In case you missed this story on a quiet Saturday night, Pakistan has started a huge assault on the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Pakistan threw more than 30,000 soldiers into a long-anticipated ground offensive against al-Qaida and Taliban strongholds along the Afghan border yesterday, following two weeks in which militants have killed more than 175 people across the country. Early reports suggested the advancing troops were meeting fierce resistance from Taliban fighters.So far there is not much news coming out of the region other than the expected reports of initial minor causalities. I did find it somewhat telling the difference between U.S. and British coverage. The guardian UK article was short and factual, with a headline of:The United States has been pushing the government to carry out the assault in South Waziristan, which it must now attempt to complete before the onset of winter snows in early December.
Pakistan launches all-out assault on Taliban with an extra 30,000 troopsThe LATimes has basically the same story but goes with the headline of:
Pakistan launches risky offensive into Taliban-Al Qaeda strongholdThe author seems focused on possible failure.
The challenges are daunting: The military will face unforgiving terrain along the Afghan border that has long been viewed as a possible hide-out for Osama bin Laden, as well as a battle-hardened enemy likely to respond by stepping up bloody attacks across the country. The government believes that more than 80% of the terrorism inflicted on Pakistan originates in the region.
Analysts foresee the potential for a countermove that relies on Punjabi militants to unleash a wave of terrorist strikes in the capital, Islamabad, and Punjab's largest cities, Lahore and the garrison city of Rawalpindi.
Analysts say the government has widespread support for the offensive among Pakistanis. However, ensuring support from the tribal groups that live in the Waziristan region will depend on the level of civilian damage inflicted by the offensive, as well as how thousands of Pashtun villagers fleeing Waziristan are treated as they seek refuge.Perhaps the LA Times article is just being more thorough, but I can't help but notice it is also more pessimistic. The Guardian isn't exactly known as a haven for the conservative voice so if you managed to push the "the war on terror cannot be won" meme stronger than they do that is quite the accomplishment.Amnesty International reported Friday that 90,000 to 150,000 South Waziristan Pakistanis had fled the region since July, when the military began bombarding Taliban hide-outs in the area.
Support for the war could also diminish if militants answer back with a new wave of terrorist strikes in Pakistan's major cities, analysts say.
I wonder if the Pakistani government consulted with John Kerry before starting the attack?
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Comments (8)
The media needs to be pessi... (Below threshold)1. Posted by jim m | October 17, 2009 10:56 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
The media needs to be pessimistic about this offensive because Obama is being so spineless on our end. If actually standing up to the enemy in the battlefield was something that the left valued it would be different.
Because Obama is being a coward they need to show Pakistan as being reckless. It's just the same old media trying to provide political cover for their messiah.
1. Posted by jim m | October 17, 2009 10:56 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 17, 2009 22:56
2. Posted by Michael Laprarie | October 17, 2009 11:12 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
"I wonder if the Pakistani government consulted with John Kerry before starting the attack?"
Or if they consulted our newest Nobel Peace Prize winner ... surely he could have negotiated a peaceful outcome, right?
2. Posted by Michael Laprarie | October 17, 2009 11:12 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 17, 2009 23:12
3. Posted by Kim Veldt | October 17, 2009 11:25 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
wonder if the news the US was considering teaming up w/Taliban played into that sudden gust of activity.Pakistan isn't our friend either, and they're as corrupt as Afghanistan. The only reason they have nuc's is because they stole the info from us to begin with.
3. Posted by Kim Veldt | October 17, 2009 11:25 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 17, 2009 23:25
4. Posted by GarandFan | October 18, 2009 12:36 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
I'm still breathlessly awaiting the views of Generals Pelosi, Reid and Murtha.
4. Posted by GarandFan | October 18, 2009 12:36 AM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 18, 2009 00:36
5. Posted by bobdog | October 18, 2009 8:43 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
What would Biden do?
Please submit your answers in Fwench.
5. Posted by bobdog | October 18, 2009 8:43 AM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 18, 2009 08:43
6. Posted by Rich | October 18, 2009 10:21 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I am sure if it helps us out the WH will spin it as Obama talked with the Pakistani's about the attack months ago. He was just making a strategic delay to till this worked out. Or some such nonsense.
6. Posted by Rich | October 18, 2009 10:21 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 18, 2009 10:21
7. Posted by epador | October 18, 2009 1:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Sure would be nice to have a few extra US troops on the ground on the other side of the border, eh?
7. Posted by epador | October 18, 2009 1:36 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 18, 2009 13:36
8. Posted by Chris R | October 19, 2009 1:17 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I pray for all my Pakistani friends who are in the area. I also hope all of the women and children are safe.
8. Posted by Chris R | October 19, 2009 1:17 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 19, 2009 13:17