but isn't he forced to walk the tight rope because of the loonies within his own country? I think the guy has done a masterful job. I learned today that certain U.S. companies have been given drilling rights in Pakistan for oil and natural gas. I bet this is part of the backroom stuff we are offering in exchange for cooperation. In any event, we keep hearing snippets of good news every so often about an AQ nab here and there. The driver and the other 5 guys who were picked up in the area will most certainly lead to more arrests or attacks. Either way, its good and has to be part of the reason Assad is thinking about cutting a deal with the U.S., which was mentioned in another post earlier today.
Without a doubt Musharraf on the whole has done about as well as can be expected of him - He has managed to handle (and be supportive of our efforts) as best he can in a very complex situation.
Do we wish Pakistan would (could) do more at times? Of course. But the reality is the Pak border regions are basically autonomous for the Pak Gov't -
My comments regarding Musharraf's comments earlier today on FNC were simply to say....while Musharraf meant what he said.....he said it for other reasons outside of his seeming premise that "getting UBL wouldn't matter"....It most certainly would...(and he knows this).
UBL is being systematically encircled. The odds are not in his favor to survive 06 (IMO). I think Musharraf tipped his hand that he would bet with me too -
US helicopter violates Pakistani airspace...
And then there was THIS:
Two shells were also fired on Friday night from the Afghan side of the border which landed in Pakistan’s rugged tribal region of North Waziristan but there were no casualties, the general said.
Who did the firing and who were they aimed at?