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| India-Pakistan |
| War and peace, Pakistan army style |
| 2006-09-15 |
| By Ayaz Amir ONLY the Pakistan army could have created the Waziristan mess. No other force had the ability to put together the extraordinary combination of arrogance and lack of judgment which went into its making. Only the Pakistan army could have executed the extraordinary somersault which is the essence of the North Waziristan agreement: a virtual instrument of surrender effectively ceding Waziristan to the neo-Taliban. A civilian government would have had its ears cropped had it even suggested, far less attempted, anything of the kind. Call this the higher gymnastics: first starting a needless fire, then rushing in with the fire engines when the flames prove more destructive than anyone had thought. Fire-lighting and firefighting rolled into one, versatility of which any army would be proud. This agreement commits the army to a set of concrete measures: abandoning check-posts, releasing prisoners, returning seized weaponry and, something dear to the heart of every Pakhtoon, paying compensation. |
| Posted by:john |
| #3 The real issue is that we do not understand the history and extreme tribal instincts of these areas. We did not apply a sledgehammer in any way in Iraq. We should have killed most inhabitants of Sunni strongholds outright. This would have precluded most of the ongoing violence. A strong example of extermination, say the entire populace of Fallugha, would have set an example that had real meaning in the Muzzie world, just as Assad did in his country. Brutal force has meaning to these people. We should demonstrate we are more than capable. Same with these Pak tribal areas. Believe me, we have many methods to reduce populations over wide areas. If this is the only effective means, so be it. |
| Posted by: SOP35/Rat 2006-09-15 11:50 |
| #2 Of course he blames it all on us. I would, just once, like for one of these people to explain exactly how we are supposed to "... quelling violence but giving birth to more of it." We did not reply to countless terrorist atrocities with violence until after 9/11. Why did that violence occur? This is nothing but anti-American propaganda. I have come relunctantly to the conclusion that our strategy in Afghanistan and Iraq was wrong. We should have picked from two choices: 1) annihilate the regime and all its supporters and wannabes. Tell those left to get it right this time and then leave. Rinse and repeat as necessary. 2) The WWII model, annihilate the regime and all its supporters. Then give them their new government system and run the damn place as a real occupying force. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2006-09-15 09:58 |
| #1 The Pakistani Army's inability to conduct any semblence of successful warfare in Waziristan has got to be sobering to the big chiefs when they look to the east. Mushie's in a tight spot - he needs US (diplomatic) help with regard to India, but the US has pressured him to fight the Islamists in order to get it, and now he's proven he can't deliver politically OR militarily. Sad for him, but also for us, because he's the best Pakistan has to offer. |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2006-09-15 07:53 |