Pakistan and the Bomb
Bruce Riedel, The Wall Street Journal
The Pakistani army, backed by attack helicopters, is fighting intense gun battles in the Swat valley 60 miles outside the capital of Islamabad with Islamic extremists. Al Qaeda and the Taliban have struck back with suicide bombs in Pakistan’s major cities, including Lahore. A plot in Karachi was foiled but the extremists vow more carnage is imminent.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203658504574191842820382548.html
Reflections from news and commentary of the day
Subscribe To
Posts
Comments
1 comment:
Pakistani writer S.M Hali contradicts:
Riedel compares the situation in Pakistan to Armageddon; which is mentioned in the Bible's Book of Revelation in the New Testament at Rev 20:1-3, 7-10; Rev 19:11-20. According to traditional interpretations, the Messiah will return to earth and destroy the Antichrist at the Battle of Armageddon. Like a "fire and brimstone" preacher, using a misplaced quote from Pakistan's martyred former PM, Riedel paints a gloomy picture of the Taliban taking over the reigns of the government in Islamabad. He talks about the terrorist leaders tapping into the "deep anger among the landless peasants" and anti-landlord agitation sweeping the government from power. Mr Riedel's blinkers have prevented him from observing that such a movement is prevalent in India at the hands of Maoists/Naxalites and not in Pakistan.
The remainder of the Robert Ludlum/Frederick Forsyth/Heather Graham/Brad Thor style thriller is dedicated to recommending actions by USA to preempt/deal with such a grim situation. He rules out engagement as nearly impossible under the plea that "Islamabad would have no faith and little interest in any dialogue with Crusaders and Zionists."
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Opinions/Columns/08-Jul-2009/Bruce-Riedel-strikes-again
Post a Comment