Lessons for NATO

[waraich]

Written by moinansari on Nov-12-08 3:19am
From: defensebriefs.livejournal.com
http://www.zimbio.com/World+Politics/articles/2107/Lessons+NATO+Afghan+lifeline+runs+through

There are some unspoken rules of engagement. Let us try to enumerate them so that they make Dollars and Sense to some.

Lesson Number One: Africa is not a country. South Africa is a country. Noruth America includes Canada, US and Mexico. These were the lessons that the Republicans failed to grasp and lost an election.

Lesson Number Two: Afghanistan is a landlocked country. Karachi is the Pakistan port throught which 80% of the arms and food itemsto Afghanistan flow. All supply lines to Afghanistan run through Pakistan.

Lesson Number Three: Blaming Pakistan won’t help the war on terror.. If you continue to kill Pakistanis, the nation cannot support the US war in Afghanistan. Pakistan Assembly: War not in its interest-Want it stopped!

Lesson Number Four: No pay. No Play.

There has been a big spike in US attacks on Pakistan. This creates huge problems for Pakistan and peace loving peoples of the region. Most of the drone attacks are proverbially inaccurate and have bombed innocent civilians. US attacks on Pakistan since 2004 fueled Afghan insurgency

According to the DOD, Pakistan suffered a loss of $20 Billion per annum as a result of the US attack on Afghanistan. Afghanistan received $15 Billion in aid in the past few years--most of is wasted on arms. Pakistan wanted a Free Trade Agreement with the US which would have propelled its exports to America to $15 Billion. Pakistan wanted Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in FATA, NWFP and Baluchistan.

The $650 million per annum never quite made it to Pakistan. None of these materialized. By law half of the US is spent in America. 25% of the rest is "spent" on administrative and logistical expenses. The remaining 25% is given to the US Ambassador's favorite US based NGO deposited back to the States. Almost none makes it to the poor Pakistanis. Pakistan has been caught in the midst of the global financial crisis and spiraling inflation fueled by rising gasoline prices.

NATO should review its strategy in Afghanistan,there is lot of difference in victory and strategic victory.Initially NATO defeated Talaban but after seven years losing Afghanistan battle.

 

[nevidimka]

And yet Pakistan continues to spend billions of much needed cash on its weapons programmes building IRBM's, cruise missiles, buying submarines, etc which cant be used to fight those terrorists nor help the ailing economy?

Pls look at Pakistan's gov/army/decision makers b4 you complain about others.

 

[Feanor]

And yet Pakistan continues to spend billions of much needed cash on its weapons programmes building IRBM's, cruise missiles, buying submarines, etc which cant be used to fight those terrorists nor help the ailing economy?

Pls look at Pakistan's gov/army/decision makers b4 you complain about others.

So do we have poor strategic judgement from all sides? Or is this turning into a "whose fault is it" conversation?

 

[SABRE]

And yet Pakistan continues to spend billions of much needed cash on its weapons programmes building IRBM's, cruise missiles, buying submarines, etc which cant be used to fight those terrorists nor help the ailing economy?

Pls look at Pakistan's gov/army/decision makers b4 you complain about others.

There is more to Pakistan defence then just 'terrorism.' Pakistan has Zero tolerance towards Eastern Borders unlike the Western where the Taliban are. It cannot afford to render itself off its nuclear and conventional strength while its enemies continue to purchase high-tech weaponry. Subs, IRBMs and Cruises may not be required against terrorists but they are required against the thread on the Eastern Borders. So before making a comment do try to use the top floor. I understand your response is based on you being Indian but please note neither this thread is about India nor the posted has mentioned it anywhere (in order to defame it). So do not attempt to flame here.

Having said that this thread is being closed. We had strictly forbidden any new thread on NATO and War on Terror and had created a separate committed thread to the subject for such discussions. If anyone has to carryout discussion on this topic please take it there.