Goodbye Peshawar
Am I the only one who has read that Pakistani president Zardari, referred to as “Mr. Ten Per Cent” when his wife Benazir was Prime Minister due to his demand for a cut in all government contracts, is now being referred to as “Mr. Twenty Per Cent?” Or that the only viable part of the Afghan economy comes from poppy production, accounting for 60% of GDP? And that President Karzai’s brother is involved in the trade?
So why is Barack Obama meeting with the two scallywags and pledging a fight to the death with al-Qaeda (which is hardly involved in the drama playing out) linked to a major dose of nation building? Meanwhile, I am hearing that Pakistan has begun to disperse its nukes, everyone’s greatest nightmare, because it fears a surprise attack from India to take them out. This is truly the ultimate quagmire, which ever way it goes, something that can suck our Republic in and down, making Iraq look like a pleasant weekend in the country. Doesn’t seem to be anything we can fix, so maybe it’s time to pack up the tents and go.
As I recall, when the occupying British Coldstream Guards turned Istanbul back over to the Turks in 1920 they embarked onto their troopships with the regimental band playing a ditty called “Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is our Leader” as a compliment to their former enemies. Perhaps the band of the Tenth Mountain Division can start learning a Paythan tune for America’s valedictory statement.
But what of those nukes? Pakistan as a run down twin of Afghanistan is one thing. Pakistan as an nuclear arms bazaar for all comers is quite another. If the nukes are disbursed and the country falls to the Muslim nutters, I don’t see how we can just stand by. I hope I’m wrong but some action on our part to secure and extract the nukes would seem necessary.
Thomas, of course you are right. The nukes are a real game changer if they ever get loose or are used. I’m just not convinced that there is a whole lot we can do about them because Pakistan really sees them in an Indian context. I gather the Pentagon does have plans to destroy or remove them if Pakistan does fall apart, but have also heard that the plans to do so would be very difficult to execute, particularly if the weapons start moving around.
I am beginning to think that our engagement in the region is part of the problem and our departure might actually calm things down and dis-empower some of the crazies. Propping up Karzai and Musharraf for all those years really didn’t buy us anything, did it?
I live in the heart of Peshawar and i dont have a clue on what you are talking about. “Pakistan has begun to disperse its nukes….” where do you get such kind of information……fox news? Open your eyes and ears. Dont just believe in what you are told.
If we know how to make nukes, we surely know how to take care of them. Pentagon and CIA are just making things worse for us. This is your war on terror, keep it to yourself. Dont destroy world peace. One super power has already gone down in Afghanistan. Dont be the next one!!!
And for your information Mr Zardari is now called “Mr Cent Per Cent”
Long Live Peshawar!!
Long Live Pakistan!!
Babar, it would be easier to keep out of Pakistan’s business if Pakistan weren’t playing a double game. Musharraf pledged support against Bin Laddins’s people but tried to have it both ways. We have a justified score to settle with them. Had Musharraf done the right thing we would not be in Afghanistan today.
Philip, The role of India in all this seem crucial. I think some of what we see going on in Afghanistan is a consequence of Pakistani-Indian rivalry. When we leave it will play out for real. It’s too bad that we really don’t have enough leverage to play a constructive non-military role.