Comments on: GWOT BFF Musharraf “Not particularly looking for” Osama bin Laden http://registan.net/index.php/2008/01/08/gwot-bff-musharraf-not-particularly-looking-for-osama-bin-laden/ All Central Asia, All The Time Fri, 25 May 2012 20:24:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Joshua Foust http://registan.net/index.php/2008/01/08/gwot-bff-musharraf-not-particularly-looking-for-osama-bin-laden/comment-page-1/#comment-376129 Joshua Foust Sun, 13 Jan 2008 01:31:26 +0000 http://www.registan.net/index.php/2008/01/08/gwot-bff-musharraf-not-particularly-looking-for-osama-bin-laden/#comment-376129 You're right. I don't find sympathy for Rehman, for exactly that reason, but the split within the Taliban itself is intriguing: the prospect of a real stake in power seems to be schisming the more extremist faction from the faction that can accept a degree of moderation. That might be exploitable. You’re right. I don’t find sympathy for Rehman, for exactly that reason, but the split within the Taliban itself is intriguing: the prospect of a real stake in power seems to be schisming the more extremist faction from the faction that can accept a degree of moderation. That might be exploitable.

]]> By: Steve LeVine http://registan.net/index.php/2008/01/08/gwot-bff-musharraf-not-particularly-looking-for-osama-bin-laden/comment-page-1/#comment-376126 Steve LeVine Wed, 09 Jan 2008 01:53:34 +0000 http://www.registan.net/index.php/2008/01/08/gwot-bff-musharraf-not-particularly-looking-for-osama-bin-laden/#comment-376126 Sorry, I mean to say in the first sentence that it's the interviewer who is obsessed, not Musharraf Sorry, I mean to say in the first sentence that it’s the interviewer who is obsessed, not Musharraf

]]> By: Steve LeVine http://registan.net/index.php/2008/01/08/gwot-bff-musharraf-not-particularly-looking-for-osama-bin-laden/comment-page-1/#comment-376125 Steve LeVine Wed, 09 Jan 2008 01:52:57 +0000 http://www.registan.net/index.php/2008/01/08/gwot-bff-musharraf-not-particularly-looking-for-osama-bin-laden/#comment-376125 Josh, is Musharraf obsessed with Bhutto's death or is the interviewer? It seems to me that it's the former. When he replies, it also seems that he makes a pretty good case. Bhutto seems almost to have been reckless. When I go to Pakistan, for instance, I follow standard rules of security. One can still be killed, but at least you are trying. Where is the personal effort to shield herself from the unpredictability of a swarming crowd? As we've discussed earlier, other world leaders facing death threats, specifically Pope John Paul II and Ronald Reagan, curbed their exposure after being targeted. Not Bhutto. She's not following standard security rules. I also take issue with the interviewer's obnoxious approach to OBL. The United States -- the prime target of OBL's attacks since the late 1990s -- has marginalized its search for OBL. Not that Musharraf is blameless, but I think it's the primary duty of the U.S., particularly given this particular administration's fear-mongering bellicosity on the subject of terror. The interviewer does not seem to understand this nuance. Your point on free and open elections is spot on. Not sure that I find any sympathy for Fazl ur-Rehman, the prime patron of the original Taliban. But open elections. Josh, is Musharraf obsessed with Bhutto’s death or is the interviewer? It seems to me that it’s the former. When he replies, it also seems that he makes a pretty good case. Bhutto seems almost to have been reckless. When I go to Pakistan, for instance, I follow standard rules of security. One can still be killed, but at least you are trying. Where is the personal effort to shield herself from the unpredictability of a swarming crowd? As we’ve discussed earlier, other world leaders facing death threats, specifically Pope John Paul II and Ronald Reagan, curbed their exposure after being targeted. Not Bhutto. She’s not following standard security rules.

I also take issue with the interviewer’s obnoxious approach to OBL. The United States — the prime target of OBL’s attacks since the late 1990s — has marginalized its search for OBL. Not that Musharraf is blameless, but I think it’s the primary duty of the U.S., particularly given this particular administration’s fear-mongering bellicosity on the subject of terror. The interviewer does not seem to understand this nuance.

Your point on free and open elections is spot on. Not sure that I find any sympathy for Fazl ur-Rehman, the prime patron of the original Taliban. But open elections.

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