Clinton in Tehran and Islamabad, a Worthless War, Another Blackwater War……………..
“Pakistan -- After three days of encounters with America-bashing Pakistanis -- who rejected her contention that the U.S. and Pakistan face a common enemy -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday that "we're not getting through." Prominent women and tribesmen from the North West Frontier Province delivered the same hostile message that she'd heard the two preceding days from students and journalists: Pakistanis aren't ready to endorse American friendship despite an eight-year-old anti-terrorism alliance between the countries and a multi-billion-dollar new U.S. aid package.Clinton put her case directly to the public Friday in televised appearances in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, fielding angry questions about the alleged activities of U.S. contractor Blackwater in Pakistan, the tough conditions that came with a $1.5 billion-a-year American aid package and alleged U.S. favoritism toward Pakistan's archenemy, India……....” McClatchy News
My Executive Summary:
- The Pakistani Taliban do not want a US presence.
- The Pakistani ISI do not want a robust US influence (but would love the money and satellite intelligence to keep coming).
- The Pakistani regime does not want a robust US presence (but would love the money to keep coming).
- The Pakistani plutocrats, who share political power with the military and intelligence services, do not want a robust US presence (but would love the money to keep coming). They also fear the Islamists, whether the US stays or goes.
- The Pakistani military is probably divided and is certainly infiltrated at some officer-level by Islamic fundamentalists.
- The Pakistani elections are a sham where one of two feudal landlord factions, nay two feudal families, the Bhuttos and Sharifs, always win elections.
- The Pakistani president is largely a seat warmer and is hardly listened to across the country.
- Secretary Clinton would probably get a better reception in Tehran than she got in Pakistan recently, provided she promises not to” pulverize” the mullahs anytime soon. And she must not take any Blackwater people with her.
So why throw good money after bad, and risk more lives?
And what the hell is Blackwater doing rearing its ugly head in Pakistan? Blackwater is no way to win hearts and minds. Haven't they learned that?
Cheers
mhg
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