Article

2009-09-21 Afghanistan

Pakistan offensive against Taliban 'failing to target' most dangerous insurgents

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Posted by tipper 2009-09-21 11:23|| || Front Page|| [5 views ] Top
File under: Taliban

#1 Logical on the part of Pakistan. 1. The Taliban discussed don't attack the Paks. 2. If BHO retreats from Afghanistan the Paks don't have the strength to address them so why Pi## them off.

Reflects the uncertainty Obama generates for our "friends".

Posted by tipover 2009-09-21 12:42|| 2009-09-21 12:42|| Front Page Top

#2 There's another good reason to go after the rank and file. Since the US is going after the leaders, the end result is an army of privates, which still offers a risk. So you hit the privates as well, to discourage them from becoming replacements for the leaders.

Posted by Anonymoose 2009-09-21 14:39|| 2009-09-21 14:39|| Front Page Top

#3 A solid point, Anonymoose. When even the privates end up dead, it suddenly isn't so cool to be a henchman any more.

Posted by trailing wife 2009-09-21 18:03|| 2009-09-21 18:03|| Front Page Top

#4 the pakistanis, though, can logically assert that it makes sense to go after swat and nearby areas first. What does it profit us to kill mullah omar and save afghanistan if Islamabad falls? Makes more sense to save the pakistani state FIRST.

Now will they follow up? I dont know, but I dont see who we can tell them to go after wazirstan and quetta when they arent finished clearing in swat.

Meanwhile I agree, a US withdrawl from Afghan would dramatically cut our leverage in Pakistan.

Posted by liberal hawk 2009-09-21 22:24|| 2009-09-21 22:24|| Front Page Top

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