Comments on: Police Battle Lawyers in Pakistan http://www.davejustus.com/2007/11/05/police-battle-lawyers-in-pakistan/ None Sine Causa Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:11:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Dave Justus http://www.davejustus.com/2007/11/05/police-battle-lawyers-in-pakistan/#comment-310463 Dave Justus Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:25:08 +0000 http://www.davejustus.com/2007/11/05/police-battle-lawyers-in-pakistan/#comment-310463 Perhaps using the Taliban as an excuse to consolidate power would be a better term, although given that they have tried to kill him several times, I don't think he has a lot of common ground with the Taliban and Al-Qaida at this point. Pakistan's alliance with the Taliban before 9-11 was, in my opinion anyway, more about real-politik then an ideological decision, at least on Musharraf's side, although many members of his government, especially the ISI had different motives. Pakistan was friends with Taliban Afghanistan to block Iranian ambitions in the region as much as anything else. And of course Musharraf is himself a 'secular' leader. Musharraf is desperate to restore security in Pakistan and turn the tide against a Taliban insurgency that is gaining strength. He also of course wants to hold on to power, and I expect in his mind anyway the later is a means to the former. Perhaps using the Taliban as an excuse to consolidate power would be a better term, although given that they have tried to kill him several times, I don’t think he has a lot of common ground with the Taliban and Al-Qaida at this point.

Pakistan’s alliance with the Taliban before 9-11 was, in my opinion anyway, more about real-politik then an ideological decision, at least on Musharraf’s side, although many members of his government, especially the ISI had different motives. Pakistan was friends with Taliban Afghanistan to block Iranian ambitions in the region as much as anything else.

And of course Musharraf is himself a ’secular’ leader. Musharraf is desperate to restore security in Pakistan and turn the tide against a Taliban insurgency that is gaining strength. He also of course wants to hold on to power, and I expect in his mind anyway the later is a means to the former.

]]> By: honestpartisan http://www.davejustus.com/2007/11/05/police-battle-lawyers-in-pakistan/#comment-310397 honestpartisan Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:24:19 +0000 http://www.davejustus.com/2007/11/05/police-battle-lawyers-in-pakistan/#comment-310397 I would disagree with your premise that Musharraf has made a "move to consolidate power and defeat the Taliban." Musharraf actively supported the Taliban before 9/11, and passively did so afterward. This move of his seems to be directed against secularists in Pakistan who want democracy. I would disagree with your premise that Musharraf has made a “move to consolidate power and defeat the Taliban.” Musharraf actively supported the Taliban before 9/11, and passively did so afterward. This move of his seems to be directed against secularists in Pakistan who want democracy.

]]>