Meeting a key Pentagon demand, Pakistan's military is planning to move a major unit of its regular army into the Tribal Areas, Pakistani commanders have told US military officials, according to report by the Los Angeles Times (LAT).
Whoa! What brought that on? The Tribal Areas are so peaceful and well-behaved... | The army unit would supplement the Frontier Corps, a senior US military officer said. A fully trained and equipped army unit would represent a change -- long sought by US officials -- in Islamabad's stance toward the troubled region.
Right. Rather than using the Boy Scouts they'll be using the Mighty Pak Army. Tremble, ye turbans! | However, the LAT report goes on, US officials also question how effective or long-lasting the Pakistani push is likely to be.
My somewhat educated guess would be somewhere between zip and squat, but I'm not sure what the margin of error would be. | "I think they are sincere in addressing what we have identified as the problem, but I am not sure they have wrapped their minds or their enthusiasm over what it will actually take," the officer said.
"In fact, I think they'd rather be in Philadelphia." | "They are answering our request, but not in a way that will produce an enduring solution," he added. |