Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: domenad

The government of Pakistan has ceded control of Waziristan to the Taliban and AQ. Because of that, we now have the right to take care of the problem there.

In the 21st century, the world can longer afford "tribal areas" that are off limits to civilized people. Perhaps in the past it would have made no difference. But now, these "tribal areas" are producing terrorists and terror enablers by the thousands. The Madrassas alone recruit young men for radicalization and jihad.

We know this. And Pakistan has just told the world it can't control its own territory.

Well, we can't control it, but we can do something about it.

I don't really care if Pakistan doesn't like it. What are they going to do? Attack us? Really?

Yes, they have nukes. It's my understanding that we know where they are and have a plan to secure them if necessary. We cannot allow an Isalmist state with nukes. Their right to have them ends when they threaten us.

Deal with it now, or we'll be dealing with the blowback for decades.

The ONLY reason we became allies with the Pakis back in the 1970s was to counter India, which was a leader of the "Third World" movement. That movement is dead, and India is now our friend and ally. Pakistan serves no purpose to us today as a bulwark against anything. If they are not only going to have Islamists in the military and intelligence services, and give the Taliban and AQ free reign in the "tribal areas", then they are not helping us at all.

Pakistan insists it can't send its own troops into "tribal areas" because the region is too primitive. Sorry, but that's not an excuse. Deal with your own people or we will do it for you.


8 posted on 10/03/2006 3:09:08 PM PDT by sdillard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies ]


To: sdillard
In the 21st century, the world can longer afford "tribal areas" that are off limits to civilized people.

The problem, of course, is that Pakistan would be facing a full scale war if they tried to take it over. The Waziri's have been there for many centuries and don't consider themselves Pakistani...in fact, many find it humorous that the Pakistani's even claim them to be in their country at all. The rest of Pakistan, for the most part, understands that the tribal areas are only technically Pakistani, and that in reality they operate as an independent nation. Up until 2004 Pakistani troops never even set foot in them. Even the British avoided the area whenever possible, and only held nominal control over it (they would enter the area to "punish" the Waziri's after a raid, and would then retreat back out of the area before the Waziri's could mass their forces...they never remained there for any length of time).

An elimination of the tribal areas would at a minimum lead to a full scale civil war, and would probably lead to Waziristan and the other tribal areas declaring their independence. The entire point of their "deal" with Pakistan is simply that they won't rebel if the government leaves them alone.
13 posted on 10/03/2006 3:49:11 PM PDT by Arthalion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]

To: sdillard
Good comment as well as some others below. We could leave them alone to stew in their 10th century (or earlier mess) but this part of the world is exporting a terror virus.
19 posted on 10/03/2006 6:05:27 PM PDT by nomorelurker (wetraginhell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]

To: sdillard
The government of Pakistan has ceded control of Waziristan to the Taliban and AQ.

As I understand it, Waziristan is the definition of isolated hell on earth.

21 posted on 10/03/2006 6:29:32 PM PDT by Alia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson