SubscribeJeff Stein, SpyTalk Columnist & National Security Editor
There will be “no change” in U.S. aid for Pakistan in the wake of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, a State Department spokesperson says, as the U.S. Special Operations Command readies a plan to “vastly expand” its presence on Pakistan’s wild frontier and mobilize tribesmen against al Qaeda.
CQ Politics(01/04/2008)
posted by Jeff Stein at
9:38 AM
JEFF STEIN is an investigative reporter of long standing, specializing in U.S. intelligence, defense and foreign policy. In Sept. 2002, he launched CQ/Homeland Security. An Army Intelligence case officer in Vietnam, he later became CQ's National Security Editor and originated the SpyTalk column and blog. An occasional contributor to the New York Times and Washington Post, Jeff was deputy foreign editor for UPI during the 1980s. He appears frequently on CBS, CNN, MSNBC, Fox, the BBC and NPR as a commentator on national security issues.
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3 Comments:
Do the Pakistani's or Musharef know about this increased presence, because, that increased presence would certainly not be welcome in Pakistan. Which leads to the analysis of the details of the "presence"?
If we are talking about an invasion and occupation, and thousands of US troops in uniform, the necessary support hardware, the logistic and private military and intelligence contigents involved in such opeations, - then we are doomed to fail. What would American do if any foriegn nation invaded and occupied our nation?
If on the other hand this presence is covert, with small hunter killer teams hunting, capturing, or preferably killing threats, - then Pakistani's would not be concerned about America invading thier country, marauding thier resources, and erecting a puppet government, and more importantly the costs to America in blood and treasure would be minimized. Defeating jihadist mass murderers will require covert, and special operations with assets that look, act and speak like our enemies that will infiltrate their cell, target their command and control and eliminate them by whatever means possible. If Pakistani's do not support our efforts, - so what? Our covert teams would not impact Pakistani soveriegnty, in anyway, nor would our operations in anyway direct the government of Pakistan, but those teams would eliminate threats to Americans and all Pakistani's. People from various circles would whine and cry, and scream that America is acting in an uncivil way, - but if we are not invading and occupying Pakistan, - then these complaints would be mooted by the harsh realities of America's right and necessity to strike at and eliminate threats.
Killing jihadists is good. Occupying foriegn nations is bad
"Deliver us from evil!"
January 6, 2008 12:28 AM
Dear Mr Foresta,
Thank you for writing me. Apparently I'm not alone in reporting this development. For more information on this subject, see today's (Sunday) New York Times, "U.S. Considers New Covert Push Within Pakistan" (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/washington/06terror.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print). -js
January 6, 2008 2:29 AM
Interesting article Mr. Stien. Though I tend to take anything uttered by Cheney or Rice as a naked lie, wrapped in a web lies, and cealed in a cocoon of lies, - I think it obvious from a strategic standpoint that it will be neccessary to employ US special ops and covert teams in the untamed area's of Waziristan with or without Pakistans approval and regardless of the ramifications to Musharraf.
While Musharraf may be an ally of the Bush government, - he is no ally of America, and has done little to thwart the jihadist resurgence and entrenchment in the Waziristan. There is seldom a word about Musharraf's pardon of AQ Khan, and the potential damaging nuclear technology proliferation that may or may not be continuing to this day
Pakistan is a ticklish problem because of the unholy convergence of jihadist massmurderers, AQ Khan's expertise and willingness to sell that expertise to the highest bidder, and the known existance, but unknown unknown security status of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. For these reasons it is necessary for America and allies to act with ruthless determination in the regions of Pakistan/Afghanistan border that have become safe havens for jihadist massmurderers, including perhaps bin laden and zahwari.
Pakistani socieity has a centrist majority, with something like democratic leanings that is kept in check by the despotic machinations of Musharraf. The internal politics of Pakistan will play out with or without our assistance, - but the key from a strategic point for America is targeting, striking, and eliminating jihadist threats in Waziristan by whatever means necessary, and regardless of what might happen to the Musharraf government. America must quit forever the failed and tyrannical policies of imposing puppet governments or socalled democracies in foreign nations. We should inspire democracy by restoring and maintaining here in America, not by forcing upon people at the tip spear.
"Deliver us from!"
January 6, 2008 3:02 PM
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