I just love it when the Atlanticist Yankee "Experts" talk from both sides of their mouths about their 'favored son'
Exhibit - A - That doyen of 'South Asia' studies - Stephen Cohen
Oct - 22
Still, in the short term, there is a good possibility of the emergence of a troika that will have the effect of stabilising politics in Pakistan and allowing the military and political sectors to more or less operate in their separate spheres.
Nov - 03
Talking to rediff.com, the South Asia expert said he had seen it coming for weeks and had been saying this at several conferences during the past week.
As the band Queen once sung - "Anyway the wind blows, doesn't really matter to me --- to me". What I really love is it was the same web site in both cases - rediff - that actually bought it!!
On a more serious note - it does not matter to India who is in charge in Pakistan and how. We are screwed either way. This emergency is probably a bad thing though. With the NATO countries growing weary of the Afghan mission and with the government in Pakistan likely to 'crackdown' on them - the Jihadis are all headed our way. Go East young man - Go East!
5 comments:
Nizhal Yoddha,
It is more likely that the Jihadis will "crack down" on Musharraf. I fear a lateral coup, in which the ISI or the Jihadis, or someone in the Paki military will displace Musharraf. And, to discourage intervention by US, or any other country (e.g. Russia), they will train their nuclear weapons on their "neighbouring" countries, threatening to let go if pushed. They are totally insane, Musharraf is not.
I wish some pre-emptive action to destroy the Paki nuclear arsenal were possible.
Uddharet, the problem with an ISI coup is that they have nobody from among them to fill the vacuum, if they kill the COAS.
That won't stop the jihadis from trying to kill Musharraf, Sadat-style. They're too gung-ho to quit. Let's see if the Talibanists come up with their own charismatic man, like that Mullah Fazlullah, or whatever his name is.
I am afraid I do not share either view. The Yankees control the army (or at least the top officer class that provides political leadership). They have succession plans / contingency plans worked out in case Gen Mush meets his maker. All this "bearded mullah takeover" talk is so much bull-shit that the Yanks allow Musharraf to preach so as to make it palatable back home with Congress and the "American People"
The Pakistan army is rabid (Islamic?) enough to fight India because they see us as Hindu - but they are professional enough to keep the Mullahs under check.
some funny comments on rediff on the Nov 3 article
In India, even a street astrologer with a parrot can do a better job than you guys (American Administration and Washington think tanks). If you ever thought a dictator will allow democracy to flourish, you must be smoking something.
New Job Opening
Position: Ruler of Pakistan
Title : Dictator (or Pick your own )
Requirements:
Must maintain positive control of pak military at all times.
Must Keep islamists , talabini type people at bay.
Shut down madrassas , replace with western useful educational instutions.
Cut off funding from Saudis to mosques
Must safe guard nukes and related assets
Not support and or export Islamic terrorism
Not start or support conflicts in or with other countries.
Provide air , land and sea access to western assets.
Must file monthly status reports to Washington
New Requirement:
Purge islamist from pak military
Benefits:
Ruler maximus , free reign to rule only when not undermining above stated requirements.
Funds in foreign bank accounts in currency of choice .
Salary:
Billions of $ as and when deemed appropriate by Washington. Payble in Aid , cash or Arms.
Failure to meet the above requirements may constitute grounds for termination* , and or Arial bombardment followed by optional invasion.
* Termination not limited to employment.
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