A suicide bomber wreaked havoc in Islamabad, Pakistan, this past weekend. A van laden with a ton of explosives destroyed a Marriott hotel, killing at least 53 people and wounding more than 260. The bombing came less than two weeks after the swearing-in of Pakistan’s new president, Asif al Zardari.
The attack highlights the country’s ongoing struggles with terrorism and the confusion and mistrust that many Pakistani’s feel about the so-called “war on terrorism”. The United States has stepped-up attacks on suspected terrorists in Pakistan recently as it tries to stem the tide of violence in neighboring Afghanistan. Meanwhile, domestic terrorism – like Sunday’s bombing – is on the rise in the country. Many pakistani’s distrust the actions of the US, and conspiracy-theories are swirling around who’s truly responsible for the Marriott bombing.
Deborah Dilley joins us on Word of Mouth to help us get a better understanding of popular opinion in Pakistan and other Islamic countries. She’s a writer and editor for Global Voices Online, a website that keeps track of what people are talking about on blogs all over the world.
Stories Discussed in Today's Roundup:
Pakistan Bleeds Again
Pakistan: Another 9/11, We are Burning
Jordan: A Popular Cafe Shut Down in Ramadan Crackdown
Saudi Arabia: Outcry Over Fatwa to Kill Satellite TV Owners
(Photo montage by A§ma using images from the BBC)
