07-30-2009, 10:24 PM
<b>
Obama on Pakistan</b>
Published: July 26, 2009
PRESIDENT Obama's appreciation of Pakistan's role in the War on Terror would help reduce the trust deficit between the two countries. His observation that Pakistan Army is driving out the militants 'in a way we have not seen' is a proof of his understanding of the situation. It is a far cry from the threatening tone of the Bush regime and the noises his own administration had been making soon after he took office about the need to be tough on Pakistan, something that had fuelled a wave of anxiety within the country.
But Mr Obama would have to rein in the hawks within his administration, which if given a free hand will be pushing Pakistan to the edge. Consider, Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke who in a recent tour of the country asked the leadership to extend the operation throughout the Durand line and also in Balochistan. This would spell disaster for the country. Then there is the US Joint Chiefs of Staff who has expressed reservations about the role of the ISI in the fight against militancy, saying that the US was quite apprehensive about it. What is worse, the drone attacks continue to cause death and destruction in the tribal areas. Pakistani leadership has told the Americans time and again that these strikes are proving to be counterproductive, but there is no indication that they would stop.
A number of other issues where the US could have been of great help remains unadressed. The calls to equip Pakistan Army with modern weapons, including unmanned vehicle technology, have fallen on deaf ears. Likewise, the financial bailout package will not suffice in a situation where there are nearly three million internally displaced persons and an economy that is in a tailspin.
President Obama should follow up his acknowledgement of Pakistan's role with positive moves. Pakistan is in the vanguard of global struggle against terrorism and is also suffering because of the US war in Afghanistan.
Obama on Pakistan</b>
Published: July 26, 2009
PRESIDENT Obama's appreciation of Pakistan's role in the War on Terror would help reduce the trust deficit between the two countries. His observation that Pakistan Army is driving out the militants 'in a way we have not seen' is a proof of his understanding of the situation. It is a far cry from the threatening tone of the Bush regime and the noises his own administration had been making soon after he took office about the need to be tough on Pakistan, something that had fuelled a wave of anxiety within the country.
But Mr Obama would have to rein in the hawks within his administration, which if given a free hand will be pushing Pakistan to the edge. Consider, Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke who in a recent tour of the country asked the leadership to extend the operation throughout the Durand line and also in Balochistan. This would spell disaster for the country. Then there is the US Joint Chiefs of Staff who has expressed reservations about the role of the ISI in the fight against militancy, saying that the US was quite apprehensive about it. What is worse, the drone attacks continue to cause death and destruction in the tribal areas. Pakistani leadership has told the Americans time and again that these strikes are proving to be counterproductive, but there is no indication that they would stop.
A number of other issues where the US could have been of great help remains unadressed. The calls to equip Pakistan Army with modern weapons, including unmanned vehicle technology, have fallen on deaf ears. Likewise, the financial bailout package will not suffice in a situation where there are nearly three million internally displaced persons and an economy that is in a tailspin.
President Obama should follow up his acknowledgement of Pakistan's role with positive moves. Pakistan is in the vanguard of global struggle against terrorism and is also suffering because of the US war in Afghanistan.