
The following might be a bit confusing: Joe Gandelman published a guest post at Liberty and Justice:
Will Pakistan President’s Deal Weaken The War On Terror?
Pakistan’s President Pervez “Buy And Read My Book And You’ll Find Out” Musharraf has made a deal with a hard-line Islamic party. And so, as the Christian Science Monitor notes, the question is: will this weaken counterrorism efforts?
No, our actions will weaken the fight on terror. For anyone with out American Exeptionalism(tm) blinders on(the whole rest of the world), its time to kind of disengage from the Hot-looking but insane crazy girl, who keeps getting drunk and brandishing a gun. Sure, at first you thought you could ride that Tiger, but now the local village girls are looking a lot better.
Just think were we would have been if we had had the resources(military) to have done a bigger and better job with that earthquake relief effort. I mean seriously winning hearts and minds in that region. Think of all the intellegence assets we could have had. All the friends we could have made.
Apparantly an organ measuring contest with dear old dad was more important than having assest availabe to take advantage of oppertunities. Republican beligerence makes us safer exactly how?
Last night, I watched Charlie Rose interview Musharraf.
Musharraf made the point several times: that he made a deal with Pashtun elders, and that it is important to separate the ethnic Pashtun(40 million worldwide) from its militant wing of Taliban extremists. Musharraf worries that harsh treatment of the whole of the Pashtun, for the sins of the Taliban, will actually push more Pashtun into militancy, and could drive all Pashtun into a war. Such a war would be the end of the new Afganistan and the end of the WOT.
My analogy is that of Palestinians vs. Terrorist Palestinians. As you can see, punishing all Palestinians for the actions of the suicide bombers led to the movement toward Hamas, and against the goals of peace.
I don’t know enough to believe Musharraf, but the argument is reasonable on its face.
Thanks Michael. I read everything that guy writes and every day I wake up glad that he’s alive.
I was literally stunned to see Musharraf on The Daily Show – I thought he was an actor in make-up for a moment. To his credit, Stewart did a damned good interview for a “fake news” comedian, and Musharraf was a lot more intelligent sounding and comfortable with the show’s format than most US politicians are. The fact is, he was extremely adept at answering questions about his recent actions, and I think, making his case for them.
I can’t say I know what he’s really up to. Nevertheless, it was unexpectedly great television. I’d like to see his Charlie Rose appearance as well.
Joe: no problem of course. I am sure that Joe greatly appreciates your support. You should not repeat that too often though -> he has a tendency to become a little bit… arrogant (this is strictly between you and me of course).
Mike P- I saw the end of that interview, and not only was Musharraf adept at answering Stewart’s fake questions- he was actually funny! Loved his answer on the “Seat of Heat”, LOL!