The order allowing allowing U.S. forces to operate in Pakistan without the approval of the Pakistani government underscores U.S. concerns over Pakistan's ability and will to combat militants. Is the order justified?
Bush’s secret order allowing ground attacks from Afghanistan into Pakistan’s terrorist infested North-West without informing Pakistan’s intelligence is a dangerous development. While one can understand US’s impatience that all operations conducted against the Al Qaeda and Taliban have failed because of suspected tip off to the terrorists by Pakistan ISI, nevertheless unilateral attacks in the virtually inaccessible North-West tribal area of Pakistan will be counter productive. First, the attack carried on September 3rd under this secret order has not netted any serious terrorist but has resulted in civilian casualties. Second, it has and if such attacks continue, will strengthen already deep anti-US feelings in Pakistan that will strengthen the terrorists rather than weaken them. Finally, Pakistan is now without a strong leader and Zardari’s credentials to lead have already been weakened by the stories that have found their way to print on how he found the route to Pakistan presidency. The ground attack as well as those being conducted from the air with Pakistan military’s intelligence’s knowledge will only cause more and more civilian casualties which the weak leadership in Islamabad will be unable to tackle, that will enable the terrorists free hand to take the anti-US sentiments to the streets. Pakistan thus could be forced to another stint under military dictatorship or come close to being a failed state, either prospects not at all welcome for winning the war on terrorism. A return to military dictatorship could give strong leadership in Islamabad but will open the rest of the country free for the terrorists for with the departure of Mushraff, ISI has renewed its earlier nexus with the Talibans and Al Qaeda.
No matter how one looks Pakistan at present, the situation there is grim. The ground attack under Bush’s order has just added wind to the fire. It is legacy that has come back to haunt both the US and Pakistan for what the two did in the past to stop the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. At that time, Pakistani intellegence, US military intelligence and the Talibans and Al Qaeda worked hand in glove and built up a partnership that went very deep. The US left with the nexus solid after Soviet Union fell and it continued right up to 9/11. Mushraff’s friendship with Bush and his resolve to fight jointly the war on terror merely pushed the nexus under the surface. It has now re-emerged with the departure of Mushraff.
For both US and Pakistan, Mushraff’s departure has led to a catch twenty two situation in fighting the war of terror for Islamic fundamentalism forces in Pakistan have wide public support. Now under Pakistan’s weak political leadership, ISI has come out in support of the fundamentalists. It is difficult to predict the future course but not that difficult to predict that Bush’s secret order will only muddy an already muddy situation.
Posted by M Serajul Islam, Dhaka, Bangladesh — 17 September 2008 5:16 pm
Bush’s secret order allowing ground attacks from Afghanistan into Pakistan’s terrorist infested North-West without informing Pakistan’s intelligence is a dangerous development. While one can understand US’s impatience that all operations conducted against the Al Qaeda and Taliban have failed because of suspected tip off to the terrorists by Pakistan ISI, nevertheless unilateral attacks in the virtually inaccessible North-West tribal area of Pakistan will be counter productive. First, the attack carried on September 3rd under this secret order has not netted any serious terrorist but has resulted in civilian casualties. Second, it has and if such attacks continue, will strengthen already deep anti-US feelings in Pakistan that will strengthen the terrorists rather than weaken them. Finally, Pakistan is now without a strong leader and Zardari’s credentials to lead have already been weakened by the stories that have found their way to print on how he found the route to Pakistan presidency. The ground attack as well as those being conducted from the air with Pakistan military’s intelligence’s knowledge will only cause more and more civilian casualties which the weak leadership in Islamabad will be unable to tackle, that will enable the terrorists free hand to take the anti-US sentiments to the streets. Pakistan thus could be forced to another stint under military dictatorship or come close to being a failed state, either prospects not at all welcome for winning the war on terrorism. A return to military dictatorship could give strong leadership in Islamabad but will open the rest of the country free for the terrorists for with the departure of Mushraff, ISI has renewed its earlier nexus with the Talibans and Al Qaeda.
No matter how one looks Pakistan at present, the situation there is grim. The ground attack under Bush’s order has just added wind to the fire. It is legacy that has come back to haunt both the US and Pakistan for what the two did in the past to stop the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. At that time, Pakistani intellegence, US military intelligence and the Talibans and Al Qaeda worked hand in glove and built up a partnership that went very deep. The US left with the nexus solid after Soviet Union fell and it continued right up to 9/11. Mushraff’s friendship with Bush and his resolve to fight jointly the war on terror merely pushed the nexus under the surface. It has now re-emerged with the departure of Mushraff.
For both US and Pakistan, Mushraff’s departure has led to a catch twenty two situation in fighting the war of terror for Islamic fundamentalism forces in Pakistan have wide public support. Now under Pakistan’s weak political leadership, ISI has come out in support of the fundamentalists. It is difficult to predict the future course but not that difficult to predict that Bush’s secret order will only muddy an already muddy situation.
Posted by M Serajul Islam, Dhaka, Bangladesh — 17 September 2008 5:16 pm