...“Pakistan poses a mortal threat to the security and safety of our country and the world,” Hillary Clinton said. “And I want to take this occasion ... state unequivocally that not only do the Pakistani government officials, but the Pakistani people and the Pakistani diaspora ... need to speak out forcefully against a policy that is ceding more and more territory to the insurgents ... .”“(We) cannot underscore the seriousness of the existential threat posed to the state of Pakistan by the continuing advances now within hours of Islamabad that are being made by a loosely confederated group of terrorists and others who are seeking the overthrow of the Pakistani state.”...
Secretary Clinton is correct in that the Taliban have broken the 'treaty' with the Pakistani government. They have moved out of Swat as they stated they would not do.
And isn't it 'timely' of Perez to leave the country before the Civil War breaks out. Just in time to save his sorry 'butt' to make a comeback when the coast is clear !
And while the Pakistan government continues to meet with Secretary Clinton and Afghanistan, the Taliban are attempting to take a stand. Why not? The Taliban are on the move in Pakistan, why shouldn't they reignite things in Afghanistan.
General: Insurgents targeting southern Afghanistan (click here)
By LARA JAKES – 12 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. troops have reached a stalemate against insurgents in Afghanistan's Taliban-dominated south and so far have been unable to stop attackers from returning, a senior U.S. commander said Wednesday.
An estimated 80 percent of Afghanistan's insurgent attacks now are happening in the nation's southern region, Maj. Gen. Michael S. Tucker said during a Pentagon briefing. He said insurgents have pushed south over the last year after military troops and police largely have thwarted their threats in eastern Afghanistan.
"We're at a stalemate," Tucker said in a 35-minute videoconference call from Afghanistan. "We just simply do not have enough forces to address the needs of the people down there to set the conditions for governance to take hold."...
By LARA JAKES – 12 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. troops have reached a stalemate against insurgents in Afghanistan's Taliban-dominated south and so far have been unable to stop attackers from returning, a senior U.S. commander said Wednesday.
An estimated 80 percent of Afghanistan's insurgent attacks now are happening in the nation's southern region, Maj. Gen. Michael S. Tucker said during a Pentagon briefing. He said insurgents have pushed south over the last year after military troops and police largely have thwarted their threats in eastern Afghanistan.
"We're at a stalemate," Tucker said in a 35-minute videoconference call from Afghanistan. "We just simply do not have enough forces to address the needs of the people down there to set the conditions for governance to take hold."...
I don't think the talks are working. The Taliban will talk all you want while the militias take over the two countries and clear the way from Perez to come back and declare the Taliban and al Qaeda in charge of a nuclear nation.
The Afghan government said it has held positive talks with Taliban militants in an effort to encourage peace in the face of an increasingly bloody insurgency.
Presidential spokesman Humayun Hamidzada said Tuesday officials were in contact with militants at various levels but gave no other details....
...U.S. President Barack Obama has said he would consider holding talks with Taliban militants who are willing to renounce violence and reconcile. The idea is part of his revised strategy to stabilize Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan.
Taliban and other insurgents have made a comeback in Afghanistan, causing the highest level of violence since a U.S.-led coalition ousted the Taliban government in 2001.
Petraeus: "Tough months" ahead in Afghanistan (click here)
By Steve LeBlanc
Associated Press Writer / April 21, 2009
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Gen. David Petraeus warned Tuesday of "tough months ahead" as the U.S. steps up its presence in Afghanistan to help stabilize the country....
..."We are going to make progress but it's going to get worse before it gets better," Petraeus said. "When you go into an enemy's territory ... they are going to fight you for it."...
No, it isn't the same war all over again. It is many times worse.
The same war all over again (click here)
Redwood Times
Posted: 04/22/2009 09:24:57 AM PDT
To the Editor:
Has it sunk in yet? President Obama recently threw a fast one right past the peace bloc in Congress. These Democrats of varying stripes, including our own Blue Dog Mike Thompson, have in the past voted a righteous No on special war appropriations from the Bush regime. It is shocking to see all but 20 Democrats stamping their approval on $130 billion dollars worth of Live War money coming from the new regime.
By tucking these war appropriations back in the budget under the guise of “transparency,” the money for Afghanistan and Iraq became nothing more than a pair of bloody earmarks, easily “overlooked” in the larger factional struggle over the Democrats’ plan to save corporate capitalism. The Republicans played their part in the two-party charade by sticking to the economic stimulus theme, meanwhile rejecting paying out money for a war Americans are currently killing and dying in!
Dennis Kucinich wasn’t fooled. As one of only two Progressive Caucus members voting No to this sleight of hand, Kucinich said: “I will not vote for a budget that ties military spending to the operational funding of our government. This year, the budget includes $130 billion for war funding.”...
Redwood Times
Posted: 04/22/2009 09:24:57 AM PDT
To the Editor:
Has it sunk in yet? President Obama recently threw a fast one right past the peace bloc in Congress. These Democrats of varying stripes, including our own Blue Dog Mike Thompson, have in the past voted a righteous No on special war appropriations from the Bush regime. It is shocking to see all but 20 Democrats stamping their approval on $130 billion dollars worth of Live War money coming from the new regime.
By tucking these war appropriations back in the budget under the guise of “transparency,” the money for Afghanistan and Iraq became nothing more than a pair of bloody earmarks, easily “overlooked” in the larger factional struggle over the Democrats’ plan to save corporate capitalism. The Republicans played their part in the two-party charade by sticking to the economic stimulus theme, meanwhile rejecting paying out money for a war Americans are currently killing and dying in!
Dennis Kucinich wasn’t fooled. As one of only two Progressive Caucus members voting No to this sleight of hand, Kucinich said: “I will not vote for a budget that ties military spending to the operational funding of our government. This year, the budget includes $130 billion for war funding.”...
