Comments on: Did We Just Invade Pakistan?

By: TCHe

TCHe — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:34:23 +0000

So, the locals are starting to fight against the Taliban, something the PAK doesn’t support by declaring a cease-fire because of Ramadan.
Because of the decreasing support the Taliban try to lure the West into PAK to present the Muslim world yet another example of “Crusader aggression” against a Muslim country. The US are actually doing exactly that during the holiest month in Islam.

Hmmm, while I can understand the motivation behind the attack, strategy that takes perception and the information sphere as an important battlefield into account SHOULD look different than that.

By: Ethan

Ethan — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:49:23 +0000

Soldiers over bombs: yes. Sloppy raid: yes. Poor timing: Yes. Dodgy border situation where we can only hope there is cooperation between GoP and the US: absolutely.

On another note, Baitullah Mehsud perhaps hasn’t publicly claimed responsibility for specific attacks. However, he has implied his involvement–albeit on a small level–in the “jihad” against the US and foreign troops in Afghanistan. See links:

http://www.dawn.com/2008/05/25/top3.htm
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSISL274902

On the other hand, because he simply hasn’t claimed attacks doesn’t mean that we don’t have intelligence that links him to attacks. Attempting to publicly distance himself from, or at least offer lackluster moral support to, the “jihad” in Afghanistan could also be a political ploy. Perhaps he finds more moral authority and nationalist/tribal support when confining his public operations to anti-Pakistan government mode. Perhaps he fears direct U.S./NATO action against him if he pops up on the radar. Or, on the other hand, he may indeed not be involved in Afghanistan at all. However, given his location and AOI, it would be silly to think that he is not at least complacent, if not wholeheartedly engaged, in facilitating cross-border attacks, logistics, and safe haven. Just a thought…

By: fnord

fnord — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:33:35 +0000

Amen. The timing is unfortunate in another way as well, because it will become the buzz-talk wherever pakistanis are gathered to start the ramadan season. This will by many be seen as a direct insult to islam, no matter the facts on the ground. Three days before or three days after would have made quite a big difference, IO wise.