2008 – New Battle Fields

[PakistanFront]

Sajjad Ahmad
01 January 2008

How do you think, the world will be responding in 2008?

Overall Scenario

The US will remain the major player in the world’s politics. The Russia and China will keep concentrating on the basic objectives i.e. to strengthen their economies more and gradually increase their role in world politics. Which means that US still has almost free hand to do what ever it want to. In X Russian estates, in Europe and Central Asia, US will keep growing its political influence and in Middle East, it will be concentrating to strengthen further its influence over Arab countries. Israel will keep enjoying the friendship of US and will be doing MORE for Lebanon, Syria and Iran. In Africa, US intelligence agencies will keep playing their games, providing financial and arms support to rival forces in many countries, especially in Sudan, Somalia and Aljazair. In south Asia, one of the two influential countries is its friend, the other one too, anyway. But this other friend Pakistan has done something, which US does not like. The first one, India, US is preparing it well to act as a first defence line for US in case of any possible China-US conflict.

And as far as the rest of American continent is concern, they are trying their best to get rid of the American influence, but again, US intelligence agencies are not less than any other. They have good, but bad history to achieve their objectives.

I am not looking EU in world politics for at least next 10 years.

Pakistan

Facing a mess now a day. Seven years long political stability and fast economic growth messed up in less than 7 days. One assassination took country 10 years back, politically. Economically, faced huge losses due to Assassination unrest in past 4 days. And this is not it. In near future, as the so called democratic process has already been started, no one going to take majority in Parliament, which clearly means another political unrest, immediately after the elections. In the field of defence, Pakistan achieved great landmarks, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, nuclear warheads, submarines, fighter jets and the world strongest command and control system. Economically, it has good GDP ratio. But this good GDP ratio will be screwed up by the political unrest. Another problem is the energy shortage, which would also hit economy very hard. The country already facing huge electricity shortages.

Plus over Plus is that it is always engaged in war with India and another plus it is that now we have to fight more with the Americans than Indians. US always has plan A & B for Pakistan and never miss a chance to harm it.



Afghanistan

Until couple of years before, Whenever US president call his new friend Karzaee in Afghanistan. The call goes through the telephone exchange located in Pashawar, a provincial capital of NWFP, the province of Pakistan. This country was never in a position to free itself from the invaders. First the Russians came in and when they gone, American took their place. Afghanistan, according to my view will keep facing the war of terror against them by the murderers and terrorists of US. US claims that this nation, which, at the time when US invaded this country, did not have even a single telephone exchange in the whole country, had planned 9/11. They ride over aeroplane and hit the WTC. Wow, what a great joke. One of the hijackers was holding his passport in his teeths while he was riding the aeroplane.

So the US is helping them get rid of their useless lives now a day. Afghanistan, a land locked country, is one of the world’s poorest countries in the world. The drugs and favourable environment for agriculture and unconditional support from their Pakistani brothers saved this country from starvation and hunger. Otherwise, their conditions would be worse than any African country. Another fact about this country is that when US invaded, Afghanistan was not even has a single two story or three story building in the capital (Except few of those, which belong to government etc). No roads, no railway, no airline but still planned 9/11. Thanks to US.

Iraq

The world’s richest nation in terms of Oil becomes the witness of terror when the invaders from Rogue country hit every corner of Iraq. Before invasion, what Iraqis were not enjoying only is the REAL INDEPENDENCE, according to US and now they lost many other things. As Independence was already not present in Iraq. They lost lives, peace, unity, good economical conditions, powerful army to defend their nation and much more.

Under the US plans, the Iraqis will have to live without these things for as long as the oil reserves are there. So like many other years, 2008 will bring mass killings, murders, rape, more instability and worst economic conditions for this nation as a gift from the US.

Iran

Amazingly, Iran always managed to escape from the situations. In Iraq, Iran succeeded to get rid of its enemy, Saddam. In Afghanistan, Taliban washed out, as they were less friendly for Iran. And in Arab countries, despite the fact that Arab countries are very close to US. Iran winning sympathy amongst them. And this is not it; Iran also got clearance certificate from the US intelligence agencies. So what US is playing there or why Iran is so lucky is still a secret. No one can predict this at this stage.

There are many other countries we can talk about. But for me, it is enough. And would be looking to all of you friends to tell us your opinions and predictions for 2008

 

[roadrunner]

Iran

Amazingly, Iran always managed to escape from the situations. In Iraq, Iran succeeded to get rid of its enemy, Saddam. In Afghanistan, Taliban washed out, as they were less friendly for Iran. And in Arab countries, despite the fact that Arab countries are very close to US. Iran winning sympathy amongst them. And this is not it; Iran also got clearance certificate from the US intelligence agencies. So what US is playing there or why Iran is so lucky is still a secret. No one can predict this at this stage.

There are many other countries we can talk about. But for me, it is enough. And would be looking to all of you friends to tell us your opinions and predictions for 2008

Agreed with this. The US is not serious about attacking Iran. Ahmadinejad knows it. That's why he's so brave in public, I have a feeling all these skirmishes with Iranian kiddie boats and US warships was all a big setup. Iran is definitely in cahoots with the US on middle eastern oil despite all its anti-US posturing.. makes sense actually as the Arabs are Iran's enemy.

 

[su-47]

Iran's greatest trump card is oil. if a single bomb is to fall on their nucclear facilites, the explosion of oil prices will be concurrent to the explosion of that bomb. The world will plunge into an energy crisis. The already strained US economy will take a nose-dive and we will all be facing another great depression.

 

[maqsad]

So what US is playing there or why Iran is so lucky is still a secret.

Yeah but it is an open secret, not too hard to figure out.

 

[roadrunner]

Iran's greatest trump card is oil. if a single bomb is to fall on their nucclear facilites, the explosion of oil prices will be concurrent to the explosion of that bomb. The world will plunge into an energy crisis. The already strained US economy will take a nose-dive and we will all be facing another great depression.

I doubt it. Iraq got bombed and there was no explosion in oil price. The Arabs can supply enough oil to the world for a bit longer.

 

[su-47]

when iraq was attacked, price of oil was not that much of an issue, coz the US$ was going strong and keeping oil prices relatively stable. its after the invasion of iraq, and the subsequent dip of the US$ that oil prices started rising almost exponentially. so to say that attacking iraq didnt cause oil prices to shoot up is not correct.

now oil prices are so volatile that anything happening in the middle east can cause oil prices to rise. 2006 lebanon war was an example.

attacking iran will cause iran to mine their waters, and possibly international waters. isnt that enough to send oil prices through the roof?

 

[alibaz]

I doubt it. Iraq got bombed and there was no explosion in oil price. The Arabs can supply enough oil to the world for a bit longer.

The prices have raised from 20 $ to 146 $ a barrel since 1991 to date

 

[PakistanFront]

Well, as an Pakistani I am more interested to know about, whether my judgment about Pakistan is correct or not.

After enjoying 7 and half year long political and economic stablisation. Pakistan had been driven back to the era of unrest, by our enemies, who are acting as our friend. Killing of Benezir, mounting Anti-Government campaign behind so called lawer movement. giving it more than necessary coverage in the media, destablising borders, stoping military expensee by the americans, planting suicide bombers and with many other things, our enemies are causing greate threat to our sovernity. Our 8 years long economical achievements are screwd up the protesters and agitators. We are facing the worst situation of our history. The indians and the americans are mounting pressure over borders. India had once again violated the Cease Fire Line in Kashmir and opened fired on Pakistani Positions. Americans are already firing missiles.

The real question is whether war against Iran is a camofladge or war against Pakistan???

 

[batmannow]

Pakistan Militants Unite to Fight US
July 14, 2008
Associated Press
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan - In early June, about 300 fighters from jihadist groups came together for a secret gathering here, in the same city that serves as headquarters to the Pakistani army.

The groups were launched long ago with the army's clandestine support to fight against India in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir. But at the meeting, they agreed to resolve their differences and commit more fighters to another front instead: Afghanistan.

"The message was that the jihad in Kashmir is still continuing but it is not the most important right now. Afghanistan is the fighting ground, against the Americans there," said Toor Gul, a leader of the militant group Hezb-ul Mujahedeen,d in an interview at the beginning of July. The groups included the al-Qaida-linked Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, banned by Pakistan and branded terrorists by the U.S., he said.

The U.S. military says militant attacks in eastern Afghanistan have increased 40 percent this year over 2007. And for two straight months, the death toll of foreign troops in Afghanistan has exceeded that of Iraq. On Sunday, nine U.S. Soldiers were killed in an ambush in Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province, the deadliest single attack for the U.S. since June 2005.

Pakistani military and European intelligence officials, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the information is sensitive, confirmed the June meeting and said it was the second such gathering this year. A senior military official described the inability to prevent the meetings as "an intelligence failure."

Despite growing pressure on Pakistan to quell Islamic militancy, jihadist groups within its borders are in fact increasing their cooperation to attack U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, according to interviews with a wide range of militants, intelligence officials, and military officers.

Militants say they operate with minimal interference, and sometimes tacit cooperation, from Pakistani authorities, while diplomats say the country's new government has until now been ineffectual in dealing with a looming threat.

"Where there were embers seven years ago we are now fighting flames," a serving Western general told The Associated Press, referring to both Afghanistan and Pakistan's border regions. He agreed to be interviewed on condition his identity and nationality were not revealed.
A Pentagon report released late last month described a dual terror threat in Afghanistan: the Taliban in the south, and "a more complex, adaptive insurgency" in the east. That fragmented insurgency is made up of groups ranging from al-Qaida-linked Afghan warlords such as Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's radical Hezb-i-Islami group to Pakistani militants such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, the report said.

Hekmatyar's is the strongest rebel group in Afghanistan's Kunar province, where Sunday's deadly ambush occurred. His group has also had close contacts with jihadi groups in Pakistan.

In the past, the Taliban were suspicious of the mujahadeen groups with close associations to the Pakistani military and intelligence. But now Gul, who fights alongside Hekmatyar's men in Kunar province, said they are united in the fight for Afghanistan. He told the AP he had been to Kunar in the last two months but refused to be more specific.

Mark Laity, NATO spokesman in Afghanistan, said Pakistan's new civilian government has reduced its preventive military action and is trying to negotiate peace deals with the militants. He expressed concern that the deals were leading to "increased cross border activity."

The Pakistani government also appears to be loosening its grip on the volatile northwest, where the influence of Islamic extremists is expanding. Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden is believed to be hiding somewhere along the rugged, lawless Afghan-Pakistan border.

Pakistan's Mohmand and Bajaur tribal areas are emerging as increasingly strong insurgent centers, according to Gul, the militant. His information was corroborated by Pakistani and Western officials. Both those tribal areas are right next door to Afghanistan's Kunar province.

"Before there were special, hidden places for training. But now they are all over Bajaur and Mohmand," he said. "Even in houses there is training going on."

A former minister in President Pervez Musharraf's ousted government, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisals, said insurgents were being paid between 6,000 and 8,000 rupees - the equivalent of $90 and $120 - a month in Mohmand and grain was being collected to feed them. He did not identify the source of the donations but said Pakistan's army and intelligence were aware of them.

Maulvi Abdul Rahman, a Taliban militant and former police officer under the ousted hardline regime, said jihadist sympathizers in the Middle East are sending money to support the insurgents and more Central Asians are coming to fight. Rahman said under a tacit understanding with authorities, militants were free to cross to fight in Afghanistan so long as they do not stage attacks inside Pakistan, which has been assailed by an unprecedented wave of suicide attacks in the past year.

"It is easy for me now. I just go and come. There are army checkposts and now we pass and they don't say anything. Pakistan now understands that the U.S. is dangerous for them," he said. "There is not an article in any agreement that says go to Afghanistan, but it is understood if we want to go to Afghanistan, OK, but leave Pakistan alone.'"

The Taliban appears to have considerable latitude to operate. Last month Baitullah Mehsud, the chief Pakistani Taliban leader, held a news conference attended by dozens of Pakistani journalists in South Waziristan tribal region. Authorities did nothing to stop it, although the Pakistani government and the CIA have accused Mehsud of plotting the December assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto.

Journalists who attended said there were no security forces to be seen as a convoy of as many as 20 vehicles passed into the Mehsud's hideout - not far from where the army itself had taken an entourage of foreign journalists just a week earlier.

Tensions in Pakistan's anti-terror alliance with the United States are growing. U.S. airstrikes during a border clash with militants on June 10 killed 11 Pakistani paramilitary troops - the deadliest incident of its kind, prompting a sharp rebuke by Pakistan's army to Washington.

Pakistan's army vehemently denies giving covert aid to militants and points out that 1,087 of its soldiers have died in the tribal regions since 2002 - more than the U.S. military and NATO have lost in Afghanistan.

"If anyone says the army is providing sanctuary, nothing could be further from the truth," army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said. He criticized the U.S. and NATO forces for failing to capture insurgents when they cross into Afghanistan or stop them from coming into Pakistan.

"Is it the responsibility of only one side to stop the border crossings?" he asked.

A senior government official also said Pakistan - which once backed the Taliban but formally abandoned its support after the Sept. 11 attacks on America - has become the scapegoat for U.S. and NATO failures in Afghanistan.

"They don't want to tell their bosses that they've made a mess of it in Afghanistan, where there is no governance, corruption is everywhere and the Afghan government is involved up to the hilt in heroin smuggling, gun running," said the official, who had the authority to speak only if his name was not used. He denied the army was helping militants.

"Maybe one or two individuals are allowing things to happen, but as a policy it makes no sense to me. Just because we were in bed with them once doesn't mean we are today."

However, the Afghan government has directly accused Pakistani intelligence
However, the Afghan government has directly accused Pakistani intelligence of plotting a recent assassination attempt on President Hamid Karzai and the July 7 bombing outside the Indian Embassy in Kabul that killed at least 58 people.

Such allegations are virtually impossible to substantiate. But retired Pakistani general Talat Masood said the army still treats militants and Afghan rebels as "assets" because of its deep conviction that India is expanding its influence in Afghanistan and using its consulates there to foment an ethnic rebellion in Pakistan's troubled southwest Baluchistan province.

"There are certain (militant) groups that have the full blessing of the army, some to which they are neutral and some they are against," he said.

Although Pakistan has received some $10 billion in mostly military aid since 2001, the army mistrusts the United States - worried it could one day abandon Pakistan and even turn its guns on a country where it has repeatedly voiced concern that al-Qaida's leadership is regrouping.

"They still believe in the same thing - that America will leave them tomorrow," Masood said. "And we'll be left high and dry with India strong, and a hostile government in Afghanistan and that we will have no friends."

© Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights

 

[batmannow]

so, its the prespective.... wht US has for pakistan...........????

 

[JK!]

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan - In early June, about 300 fighters from jihadist groups came together for a secret gathering here, in the same city that serves as headquarters to the Pakistani army.

Thats an insult to the Pakistani security apparatus if such a meeting has taken place.

 

[Majnun]

Agreed with this. The US is not serious about attacking Iran. Ahmadinejad knows it. That's why he's so brave in public, I have a feeling all these skirmishes with Iranian kiddie boats and US warships was all a big setup. Iran is definitely in cahoots with the US on middle eastern oil despite all its anti-US posturing.. makes sense actually as the Arabs are Iran's enemy.

USA and Iran having secret deals probably.

 

[PakistanFront]

JK Says:

Thats an insult to the Pakistani security apparatus if such a meeting has taken place.

JK

First of all, this is clearly a false news. How a newspaper come to know about such an event, while the country's own and world's most dangerous Intelligence Agency did not know about it?

Secondly, This is mainly a propaganda was to build pressure against Pakistan. I am sure that the enemies and their proxies in Pakistan will soon reach their end and die with their evil plans. InshAllah.

 

[PakistanFront]

SMustafaMoiz Says:

USA and Iran having secret deals probably.

The following is from an interview with STRATFOR founder George Friedman.


“[The United States] will play defense against Al Qaeda in the United States and Saudi Arabia. It will threaten Iran with war if Iran aids Al Qaeda. Most importantly, the United States will have to invade northwestern Pakistan. There are plans for this already. In addition, if Pakistan collapses due to an invasion, the United States and India will have to jointly occupy Pakistan. The end game is Pakistan."

Neither Afghanistan or Iraq will be the last America’s fights. Whether cloak and dagger or outright invasion, the war against Islamism and morever the Gap will continue. How do our readers see the Long War progressing? What is the end game