From the new World Media Watch up now at
http://www.zianet.com/insightanalyticalTomorrow at Buzzflash.com
More stories in the WMW in my Journal...
2//Asia Times Online, Hong Kong May 5, 2006
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/HE05Df02.html IT’S SHOWDOWN TIME IN PAKISTAN
By Syed Saleem Shahzad
KARACHI - Across the jihadi world, there is a strong conviction that by the end of this year Taliban leader Mullah Omar will be back in power in Afghanistan, from where he was driven by US-led forces in 2001.
Realistically, eight months is likely to be too ambitious a time frame for a Taliban victory, if victory is achievable at all.
Nevertheless, there is no doubt that the Taliban movement is poised to enhance its nuisance level significantly in the United States' strategic back yards in the region - notably Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Acutely aware of this, the US is leaning heavily on Pakistan, its key ally in the "war on terror" in the region, to go on the offensive against the strong Taliban foothold in the North and South Waziristan tribal areas on the border with Afghanistan.
What the US is asking for, in effect, is a Tora Bora-style aerial bombing of the area, similar to that undertaken in the mountains of that name in Afghanistan during the rout of the Taliban five years ago. (Incidentally, al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden escaped from Tora Bora long before the bombs began to fall.)
The Taliban are integrated into the local population and there would be high civilian casualties. This is considered acceptable as civilians would be deemed Taliban sympathizers.
MORE
Related:
3//The Daily Times, Pakistan Friday, May 05, 2006
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\05\05\story_5-5-2006_pg1_7
IS ABIZAID’S VISIT ROUTINE?
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the US agreed on Thursday to enhance intelligence sharing for combating terrorist activities and promote military ties.
The decision to this effect was taken during a meeting between US Central Command chief Gen John Abizaid and President Musharraf on Thursday.
Military sources told Online that the two sides agreed on enhancing sharing of military intelligence to make the war on terror more effective.
Major General Shaukat Sultan, the ISPR chief, said Gen Abizaid was on a routine visit. An official statement said, “They discussed the geo-strategic environment, the regional situation and matters of mutual interest during the meeting.” The visit coincided with joint exercises involving special forces of the United States, Pakistan and Afghanistan at Cherath. The US commander also visited the army’s general headquarters and met Vice Chief of Army Staff General Ahsan Saleem Hyat, the statement said.
MORE
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
