Well, I'm sure we know where villages are, and they're inhabited by enemies of the US. Maybe Bin Laden's there, maybe he's not. But if we bomb enough of these dumps, somebody will start talking. Again, it's not like these people don't hate us already.
Oh, thanks for reminding me to download Google Earth on the new laptop! I couldn't run it on my previous (work) laptop, so this will be like meeting an old friend!
It's going to be delicate as long a Musharriff is in power and we need air access to Afghanistan. If they go radical islamic, then we fly to Afghanistan over Pakistani territory and dare them to stop us. The CIA needs to be bribing every tribal chief with a greiveance or a fondness for dollars to spill information for a possible covert raid on Al Qaida leadership. Such a raid cannot be allowed to fail, so we must be exceedingly wary of double agents. We are absolutely aware of where their nuclear weapons are. We could take them out with conventional smart bombs, but always risk that a few can escape destruction and be used against US bases in the region or, more likely, our allies. But it would be national suicide and even the mullahs ain't completely stupid and they bark more than they bite. Right now we need Pakistan to not interfere with our Afghanistan War, when that is finished, we don't need them at all. When the radical islamic revolution happens, Pakistan will likely become our enemy. It is unlikely that anyone will line up behind them.
I have two random dream-like ideas, in reverse order of preference: Induce India to launch a massive nuclear strike against Pakistan. Pro's...well just about everyone would be dead that could possibly do us harm, the Afghan to Iraq underground railroad would be toast and the Taliban would only have a radioactive retreat to run back to from Afghanistan over the Tora Bora mountains. Launch a Pakistani Marshal Plan dumping trillions of dollars of money on Eastern Pakistan. Pro's, create an economy so irresistibly wonderful that folks rush in from the western rural areas, and indeed the whole Middle East to take part in the 21st century renaissance. There would be 0 unemployment. This would have the effect of draining the swamp of possible future terrorists. Mushraff's popularity would soar creating enough of a buffer for us to establish the needed bases in the rural areas to support missions to sniff out hostile elements.
You're right. It's delicate and this will take time. Unfortunately, I'm not sure we can wait. If we're attacked again, is all of this out the window and we go in guns blazing if it's determined that's where they're hiding? I hope it doesn't come down to waiting for another attack, but I'm afraid it will.
I'm not sure I totally agree with you and Red on this one. The question comes to mind is how much of an ally is Musharriff? Didn't we force or threaten him in the beginning? What I mean is if Al Qaeda and OBL is in Pakistan along with the schools of hate there, What good is Musharriff as an ally? It seems to me that he could also be playing both sides. Furthermore I have always said that I thought OBL could be in Iran. Iran is our enemy, Al Qaeda and OBL could be there conducting operations. What would stop them from teaming up against us? I've always said it would take more attacks before we would take the threat seriously, actually that isn't the right way to try and say what I want to say. Maybe it would take more attacks for us to have the will to fight Al Qaeda including entering Pakistan and maybe Iran. Look at it this way, many people including John Edwards have claimed the war on terror is a bumper sticker slogan and various comments like that. Take it easy, we are right here with you!:thumb:
^^^ :grin: I'm not sure OBL is in Iran. Aren't they members of different Islamic factions that hate each other (like Sunni vs Shia)? Anything's possible, but from what I've read from multiple sources, this tribal area of Pakistan is the new hot spot and I think we need to at least devote some covert resources to the area to get a better understanding of what's going on.
At least someone who has a voice is finally started seeing the light and making some noise. ATTACK PAKISTAN
