Mike Pouraryan
SP "Outsiders" Watch: Afghanistan & Pakistan
Over the past 48 hours, I have been amazed at the continued developments in Afghanistan and Pakistan. President Obama has increased drone attacks in a major way which has supposedly disrupted terror attacks. However, the collateral damage has been quite extra-ordinary.
Tuesday's New York Times reported on the scolding General Kiyani gave both the President and Prime Minister. General Kiyani is clearly frustruated with the inept Adminstration that is in charge in the Country. The stories I read about a camp being set up for him only to show him in a good light was shocking. I also read that he received luxury good from Harrods as the Country was overtaken by the floods. I had already written about Zardari's tour of his Cheateua and now the supposed attempt to anoit his Son. The pathetic move to change the last name of his kids was another cynical attempt to buy his way to power. Fatima Bhutto, the daughter of Morteza, was absolutely right in her assertion in this respect.
I sought out to listen to Tariq Ali's talk from last year to see whether anything had changed:
Nothing has changed. We simply have more of the same. The only change I see is how General Kiyani has stood up to Zardari and Kiyani. I salute him for it because at least someone had the courage to tell these inept corrupt individuals that the time for change was here and now. Pakistan is broke and the people are desparate.
As for Afghanistan, I laughed when I read about Karzai crying and vying for peace. There is a supposed 70-person high council of peace that has been appointed by Karzai. Some of the players are some of the old war horses who have been around a while and whether they can pull it off remains to be seen. At least there is a realization that there has to be some sort of a political solution. The US Political leadership seems to understand it and General Petraus has also realized it too. It seems to me that Afghanistan deserves better than this--including being occupied. Tariq Ali reminded us of it in another one of his talks not too long ago.
Tuesday's New York Times reported on the scolding General Kiyani gave both the President and Prime Minister. General Kiyani is clearly frustruated with the inept Adminstration that is in charge in the Country. The stories I read about a camp being set up for him only to show him in a good light was shocking. I also read that he received luxury good from Harrods as the Country was overtaken by the floods. I had already written about Zardari's tour of his Cheateua and now the supposed attempt to anoit his Son. The pathetic move to change the last name of his kids was another cynical attempt to buy his way to power. Fatima Bhutto, the daughter of Morteza, was absolutely right in her assertion in this respect.
I sought out to listen to Tariq Ali's talk from last year to see whether anything had changed:
Nothing has changed. We simply have more of the same. The only change I see is how General Kiyani has stood up to Zardari and Kiyani. I salute him for it because at least someone had the courage to tell these inept corrupt individuals that the time for change was here and now. Pakistan is broke and the people are desparate.
As for Afghanistan, I laughed when I read about Karzai crying and vying for peace. There is a supposed 70-person high council of peace that has been appointed by Karzai. Some of the players are some of the old war horses who have been around a while and whether they can pull it off remains to be seen. At least there is a realization that there has to be some sort of a political solution. The US Political leadership seems to understand it and General Petraus has also realized it too. It seems to me that Afghanistan deserves better than this--including being occupied. Tariq Ali reminded us of it in another one of his talks not too long ago.
