In Southern Waziristan a fight is being conducted by Pakistan to halt the influence of the Taliban. Some critics say that Pakistan has begun the fight half heartily by arming themselves with only 28,000 soldiers, half of them being infantrymen. With an armed Taliban resistance of 10,000 plus militants is Pakistan doing enough? This was the critique Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton made yesterday in Lahore, Pakistan.
The Taliban found refuge in the NW Pakistan region after the attacks made on New York city in 2001. This region is notably "the most dangerous place on earth", says the CIA. Historically old tribal wars have divided Waziristan into Northern and Southern territories the Taliban has gained strong holds in South Waziristan. The Taliban has been practicing sharia law in Waziristan and has successfully murdered 200 of the opposing Maliks or tribal elders in the past 8 years.
The United States has pledged an aid package to Pakistan in the amount of $7.5 billion dollars over the next 5 years. Some say this measure will encourage support for America. It appears from Secretary Clinton's candid remarks that the United States is expecting to see some results from our efforts there. Pakistan has been conducting an assault on the Taliban since their arrival and has been unsuccessful in disarming the militants or in slowing their growth. Recent opposition has been growing in Pakistan towards the United States for it's unmanned predator drone attacks. These attacks have had success in Waziristan but committing them within Quetta is drawing intense criticism. Pakistan feels that attacking Quetta diminishes Pakistani sovereignty and could possibly add fuel to anti-American sentiment. Intelligence sources for the US advise swift action before senior leaders of the Taliban move to secure locations.
Acting on our intelligence might make the battle to stop the Taliban even harder. It seems as if the only way to win this war on terrorism is to collectively have the world's support, but should we have to pay them for their support?
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