Home › Discussions › Letter From Mardan: A War of Unintended Consequences
Letter From Mardan: A War of Unintended Consequences
Summary --
The Pakistani military’s offensive against the Taliban is meant to root out instability in the country. But will a growing refugee crisis only make the situation worse?
Related
Postscript, April 9, 2009
With its new policy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Obama administration has taken ownership of an orphaned conflict. But can it achieve victory, and how?
Snapshot, July 15, 2009
The Pakistani military's new counterinsurgency strategy is propelling it to victory against the Taliban. But to consolidate its gains, Pakistan will need international support.
Postscript, March 18, 2009
Targeted killings of enemy leaders have high costs, high risks, and limited benefits -- but are still a sensible way to combat al Qaeda and the Taliban in Pakistan.

Comments
Pakistan The Taliban and SWAT
If I were fighting an asymettric war, as the Taliban are, I would consider conditions on the ground, the displacement of 1.5m people as optimal to my cause.
The Pakistani Army and to a great extent the US are using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
President Obama has taken an outsize position in AFPAK, he would do well to think Sun Tsu and to read Baburnama, the autobiography of Emperor Babur who was the last person I can recall, whose writ truly extended over this region.
Aly-Khan Satchu
http://www.rich.co.ke/rctools/wrapup.php
Twitter alykhansatchu
What's the Problem With Pakistan?
I think Mr Shaun Gregory is very right that Western policy is not addressing real problems in Pakistan till now. Taliban revolt is a result and not a cause of tensions. Lack of fertile soil, water, dramatically growing population and unrational ideology of traditional religion of fundamentalists are unabling people to find solutions themselves in this situation, plus divided society of communalities, nations, casts are fuelling additionally fire of insurgency. Political elite, army is divided as well - army are Panjabis plus few mujahirs (like Musharaff), ISI are mainly Pushtuns, PPP leaders are mainly Shia and therefore are traitors to Sunni etc. Solution can be found in total reconstruction of society by Western investment in agriculture, water managment, new ideology - complex but definetely not military.
Taliban VS Refugee
Mr. William
Nice to read your article, I appreciate your free lancing proffession.Good. Two readers comments are also worth reading. But it is not difficult to assess as to who is bigger problem. Taliban or Refugees. of course Taliban. Latter were allowed to have a collection and setup a collegium in the area.May be Pakistan wanted them to be in the area so that they can be killed and after killing them spread the rumour that they were sponsored by India and israel. But we in India know they are not being killed but safely being driven away have they shown their dead bodies.Yes they show helicopters moving up and down,tanks moving here and there but no deaths except the numbers.
Try to bury the hatchet.Good no problem blame it on India but kill them.At the same time dont be selective Kill others also whom Pakistan and USA recently admitted that they were prodigy of the two Nations and now they have gone out of control. Please control them again bring them to another city in Pakistan and then kill them and no problem blame it on Israel and India.It is safe for the world till you kill the monsters created by your own designs. I dont think Israel will have any problems as well.Because Israel knows very clearly that if any Nuke comes to the hands of Free Radical islamists or Talibans or Alqaida it will be first target. Israel knows it and the fact of the matter is also so.Good Luck ..Mr Obama promised change and out of that change he wants to have Dialogue with Muslims. I dont think Muslims have any problem with USA. It is the Taliban and Alqaida created through proxy war who are problem. I am afraid Mr Obama may not bring change to a level that some think tank may motivate him to call Osama or Aljawahiri to White house and have dialouge. I think Bush had good relations with Saudis and middle east except Iraq and Iran. Now if Israel people are more dangerous then Taliban yes have dialouge with Aj Jawahiri.
But the fact of the matter is that Taliban the new clan created out of proxies are a real threat to the peace of the world. Now i dont know why Refugees are being kept in tents when they can be acommodated in good locations. Yes in refugee camps Red cross can come and then _ - - - ?
And in the garb of Refugees Taliban can be made to escape and then use them assets the new assets of Pakistan.Good luck. Ask from a common man in Indian subcontient you will know all what is happening.
All you need is go to Birmingham and South Hall in UK where all indians and Pakistanis interact and live together and eat together. Their they share all the secrets of each others country in Vernacular and that spreads like free flowing information in two Nations.The genes play the role there and not the hatred. I am afraid some crack may not read and try to create nuisance in there also.Beware.
Political elite, army is
Political elite, army is divided as well - army are Panjabis plus few mujahirs (like Musharaff), ISI are mainly Pushtuns, PPP leaders are mainly Shia and therefore are traitors to Sunni etc.
Company Logo Design | stationery design | custom logo design
Because Israel knows very
Because Israel knows very clearly that if any Nuke comes to the hands of Free Radical islamists or Talibans or Alqaida it will be first target.
corporate logo | animated logo