Pakistani troops confront US troops

[Skybird]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7396366.stm

This time it was shooting into the air only, giving tribesmen the time to take defensive positions against the americans.

And next time?

If you want to win Afghanistan, Pakistan must be neutralised to be safe haven for the enemy - at all cost. As long as Pakistan remains to be untouchable, options in Afghanistan are meaningless. It needs to be understood that Pakistan never was a real ally, and today with the unfolding political drama in Islamabad is more an enemy than ever before. Pakistan is not the key for solving problems - it is the cause of the problems.

[Tchocky]

Only 7 years late, too.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Tchocky

Only 7 years late, too.

One could even say: three decades.

[Tchocky]

Inside the Beltway memory length tends to reduce to the election cycle :p

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Tchocky

Inside the Beltway memory length tends to reduce to the election cycle :p

Yes. In politics, the decimal system consists of just four numbers: 1, 2, 3, and "me".

[Tchocky]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Yes. In politics, the decimal system consists of just four numbers: 1, 2, 3, and "me".

Hehe, never heard that one before

[DeepIron]

I don't understand US policy regarding Pakistan.

One word: nukes.

[Diopos]

Iraq was the primary concern of the US administration. Not Afganistan nor the talibans. I think that the American public deserves an answer on this issue. Well maybe at some point in the future ...........

Originally Posted by Skybird

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7396366.stm

This time it was shooting into the air only, giving tribesmen the time to take defensive positions against the americans.

And next time?

If you want to win Afghanistan, Pakistan must be neutralised to be safe haven for the enemy - at all cost. As long as Pakistan remains to be untouchable, options in Afghanistan are meaningless. It needs to be understood that Pakistan never was a real ally, and today with the unfolding political drama in Islamabad is more an enemy than ever before. Pakistan is not the key for solving problems - it is the cause of the problems.

I think everyone knew that when we first invaded Afghanistan.

Pakistan says they're against the Taliban.
They also say they're "handling" the situation with them.
They say "Don't come in here - we'll take care of them."
Yet, they are afraid of sending troops into the northern areas.
Any government "afraid" to deal with those people doesn't deserve the right to say "We'll take care of it ourselves." They won't take care of anything.

They want to look tough on the Taliban, yet they don't want the Taliban to destroy them, so they take a hands-off approach, with a wink wink "look, if you don't attack us, we'll leave you along, and just 'say' we're going to deal with you."

I'd say this: Want to keep the USA out of Pakistan in the area where the Taliban is hiding. Fine. Station troops all along the borders to keep us out.

That'll also keep the Taliban out of Afghanistan.

Personally, if I were president, I'd tell them "You've got 30 days to 'take care of it' - otherwise, I'll come in there and fix it FOR you."

Yeah, I'd be condemed and all that. I wouldn't care, either.

[TDK1044]

This was an argument over a curry delivery to a special forces outpost. Once a reasonable tip was handed over, all was well.

Originally Posted by Skybird

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7396366.stm

This time it was shooting into the air only, giving tribesmen the time to take defensive positions against the americans.

And next time?

If you want to win Afghanistan, Pakistan must be neutralised to be safe haven for the enemy - at all cost. As long as Pakistan remains to be untouchable, options in Afghanistan are meaningless. It needs to be understood that Pakistan never was a real ally, and today with the unfolding political drama in Islamabad is more an enemy than ever before. Pakistan is not the key for solving problems - it is the cause of the problems.