(Christian Science Monitor)
Despite embracing the US's attempts to stabilize the region, Pakistani government officials are urging the United States to utilize diplomacy in regards to the Taliban, as opposed to carrying out with the plan to spike the number of troops in the area. Pakistan is concerned that the surge will, in turn, cause the Taliban to flood into their own territory, where "they are not welcome."
"The two countries' divergent views of the threat posed by Islamist extremists, and the Obama administration's efforts to press Pakistan to move against groups that menace Afghanistan have produced strains between the two countries and between Pakistan's civilian government and its powerful military and Inter Services Intelligence agency (ISI) — and a growing drumbeat of Pakistani allegations about alleged nefarious CIA activities in Pakistan."
They're naturally looking out for their own best interest and, likewise, we must do the same. The article more or less upholds this idea, though it does so by first analyzing the Pakistani perspective, which is effective when their own opinion on the matter is supported. While Pakistan would have some diplomatic pull with figures in the Afghan government, there is little incentive for them to effectively negotiate. It is also clear, given Pakistan's lackadaisical pursuit of any links to Al Queda and the like, their priorities are simply not in line with ours.
Link to story at csmonitor.com
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1122/p06s01-wosc.html
No comments:
Post a Comment