While it was necessary at the time of the 9/11 attacks to go after the Taliban government of Afghanistan which was harbouring Al Qaeda elements responsible, the other requirement was for Pakistan to deal with the nastiest elements of the group within its country. But no thanks to a very lacksadasical military president in Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, AQ was allowed to thrive; and the border between the two countries, officially controlled but de facto open, became a migration road for the terrorist group and its allies. Musharraf is gone but Pakistan is still a powder keg; meanwhile Harmid Karzai of Afghanistan attempted to steal a third term in office but leaving NATO which is trying to "take the country back" is left with no effective alternatives.
Yesterday, a democratically elected (or so we're told) Pakistani government began a military offensive against the AQ / Taliban stronghold of South Waziristan. Eight years too late.
Naturally I support the principle of state sovereignty. I also believe that even our enemies have to get serious and help us get rid of a common enemy, the terrorists, provided that the rule of law is pursued and military action a last resort. That does not excuse giving the evil doers an eight year head start to set up a base, run a somewhat competent government, and to give time to recruit minions who might be brainwashed into joining an effectively evil institution.
It's almost embarrassing to think that this country, a nuclear power, is an "ally." And the West is thinking about sending another 40,000 plus troops to secure the border, something that Pakistan should have done in the first place by itself? With friends like that, it's a wonder there hasn't been a significant attack against the West since 2005/7/7.
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