Pakistan Mushareff & Osama

[colddiesel]

Asif Ali Zardawi, Benazir Bhuttos husband(Mr 10%) and Nawaz Sharif were both elected as heads of the democratic majority in Pakistan a few months ago. Both have long histories of graft and corruption in previous governments and since they were elected have been very half hearted about controlling the Afghan insurgents using SW Pakistan as a bolthole from their attacks into Afghanistan. Osama Bin Laden is also believed to be hiding in the SW tribal areas.

Zardawi and Nawaz have been threatening to impeach President Mushareff in the Parliament. Mushareff has pre-empted them by resigning. What will be the result?

1. Zardawi and Nawaz will probably squabble over the spoils of the Presidency.

2 US forces will probably be allowed for the first time by Bush to pursue anyone who attacks them as they retreat from Afghanistan into the SW Pakistan tribal areas. Bush was reluctant to do this earlier because it would have undermined the authority of Mushareff. Now he has gone and his replacements are no friends of the USA I believe the US won't fuss too much about going into the tribal areas in hot pursuit of either Afghan insurgents or Osama. It might also attract Bush as a means of recovering lost prestige.

3 'Aid' funds to the Pakistan government may well dry up real quick(without Mushareff)

Pakistan is about to get very interesting.

 

[oggbashan]

Pakistan might also get very bloody.

They have nuclear weapons and are in a Mexican standoff with India over Kashmir.

Unless the politicians have real intentions with to work with others in the wider interests of the country, Pakistan will become a cluster-fuck - again.

Og

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I don't know who's going to take over that country. I don't know who can. Bhutto doesn't have much experience and is a kleptomaniac.

I also don't know if the US has the manpower to go into the Tribal areas and establish any kind of order. That would only expand the "War on Terror" into a wider War On Islam, which I think is a terrible, terrible idea. We started out going after a handful of extremists and will end up with an entire religion against us.

 

[rgraham666]

Guess the Shrubbies will get that place in the history books they believe they deserve. Not the one they wanted, "Rulers of The World!" but "Greatest Fuckups in History" counts for something, doesn't it?

 

[colddiesel]

The Independant (London) reported this morning that a "decapitation group" has been put together comprising special elements of the US Marines plus SAS and SBS personnel(Commandos). Their purpose is to deal with (read assassinate) the leadership of Taliban groups operating in Helmand province and the border regions of Afghanistan/Pakistan.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I never thought that getting Bin ladin was really much of a priority for us. With him gone, we lose the rationale for and symbol of the War on Terror. We need Bin Ladin alive.

 

[DesertPirate]

The Independant (London) reported this morning that a "decapitation group" has been put together comprising special elements of the US Marines plus SAS and SBS personnel(Commandos). Their purpose is to deal with (read assassinate) the leadership of Taliban groups operating in Helmand province and the border regions of Afghanistan/Pakistan.

Sounds like a good idea.