Strategery

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/11/13/pakistan.iranian.kidnap/index.html

This story strikes you as odd, first out, then a shudder as you realize what is so wrong with this picture. And now the realization, that yes, Pakistan is a powder keg of possible trouble, and that armed with nuclear weapons, can easily be called the most dangerous country in the world right now. Our intelligence services have warned that this is the place where they are placing greater importance these days, and we can see for good reason. The central Government is weak, we can see that NO ONE controls the tribal areas, and this no mans land harbors many secrets. With complicity from Pakistan's security services the ISI one can imagine a lot of dangerous scenarios and a recipe for continued conflict and unrest that will tend to destabilize Pakistan and the new government there. We should be doing everything we can to shore up the new government and democratic institutions ( a departure from the last 7 years) and hope that with our help the new government can get the upper hand.

The tribal areas on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan have never come under the complete control of Pakistan although they are thought to be a part of Pakistan. This shady area is a hotbed for terrorism as well as international arms and drug traffic. A toxic mix of radical theology shady characters, lawlessness and lots and lots of money... Read More. To be sure there are several areas in the world where the Bush administration has lit the fuse and walked away, but this area may very well be where the next attacks on the US are being planned and financed and a possible crisis for Pakistan and the world brewing.

Forget the ridiculous rhetoric of the Republicans when they talk about mushroom clouds, Iran or North Korea shooting off a nuclear armed missile at us, Israel or some other country. That is easily over the top and calculated disinformation for domestic consumption by the ignorant. But I don't need to shoot a gun to threaten you with one, I just have to point it at you. Actually shooting the gun would end the 'threatening' phase of our encounter and begin the conflict phase. The point being that you don't need to fire off a nuclear weapon to 'threaten' with one, you just need to be able to point one, and Pakistan can do that. Unlike the many made up threats constantly emanating from the GOP, you know, to control you with fear, an announcement from Pakistan's military that nuclear warheads were aimed at Tel Aviv, Kabul or Tehran would be a 'real' threat.

Michael Trachtenberg
MTMIND