The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 4 of 16)

br> -- C. Kenna Amos br> Princeton, West Virginia /p>

You obviously produced your article, "Why Not Defeat" prior to this weekend.

This weekend, we had our 4,000th US death in Iraq, and scores of Iraqis killed in explosions around country.

I'd wait on helping Bush get back into that flight suit if I were Karl Rove.

p>Too funny! br> -- Rick from Minnesota /p>

Yes, Ms. Rubin, it is all about what has come to be called Bush Derangement Syndrome, but let us not too flippantly dismiss the importance of the conflict in Afghanistan in favor of the Iraqi portion of the war against radical Islam. I believe that a thorough reading of the articles coming from the reporters that are actually with the troops in those two operational areas will lead one to conclude that we are seeing the end stages of significant engagement in Iraq. When Al Qaeda is finally driven out of Mosul, they well be left with a scattered presence in smaller towns and rural areas. That well quickly become an untenable situation as significant additional sections of Iraqi society decide that they have had enough and join "The Awakening."

On the other hand, it is patently evident that we are already seeing a ramping up of the conflict in Afghanistan. The Taliban, with infusions of Al Qaeda trained and dedicated fighters are increasingly aggressive in Afghanistan, particularly in those areas that border on Pakistan. This summer looks as if it will see significant actions. The ambushes of our, and other country's, troops are becoming much more than the occasional flea on a camel's back. They are becoming set piece battles with double and triple digit losses to the Taliban/Qaeda troops in many more instances. Study history. Study geography. Study geo-political history and trends. Afghanistan is a darn tough nut to crack, but crack it we must.

This view completely leaves the internal conflict in Pakistan out of the question. That can no longer be tolerated in reasoned decision making. If we are not damned careful in our actions and policies, Pakistan could be lost to radical Islamic forces. It truly is very near a tipping point. The Bush administration has NOT been so sure footed as to give me confidence in their policies toward Pakistan and Musharraf. Many figures in the administration do not seem to grasp the importance of saving Musharraf's hide. It seems that we are very near to the same kind of deal that Jimmy Carter managed to thoroughly mess up with the Shah of Iran. So far the stories of the explosions within Pakistan are few and muted. The media has completely failed to explain the significance of our interests in a nuclear armed Pakistan. The media is almost totally oblivious to what it would mean if the Taliban got their hands on Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. Pakistan is a disaster in the process of happening. And if you do not understand what the Pakistani situation means within the context of Afghanistan, then please go back to see your governess and get her to explain it to you.

p>A good deal less flippancy regarding Afghanistan and Pakistan on your part, Ms. Rubin, would not only be advisable, but darn near mandatory.

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