Monday, November 5, 2007

Pakistan Syndrome

Pakistan's got nuclear weapons, tests them, threatens its neighbor India with them, is in an unending conflict over Kashmir, and is home to throngs of fundamentalist Islamists, terrorists, Taliban leaders, and even al-Qaida militants. So the president there puts the constitution out of effect, declares emergency powers and arrests thousands of opposition members (of the democratic, not fundamentalist or islamist variety), and gets slapped on the wrist by Condy, while the bushbaby says its important to keep funding the junta's military. Is that the BBW3 beginning? Is that an explosive device about to fall into the hands of terrorists?
With friends like those...
North African terrorists unite in joint efforts with al-Qaida, which calls for attacks on Spanish, French, and U.S. interests there. Or is this the beginning?
Guantánamo's closure, in the face of court cases, is once again being "considered" (until the court cases are over, probably). Justice would demand immediate closure without discussion and the trial of those being held there in a court of law. A country that is a model democracy would do so. Its closure might just convince some enemies of US sincerity and reduce the risk of war.
But perhaps the playpen is suffering from the Pakistan Syndrome.
Or wishes to do it like Putin in his neo-czarist Russia.
Or like the commando communist capitalists of the "People's" Republic of China.
Or pick your dictator or leader on the way to becoming one or wishing he could be one at the very least.
Sources for these remarks:
All English, American, French, German, and Italian newspapers that are not boulevard rags.

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