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Loose Canons

Perfidious Pakistan

By on 5.16.11 @ 6:09AM

It’s time to tell the truth about our supposed ally in the war on terror.

Last weekend, Pakistan’s parliament threatened to cut off NATO’s ability to move military supplies through their nation into Afghanistan if U.S. drone attacks on Pakistani targets weren’t stopped. The resolution, passed unanimously in an unusual in-camera joint session, threatens to interrupt a critical supply line, putting U.S. and NATO troops at risk.

According to news reports, the special session of parliament was called to debate “the situation arising from unilateral U.S. action in Abbottabad.” The Pakistanis declared that continuation of the U.S. drone attacks was “unacceptable” and resolved that, “Such drone attacks must stop forthwith, failing which the government will be constrained to consider taking necessary steps including withdrawal of [the] transit facility allowed to NATO.”

Without the supplies that move across Pakistan by land and air, NATO operations in Afghanistan would slow and quickly cease, our troops — and those few NATO troops which actually fight — would have to just as quickly stop offensive operations and would almost certainly suffer increased casualties.

What to do about Pakistan? There may be little we can do, and what little there is we must undertake without delay. To understand why Pakistan is so committed to terrorism requires the observation of one key fact: terrorism is, and has been for decades, the weapon of choice Pakistan uses against India in the dispute over Kashmir. The large, rich province of Kashmir has a Muslim majority and was left in India’s hands when the British pulled out in August 1947. The two nations have repeatedly fought conventional wars over Kashmir and two years ago came to the brink of nuclear war.

Unable to wrest Kashmir from India, Pakistan chose terrorism as its strategy to undermine India in Kashmir and force its withdrawal. Pakistan-based terrorists have committed assassinations, airline hijackings and many bombing attacks against Indian targets. When India confronts Pakistan, the latter denies its obvious complicity and refuses to take action against the terror networks it harbors.

Among the worst examples are the November 2001 attack on India’s parliament and the 2008 Mumbai attack which killed 170, including six Americans. A Pakistani-born businessman, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, is scheduled to go on trial today in Chicago for aiding the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba in organizing the Mumbai attack. (Rana’s lawyers, in pre-trial motions, sought to block the trial because Rana said he believed he was working for the Pakistani ISI intelligence agency, not the terrorists. Among those also charged in the case is a “Major Iqbal,” believed to be a member of ISI, the Pakistani intelligence agency. Iqbal and four other Rana co-conspirators are still at large.)

Last March, India gave the Pakistani government a list of fifty terrorists operating from Pakistan believed to have been involved in attacks, some going back twenty years. Among them reportedly were Dawood Ibrahim (wanted in connection with bombings in Mumbai in 1993), LeT chieftain Hafiz Saeed and LeT commander Azam Cheema as well as Illyas Kashmiri, one of the leaders of the Pakistani Taliban. Pakistan has not, and certainly will not, surrender the men because they are protected by the Pakistani military and/or the ISI. Their value to Pakistan as weapons against India outweighs, in Pakistani terms, the damage Pakistan may suffer from America and other nations for doing so. That judgment is right, because President Obama isn’t likely to hold Pakistan accountable.

More high-ranking al-Qaeda leaders, now including bin Laden himself, have been caught or killed in Pakistan than in any other nation. But Pakistan, before the bin Laden kill, was been able to get away with its harboring terrorists because of its vital role as a passageway to Afghanistan. Now that is threatened by the Pakistanis themselves.

The Pakistani parliament’s threat should serve as an uncomfortable backdrop for President Obama’s Thursday speech on the future of the Middle East after the so-called “Arab spring.” Obama wants another faux-reset of our relationship to the Arab world and is willing to sacrifice Israeli interests to gain some temporary quiet in the Middle East.

Obama’s speech is aimed at only one thing: reelection. To achieve it, Obama’s strategy is to play to the Islamist audience and delay any crises past November 2012. He is seeking Iraqi agreement to leave U.S. troops there past the 2011 deadline for withdrawal and minimize American withdrawal from Afghanistan so that neither of those nations will visibly fail before our election. Delay and obfuscation may divert our attention from those failed conflicts, but Pakistan’s deep commitment to terrorism will erupt in attacks here, in India and across the region without regard to Obama’s election plans.

Obama will want to keep Pakistan quiet, but neither they nor his incoming CIA director, Gen. David Petraeus, are likely to play along. Outgoing CIA Director Leon Panetta — nominated to be the next Secretary of Defense — has insisted on continuing the drone attacks that the Pakistanis want stopped. The threat to cut off our supply route to Afghanistan has to be taken seriously, but neither Petraeus nor Panetta will be willing to accommodate the Pakistanis because they know that the drone attacks are our principal weapon against terrorists in Pakistan. If Obama tries to limit them to placate the Pakistanis, it will cause such dissention within his cabinet that he won’t be able to stand the heat that Republicans could — should — create.

It’s much more fun to talk and write about the Republican horserace or Obama’s latest polls than to try to reason through the Pakistan problem. But now that Huck is out, Mitt and Newt are in, and Sarah is playing coy at this stage, the campaign is only entertainment being passed off as news. The fact that the Taliban have their own Twitter page is not as important as the threats we face from Pakistan and the other nations that sponsor terrorism.

Just as the Pakistani commitment to terrorism results from the Kashmir dispute, so does the long-term solution to it. And here’s what some Republican presidential aspirant should say about it.

We have sacrificed too many American lives at the altar of nation-building in Iraq and Afghanistan. It has failed in Iraq, and is failing in Afghanistan. We need to withdraw from both nations as quickly as we can and focus on forcing the nations that sponsor terrorism — Iraq, Syria, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia — to cease doing so.

Pakistan is a natural enemy of the U.S., not a friend. Their cooperation in Afghanistan — which has been vital to the war in Afghanistan — comes at too high a price. Pakistan depends on our aid — now over $3 billion a year — to keep up the pretense that their government is stable and that they cooperate with us in the war against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. That aid should be stopped forthwith.

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About the Author

Jed Babbin served as a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush. He is the author of several bestselling books including Inside the Asylum and In the Words of Our Enemies. You can follow him on Twitter @jedbabbin.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (42) |

Dee See| 5.16.11 @ 6:28AM

"Understand, America's in Afghanistan
and Pakistan for the long term objective of
securing resources ----for RED China."
-ALAN WATT
(indispensible online coverage)

As the second RED Chinese 'birthquake'
aftermath, otherwise known as Fukisima, is now admitted to be far, far, far worse than reported ----ANY QUESTIONS?

Dai Alanye | 5.16.11 @ 7:11AM

I'm sure I'd have questions if I had any idea what you're talking about. Hope you aren't suggesting the Chinese caused Fukushima.

Dee See| 5.16.11 @ 7:25AM

---The first mega-tsunami in southeast Asia
in 2005 occurred on Dec 26th ----MAO TSE
TUNG's Birthday...

The capabilities of HAARP technology are
well documented and long in place. In terms
of technological capability, this is no stretch
at all.

Yahoo News just a week after the first quake
reported a MASSIVE and unprecendented
loss of ozone in the earth's atmosphere
--the signature of a major HAARP discharge.

The report swiftly gave place, even in these eco-crazed times, disappeared and there were NO
questions asked.

The FACT that tsunami #1 was on MAO's
Birthday has never even received a passing
mention.

That's right ---NEVER

"The Globalists used Japan, and are through
with Japan. The IMF deliberately cracked their
economy back in 1990. Now time for them to
be taken out."
-ALAN WATT

Globalism is going for the final leg of their
long engineered RED China set-up and TREASON
op..

YOU DECIDE

michigander_sandusky| 5.16.11 @ 7:54AM

Dee See, By any chance are you related to the Mad Hatter?

Dixie Pixie| 5.16.11 @ 8:09AM

Greetings Dee See

The Japanese have never been considered a stupid people.
They have never been passive when attacked.
If they did not believe the recent disasters in Japan were wholly caused by natural phenomena they would have acted by now.

The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) could not possibly do what you claim it can do.
Why not stick to actual conspiracies such as Pakistan support of Osama Bin Laden in a successful effort to extort billions of dollars in aid money in the "Gullible War on Terrorism".

SpiralArchitect| 5.16.11 @ 12:58PM

Spam is a dish best served fried.

Occam's Tool| 5.16.11 @ 3:00PM

Or in a Monty Python skit.

victor| 5.16.11 @ 3:15PM

Monty Python, you say?

You asked for it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE

Occam's Tool| 5.16.11 @ 4:43PM

Can I have my SPAM with a bit less SPAM in it?

Dixie Pixie| 5.16.11 @ 5:56PM

Yes, you can have less Spam in it.
However, you will have to be poked with the soft cushions.
Cardinals Fang and Biggles will be with you in a moment.

Stormzeye| 5.16.11 @ 7:54AM

This is as simplistic an analysis as I have ever read from a former high level official at the State Department. It ignores the likelihood of war with Pakistan's ally, China. It effectively is advocating us carrying water for India in its fight over Kashmir (Gunga Din pun intended). The article is also wrong in writing off Iraq as a failed effort at bringing democracy to the Arab world. (This nascent democracy is already better than Hussein's stalinist police state and, like South Korea, may take a generation before it gels into something that resembles representative government.) We must work with Pakistan but in a far more sophisticated and cagey manner. We have to play The Great Game like the Brits in this area of the world. This administration is completely incompetent at such a sophisticated approach. Only Nixon/Kissinger were adept enough to have been able to play this type of three dimensional chess; until we do we risk involvement in a modern day Balkan Powder Keg with far greater consequences.

SpiralArchitect| 5.16.11 @ 1:04PM

N Africa & Iraq - none of these are related to nation building in the least. Devaluating the dollar & possibly replacing the dollar (gold backed currency supported by Lybian thug dictator is a fine example.

Just google gaddafi & gold currency and you will see many links even tying Iraq and other nations - food for thought at least.

http://www.google.com/search?h.....aql;=&oq;=

This is from a random blog:

http://www.godlikeproductions......478068/pg2

Christopher Holland| 5.16.11 @ 10:14PM

The British never played The Great Game, it is a figment of the imagination. Lord Salisbury was the British Foreign Secretary when this talk was raging and he thought it was a lot of nonsense, bought on by people reading maps at too small a scale.

I can't understand why Americans think that Pakistan is important- it isn't, they are incompetent and untrustworthy and they only ever do what suits them. Screw them, let them eat rice cake.

melvin| 5.16.11 @ 8:01AM

Screw that little piss ant Country. We and the rest of the Western Nation's created the Berlin Airlift and we kept a Country alive, safe from Soviet tyranny.
We can do the same, I can't believe that we have been backed into a logistical corner.
Screw the Paki's they have extorted the last tax payer dollar out of us. The Pakistani welfare train needs to stop.
Too bad, our own government suffers from a lack of vision and fortitude and his getting byatch slapped by a third rate, rat infested extortionist Country, and I am talking the two legged rats.

Louis Jenkins| 5.16.11 @ 8:20AM

Can't trust the Pakistanis. Of course the district of crimminals throws money at them, and they will go along with just about anything. We need to get out as much as possible, and if that means leaving the embassy there then that's it. Pakistan has done as much to hurt the USA as any nation, but we need the land route. Get out of Afgahnistan and bring the boys home.

Pelligrino| 5.16.11 @ 9:03AM

How many $millions, probably $billions have US Americans spent ALONE on natural disaster aid, medical support, food, shelter, rescue operations, etc. in just the last decade?

It probably predates what I recall in the winter of 2005/2006 (earthquake). In just the last two years, an earthquake again and floods.

We've done A LOT of manpower and materiel support there on THEIR BEHALF. Americans have once again given generously (whether fully willingly or otherwise).

Side note (but important one): In many aid distribution cases, one hears of the aid/food/medicines being denied to Christians in Pakistan. One certainly hears every two months of another prominent killing/murder or persecution of a Christian there.

Yes, probably billions of US taxpayers' $ spent just for various regions of Pakistan on disaster aid in less than 7 years. Where is the gratitude attitude?

Occam's Tool| 5.16.11 @ 3:03PM

Islam does not know gratitude to infidels.

John| 5.16.11 @ 9:25AM

What an imbecile of an article. Only mental illness could produce this level of gutter analysis. What will immediately improve matters is withdrawal of American troops from afpak. The murderous terror which is reaching red army levels is the cause of great instability. Withdraw now and save lots of money. And pass on all the savings to the sh*** Zionist entity - a policy favoured by many on this site. Under international law Kashmir does not belong to India - a small and minor detail. But not suprising since soveringhty of others is not a concept many Americans recognise.

RCV| 5.16.11 @ 10:54AM

Why you think any American would give your jihadist nonsense the time of day is beyond me. While some Kashmiris might logically prefer independence to affiliation with India, none of them with half a brain would want to be attached to that cesspool of a state, Pakistan, a foolish creation of the British colonialists.

Occam's Tool| 5.16.11 @ 3:02PM

Correct indeed, RCV. Personally, I'd rather live in India than Pakistan. But, of course, I'd rather be in Philadelphia than either.

victor| 5.16.11 @ 3:17PM

Here lies W. C. Fields.
"I would rather be living in Philadelphia."

RCV| 5.16.11 @ 7:11PM

I'd even rather be in Minnesota.

Christopher Holland| 5.16.11 @ 10:16PM

I would rather go skiing in Banff- it will be a very long time before I ever prefer Philadelphia to Lake Louise

Dave Williams| 5.16.11 @ 1:22PM

Thus the ravings of anti-semitic TRASH. Crawl back under your rock, you deranged piece of sh*t.

John| 5.16.11 @ 5:21PM

American drones are burning alive women and children every day. And I'm deranged.

BD57| 5.16.11 @ 5:44PM

As to the former, Pakistan can make that problem go away any time it wants - give up terror & give up the terrorists who cause it.

As to the latter - glad you recognize it. Admitting you have a problem is the first step to a cure.

albert constantine, jr.| 5.16.11 @ 9:37PM

As are Islamist honor killers...

OLD RAY| 5.16.11 @ 11:03AM

First class article. We are losing in Afghanistan ,turning our army, marines,national guard into another "Peace Corps" supporting a bunch of crooks and drug dealers . On top of that we are paying tribute to double dealing Pakistan .

SpiralArchitect| 5.16.11 @ 1:10PM

Obviously there is some strong reason to stay in afgan, the action of removing troops would be a huge boost to The re-election bid of Obummer.

The reason, I have no idea. To leave Afgan sounds great to me!

cicero| 5.16.11 @ 11:43AM

We have won in Iraq. If they ask us to stay, we should stay in support of their efforts. If they ask us to leave - "Madame, you ahve a republic, if you can keep it". And good luck to them.
In Afgahnistan, we accomplished our mission - time to leave. If they send more terrorists HERE, we can return, throw out the existing government again, and then leave (this time without trying to remake thee country).
As far as Pakistan goes, we should leave them to their own designs. India is perfectly capable to defending itself. Pakistan, China, etc., can play games among themselves, as they have been doing for centuries. The Pacific is too far of a swim for any of them. If they want to engage in trade with us, great. If they want to test their weapons on one another, that is their problem.

WJ| 5.16.11 @ 4:12PM

Yeah, we really won in Iraq. We turned it into a satellite of Iran where Christians are more persecuted than they were under Hussein(think Egypt). We spent at least a trillion dollars of Chinese money, not to mention the 4,000 dead and thousands more maimed. All of this to defeat Al Quaeda in Iraq, which didn't exist prior to our invasion in 2003.

If we have many more victories such as this we won't exist as a country.

GENE HAUBER| 5.16.11 @ 12:50PM

Dear Mr. Babbin,

Another truly brilliant observation on the situation.
Thank you,
Gene Hauber
Brick, nj

Kristal| 5.16.11 @ 2:41PM

When Osama bin Laden died, he was met at the Pearly Gates by George Washington, who slapped him across the face and yelled, "How dare you try to destroy the nation I helped conceive!"
Patrick Henry approached, punched him in the nose and shouted, "You wanted to end our liberties but you failed."
James Madison followed, kicked him in the groin and said, "This is why I allowed our government to provide for the common defense!"
Thomas Jefferson was next, beat Osama with a long cane and snarled, "It was evil men like you who inspired me to write the Declaration of Independence."
The beatings and thrashings continued as George Mason, James Monroe and 66 other early Americans unleashed their anger on the terrorist leader.
As Osama lay bleeding and in pain, an Angel appeared. Bin Laden wept and said, "This is not what you promised me."
The Angel replied, "I told you there would be 72 Virginians waiting for you in Heaven. What did you think I said?"

Pelligrino| 5.16.11 @ 3:11PM

Kristal, thank you. Quite good. I am smiling wide now at the humor of this. But, alas, even the angels probably resolutely stick to their word. Otherwise there would be 77,772 Virginians there to "greet" bin Laden...and all his colleagues upon their arrivals.

In truth, real angels from the Lord protect us every day. This is the real war, the unseen war, one waged every day. We are protected by God's grace. And whether evildoers (and the demons behind them) see justice on this earth or in God's timing, justice is certain.

Skippy| 5.16.11 @ 4:16PM

Can any of our brilliant Spectobloggers enlighten me as to where the political will to stay in Afghan is currently residing in D.C.?
Other than Boehner's tepid boilerplate on Deface the Nation yesterday, I am not hearing a chorus of "stay the course" anymore, from anyone.
Youse guys is always so much more informitized than myselfs.
Thanks.

Cpm| 5.16.11 @ 4:34PM

I think Mr. Babbin meant to list Iran as one of the nations that export terror, not Iraq. The overthrow of Saddam happily ended that situation.

J.C.Eaton| 5.16.11 @ 5:17PM

Dear Jed, You had me until the allusion that we get cozy with India. That's cozy as in get informally joined militarily. Shouldn't do it: the Indians are just as perfidious as the rest of Asia, shouldn't do it because we will get sucked bodily in to every battle they initiate/defend against; shouldn't do it because our military is worn out and by my lights, on the breaking point; shouldn't do it because we're broke. Best,

Dee See| 5.16.11 @ 10:08PM

The ever expanding, systematic and utterly pre-mediated police state surveillance grid

The RED China sellout and TREASON op

The ongoing weaponization of all food,
water, air and meds in the name of 'population
easing' (sterillization and extermination)

---and the THIRD generation EUGENISTS
who sit TAX FREE at the top of the capstone

--------------------ARE the issues!

STOP WORSHIPPING YOUR RECTUMS!

All American American| 5.17.11 @ 7:37AM

If we ever admitted the Truth about islam, we wouldn't need to "tell the truth about Pakistan."

Richard Baker| 5.17.11 @ 8:06AM

As was said about Newt recently, "with allies like these, who needs enemies?" A tip of the hat to Representative Ryan.

weddingdresses | 6.14.11 @ 4:30AM

Article is very interesting,thanks for your sharing.I will visit this site.

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