"Welcome Usama. We have been waiting for you."
One of the obvious questions being asked today is what role if any did Pakistan play in the discovery and killing of Usama bin Laden? Of course, we may never know the answer if there was assistance. At this point, however, it seems that the operation was carried out without Pakistani knowledge. If so, that is a damning indictment of that country because it would illustrate the fact that we can't trust them.
Former Pakistani President Musharraf has stated that the operation was a violation of Pakistani sovereignty and that his government should have been "kept in the loop". Certainly, that would be true except that when you allow a terrorist-especially Usama bin Laden to hide in your country, your sovereignty does not deserve to be respected. That was a lesson Afghanistan learned.
It is highly curious that a man like bin Laden could have been hiding in a huge compound in a city so close to the capital of Islamabad-a city that is a major military headquarters no less. In addition, the compound is reportedly 8 times the size of the neighboring residences, with 15-foot walls and barbed wire. How does that not attract attention?
As stated, it is entirely possible that the US is giving Pakistan cover by allowing it to appear that this was a unilateral action. Until we learn more, I am leaning towards the unilateral hypothesis. If that is the case, then the question again begs: What are we doing working with this country and giving it aid.
Unlike that CNN "analyst" Peter Bergen, who incredibly told Wolf Blitzer last night that the killing of bin Laden means the "war on terror is over", the war will continue. The bad guys are still out there operating in cells or franchises, if you will. I am coming to the conclusion, however, that our mission in Afghanistan is becoming increasingly questionable. That country cannot be made into Switzerland. Same goes for Iraq, where rampaging mobs are attacking Christian churches and murdering people. What is left for us there?
Please don't say "nation-building".
I now think that no more American lives need be sacrificed in the name of bringing democracy to regions where it has no possibility of taking root. If there are actual terrorist targets, fine, but propping up the Karzais and Malikis of the world is not worth one more American life, in my view. As for that misadventure in Libya, there is no legitimate objective beyond killing Ghadafi. As for Syria-let Syria be Syria. Basta with this talk of whether we should get involved.
Final thought: Has anyone told our national intelligence director, James Clapper, that bin Laden is dead? Maybe Peter Bergen can tell him that the War of Terror is over too.
Point well taken sir.. Although I believe that the U.S in Iraq are there to assist in terms of Trade Craft in certain CT and IC organization and eventually thats how you get to build up a country not to forget to keep an close eye on Iran whether thats from the right or left, in other words Afghanistan or Pakistan etc.. Furthermore, I'm only highlighting some strategics..
ReplyDeleteSad Gary. Only 24 hours later, and you are indulging in snide remarks about people you don't like politically, who were most likely deeply involved in planning and pulling off this difficult operation. It is never easy to work out whether and how to enter a nominal ally's territory to take out an enemy.
ReplyDeleteSomeone was saying on CNN this morning that Pakistan knows the U.S. is worried about its nuclear arsenal falling into the hands of terrorists, and uses that to keep us on board with them. That is probably true, but we probably can't just walk away from Pakistan, for that very reason. You are right about Afghanistan and Iraq.
Siarlys,
ReplyDeleteWrong again. Greta van Susteren was asking the questions on Paksitan as soon as the news about bin Laden broke. I think I made it clear that we will likely never know what role if any Pakistan played. Its very clear, however, that only a few people there can be trusted.
I have no objection to your talking about Pakistan. It was your snide remarks about your less-than-favorite Americans I was commenting on.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, the vision of Osama in hell was a bit heavy handed. A more appropriate vision is that he may get the same reception in Paradise as al-Zarkawi.
His 72 virgins will be 72 Roman Catholic nuns in full habit, wearing large crucifixes.