History Shows Abandoning Pakistan Not an Option
Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan | June 22, 2009
The US cannot abandon Pakistan and Afghanistan. ++ If the Taliban and al-Qaeda are allowed to triumph, their destabilizing alliance will spread. ++ To ensure that the forces of fanaticism are defeated, we have to succeed not only militarily but politically, economically and socially. ++ "The West, most notably the US, has been all too willing to dance with dictators in pursuit of perceived short-term goals," but that never pays off. ++ Pakistan needs help to defeat the militants. ++ The rest of the world must follow the US and support Pakistan.
Thu, Jun 25th 2009, 06:00
Patrick Edwin Moran, Wake Forest University, Platinum Contributor (201)
Mr. Zardari is in a very difficult position. The many factions in his country who are not diametrically opposed to him will hurt their own interests if they angle for his defeat. He needs a brain trust, but he may not realize that recruiting able people wherever they are is his most urgent need after his personal survival. There may be barriers that will keep him from linking up with the best minds worldwide.
The larger national governments may be less able to render any other than material aid than some of the smaller nations, particularly those that do not have a history of unfriendly deals with Pakistan and/or the Islamic nations.