Patchwork steamroller: Kilcullen on Afpak
David Kilcullen has written a review in The Spectator: http://www.spectator.co.uk/the-magaz...urzon-do.thtml
I particularly like the description of the current Pakistani operation: 'a patchwork steamroller'.
The last paragraph will be familiar to SWC: For Britons and Americans watching the hard-fought progress of our Coalition troops in Helmand, the harsh reality is that Nato could do everything right in Afghanistan and still lose the broader regional campaign against terrorism if Pakistan fails to contain its internal militants. (My emphasis) This makes the fight in Pakistan, and finding means to help Pakistanis help themselves, the most important battle in the world.
davidbfpo
Pakistan rounds up the Quetta Taliban and now let's one go? (updated title)
(Moderator's Note another thread 'Nearly half of Afghan Taliban leadership arrested in Pakistan', which was started 25/2/10 merged into this and re-named as 'Rounding Up').
Well, I've checked this very large board the best I can and found no mention of this incredible news that the Afghan taliban's operational #2, Abdul Ghani Baradar was capture a few days ago in Karachi. NYT held off the story until today-
Secret Joint Raid Captures Taliban's Top Commander-NYT Mazzetti Feb. 16, 2010
Baradar was profiled last summer in this excellent NEWSWEEK article.
This is MASSIVE news. That he was captured in Karachi wasn't particularly surprising. There've been rumors of the Afghan taliban leadership relocating quietly for some time. Too, Hakimullah Mehsud of the TTP supposedly expired in Multan on his way for treatment in Karachi. Karachi is increasingly playing a prominent role in the GWOT. That an Afghan Taliban commander was captured in Pakistan at all IS surprising in light of eight plus years of sanctuary. The implications of a sea-change in Pakistani perspectives is profound.
Thanks.
Comments from over the ocean
The BBC report:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8517375.stm
The Daily Telegraph:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...-Pakistan.html
Interesting quote within:
Quote:
Former Pakistan intelligence chief Hamid Gul, today told The Daily Telegraph Mullah Baradar’s arrest was evidence that Islamabad has been sincere in its dealings with the Uninted States. “Mullah Baradar is member of the Taliban Shura and an important member of it. There haven’t been joint operations between Pakistan and the United States, but perhaps this is new ground,” he said.
Interesting contrast to other items on another thread:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ead.php?t=2313
Pakistani Gov't Denies Arrest
This is becoming a world-class farce-
Mullah Baradar Arrest Reports "Propaganda": Rehman Malik-DAWN Feb.16, 2010
Stunning.:eek:
Moderator's Note: Rehman Malik is the Interior Minister.
Applaud now, wait for the result
A careful comment by Joshua Foust, hat tip to Abu M:http://www.registan.net/index.php/20...adars-capture/
Amidst the summary this stands out IMHO:
Quote:
We’ll Keep It Brief: It was a joint CIA-ISI operation, with the ISI taking the lead. “ISI sab ka dada hai,” as they say: the ISI is everyone’s granddaddy.(My emphasis) We paid a price for this, keep an eye out for what it might be.
A good news story for once
An interesting comment by Steve Coll on the 'bargain':http://freerangeinternational.com/blog/?p=2604
I read whilst off-line a variety of comments in European papers and one suggestion that the arrest was made at a VCP.
Also see this US-based Pakistani comment:http://watandost.blogspot.com/2010/0...ndahar-to.html