Pakistan

Al-Qaeda Claims They Are Holding U.S Citizen

In a recently released video, al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri claims that the terrorist group is holding U.S citizen Warren Weinstein. Weinstein was captured by an armed group in the city of Lahore, Pakistan almost four months ago. Weinstein has lived in Pakistan for the past five years, and is a former USAID worker. Ayman al-Zawahiri has offered to release Weinstein if the United States would halt air strikes in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia. Ayman al-Zawahiri also called for the release of suspects believed to be apart of the Taliban and as well as al-Qaeda.

The capture of an American citizen puts America into a complicated situation. al-Qaeda is bargaining the life of Weinstein in exchange for the United States to practically cease all military action in the Middle East. Will the U.S. halt it’s demonstration of power in the region for Warren Weinstein? The United States is known for not negotiating with terrorists, which creates the complications in this situation. This is similar to the situation involving Daniel Pearl that occurred in 2002; Pearl was also captured in Pakistan and later beheaded. How will America react to the demands? Will they increase military action against al-Qaeda if the life of Warren Weinstein is forfeited?

Realist

http://www.thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=27756&title=Al-Qaeda-holding-US-aid-worker-in-Pakistan:-SITE

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-15996128

December 1, 2011 at 8:46 pm