Taliban suicide attacks and the killings of innocents have become a norm in Pakistan. We witness the terrorists like the TTP taking credit for orchestrating these acts of terror. One would think that there should not be any confusion as to who the real enemy is and who needs to be brought to justice as soon as possible. Right? Does not the mountain of evidence point to the same old culprits? Yet somehow conspiracy theories and selective attention continues to blur reality for some. Have we simply become oblivious to the fact that they kill children, attack our troops, and even target places of worship, yet we continue to ignore them to our peril? The question must be asked: is it the enemy or us who succeed in blinding our vision? We indulge in the blame game and point the finger at each other (US and Pakistan). It is also evident at times that the US is held responsible for terrorism inside Pakistan. Does it not seem a bit odd that despite knowing the truth, we still choose to be deceived? Maybe we are forgetting the simple fact that the US and Pakistan carry a common interest of eliminating the same terrorists, who have proven destructive to our land and people.
Maj TG Taylor
DET – United States Central Command
www.centcom.mil/ur