A Civil War No One Wants (Pakistan)
Strategypage ^ | 7/3/07
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1860193/posts
Posted on 07/03/2007 9:35:12 AM CDT by Valin
Pakistan is facing a civil war between the military (representing about ten percent of the population), the Islamic militants (about 30 percent) and the secular political parties (60 percent). The military groups are the most disciplined, and are well funded by a military business empire (an outgrowth of military foundations established to provide pensions and such for veterans). The Islamic militants are the most poor and ill educated, with most of their supporters in the tribal areas. The political parties are crippled by partisanship and corruption, but are currently more united and focused by a desire to avoid a religious dictatorship, or a military one. The Islamic militants are trying to use terror to take over. The political parties use large demonstrations and strikes. The military has police and troops. No one wants a civil war, but everyone wants to run the country.
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Thanks for that link....man,...talk about 4th of July Fireworks,,,
Re” #13
He really has no choice. The militant islamists have their base of support in this region. He has to root them out at the source or watch his country continue sliding toward civil war. I suspect this will be done in conjunction with major crackdowns in the cities. Things are about to get very unpleasant for the radicals in Pakistan.
He also has China and India looking over his shoulder. If the radicals take over in Pakistan, they are not likely to sit on their hands while some whackjob grabs the Paki nuclear football.
There is a lot at stake here. On both sides.