, least of all to the anchors of those shows. Yet, our perennially incensed anchors seem to be particularly incensed about this very non-surprise.
Maybe one surprise is that we have, as yet, not heard anything about what these memos say about what our media stars have been saying to the Americans. I suspect, that too shall come. Of course, reading about what other countries think of Pakistan and of our leaders is embarrassing, but I cannot imagine that it is truly surprising either. That too many will spin, twist and even lie about what is or is not in WikiLeaks is sometimes irksome, but frankly we have seen lies so much more blatant that these little skirmishes with the truth seem rather trivial. Sure enough, WikiLeaks can confirm that which we had already suspected. But in this case they seem to circumstantially confirm all, and sometimes smack opposite, conspiracy theories. No matter what you believe, you can – and will – claim that WikiLeaks has confirmed that exact view.
So, here I am wondering what I should write about. What is there in these WikiLeaks that is truly news, surprising, or even just insightful? What have we learnt that we really did not know before? And what might we learn from this little tsunami in a tea-cup, if indeed we were ever in a mood to learn anything? Do help me, dear readers, to help figure this one out.
Wikileaks has only confirmed the known secrets of government affairs. There’s nothing new in them, except that the US has admitted to their genuineness. What is striking is that there’s no mention of how US govts have manipulated other countries. The bad guys in these cables r the respective govts in which US embassies r located.
The video about how Haqqani abused and mocked Pakistan and Pakistanis is disgusting. Why is it not bigger news? I suggest to ATP to please do a separate post on this.
Level of penetration by large corporates of 3rd world countries like Nigeria is quite SHOCKING .
It could happen to us – India and Pakistan- too.
Also , some commenters are talking about “lack” of cables abt India….lets remember friends that less than 1 % of all cables are released……99% to go!
Wait and Watch!
@Tanveer.
yes, the video you posted is disgusting and typical Hussain Haqqani traitorism
Hussain Haqqani was always a LEAK, even before WikiLeak
This is the guy who invented the term “Mr. 10%” and now he is right hand man to Mr. 15%!
Adil, you hit the nail on the nail on the head on this one:
“Sure enough, WikiLeaks can confirm that which we had already suspected. But in this case they seem to circumstantially confirm all, and sometimes smack opposite, conspiracy theories. No matter what you believe, you can – and will – claim that WikiLeaks has confirmed that exact view.”
Nothing new or substantive in Wikileaks yet, but much worse and much more serious is what our Ambassador Haqqani has been saying to Bob Woodward… damaging as well as insulting to all Pakistanis:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAKEaD22v78
What is there in these WikiLeaks that is truly news, surprising, or even just insightful? What have we learnt that we really did not know before?
I am more surprised at you and your liberal cult who are now chanting that there is nothing new in it. I am rather perplexed that whether I should consider you a classical ignoran t, a li ar or a confused person who has no ability to use the mighty brain because you are claiming that there’s nothing surprising for you in it. Being a one of the oldest reader of your blog I am quite aware that what Wikileaks actually leaked is OPPOSITE of propaganda you and your liberal supporters have been doing for last 4 or 5 years.
Has not Wikileaks revealed that both Benazir and Zardari didn’t consider Talibans the real culprit of BB’s assassination and even Zardari consider someone else behind her assassination? Did not Wikileaks reveal that India again has been playing the same role which it played in 70 to split Pakistan? Is it not true you along with your liberal kids played main role to do propaganda OPPOSITE to what wiki revealed and you and your kids made enough attempts to make noise to present lies as facts? I wonder how on earth you are now lying that nothing is surprising for you? This then proves that you knew the truth but you had been given task to propagate lies to fulfill the agenda of West which have been funding liberals one way or other. How should such fundos be treated now?
To be honest I am surprised that how people like you and other “oldies” could be so ignorant and stupid at same time?