Re: Who are these Jihadi terrorists?
CM, I dont think the issue is anyone having the capability to take over Pakistan. You say they dont have the ability to destabilize Pakistan, that is a shockingly wrong statement. Do you think the recent bombing of Benazir, the Lal Masjid facade, the Taleban state in Waziristan are all signs of stability?
Ravage have you seen what is happening in Haiti? Sudan? Chad? Cambodia under Pol Pot? These regimes are destablized because there is no counter to whatever group is running amok. Is it the same for Pakistan? If you look historically at other countries who suffered such upheavals like Algeria, they stayed perfectly in tact. Secondly how do you define the word destablize? Because the way the modern media/US governments and think tanks use is a complete break down of the political and military institutions of the country with no system of control and no player strong enough to counter the threat of these Jihadis. That is what the NYT, CNN and US presidential hopefuls actively imply and state when they say the Jihadis are a threat and can destablize Pakistan. Do you agree with that?
[quote]
If they keep attacking inside Afghanistan from Pakistan and that brings about economic sanctions and/or military action in Waziristan from foreign forces, do you think that would be a destabilising thing?
[/quote]
Define destablization, if it is as I have stated above then most certainly it will not be a destabilizing factor, as Foreign troops in Waziristan will firstly not lead to a dismissal of the current government. It will not erode the strength of the military and it certainly will not affect the functioning of any government.
[quote]
You ask what is wrong with a more religious system. Nothing, if thats what people want. Most informed sources, including The Brookings article you like to quote so often will say that the system of governance these jihadies are fighting for isnt going to happen given Pakistan's median political views. Pakistan's religious parties have historically had a low votebank, and all bets are its going to stay that way. So no, the religious system is merely unacceptable to most Pakistanies.
[/QUOTE]
I expected better from you Ravage. Please tell me where I say that these Jihadis are the choice for the new governance we have. Secondly ravage this is Pakistan, where people do not vote for issues, they vote for dynasties. You know very well that people have areas that will vote for them simple because of who their grandfather was. So by no means are voting standards in Pakistan any indication of a strong opinion. Secondly I do agree that religious parties are not mainstream and the are never going to be. But that is not because the people do not want religion to be an aspect of the government. But rather they do not want the perverted form these parties will provide to be in power.
A simple litmus test. Go to anybody in Pakistan and ask them if they would agree to something as simple as say that Islam is not the religion of Pakistan. Lets see what kind of reaction you get.
I am sad to see though that you fall in to the same old category of people that see religion politically as a negative issue. But that what happens when people spend too much time in the west.