Response to Article #9

I believe there is no military solution to Afghanistan, there should be some kind of reconciliation with the Taliban. Pakistan should bring those involved with the attack on Mumbai to justice. This article is about what Obama is facing as a president. He has a huge crisis at home, in America, but also has to deal with the Middle East and other places. Barack Obama has alot on his plate and It will be interesting to see what he can resolve!

Article # 9 : Q+A - What can Obama do about Afghanistan, Pakistan?

-The emphasis Obama has placed on the peaceful Afghanistan and abolishing the al Qaeda threat in Pakistan has moved to being top priority in U.S. foreign policy challenges.


WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS IN AFGHANISTAN?
- The Taliban insurgency has gained strength
- The best business to be in is drug-running.
- The country could become a narco-state.
-Governance is poor

WHAT ARE WE DOING?
- Obama is boosting the number of troops in Afghanistan

AND PAKISTAN?
- Government is weak,
- Weak economy
- Islamist militancy and India are influencing the northwest.
- Distaset for the alliance with the United States,
- U.S missile attachs target Pakistani tribal areas.
- Hard to see stability in the region, because not only is it a nuclear weapons state, but it is a a hiding place for al Qaeda.

WHY INVOLVE INDIA?
- India isasking the same question.
-Biggest regional power.
- India has always resisted outside meddling in what it sees as an internal matter .
- Pakistani intelligence agents had ties with the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group it blames for carrying out the attack on Mumbai
- Pakistan should bring those involved, to justice before expecting India to revive a five-year-old peace process on "pause" after the attack on Mumbai.