Could Pakistan fall to extremists? (Christian Science Monitor)

[TexasLawyer]

from the June 19, 2007 edition
Could Pakistan fall to extremists?

Analysts say Washington's fears that Islamic extremists
will take control of Pakistan are overblown.

By Mark Sappenfield | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
and David Montero | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

Page 1 of 3

Islamabad, Pakistan - The US Congressional hearing was marked by frustration. The topic was whether Pakistan was honoring its promises to help the United States fight terrorism and nuclear nonproliferation.

Yet at the outset, before criticism of what one administration official has called America's greatest ally in the war on terror mounted, the committee chairman made a sobering statement. "US policy widely attempts to work with and pressure the Pakistan government ... but not to a destabilizing degree," said Rep. Ed Royce (R) of California during the May 2006 hearing. "The possibility of radical Islamists seizing control of Pakistan's government and nuclear arsenal is a serious concern."

This fear of nuclear-armed mullahs has played a motivating role in American policy toward Pakistan since Sept. 11, experts say. It has led the Bush administration to back a military ruler seen to be strong and supportive of American interests, despite the fact that he overthrew a democratically elected government.

Yet on the ground in Pakistan – and increasingly in the halls of Washington – this fear is seen to be specious. The trends of past election returns, combined with the strength of the largely secular military, suggest that it is extremely unlikely that religious extremists could ever come to power in Pakistan.

<snip>

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0619/p07s01-wosc.html

[Gregorian]

1. It's a far more important question than what Iran is doing.

And that article doesn't even address the already refined nuclear material that Pakistan HAS. We're one assassination away from something like the equivalent of 90 atomic bombs worth of refined nuclear material going into the hands of who knows whom.

I wish more people were talking about this. It's actually something the whole world should be concerned about.

[Kagemusha]

2. It's not that I disagree that "who knows whom" would likely be a general

but it's still a lot more uncertainty than in virtually any other nuclear power.

[EFerrari]

3. We know for a fact that the ISI funded 9/11

Which is why we invaded Iraq. :crazy: