Here in the states, a politician worries about making a racially-charged comment and ending his carrer. In india and Pakistan, the equivalent would be to make a religiously-charged comment, which could result in jail time (in India) or death (Pakistan).

That’s the big deal – it’s like trying to go after MLK with an army composed entirely of his following. (***NO denigration of Dr. King here – just trying to paint a similarly-charged picture. Can you imagine the chaos that would cause? That’s what life in Pakistan is right now.) It’s not practical for us to ally with the Pakistani armed forces at this point.

There are other problems as well. The “black hole” region referred to is the Pashtun region, which has never been governable (like for centuries) and which even the British only tried to neutralize through manipulating their constant infighting. In this area, there are no noncombatants, no peaceful influences – they’re in constant conflict anyway. This is why AQ et al have chosen it as a stronghold, and it is a real hornet’s nest. It is not even close to modern – it is feudal.

On the other hand, its feudal status makes it a very poor base of operations, and AQ cannot really coordinate any serious offensives from there. Logistics and communications are things we interdict VERY well.

AQ will always be with us, IMO – but if we manage to bottle them up in the very armpit of the planet, I think that’s a sustainable situation. They’ll always have cheerleaders, and the locals will always see them as heroes (unless they screw things up again, the way they did in Iraq). You have to wonder how much we really need to care about being loved and respected by the folks in that region, however.

My answer to the Taliban/al-Qaeda problem in Afghanistan has already been covered.  Via Hot Air we hear news that should have been news years ago.

John McCain’s upcoming policy speech on Afghanistan:
An adviser to the campaign told The New…

Great point. I have heard nothing from Obama concerning the threat that is Islam. His head is buried in the sand. At least, McCAin seems to realize what we are up against.

I suggest every American read Because They Hate by Brigitte Gabriel. What her homeland went thru is what America will go thru if we dont realize what our enemy is.

With this method of dealing with Islam, it will be a long, long struggle but eventually Islam will win.

a capella on July 15, 2008 at 11:07 AM

It’s human nature to form cliques, which become factions. Clan association, tribal loyalties, look at the competitive animosity between urban neighborhoods. Expand that tendency with someone gifted with charisma, touched by megalomania, and it grows. Pakistani central government has clearly been ineffective at building a national identity. We’re not even sure which side the ISI is on.

Right now it appears that the Federal ‘administered’ tribal areas are united under the banner of Islam, but there are always individuals who covet status, fame, fortune who can be turned. We even have them here in the US.

The weakness of the Taliban, and AQ is their brutality. What is required is choice, we have to demonstrate to people in those areas that there is an alternative. It will require the central government of Pakistan to show some strength. That’s the question, can we get Pakistan to ’step up’ the way the Iraqis have?

I’m questioning the fact that he is not wearing a flag pin, an issue that bloggers made important in this election.

Dave Rywall on July 15, 2008 at 10:16 AM

Wearing or not wearing a flag lapel pin doesn’t become an issue unless other conduct of the candidate shows it to be part of a larger pattern. Other things that might make the conspicuous refusal to wear a lapel pin relevant are, oh, lets see..

Endorsements by terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah;

A 20-year mentorship with a nutcase preacher who openly despises America;

Having your initial electoral campaign financed and supported by unrepetent domestic terrorists;

A dimwitted wife who spouts off about how she’s never been proud of America until it was smart enough to give her husband the Dem nomination for president;

A plan of military action that consists mainly of an immediate surrender in Iraq;

Assertions that “the world” should determine what kind of cars Americans drive and the correct temperature for our homes.

Anyway, one presidential candidate made the lapel pin an issue because he knew that his nutroot supporters on the Left would lap up his renunciation of sucha a visible symbol of patriotism. Hint: It wasn’t McCain.

I wonder how low McCain will have to go in the polls to demand a surge of our troops to defend the border. Oh wait, I forgot, he’s a Senator, and is used to low ratings.

We could use more Patton.

rockhauler on July 15, 2008 at 10:54 AM

I don’t think so. Iraq and the Northwest Province are light years apart in terms of respect for any form of central government and secular values. It’s gonna require some major ass kicking and probably more collateral casualties. A big part of the problem lies in the arbitrary demarcation lines in Pashtun territory drawn by the Brits back in the 1850s.

Patton.

Now put that fighting view against what we hear from our leaders today? and yet people wonder why after 7 years we are still fighting these wars?

If we would have stood up to Al quada in Iraq in 2003 the people would have had an awakening sooner. If we would destroy the taliban in Afganistian and ban their teaching the war would be won. You must fight your enemy to win in war. we are not at peace we are at war and the policies should reflect that reality.

Out of respect to Paks soviergnty, we did not pursue. The radicals regrouped, ran training camps, refitted with recruits from various madrassas and ME nations and they still have safe haven there, regardless of billion$ of US Aid for the Paks to fight the War on Terror.

Amongst those of you who believe that the Force is stretched thin, It Is. Clinton comitted troops to the Balkans and guess what? They are still there! When will we redeploy them? The US Military fights wars. Peacekeeping and Nation Building is not now or then an apropriate mission for US Forces.

Do we need to grow the size of our Forces? Yes. But at what cost? We have an All Volunteer Force. Do any of you want to see the return of the Draft? Now that’s a real crowd pleaser!

Afghanistan could benefit from a surge. Our NATO Alies need to step up and send more forces for that. Pakistan needs to get into the fight within their borders or recieve no further military aid. Humanitarian and military aid funds are mismanaged by their government anyway, just as the Coalition Provisional Authority pissed away billions in Iraq
with zero accountability. I saw that first hand as well.

Obama does not have a clue on solving any of those issues. McCain has a limited grasp but chooses poor mentors on most issues. The ME is a tough neighborhood. Normal diplomacy simply fails in most attempts. They do understand raw military power but they view concessions as weakness.

It is anyones guess as to a successful outcome right now as we have not brought the full might to bear there in the Stans. Obama won’t do that. McCain might.

My men don’t dig foxholes. I don’t want them to. Foxholes only slow up an offensive. Keep moving. And don’t give the enemy time to dig one either. We’ll win this war, but we’ll win it only by fighting and by showing the Germans Jihadists that we’ve got more guts than they have; or ever will have. We’re not going to just shoot the sons-of-bitches, we’re going to rip out their living Goddamned guts and use them to grease the treads of our tanks.
Patton

Limerick on July 15, 2008 at 10:46 AM

Pakistan is already unstable and the Taliban infiltration into their military and intelligence systems isn’t going away on it’s own. I keep remembering the strong horse/weak horse analogy made famous by Osama. That Northwestern Province is going to have to be cleansed or Afghanistan will eventually become our next Viet Nam, soaking up resouces till we withdraw. They’re counting on that. I just don’t know if NATO will go along with a major effort into Pakistan. Then it just bogs down into another political wrangle.

The truth is, Pakistan is as divided a place as anywhere else. The Taliban use force, threat of force to intimidate recalcitrant factions into acquiescence. The very same strategy that worked in Iraq, where Sunni clans tired of the brutality of AQ caused a shift in loyalty can work in Pakistan.

AQ, and the Taliban better watch their back because their neighbors are going to turn on them.

How about:

To crush your enemies, to drive them before you, and to hear the wailing of their women!” …

a capella on July 15, 2008 at 10:28 AM

Yep. Rock/Hard Place. Do we run the risk of destabilizing PAK to get the opportunity to strike, or do we sit back and hope PAK man’s up? We need to do decide something pretty quick. NATO will only take so many losses before the Europeans start pulling out.

We never had a choice there; there was no “allowed” about it.

The congressional pension was changed in the 1980’s.

Dave Rywall on July 15, 2008 at 10:32 AM

Then why is the first post on this thread YOU mentioning the fact?

Given the grave state of the nation and the world, pins were never an issue and should not have been made into an issue. Next.

Dave Rywall on July 15, 2008 at 10:32 AM

That’s funny coming from you, since you were the one who brought it up on this thread.

*snort*