Washington got hit with a rare major snowstorm Saturday.  Different areas around the capital city got different amounts of snow, but in my home near Manassas, Virginia, we got almost 25 centimeters.  That’s a lot for a community that has snow perhaps three times a year.
There were reports of power outages in different regions and the local authorities were encouraging everyone to stay home if possible.  The roads were impassable.  The road crews are doing everything they can to clear the major highways, but secondary roads, like the ones leading …

The Winter Olympic Games get underway February 12 in Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada.  I will be part of the VOA team in Vancouver and plan to blog from the Games. I hope to bring you all a side of the Games that you won’t get anywhere else.  be even havea I also plan to post photos from Vancouver and maybe even get up close and personal with a few medal winners. Look for my posts here.
 

I spoke with former Pakistani Foreign Secretary Najmuddin Shaikh, and he says that Pakistan does not think a military strategy can achieve peace in Afghanistan.  Instead, he says Pakistanis believe that they should help promote a political resolution.  Watch the story below:

We also discussed a point that Shaikh says international debates are not covering enough: the Pakistan-India dynamic.
The two nuclear powers have fought three wars against each other over the years.  Now, India is a major donor in Afghanistan, and Shaikh says Pakistani officials suspect India has strengthened its influence …

UPDATE:  Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has backtracked on his earlier comments. 
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Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani says the military operation targeting Taliban militants in the South Wazirstan tribal region is over.

Pahari Sahib, Wikimedia Commons

Mr. Gilani told reporters that Pakistan’s military is now focusing on the Orakzai tribal region in an effort to chase the Pakistani Taliban leadership that is believed to have fled there from South Waziristan.  Once fully launched, the operation in Orakzai will be the third major offensive against the Pakistani Taliban this year.
Here is …

Watch VOA’s Special Report below on U.S. President Barack Obama’s announcement of his new strategy for Afghanistan.
VOA’s Special Report — New U.S. Strategy in Afghanistan
During his speech, President Obama explained the purpose of more troops is to break the Taliban’s momentum in the country and help lay the foundation for transitioning command from the coalition to Afghan security forces.
Mr. Obama also sought to reassure Afghans that the United States has no interest in taking over their country.  He said America seeks to isolate those who destroy and strengthen those who …