New intelligence report says Pakistan is 'on the edge'

[sabra]

Source: mcclatchy dc

WASHINGTON — A growing al Qaida-backed insurgency, combined with the Pakistani army's reluctance to launch an all-out crackdown, political infighting and energy and food shortages are plunging America's key ally in the war on terror deeper into turmoil and violence, says a soon-to-be completed U.S. intelligence assessment.

A U.S. official who participated in drafting the top secret National Intelligence Estimate said it portrays the situation in Pakistan as "very bad." Another official called the draft "very bleak," and said it describes Pakistan as being "on the edge."

The first official summarized the estimate's conclusions about the state of Pakistan as: "no money, no energy, no government."

Six U.S. officials who helped draft or are aware of the document's findings confirmed them to McClatchy on the condition of anonymity because NIEs are top secret and are restricted to the president, senior officials and members of Congress. An NIE's conclusions reflect the consensus of all 16 U.S. intelligence agencies.

The NIE on Pakistan, along with others being prepared on Afghanistan and Iraq, will underpin a "strategic assessment" of the situation that Army Gen. David Petraeus, who's about to take command of all U.S. forces in the region, has requested. The aim of the assessment — seven years after the U.S. sent troops into Afghanistan — is to determine whether a U.S. presence in the region can be effective and if so what U.S. strategy should be.

Read more: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/53926.html

[ohio2007]

1. Taliban 'infiltrating Pakistan cities'

ISI losing control or taking control ?

snip

400,000 militants had infiltrated Karachi, the teeming port city vital to bringing in supplies for coalition forces in Afghanistan.

At the same time, nervous traders in the Punjab city of Lahore, the former capital of the Mughal empire that has long been regarded as a beacon of cultural freedom in the region, were reported to be setting fire to "immoral" videos and CDs after receiving warnings from the Taliban against such stock.

The action follows the bombing of several fresh fruit juice bars in the city after the owners ignored warnings to stop allowing boys and girls to "indulge in immoral acts" on the premises.

Such "immoral acts" generally amount to no more than enjoying a juice together, but have apparently caused offence to the Taliban.


snip

Much of the growing militancy in Karachi is believed to be centred on the estimated 2000 illegal madrassas operating in the heavily populated western districts that are a hotbed of support for the Taliban.

"Save our city from Talibanisation" slogans have been daubed on walls in Karachi.

And reports yesterday said "the Talibanisation of Lahore had begun", with The News newspaper claiming traditionally robust traders in the city of more than 10 million people were unwilling to confront the Taliban.

snip

Reports yesterday said Pakistani tribesmen were raising armies to battle al-Qa'ida and Taliban militants close to the Afghan border -- a move encouraged by the military in Islamabad and hailed as a sign its offensive in the tribal areas was succeeding.

The extremists are increasingly targeting the tribal militias, an indication they believe the private armies to be a threat.

By encouraging the private armies, or lashkars, the Government is exploiting local resentment against foreign and Pakistani extremists in the area, considered a likely hiding place for Osama bin Laden and other al-Qa'ida leaders.


http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24490311-2703,00.html

the govt is encouraging private armies to do the dirty work ? Gonna take $

Sounds like Ollie North Deja Vu but will Barack fund it next year ?

[lovuian]

2. they FAILED and keep on Failing

their poppy farms and Pakistan's nukes all will go to the Taliban