US’s war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan is a saga of desperation and the reports that al-Qaeda is strongest since 2001 added salt to its injury. Now US eyes a new hunting sphere in Western Pakistan (Waziristan) to give its ‘war on terror’ a final touch.
The growing US pressure on Musharraf has forced him to take a decisive action against terrorists in Pakistan, whereas growing al-Qaeda strength forced Bush to change his policies, at least up to some extent, on ‘war against terror’. However, Lee Hamilton, a former congressman from Indiana and vice chairman of the 9/11 commission urges US to eradicate al-Qaeda from Pakistan - easier said than done.
On the other hand, the world is witnessing changes in Pakistan nowadays. Although, Musharraf ward terrorists off the Red Mosque, yet it’ll be difficult for him to deal with the situation in Waziristan, as Pakistan has no control over the region.
Above all, Musharraf, known for his duel role, will perhaps not shed his intransigence so soon. Undoubtedly, the latest US policies leads one to think that why after all US is chasing militants in Iraq when it knows that the main threat of terror attacks on US originates from the tribal areas of Pakistan.
Well, if US endeavors to take offensive against al-Qaeda in Pakistan, it will be a misadventure as it has proved in Afghanistan and Iraq. Because here again, people neither trust Pakistani regime nor they entertain US, but consider al- Qaeda as their friend. In addition to this, Musharraf has vowed to wash terrorism from Pakistan - nothing surprising, he has done so many times earlier.
Enough of aid to Musharraf, now US should stop patting him and should impose sanctions on Pakistan and extract its adherence for being alongside US in war against terrorism in the country, simply because without public and Musharraf’s support, it’ll be too difficult for US to win the battle against al-Qaeda in Pakistan.
Image credit: Atimes, Warshipsifr
