India's attack on Pakistan feels heartbreakingly familiar—like Gaza, like Afghanistan, like Ukraine. When will the world’s big powers stop using terrorism and national security as an excuse to invade, attack and destroy their weaker rivals?Waking up the the sickening news of India’s attacks on Pakistan this morning, it was like deja-vu: watching a more powerful country use terrorism as an excuse to bully and invade a weaker neighbour. Israel’s unimpeded onslaught in Gaza also used a terrorist attack as ‘justification’ for massive military operation, as did the USA’s attacks on Afghanistan back in 2001. And didn’t Russia use a similar excuse to invade Ukraine, citing extremism and security threats? India is merely following in the footsteps of its imperialist predecessors, emboldened and encouraged by the freedom that greater military might (and zero accountability) has given to these tyrannical regimes to do as they please.And let’s get one thing straight - Pakistan is the biggest victim of terrorism in the world (after Iraq and Afghanistan). They are actively fighting a terrorist insurgency on their Western border, and have been plagued by terrorist attacks by the Taliban and ISIS for years. I remember travelling around Pakistan in 2008 and there were bombings in every city I visited. I remember seeing the shattered glass by the shops where I had visited just the day before. It was so chilling, and yet this is the reality of life for ordinary Pakistanis.Attacking Pakistan, already struggling under the weight of fundamentalist and sectarian violence inside its borders, will do nothing to stop terrorism in India. But the Indian government knows that. Because this was always about finding a way to shut off the water to Pakistan, which they have finally done, after months (years?) of trying to find a way to do do it legally without breaking the Indus Waters Treaty.&nbsp; Just like in Gaza, we are seeing a powerful nation shutting off water and/or food to make a civilian population suffer. India knows this will have a massive impact on food production, energy (which Pakistan already has huge problems with) and agriculture. But hey, that’s exactly what they wanted, it’s what they’ve been trying to do for years. If I was cynical I would point out that these terrorist attack (9/11, October 7 Hamas attack, and now Pahalgham in Kashmir) always seem to provide the perfect cover for these big geo-political players to pursue an established military goal under the guise of ‘national security’, and the ‘right to defend itself. How convenient. Aside from the political discussions, what I am truly feeling is heartbreak. These are my people. Not just because I am Pakistani, but I also know people from Sialkot, Muzaffarabad and Kotli. We have large Pakistani communities in the UK who come from these towns, and watching their villages being blown up in the middle of the night is simultaneously terrifying and enraging. My heart goes out to them, but I also know they are strong and brave and fearless, and will not take this lying down.&nbsp;A cowardly and misguided step by India. Now all we can do is pray that it does not escalate, and that international community steps in to put out this fire. We do not need another war.&nbsp;May God bring peace and healing to Kashmir, Gaza, Ukraine and everywhere suffocating under the weight of military aggression. Ameen.&nbsp;

India's attack on Pakistan feels heartbreakingly familiar. The same playbook being used by aggressive regimes to destroy their weaker neighbours.

Terrorism is Just the Excuse: How India, Israel, Russia and the U.S. use 'security' as a licence to destroy

Terrorism is Just the Excuse: How India, Israel, Russia and the U.S. use 'security' as a licence to destroy

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