Keys to Crisis Rest With Pakistan
Editorial, The Washington Post | December 2, 2008
The case for a Pakistani link to the Mumbai slaughter is growing stronger by the day. ++ The failure of favorable US policies towards Pakistan under President Bush are evident. ++ Condoleeza Rice has stressed the need for “complete, absolute, total transparency and cooperation” from Pakistan. ++ In the interests of preventing nuclear war and the collapse of Pakistani democracy, Islamabad must shut down resident terrorist groups. ++ Whilst US support should be offered to this end, the solution ultimately lies within Pakistan itself.
Public spending, especially on infrastructure and new technologies, is needed to build up steam in this stagnant economy. ++ Building up more state debt and increasing the budget deficit is nothing to worry about right now. ++ Cutting back on spending would do nothing to lower short term interest rates, which are already close to zero. ++ A tight budget could bring long-term rates down a little, but only by making sure the economy will remain depressed for a long time. ++ For the 
Contrary to his promise to distance himself from the “Clinton political method,” Obama has set up a “Team of Rivals,” assigning Hillary Clinton to the important office of secretary of state. ++ His choice can be viewed as clever as he has managed to avert a potential challenge in 2012. ++ However, Obama should not follow President Clinton’s “era of illusory peace as problems festered with too little US attention.” ++ It is also questionable if Obama can escape the “uncontrollable political entitlement that has always driven the Clintons.”
The US sphere of influence can’t extend from Iraq to Georgia. ++ “Historically, peace is maintained when smaller states show restraint in the face of large neighbors.” ++ “Finlandization,” or bowing towards Moscow, used to be an insult during the Cold War. ++ However, Finland remained independent. ++ Saakashvili should take tips from that. ++ As “the old monster” Stalin said apologetically while threatening Finland, he was “not responsible for geography.” ++ The truth of this should be recognized by the 
“Americans are right to express solidarity with India.” ++ Facing Maoist rebels in the east, separatists in the northeast, organized crime and communal violence, India is a world to itself. ++ Unfortunately, the bloodiest conflict with Pakistan is over Kashmir. ++ The US needs Pakistan to defeat Islamist militants within its borders and in Afghanistan. ++ American mediation over Kashmir would probably make things worse. ++ Beyond seeing that tensions don’t escalate into war, which is what the terrorists want, Obama should do nothing.
