Komal, I recognize that Pakistan is not made solely of terrorists, in fact that was at the heart of my point that theses cells are migrating into Pakistan and that needs to be address for the sake of the Pakistani people and global stability. I totally agree with you that our policy in the region has to strike a balance, eliminate the problem without abandoning the people while making sure that our presence doesn't amount to the formation of a neo-colonial state.  View

Robotsoul. And it is being addressed. Of which these 120 dead (innocent)people are a consequence. Pakistnis need to know America wouldn't abondon us like it previously had. So, yes. Other issues do need to be addressed too-just as a good will gesture if nothing else. You do realize Pakistan has some very human, non-terrorist population too, which, I might add is suffering greatly from this war or whatever you may call it, right?  View

I think it is reasonable to see increased violence as a sign marginal success.But as far as changing the conversation, that is nice rhetoric for diplomacy but not something that should actually be done. The migration of terror cells into Pakistan is a huge threat to global stability and it absolutely has to be addressed.  View

I live in Peshawar, Pakistan. The most overpowering sentiment over here would be that of sheer hoplessness. The Taliban, of course, are much hated due to obvious reasons. Right now I don't really see much of direct anti-American sentiment. There are those who blame "external sources" for secretly financing the Taliban but that is mostly followed by a general agreement to, "just give Pakistan to America nice and peacfully...good ole colonial time".  View

The question of whether we should focus on Afghanistan v Pakistan is flawed, it is not an either or situation the two are inexorably linked. I also, think tribalism and economic concerns are two of the biggest factors informing the tenor of this war. Coverage tends to focus on the merits of hard power i.e. bombs dropped, troop numbers and military might, because you can't sell soft power solutions to the American public. The administration needs to find a favorable balance between the two and it needs to get on that post-haste.  View

This is too much! I would not want to see more troops in Afghanistan and would have to agree with the position that we are ignoring a major threat- Pakistan. I don't think it is fair to blame deaths in the war on Obama's failure to make a decision these past 3 weeks. What I will say is that if he says no to more troops, than that decision needs to be backed by pulling our troops out all together. If no progress can happen without more troops in Afghanistan, than we either need more troops or to stop all together. That is the decision.  View

This was bound to happen. Pakistan could only exist for so long accommodating both sides before one of those sides sensed a stronger loyalty to the other and retaliated.  View

Yes, the Taliban read the papers too. I'm sure they put two and two together and realized what the stipulations attached to the U.S.'s aid package means for terrorist cells operating in the region. So now that the Pakistanis have been wholly bought by Uncle Sam, why not add them to the list of targets. Looks like doing business with America is bad for national health.  View

I would compare drones to land-mines which kill and maim indiscriminately in several regions of the world. To kill is wrong, to kill indiscriminately--to make that a policy of the state, is reprehensible. But then there is the practical concern of security, Pakistan is in the tough spot, it must appease hardline Islamists, and the U.S. It makes sense for them to publicly deny cooperation and to help in secret, the drones are a nice military grey area when compared to big American boots on the ground. Sometimes, there is just no good way to reconcile philosophy and morality with effective foreign policy.  View

Poor guy! This gets so complicated when we can't really get into Pakistan to save him and have to rely on Pakistan's troop to do this for us! Whether he's a hero or not, he deserves to be rescue. And the reason is very simple. He was there to fight for our country.  View