The current situation in Pakistan regarding the Taliban is one that creates strong feelings in Pakistani people. Many in Pakistan believe that the U.S has alot to do with the problems in Pakistan. The First issue is that many Pakistani people feel is that it is the United States fault that the Taliban has infiltrated in to the Northern regions in Pakistan. They believe that the United States involvement in Afghanistan has pushed the Taliban out of Afghanistan and in to Pakistan. This strong resentment can lead to future problems if the situation in Pakistan continues to boil.
Another topic that has many Pakistani people angry is the U.S. missile strikes. The United States believe that this is a crucial tool to combat militants who hideout. Many in the Pakistan government have denounced these strikes, urging Pakistan to bring the issue to the United Nations. While others still believe that the United States and Pakistan have a secret agreement allowing the strikes. All in all this situation can lead to future turmoil between the U.S. and Pakistan.
The United States is somewhat at fault for pushing the Taliban in to Pakistan. The U.S. people and our leaders should realize this is a very serious issue, if the Taliban gains control of Pakistan, a nuclear power, extremely bad things could happen. This is why the U.S. should be as helpful as possible towards Pakistan and their current situation. If the air strikes are necessary the we should continue to provide our support from the air.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_pakistan
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Urban Warfare, The Future in Pakistan
With the Taliban moving ever so close to the capital of Pakistan, the fighting has left scenic country side and is now moving towards more populated areas. This poses a major problem for the Pakistani Military because they are more suited for fighting conventional battles. Their military has long been posted on the eastern border by India, preparing for battle as tensions between the two countries arise. This has left them lacking in the military skills required to flush out militant enemies such as the Taliban.
With the Taliban moving closer and closer to Islamabad, the fighting will now endanger more civilians. The tactical methods of the Pakistani military will now be stressed even more. With close quarter urban warfare, the potential for more civilian and solider injuries and fatalities are more likely to happen. This has cause a major movement of populations in these northern regions in to refugee camps.
Although some articles make it seem as if Pakistan is unable to control the Taliban advances, according to Associated Press writers in Islamabad, the Pakistani Military has killed over 1,000 Taliban fighters. this is very positive in the fight against terrorism. Troops are now surrounding and entering towns and villages in the Northern Territories and flushing the militants out. According to Interior Minister Rehman Malik the operation in Swat and surrounding areas would "continue till the last Taliban are flushed out." It (Khan, Khan The Associated Press.)
The current war on terror in Pakistan must be handled with extreme care. Pakistan must continue to stand firm on terrorism, and squash and uprising that the Taliban has. In doing this Pakistan can help preserve their country by showing the terrorist that Pakistan does not tolerate militants with in their borders.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Flight Is Not The End
As we have heard earlier, hundreds of thousand of people are leaving their homes behind to find shelter at one of the many refugee camps. Ironically, many of the camps they are living in now had to be reopened after being closed earlier. Instead of Afghan refugees, these tents now house Pakistan's own citizens.
An estimated 500 million people are now residents in one of the camps. While the government already struggles to cope, both economically and politically, the current fights only increase the pressure the government currently finds itself in. Many of these individuals did not only have to leave their homes, a vast majority will not have one once the dust settles and they can return. Due to the continuing missile attackts by the American military, most homes in those areas have as a citizen puts it 'flattened.
While some children enjoy being away from home because they can actually attend school at the refugee camp, women do not share the same feelings. Privacy issues inside the camp have lead the female population to leave their loved ones and house together with other women. They wish to return to their houses as soon as possible. The government says they have won back some territory from the militants, but many citizens still live in fear and will not come back until peace has been declared.
As I see it, Pakistan, which is already in a lot of trouble fincancially, now has to help rebuild more of their infrastructure. Will they be able to? Probably not. Yet, there is no other way. The people cannot afford it themselves and if they do not receive any aid will remain at the camps or may even have to live on the street. The situation seems like a vicious circle with crime rates already skyrocketing. Let's hope this can all be put to an end soon.
http://www.thepakistanquake.com/pakistan-earthquake-pictures-2.jpg
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Taliban Extend Control
Today I read a news article that gives reason to worry. A BBC correspondent suggests that are only 38% of the north-west region is still under Pakistani control. Right now, the Pakistani rejects the findings as wrong. As a result, another country joined the fight against the Taliban; the UK gave $19 million in humanitarian aid to the NWFP (North West Frontier Province).
Meanwhile, the Pakistani military continues its offensive against the Taliban in Swat Valley. The fight becomes tougher by the hour with extremists planting bombs, mines, and even entrenching themselves. Families are praying to the government to respond quickly, with most of them running away, leaving everything they ever owned behind. It is not the electricity, the poor living conditions or other circumstances that worry citizens right now; it is the Taliban who increase their influence by the minute.
The situation seems to get out of hand, with extremists attacking schools, governmental buildings, and police stations. Right now, nobody is save in any part of the country. Nobody really knows where exactly the Taliban are. Their presence is spread all over the country, with some districts under their full control. Some Pakistanis see only one option; flee the country. Tenth of thousand of people have already fled the region. Officials predict that many more will follow. They have to get the situation under the control as soon as possible.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8046577.stm
Pakistani's fled to Refugee camps
Local residents trapped by fighting between troops and Taliban militants were given a few hours to leave. The army is trying to reverse militant advances in the area, in what the prime minister has called a "fight for the survival of the country". It says it has killed between 180-200 militants in the last 24 hours in Swat and other areas. Between 50 and 60 militants were killed in Swat on Sunday and about 140 bodies had been found in neighboring Shangla district, the military said in a statement.
Residents in the main town of Mingora and the nearby towns of Kambar and Raheemabad began leaving at 0600 (0100 GMT). Men, women, children and the elderly were seen moving along the road that leads out of the region. The lucky ones were able to get some sort of transport, ranging from a local bus to a donkey cart. But many plodded down the road on foot carrying what little they could gather. The curfew allowed residents to fled there towns to safer havens in Pakistan.
Up to 15,000 troops have now been deployed in the Swat valley and neighboring areas to take on up to 5,000 militants. The military has said it intends to "eliminate" the Taliban fighters. The fighting has already displaced some 200,000 people, while a further 300,000 are estimated to be on the move or poised to flee, the UN says. On Saturday the government said that refugee camps would be set up in Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province, and to the north-east in Naushara.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The U.S. and Pakistan's Stance on the Taliban
Pakistan seems to be having extreme difficulties in stopping the Taliban. According to many U.S. officials the Pakistani military remains focused on India, and not the Taliban. This is a major issue because about 500 militants have gained control of the Buner district. Buner is 70 miles from Islamabad. This poses very sever problems because many feel Pakistan is not fighting the insurgents in the proper way.
Pakistan has negotiated with the Taliban and granted them the Buner district. The Taliban effusively now holds this area and has implemented Sharia law. Sharia law is law based on the Koran and teachings of Islam. Many, especially Obama and his administration, feel that Pakistan has handled the Taliban in the wrong way and should make a stand against the Taliban. Many troops are unavailable to help patrol the Afghanistan border because they are currently stationed by the Indian border and reluctant to leave. Instead Pakistan sent "Just several hundred poorly paid and equipped constabulary forces to Buner, who were repelled in a clash with the insurgents, leaving one police officer dead."( Gall, Schmitt The New York Times.) "It illustrates there is a lack of political will in the Pakistan civilian leadership to confront these Pakistan Taliban" Senator Jack Reed, D Rhode Island.
The lack of action taken by Pakistan to rid Buner and all of Pakistan of the Taliban has stressed relations between the U.S. and Pakistan. Many U.S. officials have spoken harshly about Pakistan's ability to stop the Taliban. "I have absolutely no confidence in the ability of the existing Pakistan government to do one blessed thing. " Representative David R. Obey, Wisconsin Democrat. The constant urges from the United States to be aggressive has fallen on deaf ears in the Pakistan Government. With the rising tensions between U.S. and Pakistan officials, and Taliban activity escalating in Buner and The Swat Valley, Pakistan's lack of action could lead to serious growth and advancement further down in to Pakistan by the Taliban and other insurgent groups.
The New York Times, U.S. Questions Pakistan's Will To Stop Taliban, Carlotta Gall and Eric Schmitt
Pakistan has negotiated with the Taliban and granted them the Buner district. The Taliban effusively now holds this area and has implemented Sharia law. Sharia law is law based on the Koran and teachings of Islam. Many, especially Obama and his administration, feel that Pakistan has handled the Taliban in the wrong way and should make a stand against the Taliban. Many troops are unavailable to help patrol the Afghanistan border because they are currently stationed by the Indian border and reluctant to leave. Instead Pakistan sent "Just several hundred poorly paid and equipped constabulary forces to Buner, who were repelled in a clash with the insurgents, leaving one police officer dead."( Gall, Schmitt The New York Times.) "It illustrates there is a lack of political will in the Pakistan civilian leadership to confront these Pakistan Taliban" Senator Jack Reed, D Rhode Island.
The lack of action taken by Pakistan to rid Buner and all of Pakistan of the Taliban has stressed relations between the U.S. and Pakistan. Many U.S. officials have spoken harshly about Pakistan's ability to stop the Taliban. "I have absolutely no confidence in the ability of the existing Pakistan government to do one blessed thing. " Representative David R. Obey, Wisconsin Democrat. The constant urges from the United States to be aggressive has fallen on deaf ears in the Pakistan Government. With the rising tensions between U.S. and Pakistan officials, and Taliban activity escalating in Buner and The Swat Valley, Pakistan's lack of action could lead to serious growth and advancement further down in to Pakistan by the Taliban and other insurgent groups.
The New York Times, U.S. Questions Pakistan's Will To Stop Taliban, Carlotta Gall and Eric Schmitt
Signs of More Military Action In the Swat Valley
The Pakistani Military has recently lifted a curfew that it has placed on the citizens of the Swat Valley. This nine hour lift of the curfew was implemented to allow many residents to flee the battle stricken area. Many of these residents are traveling by foot, with only the clothes on their back. Currently the Swat Valley and many of the northern regions of Pakistan are being torn apart by fighting between the Pakistani Military and the Taliban. The Taliban is even rumoured to be as close as 60 miles away from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.
The military action by Pakistan is receiving some mixed reviews. Currently they are receiving praise for their actions from the U.S. "The army offensive has garnered praise from the U.S., which wants Pakistan to root out havens on its soil where Taliban militants can plan attacks on American and NATO forces across the border in Afghanistan." (Khan, Zarar The Associated Press) Others cursed the Taliban while leaving the Swat Valley and some even blamed Pakistani leaders of conforming to the West by chanting "Show our picture to your master America and get money from him."
These signs are not positive at all. The evacuation of thousands of citizens shows that the Pakistani government and military fear that the violence with the Taliban will escalate. If this violence continues and the Taliban gains strength, a very serious conflict could erupt in an unstable political and economic country with nuclear capabilities. The Pakistani Military should strive to eliminate the Taliban from Pakistan at all costs. The results for the Pakistani Military so far look promising, but their efforts must continue if they wish to prevent the Taliban from seizing control of Pakistan
AP Video Linkhttp://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=13372782&ch=4226714&src=news
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Pakistanis Outraged over Government's Decision
While the Pakistani government insists that the Taliban pose no threat to the country, its citizens do not completely agree with that statement. Today, I read an interesting article on the BBC News website that gives reason for concern. More and more Islamists join the Taliban in the fight against their own country. With the help of Islamist extremist groups, the Taliban report that they control several footholds in the region of Punjab, which is located in the South-east. Reports suggest however, that the military was able to drive them out of the Buner district.
Nonetheless, the Taliban do not seem to be the major threat in the government's eye. Nearly eigthy percent of the Pakistani army is still stationed on the Indian border. The public outcry which I can completely understand, falls on deaf ears. Saudi Arabia and India mentioned that they are worried about the success the Taliban have made in such a short period of time and see their own countries in danger.
Some people say that the situation has reached a crisis status. I totally agree. The Pakistani government tolerates the Taliban and al-Qaeda on its own soil, endangering not only their own, but the surrounding countries as well. Failure to respond to US and NATO demands to oust these 'terrorists' only fuel the fire. With Pakistan losing more and more people to extremists groups and the country in a state of decline, the hits just keep on coming.
Washington and the NATO quickly responded to the threat and mobilized an additional 25,000 troops. This is the greatest threat to the country since Bangladesh split away in 1971. The only question left to ask right now is how it is possible that the population does not stand up for itself. The answer, lack of education, education, and education.
Instead of sending troops and weapons that ultimately end up in the hands of the Taliban, countries should think about supporting the country with funds so it can handle its internal crisis first and foremost. Schools, roads, and humanitarian aid are more important than an additional 20,000 firearms. They have enough of them already.
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/06/img/pakistan_army.jpg
Drone Attacks on Militants Cause Turmoil
While the Pakistani government appreciates the new approach of the U.S. administration, a feeling of pessimism still hangs in the air. Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Qureshi states that Pakistan is willing to support the United States in their fight against terrorism since their own safety is linked to Afghanistan's security as well.
The key issue here is what America plans to do about the so called 'safe havens' militants have established at the Afghan border region. These forces seem to make their way towards the Pakistani border and could cause additional pressure on Pakistan's government. Since they already have to deal with the Taliban foothold in the Swat Valley region, the situation could get out of hand.
Due to these circumstances, the United States have increased their attacks with unmanned drones on the militants who are currently located in the tribal areas. The only fear is that instead of pushing the militants out of the area, their actions will most likely increase and put pressure on Pakistan to respond swiftly in the case of a crisis. Another area of concern is that many civilian casualties that have already been reported. 
An increase in military response, both by Pakistan and the U.S., can be seen; but so far militants and Taliban fighters seem to be able to respond and the fight is matched evenly. This added pressure only weakens the already fragile situation Pakistan and Afghanistan find themselves in.
In my opinion, only time will tell if this is the right way and if other options could not be more successful. Obama is trying his best to fulfill the legacy Bush promised to Afghan and Pakistani people. Right now, containment proves the only viable option. The reconstruction process appears to be a distant prospect. Let's hope it will not end in a disaster just like, and this is solely my opinion, the Iraq war did and still continues to do so today.
http://osmoothie.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/drone550.jpg
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/12/19/pakistan_train_wideweb__470x310,0.jpg
Pakistan, Afghanistan and The United States
This is a video that shows the Presidents of the United States, Afghanistan and Pakistan after a trilateral meeting "to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and the Taliban"(Pres. Obama). They addressed strategies to stabilize Pakistan and Afghanistan and the Obama administration has voiced concern about gains by Taliban.
This meeting held on May 6th, 2009 in Washington, D.C. was an extremely successful and rewarding for the three countries involved. Afghanistan, the United States and Pakistan are now "joined by a common goal" which President Obama describes as "to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and the Taliban". The three leaders along with Vice President Biden, agrees to share securities between the countries. Moreover, the United States agrees to long lasting support for Pakistan. The U.S. agrees to support all democratic institutions in Pakistan, increasing foreign investments and commerce, and seek to give them $400 million in aid to build infrastructure such as roads, schools, and hospital to help its people combat extremist. Pres. Obama says that Pakistan can overcome many of their social problems through education. Moreover, he wants Pakistanis to know that "America is on the side of their hopes and their aspirations".
I believe that this trilateral meeting was one of Obama's principles to create talks with nations and become allies and not enemies. Also, by seeking the source or hideouts of the Taliban, the nations can get rid of the Taliban by not allowing them space to expand and develop in both countries. This meeting will truly benefit the Pakistanis, Afghans and Americans for years to come.
This meeting held on May 6th, 2009 in Washington, D.C. was an extremely successful and rewarding for the three countries involved. Afghanistan, the United States and Pakistan are now "joined by a common goal" which President Obama describes as "to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and the Taliban". The three leaders along with Vice President Biden, agrees to share securities between the countries. Moreover, the United States agrees to long lasting support for Pakistan. The U.S. agrees to support all democratic institutions in Pakistan, increasing foreign investments and commerce, and seek to give them $400 million in aid to build infrastructure such as roads, schools, and hospital to help its people combat extremist. Pres. Obama says that Pakistan can overcome many of their social problems through education. Moreover, he wants Pakistanis to know that "America is on the side of their hopes and their aspirations".
I believe that this trilateral meeting was one of Obama's principles to create talks with nations and become allies and not enemies. Also, by seeking the source or hideouts of the Taliban, the nations can get rid of the Taliban by not allowing them space to expand and develop in both countries. This meeting will truly benefit the Pakistanis, Afghans and Americans for years to come.
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