Thursday, March 15, 2012

Afghanistan is taking a chance at returning to where it was in 2008. However, Karzai may be correct in that allied forces belong in major bases right now.

No one can overlook the fact al Qaeda is severely dismantled since President Obama re-entered Afghanistan.  That said, there is a profound concern for NATO forces in Afghanistan.  It is not a matter of retreat, it is about the Afghan people believing they are secure.  They have a right to be secure in their own homes and if being alive is better than ridding their country of the Taliban then the choice to them is obvious.

Taliban attack foreshadows further fighting (click here)
Geopoliticalmonitor.com
June 20, 2008
Summary 
This week’s spectacular attack on a prison in Kandahar demonstrates the Taliban’s reconstitution in southern  Afghanistan and presages a violent summer fighting season. NATO and the Afghan army will reduce the Taliban’s capabilities, but the Taliban will remain a robust force until their sanctuary across the border in Pakistan is eliminated – an unlikely event in 2008. 

I believe President Karzai's request should be honored.  It is not as though he is throwing his loyalty to the Taliban as an answer to the circumstances of the Afghan people.


Taliban talks off; Karzai tells NATO to pull back (click  title to entry - thank you)

Updated 14m ago 
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) – The American campaign in Afghanistan suffered a double blow Thursday: The Taliban broke off talks with the U.S., and President Hamid Karzai demanded NATO troops immediately pull out of rural areas in the wake of the killing of 16 civilians....

The Taliban are taking their military stance back.  President Karzai needs to be able to maintain control in order to prove his leadership as legitimate.  So, this might be the time for the Afghan military to take their places with the people.  If Karzai isn't respected by NATO he'll appear to be as much the problem as a rogue soldier.  Karzai has to be able to guarantee the safety of the Afghan citizens otherwise the Taliban will appear to be their best option.


Taliban kills top Pakistani police officer (click here)

Published: Thursday, Mar 15, 2012, 20:04 IST 
By Rezaul H Laskar | Place: ISLAMABAD | Agency: PTI
A senior police officer, known for his anti-Taliban operations, was on Thursday assassinated by a suicide bomber in Peshawar city in the restive northwest Pakistan.
Superintendent of Police Kalam Khan was killed and four others injured when the bomber detonated his explosive vest near the official's car at Pishta Khara Chowk in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
The official was on his way to work with his bodyguards and driver.
Khan was killed instantly while his driver, two bodyguards and a passerby were injured.
The wounded policemen were taken to a nearby hospital.



Taliban regrouping in Peshawar, Fata, says Iftikhar (click here)

PESHAWAR, March 13: Pakistani Taliban were regrouping in Peshawar and tribal areas to counter the impact of the security forces’ crackdown on them, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said here on Tuesday.
During the Khyber Union of Journalists and Peshawar Press Club oath-taking ceremony at the Chief Minister’s House here, the minister said the talks between US and Afghan Taliban had led to a deep split within the Pakistani Taliban.
“The growing desire among Pakistani Taliban for holding talks with the government has created serious differences among the terror outfit. Due to these differences, the Taliban leadership recently sacked their spokesman, Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, for openly supporting the idea of dialogue with the government,” he said.
Mr Iftikhar urged Pakistan, Afghanistan and the US to form a joint team for meaningful dialogue with Taliban leaders to achieve desired goals of peace in the region.

It is safe to say the chance of dividing the Taliban into two factions has ended with the attempt of some to dialogue with the governments.


Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has split into two: Rehman Malik (click here)

Published: Tuesday, Mar 13, 2012, 20:59 IST 
By Rezaul H Laskar | Place: ISLAMABAD | Agency: PTI
Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday claimed the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has split into two, a remark that comes amidst reports that commanders of the banned group were divided on the issue of holding peace talks with the government.
Malik, however, did not give further details or say why the militant grouping had broken into two factions.
Recent reports have said that commanders of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan were divided on the issue of holding peace talks with the government....


Pakistan parliament to discuss US ties next week (click here)