Disastrous Delayed Decisions
STRATEGY PAGE
March 17, 2009: The traditional method of dealing with unruly tribes of Pakistan is being undone by religion. It's been largely religious issues that have killed 1,600 people in terrorist attacks during the last two years. In the past, government peace deals with the tribes brought a few decades of peace. But with groups like the Taliban and al Qaeda, tribal peace deals are simply an opportunity for the Islamic radicals to prepare for more violence. Because of the Islamic radicals, and their goal of taking over the country, and eventually the world, the Pakistani army and the government confront a very difficult task. They can either convince the majority of the tribes to destroy the Islamic radicals (Taliban and al Qaeda) or, worse, do what has not been done before, and take direct control of the long autonomous tribal areas. The government has been putting off a final decision for years.
Since the new U.S. government came into power in January, there have been six UAV missile attacks in Pakistan, indicating that these attacks are continuing, and expanding (to go after Taliban, as well as al Qaeda, targets). There have been over 30 of these attacks since intensive use of these UAVs began seven months ago. Nearly 350 people have been killed by the Hellfire missiles.
Meanwhile, in India, low level violence continues because of Islamic terrorists in Kashmir, and Maoist rebels in eastern India.
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