Pakistan

Following David Cameron’s strong words on Pakistan, commentators have been reviewing its situation. This reveals ever more clearly the sheer destructive lunacy of the Bush/Blair foreign policy. It also shows that the idiotic War on Terror has actually stoked up the threat from terrorism as well as terrorist attacks.  Pakistan itself has suffered more of these terorist attacks than Afghanistan and Iraq put together apparently. This is put down to forcing Musharraf to join the War on Terror, against the inclinations and wishes of many of his countrymen and women, particularly the young and, critically, the security service. Elements of this had close links with the Taliban, successors to the Mujahidin who as the West’s allies, had forced Russia back behind its borders from Afghanistan.

The mess in Afghanistan contributes to Pakistani difficulties and adds to instability within that country which though notionally a democracy, has never been able to establish a stable and effective civilian government for any length of time. It has been subject to a string of coupes and military dictatorships. This is in sharp contrast to its arch rival, India. What is needed to resolve this is a complete NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan. This will happen one day, but not yet. Pakistan will then become the lead player in determining Afghanistan’s future. In doing so it may find the key to its own. 

Meanwhile it will require strong words of expectation from us, but a helping hand as well.