In this corner, "President" Musharraf

[Onkel Neal]

Pakistani authorities began a round up of 1,500 opponents from the military, judiciary and opposition parties, according to media and police sources, one day after Musharraf suspended the country's constitution and dismissed the chief justice.

Where are the human shields when we really need them?

Despite Bush's stated intention of fostering democracy in these type of dictatorships, the choice was made to support Musharraf (our most important ally in the war on terrorTM) out of sheer necessity, to stage the overthrow of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Now this. Where will this lead? Could this end up as a more militant Islamic Pakistan? Will the Taliban end up siezing power by proxy (I'm guessing they have a lot of sway with the militants)? Is Bhutto a legitimate threat to anchor some kind of real democracy in Pakistan, the non-extremist type? Will a cornered Musharraf ignite a wave of repression and bloodshed? What impact will this have on Bush's plan to run for a third term?

This whole episode reminds me of 1978. Can we please get our hostages (err, diplomates/spies) out now?


With respects to the other Pakistan thread.