Comes As No Surprise We’re Destablized
Via reader Macaquakerman, Talat Massoud -- a member in good standing of the Pakistani military establishment -- has an instructive piece in the Daily Times that tells us what U.S. foreign policy looks like in Islamabad.
From the US perspective the immediate threat of Islamic radicalism rests along the Pak-Afghan border; the Iranian nuclear danger could be dealt with at a more opportune moment. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has also been saying that Iraq is the wrong war and Afghanistan the right one. It would not be long before the US decides to terminate the war in Iraq and declare Afghanistan and Pakistan as the epicentres of the global war on terrorism.
Clearly, any such move will inflame passions in Pakistan. Anti-American sentiments will rise exponentially. The civilian government would be destabilised and moderate forces will be further marginalised. For the Taliban and Al Qaeda this would be an ideal situation.
I'd weigh in on this but right now I have to finish up today's Crappy Hour with Megan before my imminent flight to Austin for Netroots Nation. I'll be in the air when it goes live, but click through after 10 a.m. to see us talk about Jesse Jackson and some other shit.
- Original article
- FILED UNDER: Guest Blogger
- July 17, 2008
Boy, I guess you sure showed us!
Wow!... That article was SCATHING!...
Just look at some excerpts:
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“Everyone in Iraq likes him [Obama],” said the general, Nassir al-Hiti. “I like him. He’s young. Very active. We would be very happy if he was elected president.”
“In no way do I favor the occupation of my country,” said Abu Ibrahim, a Western-educated businessman in Baghdad.
Even as some Iraqis disagreed about Mr. Obama’s stance on withdrawal, they expressed broad approval for him [Obama] personally as an improvement over Mr. Bush, who remains unpopular among broad portions of Iraqi society five years after the war began. No one interviewed expressed a strong dislike for Mr. Obama.
Saad Sultan, an official in an Iraqi government ministry, contended that Mr. Obama could give a fresh start to relations between the Arab world and the United States... “Every time I see Obama I say: ‘He’s close to us. Maybe he’ll see us in a different way,’ ” Mr. Sultan said. “I find Obama very close to my heart.”
“Of course I want the American forces to leave Iraq,” said May Adnan Yunis, whose sister was killed, along with a female and a male co-worker, when they were gunned down by American soldiers while driving to work at Baghdad International Airport three weeks ago. “I want them to go to hell.”
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Yup!.. You sure showed us a thing or two!
And, of course as previously pointed out, THE ELECTED GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ HAS OFFICIALLY ASKED US TO LEAVE AND TO PRESENT A TIMETABLE FOR WITHDRAWAL.
"Thanks for everything... Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out."
http://www.moonbattery.com/archives/purple_finger.jpg
- parent
By A GJuly 17, 2008 - 10:13am