Pakistan Defies U.S. on Halting Afghanistan Raids

NY Times ^ | May 16, 2008 | JANE PERLEZ

[neverdem]

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Pakistani officials are making it increasingly clear that they have no interest in stopping cross-border attacks by militants into Afghanistan, prompting a new level of frustration from Americans who see the infiltration as a crucial strategic priority in the war in Afghanistan.

On Wednesday night, the United States fired its fourth Predator missile strike since January, the most visible symbol of the American push for a freer hand to pursue militants from Al Qaeda and the Taliban who use Pakistan’s tribal areas as a base to attack Afghanistan and plot terrorist attacks abroad. In Afghanistan, cross-border attacks have doubled over the same month last year and present an increasingly lethal challenge to American and NATO efforts to wind down the war and deny the Taliban and Al Qaeda a sanctuary.

In an unusual step during a visit to Pakistan in March, Adm. Eric T. Olson, the commander of United States Special Operations Command, held a round-table discussion with a group of civilian Pakistani leaders to sound them out on the possibility of cross-border raids by American forces. He was told in no uncertain terms that from the Pakistani point of view it was a bad idea, said one of the participants.

Instead, Pakistani officials are trying to restore calm to their country, which was rattled by a record number of...

--snip--

NATO and the United States say cross-border attacks aimed at Afghan and NATO troops have risen from 20 a month in March 2007 to 53 last month. The United States is particularly concerned about the attacks because they appear to be aimed at Canadian and Dutch troops, whose governments are under pressure to withdraw from the NATO war effort. A new contingent of United States marines has arrived in southern Afghanistan, increasing the concern about attacks...

[miliantnutcase]

Time to start bombing runs against the western tribal areas of Pakistan.

[festus]

Err what ever happened to the doctrine of “In Hot Pursuit”.

[neverdem]

The McCain Doctrines On the use of force, the writing isn't flawless, but it's interesting.

An Unconventional 2008 Election Season

The Road To Hell Is Paved With Superdelegates

From time to time, I’ll ping on noteworthy articles about politics, foreign and military affairs. FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Related thread:

Pakistan close to inking peace agreement with Baitullah Mehsud

Title doesn't tell you much as to why this is important....

>*********************************EXCERPTS & Intro************************

As Azizuddin was released the Pakistani Army started withdrawing its forces from the Mehsud tribal regions in South Waziristan. The Pakistani government has been in negotiations with Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, the umbrella Taliban organization that united movements in the tribal areas and the settled districts of the Northwest Frontier Province.

**********************************snip***********************************

But the peace deal with the TNSM and the deal being negotiated with Baitullah do not require the Taliban to stop attacks in Afghanistan. During interviews with The New York Times, Pakistani leaders made it clear the government is not concerned with halting attacks inside Afghanistan.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks neverdem. Related:

Pakistan close to inking peace agreement with Baitullah Mehsud
Long War Journal | May 17, 2008 5:07 PM | Bill Roggio
Posted on 05/17/2008 8:12:11 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2017554/posts

[Wavrnr10]

I like the once in awhile drone bombings. BUT...maybe we could broaden our horizons a little.