Why the Pentagon Needs to Rebuild Its Relationship With Pakistan's Military
Updated on 4/14/09: An earlier version of this story was published before Pentagon officials released information about senior U.S. officials' private meeting with Pakistan's intelligence chief.
The Pakistanis often describe some of the battles they have had with al Qaeda operatives in Pakistan's remote tribal regions. "It's been helpful just getting the guys to appreciate the fighting that's taking place in those areas," says Tatnell. These conversations also lay the foundation for discussions about counterinsurgency techniques.
Equally important, say U.S. military officials, they give the Pakistanis a chance to express their own frustrations, which often echo deeply held suspicions among Afghan and American officers. Perhaps the most persistent worry is that ISI operatives share sensitive information about future operations with the Taliban. "The Pakistani majors say, 'Just like the American CIA, the ISI doesn't answer to the military, and I can't speak on it,'" says Barry.
Petraeus echoed the concerns about the ISI when he was on Capitol Hill two weeks ago, saying that leaks had indeed taken place. As a result, many within the U.S. military remain suspicious about how much cooperation, particularly in intelligence matters, can really occur with Pakistani forces. But they also realize that they have limited options. "We must do everything we can to assist" the Pakistanis, Petraeus said. Just how America goes about that, he added, "has to be done very carefully."
Reader Comments
At some point
The Afghanistan War will probably come to include the Pakistan War someday. Indeed, it's already here if you count the incursion bombing by our predator drones in that country. There is no progress to be had in stabilizing Afghanistan while the Taliban have moved to Pakistan---where they were just GIVEN control of the Swat Valley.
There is no effective negotiation to be had with these Taliban people. If they love Sharia Law (as they do), then they HATE everything about the West. They will have to be defeated as surely as defeat was required to diminish the Ku Klux Klan.
Not much difference, you know.
Trade First not Aid First
First of all, let me say that the US has no clue about how to deal with Pakistanis and what to do in Afghanistan. This site may help some get an analyst or so to get a clue...
Trade First not Aid First
http://rupeenews.com/2008/10/25/trade-first-not-aid-first-tareen-plan-may-not-go-to-imf/
and we are supposed to believe the CIA now...
http://rupeenews.com/2009/03/31/and-we-are-supposed-to-believe-the-cia-now/
Trust deficit: Did General Pasha of the ISI refuse to meet US officials? Analysis
http://rupeenews.com/2009/04/07/why-did-general-pasha-of-isi-refuse-to-meet-us-officials-analysis/
Editor Rupee News
http://www.rupeenews.com
Americans themselves responsible!
Its extremely disappointing to see that the American citizens have no knowledge about history of their OWN government's 'Double Standards'. During the Afghan War, the Americans and CIA CREATED the Taliban! They funded and armed all these very SAME people and trained them. They were all CREATED, FUNDED, TRAINED, CONGRATULATED and then DUMPED by the American government.
After being dumped and left to fight on their own, they all now target American occupation. So all of a sudden, they're all the enemies now thanks to Bush's own plans. Why should Pakistan help the Americans now? Let them fight their own war. Why beg for help from Pakistan? Where's the world's strongest military? Wheres all the high-tech weaponry?
Without Pakistan and its professional soldiers, Americans wont even survive for one week in Afghanistan alone! History has proven.
Read your OWN history books first. Then comment.
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