South asia earthquake's political ramifications
South asia earthquake's political ramifications"
- Select a language for the TTS:
- UK English Female
- UK English Male
- US English Female
- US English Male
- Australian Female
- Australian Male
- Language selected: (auto detect) - EN
Play all audios:
STEVE INSKEEP, host: Saturday's earthquake struck hardest a short distance away from Andrew North in Kashmir. It wrecked a region that India and Pakistan have battled over for decades.
To learn more, we've called Stephen Cohen, a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution here in Washington. Good morning. Mr. STEPHEN COHEN (The Brookings Institution): Good morning.
INSKEEP: So how will a disaster like this affect relations between India and Pakistan? Mr. COHEN: Well, it could have significant impact because, as you said, the quake hit exactly in an
area that's very contested. It's administered by India on one side and Pakistan on the other. And early news reports indicate that certainly both Indian and Pakistani politicians
are concerned about putting on a good show and getting up there and demonstrating that they're active. But it also may have affected some of the Pakistani-based terrorist groups that
have--militant terrorist groups that have operated in Indian-administered Kashmir. And it has also, in fact, taken down the Peace Bridge that the peace bus went over between two parts of
Kashmir. So it could have considerable political impact, especially if the Kashmiris themselves feel they've been neglected by the Indians and the Pakistanis. INSKEEP: So the link
between the two parts of Kashmir is physically broken, at least for the moment? Mr. COHEN: Well, the bus link. You can get around--apparently the bridge, according to press reports--the
bridge is down but you can certainly get around it and ford across the river. INSKEEP: Now the United States is reaching out with some aid here. We'll hear more about that in a second.
Is this in some ways an opportunity for the United States to improve relations in this part of the world, the same way the Asian tsunami turned out to be an opportunity for the US? Mr.
COHEN: I think so. The trouble is our forces and our resources are stretched because of Iraq and Afghanistan. We may have to divert some helicopters and some other equipment to Pakistan.
They've already announced that eight helicopters are heading towards Pakistan. The US Embassy has announced $100,000 in aid immediately, but I'm sure it will be a much larger
contribution from the United States. INSKEEP: Mr. Cohen, thanks very much. Mr. COHEN: Thank you. Bye. INSKEEP: Stephen Cohen is a senior fellow in foreign policy at The Brookings
Institution. He's at his home in Washington, DC. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
Trending News
Rapper Chris Kelly, Half Of Duo Kris Kross, Dies | WFAE 90.7 - Charlotte's NPR News SourceNPR Arts & Life Rapper Chris Kelly, Half Of Duo Kris Kross, Dies By Mark Memmott Published May 2, 2013 at 6:58 AM EDT Fa...
Paramount Records: The Label Inadvertently Crucial To The Blues | WFAE 90.7 - Charlotte's NPR News SourceNPR Arts & Life Paramount Records: The Label Inadvertently Crucial To The Blues By Tom Cole Published November 2, 2013 a...
Ariana grande reconnects with her estranged dad, referenced in 'thank u, next,' on christmasThe holidays bring families together even if it’s only over FaceTime. That’s what Ariana Grande and her estranged father...
At least 25 troops die as fighting flaresThe fiercest fighting in months erupted on Sri Lanka’s northern Jaffna peninsula, leaving at least 25 soldiers dead in a...
Olympics open with spotlight on chinese cultureBeijing is ready for the Olympics. That's what organizers said Friday, hours before the opening ceremony, which beg...
Latests News
South asia earthquake's political ramificationsSTEVE INSKEEP, host: Saturday's earthquake struck hardest a short distance away from Andrew North in Kashmir. It wr...
Santa margarita rolls past kennedyR.J. Socci scored 19 points and Lenny Collins had 18 Tuesday to lead Santa Margarita over host Kennedy, 59-44, in the se...
Claims of Good Governance Index not matching ground realities: CPI (M)Srinagar, Jan 24: While reacting to releasing of District Good Governance Index (DGGI) for J&K, CPI (M) leader Muhammad ...
Vitamins a and c: their function and structure explained | nursing timesUnderstand the structure and physiology of vitamins A and C and signs and symptoms of vitamin deficiency ABSTRACT This f...
Nmwm10160 - accommodation and accommodation offset: establishing the total charge for living accommodation when the accommodation offset applies - hmrNMWM10160 - ACCOMMODATION AND ACCOMMODATION OFFSET: ESTABLISHING THE TOTAL CHARGE FOR LIVING ACCOMMODATION WHEN THE ACCO...