I am befuddled. We are handing the Pakistanis a check for $1.5 billion next year and their top military brass is angry, calling it “typical American arrogance?” I agree U.S. foreign policy has been abrasive over the past few years (and the proposed fortress-like embassy there looks like a big middle finger) but Pakistan has shown little appetite in hunting down the Taliban and other terrorists, many of which are in cahoots with Pakistani intelligence.
Also, last time I checked, the perpetrators behind 9/11 remained holed up in Pakistan, and according to UN Security Council Resolution 1373, adopted unanimously in 2001, anyone who harbors these gentlemen are themselves held responsible. Under international law and the rules governing state responsibility, Pakistan is required by law to control non-state actors—al-Qaeda, Taliban, Lashkar-e-Taiba, etc.—which operate from within its sovereign territory. I’m sorry but it forfeits its right to saw we are violating Pakistani sovereignty when it cannot prevent its territory from becoming a terrorist sanctuary.
Our aid package has exposed a widening rift there between the Pakistani military and its civilian government. We should not wade into local politics there but nor should we hand them large sums of cash with no strings attached, not after recent reports that previous aid packages were diverted. If that’s perceived as “arrogance,” then so be it.
Discuss
Matt Pidlysny on October 8, 2009, 7:15 PM
If America were to demand Pakistan into submitting Al Qaeda into American hands, it is up to Pakistan to do so, and not the United States. The US operatives within Pakistan understand this and work the way the Pakistan government is willing to operate.
Your argument is retarded. It has no merit other than hate mongering against an ally of the US, who is working to aid said US in securing a peaceful operation of extraction.
Do not question the arrogance of Patriotism. While valid, it is always arrogant. If the US were to force Osama bin Laden into captivity (If they knew where he was) it would be a breach of the alliance between the two countries. Not only is Osama bin Laden of the same religion as Pakistans dominant religion, Osama bin Laden is also a human being who is amazingly scraping his way against the US military might and the new Pakistan intelligence operation.
Remember, marines in WWII couldn’t kill Hitler without the order to do so. Regardless if he was in a snipers sights, no kill until the order was given. The same is with Osama bin Laden. Regardless of his country of descent, while it is within the power of Pakistan to prevent another Muslim from being executed by the forces that the Muslim religion has decreed Jihad upon, they will do so. They are fully able to carry out the Jihad in a peaceful manner, legally able to do so, and are doing so.
Matt Pidlysny on October 8, 2009, 7:17 PM
I would like to re-word paragraph 3:
“Do not question the arrogance of Patriotism. While valid, it is always arrogant. If the US were to force Osama bin Laden into captivity (If they knew where he was) it would be a breach of the alliance between the two countries. Not only is Osama bin Laden of the same religion as Pakistans dominant religion, Osama bin Laden is also a human being, something a peaceful Muslim must accept. He is also amazingly scraping his way against the US military might and the new Pakistan intelligence operation.”
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