Pak Tea House » Pakistan » With Obama at the "most dangerous place in the world"
With Obama at the "most dangerous place in the world"
Seated a few yards in front of President Obama as his invited guest at the White House on Friday, March 27, I heard him describe the areas I had been in charge of–including Waziristan–as “the most dangerous place in the world.”
Obama was laying out what I suspect will become the signature foreign policy effort of his presidency. He had shifted the American focus of the last eight years from the Middle East to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Ultimately he will be judged by the success or failure of the objectives he laid out in his speech. As if to confirm the sentiment of Obama’s speech, at the same time as he delivered it, a suicide bomber in the Tribal Areas of Pakistan blew himself up and seventy other people in a mosque at Friday prayer. Around the same time, an Afghan soldier, trained by Americans, turned his gun on two American soldiers killing them and then shot himself. The stakes, therefore, could not be higher.
Obama laid out a persuasive argument–something that I had been doing for several years–that in order to stabilize Afghanistan, its neighbor Pakistan had to be stabilized. Obama’s political insight was that Pakistan could not be stabilized without first calming and controlling the border areas that lie between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Obama rightly made a distinction between al-Qaeda who would be challenged and defeated and the general Taliban who were to be treated differently. There were those Taliban who could be talked to and eventually brought in, and those who were not redeemable.
Afghanistan will receive the attention it deserves but could not get because of the war in Iraq, and Pakistan will no longer be neglected. For Pakistan Obama committed $1.5 billion in aid annually for the next five years. While applauding Obama’s generosity, I would urge him to ensure that the rulers of Afghanistan and Pakistan account for the $16-17 billion in American aid already given since 9/11 before providing more funds for their Swiss bank accounts. As a Pakistani, it was a pleasure to hear an American president speak with such respect of the people of Pakistan. Obama talked of the suffering of the Pakistanis at the hand of the terrorists after 9/11. He even mentioned the large numbers of Pakistani soldiers killed in action along Pakistan’s international border while attempting to bring law and order.
I was equally impressed–as I am sure most Pakistanis were–that he was the first American president I have heard pronounce the name of the country correctly. It is difficult for the people of that country to take American commentators too seriously when they pronounce Iran as “I-ran”, Iraq as “I-rack”, or Qatar as “gutter.”
But, eloquence and diction will not get Obama very far in the rugged terrain that he has rightly called lethally dangerous for America and the world. If he fails to control the tribal areas, Obama will find his policy unraveling and the fears of American commentators that this may very well become “Obama’s Vietnam” may prove correct.
So as someone who was directly in charge of three divisions in Baluchistan and several of the Tribal Areas in theFrontier Province, let me offer my suggestions based on my experiences.
My first suggestion is that Obama stop the drone strikes. At the moment, the issue of the drone strikes in the Tribal Areas is a highly sensitive and inflammatory one. While some “bad guys” may be killed in the strikes, there is little doubt that too many “good guys” are lost in the process–and many of them are women and children. This causes widespread outrage and fuels the anti-Americanism which is already rampant. There is talk of opening up a new chapter by ordering drone strikes in Baluchistan. Not a good idea. The colonial British assiduously prevented the Baluch tribe of Baluchistan and Pashtun tribes of Southern Afghanistan and Pakistani agencies like North and South Waziristan from ever teaming up against them. I can predict that with the first drone strike in Baluchistan, America will ensure that this occurrs. As a result, the Taliban will gain new supporters and vast strategic depth.
And for those who may still have a cocky arrogance about dealing with these “tribal people,” I would suggest they take a look at the map and confront the reality that the Baluch share hundreds of miles of border with Iran which will undoubtedly provide covert aid to put further pressure on its American adversaries.
Secondly, Obama must encourage the Pakistani government to stabilize law and order at the district level, the basic unit of administration. This can be done by revamping the civilian administrative structure in the tribal areas and districts of Pakistan. The vast majority of Pakistanis are fed up with the anarchy in their country and want to focus their lives on food, employment, and education for their families. Above all, they want law and order, which the district administration once provided. The district structure has been marginalized to the point of irrelevance over the last decade, and in its vacuum feudal lords, corrupt policemen and army soldiers play havoc with ordinary Pakistanis. An independent, honest, and competent civil administration, backed by an independent judiciary, would provide immediate relief and justice at the district level. In the Tribal Areas, the office of the political agent, along with the structure of tribal administration should be revived and strengthened, and the army used in aid of civil power and not to thwart it. It has been clearly shown that the army cannot deal effectively with the tribes.
Thirdly, in the tribal areas the council of elders, the jirgas that act as a tribal body providing justice and stability and the religious scholars advocating calm and stability should be strengthened. Some of these have become particular targets of the Taliban. But they are an effective inbuilt structural check to the Taliban.
Fourthly, the madrassas which form a vast, complex network of potential recruiting arenas for the Taliban need to be vigorously reformed. With the kind of money Pakistanis are receiving they should also be told that a large percentage should go to this reformation providing new syllabi, teachers training programs, and up to date equipment. This action will go a long way toward securing the next generation of Pakistanis. Finally, follow up on the sensitivity shown by Obama in his approach to the Pakistani people and emphasize friendship and honor. I would suggest less bluster and more diplomacy on the part of those who are being sent out as part of Obama’s efforts in the field.
Back at the White House, as I sat sensing the charisma of Obama and the eloquence of his words, I could not help but feel that I was seated in the front row watching history unfold.I wondered whether he or those whose task it was to implement the President’s vision were fully aware of the enormity of the challenge, as indeed I was.
Courtesy the Huffington Post
Filed under: Pakistan · Tags: Afghanistan, Akbar S Ahmed, America, baluchistan, British, colonial, Economy, madrassahs, most dangerous place on earth, NWFP, Pakistan, Southern Afghanistan, tribal areas, USA, Waziristan
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I fail to understand why on earth everyone has to give advice to Pakistan only. Look all around us we have failed states like Bangladesh and Nepal. India has more social problems and violence than Pakistan and yet still we only get blamed for everything. US used Pakistan for it’s own strategic objectives and then dumped us like a dirty sack of potatoes. Why should we listen to them or support them. We should bleed them to death in Afghanistan and then take over Afghanistan. Our ISI and Army can defeat anyone but we cannot fight against our fellow Muslims.
Pakistan Zindabad.
Asgar mian,
India has more social problems and violence than Pakistan and yet still we only get blamed for everything.
Of course India, BD and Nepal have a lot of violence. But that is mainly amongst each others. Indians, Banglas and Nepalis dont go out of their country killing others. Once Pakis stop exporting terror to other countries people wont bother Pakis.
Regards
Majumdar,
There you go again giving some unwarranted cross border advice.
India supported and sanctioned LTTE which has killed far more people than all of Pakistani terrorists put together. You were the original terrorist creators and disruptors of peace. Naxals are rampaging your government and you have the guts to call us terrorist state. You burn the widows for Sati and kill the daughter in laws for dowry, lynch Christians and low caste people and then show yourself as the righteous beings. Pooh, you hypocritical Indians.
Well, the LTTE had a good go at the Indian army as well.
But yes, its always who you kill. Generaly killing your own people is fine (Stalin, Mao, Che etc), its killing people in a different country that isn’t. If Pakistan was just busily fighting itself no one would care (if the government remained strong with no danger for its nukes). But the fact its citizens are so actively looking to export conflict that makes the West not like them. Naxilities killing buerocrats is a problem for India, Taliban sallying out of Pakistan is a problem for Nato.
So you mean to say that because LTTE fought with Indian army that absolves India of all the guilt. So tomorrow if Taliban fight against Al-Qaida they will be treated as heroes.
You seem like an American. Wasn’t it you guys that created the original Al-Qaida and Mujahideen. You are the founders of Islamic terrorism. You guys are even worse than Indians and the source of all the troubles in the sub continent. Lay off your filthy hands and stop advising us.
All this talk about LTTE and Terrorism etc. Dear friends from across the border just consider this.
A labels B as bad . We can think A has a bias
C labels B as bad . We can think C has bias
but when
D, E ,F etc.. label B as bad i would have a case against B. I have frequently read on Pak Tea House that ‘you are being fed this crap from media’ . Dear friends, any mature person reads a mix of media and does not rely on just one source.
For eg: To get a clean perspective i read
Raj, The Making of British India by Lawrence James – Can we call this neutral?
For Pakistan I read Owen Benett James. Can we call this neutral ?
Between Asgar and “I” this thread seems to be high on crazy.
YLH,
It is sad to see that my fellow Pakistanis have also started to see all the source of evil in Pakistan. Not for one moment do we see that the USA and India are also responsible for this mess. While they conveniently hide their ugly deeds we are arm twisted into accepting propaganda as truth. I am disheartened by your comment, deeply!
Yaar Asgar,
Do you want me to tell them that you are a sockpuppet with an Indian IP address or will you?
is it true ylh..is he the master of deception…or was that ur own propoganda.u apologised for him somewhere
I am waiting for Raza’s reaction !! to disqualify me as biased
Certainly not in my interest to show up my countrymen as idiots…
Wow not that’s profound.I expected you to say this some time or the other. But you should not expect me to put my real email id or address there do you. I don’t want to be a drone meat.
Yaar Asghar pakistani-wannabe busy right now but will delete every comment of yours I promise as soon as I get some time.
k asgar,i m sitting idle…as you seem to be the resident expert on ltte,can u give us some more perspective..about indias overt and covert support to ltte in the 80s,what was the international opinion on ltte at that time,from where did ltte operate internationally,where anton balasingham used to live,the ipkf experience,was there any change in policy during late 80s,what was indias policy post rajiv murder,y did congress want to dismiss dmk government after jain report,what was indias role in this decade during norway backed peace process,and what is indias response now to the military push..
>>>>>>>
So tomorrow if Taliban fight against Al-Qaida they will be treated as heroes
>>>>>>
Yes, they would.
Harsh but in the world of diplomacy and politics changing sides is perfectly acceptable. I’m sure the Yanks would get them a seat in Kabul as well. Say the right things, fight the right groups and America will give you the cash.
Oh please this discourse is getting so cliched that it is pointless to respond to the point-scoring here.
Why are the Indians so keen to comment here – you have a lot of websites to go and promote your supremacy…
why poor PTH that tries hard to remain, as far as possible, neutral.
This is not a jingoistic space please.
Come on Raza , that wasn’t an objective reply. To reply to you, this probably is my last post. I came here last few weeks to read good debates but i find it a biased site. That oft used argument of ‘you are being fed media crap’ and ‘have you ever visited Pakistan?’ can be equally applicable on you guys.
I hope you have heard “If everything is coming your way, probably you are in the wrong lane”. This is the reply to your grudge with world media.
Enjoy ranting about India if you think that can take Pakistan anywhere!
Good luck and Good bye
I share YLH and Rumi’s disappointment at the nature of the discourse.
Come on Majumdar, Lal; you guys know better than to fall in this silly trap.
Here is a good article, written by a man who has first hand experience of the place that the entire world is watching with alarm; he actually give some fresh ideas and what are you all doing; deteriorating into the same old Indo Pak tit for tat.
I for one want to know what you guys think of Akbar Ahmed’s ideas.
For one, I too think the drone attacks have been a strategic blunder even in military terms. In this asymmetric warfare, one can not win by holding any territory or counting body bags of the enemy killed. The battleground is only for the hearts and minds of the population; everything else is meaningless.
Obama seems to understand this. I notice that his comments tried to address the Pakistani people as a separate entity than the terrorists. Can India and Indians too mature enough do something like this? i.e. address the people of Pakistan as people and equals; separate from the terrorists who use their name to murder and maim.
Another, I think the terrorist made a mistake recently by attacking Manawan in the heart of Punjab; where the war came home to an average Pakistani. The media called it a victory for the Govt. I agree but only because I saw the soldiers were hailed as heroes after the battle and hoisted on the shoulders by the population.
That was a small victory for the good guys. I think this same scene can be repeated in FATA and Swat if only the war is fought intelligently. Any comments?
And Asgar; please hold your horses for a little while. Please
Obama, personally may not be in favor of the drone attacks but the guy is working under immense pressure. Lest people forget, his top most priority would be getting elected in 2012. Some analysts are already comparing him to Jimmy Carter if the economy does not turn around before the next presidential elections. Keeping that in mind, it would only be helpful to the President to appear as tough on terrorism as he can be, Pakistan be damned.
In a recent press conference when asked his views on the Israeli/Palestinian peace process, Obama lacked any specifics, did not even mention the two state solution as a precursor to all talks and was only able to offer his administration’s ‘persistence’ in getting the crisis resolved.
For the true Obama to appear, please wait till 2012…