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Lions and Jackals
Summary --
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.
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, April 15, 2009
The Taliban and al Qaeda may not pose enough of a threat to the United States to make a long war in Afghanistan worth the costs.
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
Thugs n Mercenaries
Very great Mr. Author. You really done a nice work to tell the US that Pakistan needs training from Pakistan for anti insurgency ops. Oh Allah the trainers want to be trained. Great u turn. I am sure US administration shall not remain perpetually foolish. During Russian ocupancy of Afganistan. USA Trained Pakistan army to create insugency. USA was put to black mail that Pakistan are the contigous neighbours and Pakistan is the best agency to help USA.But in return whole world got engulfed in terrorism from the terror groups trained in Pakistan under the able guidance of some organisations and institutes in Pakistan government and establishments. Pakistan made India the testing ground in the name of Kashmir Jehad.
Now the Intellectual like your goodself who are pleading help for Pakistan and more so giving them equipment and training. Please have mercy over the world.Pakistan keeps building roads and bridges between China and itself. The USA administration be watchful of the past history and understand that this training will only be targeted against USA and its intrests and that also at the able guidance of the friend in China.USA learn and learn.dont give traning to the army which can pass on this to the assets of Pakistsan. Nice way to pay to the free lance army[Taliban n Al-Qaeda] of pakistan. It is nice get the money , eqipment and training from US army and pass on to the Free Lance army of pakistan.
thanks
Watch, test, then confirm
The resolve that the state of Pakistan has recently shown to oppose Taliban and Al Quaeda must be gratifying to its patron state, the United States. America's interest in Pakistan is limited to reducing, if not neutralising any terrorist acts emanating from Pakistan to its own citizens and property, which is as it should be, were the problem be limited to just that. Unfortunately, the objectives of the Pakistan state are not confined to (terror) attacks on western interests and values. These objectives are a complex and potent mix of i. deep hatred and contempt toward its eastern neighbour, ii. a feudal contempt for democratic values and concepts and similar 'western' imports.
I would not conclude on an about turn on Pakistan's perceived enemies and actions therein quite so soon : the Pakistani state and its friends within have a unique ability to grasp at each and every opportunity to advance their permament objective : India has been at the receiving end for well nigh six decades and has has suffered the most.
So, as a sufferer who has been enjoined to be 'reasonable' at all times, ( including after the latest atrocity on 26th November), I would exercise caution at not jumping to hasty conclusions, based on a single Bajaur experiment. After all, India has seen it all and seen though all.
Regards.
My enemy's friend's enemy is India
Dear Sir / Madam,
It is laudable that Pakistan has finally shown some teeth in its attacks on the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Pakistan's own interests have been long served by supporting Islamic terrorists for use in Kashmir. After years of active funding and training of the Taliban, followed by wilful prevarication, Pakistan has shown itself to be an almost entirely unsatisfactory partner. Creeping influence of the Talibs, combined with spectacular paramilitary activity inside Pakistan, has shown them the error of their ways. But even still, there are those who will seek to negotiate and cajole the Taliban in the usual peculiar fraternal, Islamic way.
There are many people in Pakistan who see India as their main existential threat. Increasing Western support for India, especially by means of nuclear cooperation, seems to have inspired more Pakistani vigour in the pursuit of both Al Qaeda and the Taliban. If the West, by act or implication, suggest that India is a more willing partner in the war on Islamic terrorism than Pakistan and that as a result India will be the recipient of increasing financial and military aid, Pakistan may attempt to prove the West wrong by becoming suddenly very effective. Nay-Sayers may allege that Pakistan may also drop any pretence of cooperation with the West and fall in with their Islamic friends. I’d argue that if given the choice between the West and the Talibs, Pakistan is confronted with a partner that can help it into the future and a partner that can help it back into the long distant past. If this episode in Pakistan’s existence has shown us anything, it’s that the Pakistanis understand what’s in their interests.