I’m not all that impressed with Obama’s plan to bomb Pakistan’s NWFP if there is “actionable intelligence against al-Qaeda.” As analyst Joshua Foust has noted, such an attack would surely turn much of the country against us and severely derail our counter-terrorism efforts in the long-haul. It’s also just lazy – an easy response to a problem that is much more complex and deeply-rooted.
But, that quibble aside, Obama generally appears to have a good read on Pakistan. When he talks about the region, he shows some understanding of the nuances of the country’s historic and current political situation. He’s skeptical of Musharraf, thinks American policy should be based on more than just anti-terrorism, and he has more of an overarching vision than any of the other candidates. Consider, for example, what he said earlier this week:
The choice is not between Musharraf and Islamic extremists. As the recent legislative elections showed, there is a moderate majority of Pakistanis, and they are the people we need on our side to win the war against al Qaeda. That is why we should dramatically increase our support for the Pakistani people – for education, economic development, and democratic institutions. That child in Pakistan must know that we want a better life for him, that America is on his side, and that his interest in opportunity is our interest as well. That’s the promise that America must stand for.
So refreshing. And especially nice to hear him point out that Musharraf is not the only alternative to Taliban rule – a myth we’re hearing a lot of these days. Particularly considering what’s par for the course on Pakistan analysis — I’m looking at you, John McCain — Obama has distinguished himself in the presidential field.