US Could Strike In Pakistan

[CHUQ]

Saber rattling? possibly not. Good Idea? Definately not.


NASHVILLE, United States (AFP) - The White House on Thursday refused to rule out striking at suspected terrorist targets inside Pakistan and would not say whether US forces would first seek permission from Islamabad.

Asked whether US President George W. Bush had ruled out US military action inside Pakistan, spokesman Tony Snow replied: "We never rule out any options, including striking actionable targets."

Asked whether Bush would first seek authorization from Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, Snow told reporters: "Those are matters that are best not discussed publicly."


readme (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070719/pl_afp/usattackspakistan_070719165714)


This could possibly destablize the area even more so than now. thoughts?

[Pete]

Pakistan is slowly becoming Americas Afghanstan, Iraq, Iran, Syria, wonder how many fires it can fight all at the same time. Its no wonder Putin is re arming, how long before Russia is on the "axis of evil" list.

[Mindcore]

That's funny, Russia spreading itself thin lead to it's downfall.. At least learn from others mistakes :rolleyes:

It's terms like "Actionable Targets" that makes me shake my head.. What ever happend to start something, finish something, then move on?

You'll notice I'm skirting the whole issue of why altogether :)

[CHUQ]

If the US goes it alone in the tribal areas, it would be handing the country to extremists

[Pete]

I think we better all cross our fingers the next change of power in Pakistan doesnt fall to the Taliban or other extremests or the US will be forced to invade and secure its nuclear weapons or we're going to see terrorists controlling the ME.

[CHUQ]

Pakistan should be the attention of the American people. This situation is slowly sneaking up on them and when it strikes they will all be surprised. But that is ok, because I love to say, "Told you so"! lol

[CHUQ]

The US has a history of supporting hard handed governments, that once they are overthrown are then confronted with a supoer anti-American one. Pakistan will be no different, with the exception of nukes in the hands of rabid anti-US forces.

One is immediately reminded of the Vietnam War when the Pentagon, unable to defeat North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces, urged invasion of Cambodia.

Sources in Washington say the Pentagon is drawing up plans to attack Pakistan’s "autonomous" tribal region bordering Afghanistan. Limited "hot pursuit" ground incursions by US forces based in Afghanistan, intensive air attacks, and special forces raids into Pakistan’s autonomous tribal region are being evaluated.


Source (http://www.lewrockwell.com/margolis/margolis84.html)

[CHUQ]

Is Musharraf covering his butt or is he serious?


Any attack inside our territory would be unacceptable," a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Tasnim Aslam, said. "Any such action would be irresponsible and dangerous. We are combating terrorism in our own interest. We do not want our efforts to be undermined by any ill-conceived action from any quarter that is inconsistent with the principles of international law."

Analysts say the rebuff - triggered by comments over the weekend by US officials claiming it maintained the right to strike suspected terrorism targets anywhere - represents a rare public glimpse of intense private negotiations between the governments. The US has been pushing General Musharraf to do more to prevent the stream of people heading to training camps inside his country.


Read It (http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article2798524.ece)

[Pete]

This whole Pakiston is looking so dangerous,, if the US does not approach this with diplomacy and support there is the threat that Pakiston could be the first Islamic Nation with nukes and an Ant-America sentiment.
With Bush still in power this threat appears more and more risky to say the least.

[CHUQ]

Recently I read an artticle that said that they also were testing a mid range missile. If Pakistan falls to extremists they will have nuke tech and a way to delivery. Now how's that for sonmething to worry about?