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Schmidle on Swat
Man, does Nick Schmidle ever talk a lot of sober-minded sense in today's Washington Post:
In some ways, Swat and South Waziristan today are like Afghanistan and Iraq in 2003: Rushing into the latter would almost certainly jeopardize success in the former. Pakistan's battle against the Taliban won't be won or lost in the hills, but in the hearts of ordinary Pakistanis, and especially the Pashtuns who live on either side of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. They are watching more closely than anyone to see whether the army is serious about finishing off Fazlullah's Taliban. They are also watching more closely than anyone to see the fate of millions of Pashtuns who have fled their homes in and around Swat as a result of the army offensive.
One of the things I took away from General Petraeus' talk to the assembled masses as CNASapalooza '09 was his assessment that the Pakistani military really does seem to understand clear-hold-build, and that, having just created the largest concentration of internally displaced persons in the world, the Pakistani government recognizes the need to consolidate its gains against the militants and resettle those IDPs before moving westward. Nick's excellent piece should silence those few who now want the Pakistanis to carry on immediately into the FATA.
Remember the words of the wise: Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.
Ex, I don't have a comment
Ex,
I don't have a comment on the article, however last night was a blast as evidenced by the fact I just got back to Qtown. It was good meeting you and your boys. Yall throw a good party. Hope to see you on the pitch soon. S/F
Exum, What do you think
Exum,
What do you think about a strategy similar to Anbar of empowering the local tribal leadership. There have been many stories coming out of NWFP were Lashkars raise up when they get word the Taliban are moving in. This sometimes works and sometimes ends up with them all getting beheaded.
There are two reasons they raise up and fight, one is due to the distaste for the Taliban, and the second is that the PAKMIL is slow to react and when it does it destroys the village with indirect fire. I have read stories about IDPs complaining how their entire village was leveled by the Army when there was only a dozen Taliban in it.
This makes me wonder if US support should be given directly to tribal leaders instead of the government.
Instead of Lashkars,
Instead of Lashkars, wouldn't it make sense for the Pakistani Army to recruit some militia-like special infantry units solely from the 18-25 year olds that have fled the Swat etc (with officers from the army) ?
1) These boys are clearly NOT in league with the Talibs.
2) They know the ennemy.
3) They have a strong incentive to fight, without blowing up every house in the area
(so their families can go back home) .
4) If hired by the army, they cannot make trouble in the refugee camps.
Not a bad idea Positroll.
Not a bad idea Positroll. The only problem I have with it is that I have heard that many young males stayed home to watch homes, livestock etc. Most of the images I see of the camps show young boys or older fathers watching their families.
Sounds smart enough
Sounds smart enough Positroll, though there'll certainly be a lot of proud Pakistani officers bristling at the very suggestion. Both because of institutional pride, and also some legitimate concern about distributing great piles of M16s. I'd like to see it explored though.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ne
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/5524805/Taliban-...
Well read this article. Is it happening in SWA? Also note the comment on how the military destroys the towns during the fighting and how his forces will take better care.
"Instead of Lashkars,
"Instead of Lashkars, wouldn't it make sense for the Pakistani Army to recruit some militia-like special infantry units solely from the 18-25 year olds that have fled the Swat etc (with officers from the army) ?"
Well, whatever you do make sure they get really good maps so they don't get 'lost' and end up at a totally different border....
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