Foolishly Giving Al Qaeda A Home Base
Pakistan and Afghanistan have just foolishly given Al Qaeda a home base. On Monday, General Musharraf, the President of Pakistan (not popularly elected) and President Karzai of Afghanistan signed the North Waziristan accord which calls on local tribesmen to expel foreign militants and end cross-border attacks in return for a reduced military presence.
What this really means is that both Pakistan and Afghanistan are withdrawing troops from the moutainous region separating their two countries. This region has historically been the stronghold and training camp area for Al Qaeda. This is not a smart move.
Supposedly with the accord, local tribal leaders will work to expel foreign militants and ease the strife in the region. I have to say, I truly do not believe that this will happen. Osama Bin Laden is highly esteemed in this region. His beliefs on Islamic purity and belief in the Taliban as a reflection of Islamic Shariah are shared by many. To advocate a pull-back militarily in this very important and historically active Al Qaeda region is seriously flawed.
By these actions Pakistan and Afghanistan are creating a "Taliban Zone", one where Al Qaeda will flourish and be nurtured by the surrounding tribal leaders who share their same beliefs in living lives in accordance with the Shariah. Although tribal leaders may not agree with Bin Laden's focus on killing Americans, by allowing him operation in their region they are tacitly approving of his operations.
In an effort to bring a tenuous peace to a troubled region, Pakistan and Afghanistan have loosed an even greater problem that will have much more than regional consequences.
What this really means is that both Pakistan and Afghanistan are withdrawing troops from the moutainous region separating their two countries. This region has historically been the stronghold and training camp area for Al Qaeda. This is not a smart move.
Supposedly with the accord, local tribal leaders will work to expel foreign militants and ease the strife in the region. I have to say, I truly do not believe that this will happen. Osama Bin Laden is highly esteemed in this region. His beliefs on Islamic purity and belief in the Taliban as a reflection of Islamic Shariah are shared by many. To advocate a pull-back militarily in this very important and historically active Al Qaeda region is seriously flawed.
By these actions Pakistan and Afghanistan are creating a "Taliban Zone", one where Al Qaeda will flourish and be nurtured by the surrounding tribal leaders who share their same beliefs in living lives in accordance with the Shariah. Although tribal leaders may not agree with Bin Laden's focus on killing Americans, by allowing him operation in their region they are tacitly approving of his operations.
In an effort to bring a tenuous peace to a troubled region, Pakistan and Afghanistan have loosed an even greater problem that will have much more than regional consequences.
