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.
Just surprised to learn that Pentagon database can be leaked and in such a huge quantity…
Still waiting for other leaks; specially regarding Europe. Why? Simply because there is increasing unrest in several European countries over their involvement in the aggressive global campaign against terrorism causing a significant drain on their national resources. Already, they are frustrated over failure of Euro at the hands of dollar-dominance priorities of USA at political and economic fronts.
The political integration of Europe would result in emergence of a minor yet significant economic player and I foresee a battle of economic interests between US, Europe and China.
Wikileaks about Europe can potentially ignite a serious and widespread discussion among the member countries to form a new strategy independent of US interests vis-à-vis the rest of the world.
As for Pakistan, there is a slight ray of hope: Previously, everybody knew all this but nobody could challenge the so called leaders of the nation. Now, at least, there is some documented evidence of hypocrisy of our politicians. If wisely used in the next elections, civil society can pursue the people of Pakistan to filter the corrupt, incapable and wrongfully-ambitious agents of external forces. For a start, at least urban population can break the spell of clan-based or feudalistic voting preferences in the wake of reinforced dissatisfaction thanks to Wikileaks.
The only surpise is how US authorities allowed all this to happen,majority of Pakistanis thing its again a US diplomaic-trap to gain somthing to their advantage.
But overall ,GORA Baiwkoof has got himself exposed while we have just confirmed what rotten class politicians/so called leaders of the nation we have.
Hi Adil!
As the dust begins to settle on; Is WikiLeaks a perception, a reality, an opportunity or a threat? Public consciousness is extremely vital here. Media highlighted (flood of news for longer bread but not greater good) the disclosures so that they got the widest possible global coverage and somehow attempted to legitimate the whole affair. The product originators are also not fair with the world peace. The consequences and implications of wikieaks may be “No Storm in a Teacup”.
I urge the world to work about ‘world peace’ for longer practical good; the long awaited cry?
No surprises so far as Pakistan is concerned. The leaks merely confirm what has always been hinted at in the media.
I have been surprised at the shallowness of the media and the circus they have made of this whole affair.