No Comprehensive U.S Plan for al-Qaeda in Pakistan

The Bush administration has not drafted a comprehensive plan to destroy a resurgent Al Qaeda or other militant groups in the tribal areas of Pakistan and has not adequately monitored the billions in U.S. taxpayer dollars sent to the Pakistani government to combat the groups, according to a sharply critical report by an independent government watchdog agency issued Thursday.

Meanwhile, the tribal region, which borders Afghanistan, has become such a haven for Al Qaeda and other Islamic extremist groups that it now poses what may be the greatest terrorist threat to Americans both at home and abroad, the GAO report says, citing recent testimony from top U.S. officials.

U.S. Military Seeks to Widen Pakistan Raids

But didn't Obama show his naivety by suggesting American forces pursue Bin Laden in Pakistan?

American commanders in Afghanistan have in recent months urged a widening of the war that could include American attacks on indigenous Pakistani militants in the tribal areas inside Pakistan, according to United States officials.

One administration official said the internal discussions in Washington involved President Bush’s top national security aides, and took place earlier this year.

The New Pakistan Army Chief

Looks like the US has already selected the next dictator of Pakistan.

As he has risen through the military, General Kayani has impressed American military and intelligence officials as a professional, pro-Western moderate with few political ambitions. But the elevation to army chief has been known to change Pakistani officers.

Lack of Democracy Threatens Pakistan Unity

And yet Bush continues to stifle democracy in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, some here in Karachi, capital of Sindh province, are threatening to wage war against the Pakistani army unless Sindhis win more power in elections scheduled for next month. Punjabis have long been overrepresented in the army, which is widely blamed here for Bhutto's death, despite the government's insistence that Islamic extremists were responsible.

Most Pakistan Democracy Funds Go to Musharif

The entire U.S. budget for democracy programs in Pakistan in 2006 amounted to about $22 million, according to State Department documents, much of it reserved for aiding the Election Commission -- an entity largely controlled by Musharraf.

Crisis in Pakistan Tribal Areas

Several of the participants in the meeting argued that the threat to the government of President Pervez Musharraf was now so grave that both Mr. Musharraf and Pakistan’s new military leadership were likely to give the United States more latitude, officials said.

International Crisis Group: Drop Musharaf

The regime’s international backers, particularly the U.S., continue to give signs of wanting to retain Musharraf in the presidency in the belief that he and the military (his sole support base) are the only guarantors of stability in a crucial country. But after Bhutto’s murder, and with the extent of popular anger now evident, elections that are not seen as free and fair would have disastrous consequences. The person of Musharraf has become so unpopular that his continuation in a position of power guarantees increasing domestic turmoil. By continuing to back him, Western governments might not just lose the battle for Pakistani hearts and minds, but could also be faced with the nightmare prospect of a nuclear-armed, Muslim-majority country of 165 million descending into violent internal conflict from which only extremist forces would stand to gain.

Musharif Welcomes Scottland Yard Inquiry

Well sort of....

But Mr. Musharraf said the investigators would not be permitted to interview any of the four government officials that Ms. Bhutto said in a letter before her return to Pakistan in October she would consider responsible if anything happened to her.

US Wary of Pakistan's Explanation of Bhutto Killing

“As far as I know, the Pakistanis are saying this is it, this is the proof,” said a senior State Department official, who, like other officials contacted for this article, spoke on condition of anonymity because of the continuing investigation. “Before our guys say yes or no, they need a hell of a lot more than one thing, even if it is a substantial piece of evidence.”

US Rigging Pakistan Election?

The report names a recently retired ISI officer who has allegedly been running the rigging unit and claims he worked in tandem with another named senior intelligence officer. It also claims that US aid funds were being used for the projects.

Bhutto: Assassinated by Pakistan or al-Qaeda?

Any evidence that a lone suicide bomber carried out the attack would support the government's assertion that al-Qaeda was responsible; proof that shots were fired would fuel the suspicion of many within Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) that elements within the Pakistani state were to blame.

Budget Includes $300m for Pakistan

Tythes for Tyrants

The rift between the administration and Congress on the way forward in Pakistan was substantive, and that the legislation was meant to send a stern message -- not only to the State Department, but to Pakistan's military brass.

Pakistan's System of Secret Arrests and Prisons

Was the coup just a cover up on behalf of the US?

In some cases, detainees recounted that they had been interrogated in the presence of English-speaking foreigners, who human rights officials and lawyers suspect are Americans.

Musharraf’s "Restoration of Constitution" a Sham

Being a dictator is okay as long as you're a "friend" of the United States.

Since November 3, Musharraf has repeatedly and arbitrarily amended the constitution to enshrine the legality of various laws and provide himself and the military blanket immunity for all actions taken during emergency rule. The executive order to amend the constitution includes a number of amendments that would normally require a two-thirds majority in parliament to become law.