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Should we believe them?
Zardari and Karzai, the Laurel and Hardy of South Asia, have spoken on the predicament faced by their countries. Zardari was quite forceful and eloquent in laying out the stark choices. He is asking for more help:
I think he's absolutely right when he notes that it is not really rocket science that more development is needed. But, the problem is the inherent crony structure that Pakistani Politics has right now. If the Pakistanis are able to overcome the Taliban menance, let's see how they will construct the day after. There lies their challenge.
As for Karzai, all I can say about him is that he is one slick sales guy. For someone who has to depend on the U.S. for his personal safety, who has presided over 7 years of failure, he has a lot of nerve. It appeared that he cited statsitics fully realizing what the questions were beforehand. The sad part of it is that there is no Alternative.
The whole world is hoping that Pakistan prevails in erasing this "cancer" that Zardari correctly noted both America and Pakistan helped create. The challenge is the day after. The bigger challenge is what will be done with Afghanistan.
There is no rest for the weary..that's for sure!!!
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And the Truth???????????!!!!!!??????
I caught the program, Empire, that Al Jazeera's Marwan Bishara hosts talking about U.S. Foreign Policy and the future. The analysis done is chilling. The session he hosted had Seymour Hersch, Lakhmar Brahimi and Tariq Ali. Tariq Ali and Seymour Hersch are considered "lefties" by the Conservative Community. But, sometimes lefites have words of wisdom that should be listened to.
In Iraq, there is some consesus that there is reasonable security. Hannity, in his radio interview on Thursday with Governor Rendell of Pennsylvania, said that the United States won the Iraq war. My reaction was, really? How? The fact is that Suicide bombers are back in fashion as America begins to withdraw. If the United States did in fact win, then why do we still have 150,000 troops in that country? Why are people dying?
Lakhamr Brakhimi was so right when he noted that the worst was yet to come. I saw Seymour Hersch shocked enough to ask why. The reasons are self evident enough. Secterian Violence continues without end. Ethnic tensions are increasingly at an alarming rate. Although i think calling Al Maliki the new Saddam is a bit much, still what is happening under his Govenrment's control has to be helped accountable--especially when we have spent over 650 Billion Dollars.
I view Iraq as a country in name only. Lakhmar Brahimi noted this. This man knows something about conflicts. He was a UN top troubleshooter for many, many years.
Afghanistan is even in worst shape. Tariq Ali reminded all of us that we have to figure out a way to get out and insure that we take away the reason for people to join the so-called "terrorists". They join because they have no choice. The policy should be geared towards giving them choice. Whether that's happening truly remains to be seen. The Taliban have fought NATO to a virtual standstill. Yet, Mr. Karzai found the time to open a new 25 Million Dollar COke plant that an estimated 60% of the Afghans can't even afford to buy to enjoy. Where are the priorities?
While the debate goes on, three more U.S. soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice. They were killed fighting the unscruolous in Anbar Province. When will the carnage and the misery end?
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Washington Ought To Listen....
I have continued to express reservations about Afghanistan and have profoundly concerned about the way ahead. I think Pepe Escobar's Report is as insightful as it gets:
Khameini: The Decider
Iran's Supreme Leader responded to President Obama's overture. Iran's Supreme Leader is the ultimate decider of all state matters in Iran. The Supreme Leader went to Mashad in Eastern Iran on the first day of the Iranian New Year to talk about this and other matters
[ Click here to read more ]
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..and now the real work begins......
A New Dawn Has Arrived
Barack Hussein Obama is now the 44th President of the United States. Throughout my lifetime, I have had the privilege to read on the traditions and was finally able to be a true witness to this momentous transfer of power due to the power of technology. I have continued to marvel at how someone with so much power gives it up so willingly because the people are truly sovereign in America. This was quite moving when the President and the First Lady escorted Former Mr. and Mrs. Bush
[ Click here to read more ]
September 19th 2008 23:42
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We Must Not Sweep This under the Carpet....
Tariq Ali's new book "Duel" on Pakistan is interesting reading. I agree with him in that no one truly understands Pakistan today. No one seems to want to understand. That's why I wrote about the advise he had for Barack Obama. I am confident that the team advising Senator Obama is quite aware of this. Incursions into Pakistan, though, will not solve the problem. It will make matters worst.
There is nothing wrong with listening to voices of reason. We must understand the country, reach out to the civil institutions and overcome the mistrust. The question is whether we have the will or not. Pakistan's challenges will not go away overnight--whether we have a "Prince Regent" now as the so-called President
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Mike Pouraryan
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