Feb 12, 2012
Barton On Pakistan | Wash Post
Ann Scott Tyson wrote a great piece on the need for the U.S. to step up training of Pakistanis.
Despite the aid, the insurgency of Islamic extremists in Pakistan has grown, and the Pakistani army has lost hundreds of troops in tribal areas. "It has not worked," said Rick Barton of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
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Correction: I was reading
Correction: I was reading the quote below and got it mixed up with the top quote. I meant to say I agree that US troops in Pakistan at this time wouldn't work, but it all got mixed up.
Mehsud is Taliban but when I see on TV that the gov't is bombing "pro-Taliban" militants in the lawless areas it concerns me that the movement is growing.
I agree it won't
I agree it won't work.
Imran Khan made a pointed case for Musharraf's resignation, and also highlighted the point your program has been saying about siding with the people of Pakistan, which people always want. What I especially liked is that he talked about what the tribal areas are like and how British used to avoid killing civilians. I feel we are seeing them as a lawless, faceless, barbarian region, so its OK to bomb them. Unfortunately, to me it seems the retaliatory response, from kinda-pro-linked-cousin-of-Taliban-who-supported-al-Qaeda has been growing, not shrinking. Understanding that area might help. Practically speaking, I believe that is what he is saying.
However, I saw the fact that the independent judiciary was not restored more a question of a phased transition. Eventually it should be, in my opinion. The conflict is that they would rule against Musharraf and then its a question of who is the next President.