Swaraaj and other co-bloggers here are way ahead of me on the ability to decipher and interpret events in Pakistan since Pervez Musharraf declared martial law. I can only note that this nuclear power has been under military rule for more than half of its 60 years as an independent nation — so whuddya expect? — and say how awesome it is to see lawyers in suits sitting down in front of riot police. Think the American Bar Association would send over reinforcements? Nah.
In any event, I do want to add this modest footnote in the context of the War on Terror:
Musharraf has blown hot and cold on reining in the Taliban in the mountainous tribal regions on the border with Afghanistan but, with the wheels coming off the wagon in Islamabad, there is great mischief afoot concerning the Taliban as America’s favorite dictator tries to consolidate power.
Bill Roggio reports at The Long War Journal that deals are being cut left and right with the Taliban, including peace treaties and agreement to not block imposition of harsh Sharia law.
Do you suppose that Osama bin Laden is smiling?
More here.