Inkless Wells

 Inkless Wells

Paul Wells on all the latest out of Ottawa—along with the occasional post about jazz. Follow Paul on Twitter: @InklessPW

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Afghanistan and Pakistan: Compare and contrast

by Paul Wells on Monday, June 22, 2009 3:32pm - 4 Comments

U.S. Tightens Airstrike Policy in Afghanistan

Pakistan Resumes Airstrikes in South Waziristan

Note that, for strategic purposes, the difference between Pakistan and Afghanistan is meaningless, and that Gen. MacChrystal was right when he told his officers last week, “Air power contains the seeds of our own destruction if we do not use it responsibly.”

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  • YTZ

    There may be no difference between Pakistan and Afghanistan for strategic purposes.

    But I would argue that U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan have a much more dire effect on the cause than a sovereign Pakistani government deploying airstrikes inside its own borders.

    In the case of the former, anti-American sentiment, tribalism and a desire for a more sovereign Afghanistan may destabilize US efforts in that country.

    In the case of the latter, though, it's not as apparent to me what the "downside" is – without the U.S. as a whipping boy, who will be seen as the aggressor? The Taliban or the Pakistani government?

    I'm no expert in Pakistani politics, but it seems to me there is a difference between US airstrikes in Afghanistan causing civilian deaths and Pakistani airstrikes in Pakistan causing civilian deaths.

    (note: I'm not being callous – obviously civilian deaths are horrible regardless of the cause).

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/DroppingBY DroppingBY

    One point of contrast is that Pakistan's strategy seems to be militarily and politically sustainable for its Government, given that they don't depend a whole lot on the goodwill of voters from the South Waziristan region.

    In contrast, the American strategy of reduced air assaults in Afghanistan will result in increased U.S. troop fatalities and casualties. This may become politically unsustainable domestically for Obama.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/SisyphusThis SisyphusThis

    All one big playground now ? ….

    http://rebelreports.com/post/128133453/obamas-und…

  • M.AKRAM NIAZI

    Advantages to Pakistan:
    It was the vision of Founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam to unify region of West Pakistan with Afghanistan and East Pakistan with Malysia and Indonesia and that is still the need of time.
    •By unification with Afghanistan, areas which are included in Pakistan will be stabilized, and migration of people from disturbed areas will be stopped,
    •Law and order situation due to smuggling of weapons from Afghanistan will come to an end.
    •Similarly illicit drug trade will be minimized.
    • Whole areas of Pukhtoons speaking population will become unified and which will be helpful for development of culture and language of that group which is now divided in two nations.
    • Security measures expenses on borders will be minimized which may be used for welfare of people.
    • Interference of other nations in this region will be stopped.
    •Due to historical and unique region and having importance for Buddhism and Hindues religion, tourism industry will be flourished and business activity in the region will be increased,

    Advantages to Afghanistan:
    •By unification status of Afghanistan as land lock country will come to an end, and Union will increase the freedom of people of Afghanistan for travel and economic activity,
    • Extremism and terrorism will come to and end, as the people will become more engaged and involved in adjusting themselves in new union. it will increase the utilization of raw products of Afghanistan ,
    •Security and military expenses will be minimized,
    • Doors of job for people of Afghanistan in Pakistan will opened ,the desire of unification of people of Afghanistan with people of Pakistan will be fulfilled.
    •Shortage of food products in Afghanistan will be decreased and it will increase the utilization of raw products of Afghanistan in the region.
    •Due to linkage of central Asia via Afghanistan, will cause extraordinary development in the whole region.

    From all above points it is clear that unification of Pakistan and Afghanistan will be fruitful for every one and for world at large by each and every angle.

    Written By:
    M.AKRAM KHAN
    Email:akrumniazi@hotmail.com
    Baldia Town,Karachi.Pakistan.

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