EXCELLENT ARTICLE!!!


Islamic militancy: a foreign policy tool of the US and Pakistani establishments


December 26, 2008

By Yousuf Nazar




Admiral Mike Mullen (first from left), the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pakistani Army Chief Gen. Pervez Kayani (third from left) and next to him, the ISI Chief Ahmed Shuja Pasha (then Major Gen. and Director General Military Operations) aboard the US naval carrier Abraham Lincoln in Indian Ocean; in a secret meeting on August 26, 2008. Pasha was promoted to the rank of Lt. Gen. and appointed as the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence on Sept. 29, 2008. [Source: New Yorker]


The Pakistani media was quick to dismiss Indian allegations about the complicity of elements from Pakistan in Mumbai attacks. Some channels even carried stories that there was no Aslam Amir in Faridkot, only to contradict themselves later. We need to reflect upon the whole paradigm of 'terrorism'. For this purpose, it is essential to take a holistic view including examination of some important and critical events since 9/11, US's strategic interests in the Middle East and Central Asia, the relationship between the US and Pakistan authorities, and the murky nature of CIA's involvement with the so-called Islamic militants.

In Pakistan, there are two extreme viewpoints. One view sees things through a conspiracy paradigm where India-US-Israel nexus is out to destroy Pakistan and Pakistani establishment is an innocent bystander. The other view sees fundamentalism as purely a home grown issue that has gone out of control. There are elements of truth in both the views. But the reality, as always, is far more complex.

It has been made more complex due to the fact there is big money involved on both the sides. The Americans have poured money into so-called Pakistani think-tanks and media groups. Some of these think-tanks have clear and identifiable linkages to those run by neocons or are directly or indirectly funded by the US government or organisations. Their views are given platforms by large and respected groups such as DAWN and GEO TV without bothering to make disclosures about conflict of interest; a standard practice.

Some of the so-called fundamentalists enjoy cosy relationship with the Arab kingdoms and the Pakistani intelligence agencies. These agencies are very close to the CIA and the Pentagon.

Hence, the exponential increase in militancy and terrorist attacks in Pakistan since 2004 cannot be analysed in isolation from the role of the establishment, the US policies, and the biggest ever [ongoing] covert operations of the CIA since the end of the Afghan war in 1989.

Now let us ask why does it take the UN declarations to prompt actions from Pakistan? Why does Pakistan wait for external pressure to mount to act against militant groups? This lends credence to the view that militancy in Pakistan is, in part at least, a policy tool of the security establishment. But it is hard to argue or believe that the "elements within Pakistan" have or could have operated independently of its benefactors in Washington. This aspect may be away from the glare of TV screens and the front pages of the leading newspapers in the US, India, and Pakistan but the there are strong reasons and reports to believe that the so-called Islamic militants continue to be tools of also the western intelligence agencies such as the America CIA and the British MI-6. And at points, they are alleged to be joined at the hip.

That is not to say that Pakistan does not have an inner cancer. But contrary to the view held by many in Pakistan, the cure lies in putting a distance with the Americans and not working with and for them. The only way to get out of this predicament would be a well thought out and carefully planned policy of gradual disengagement from playing the great game and support of militancy, in Kashmir or elsewhere, and at whatever level - state or non-state, over the course of next several years.

In the absence of a clear policy and unwillingness to reduce dependence on the United States in exchange for fighting its proxy wars in Central Asia, the risk of Pakistan sinking deeper into the quagmire will only increase at a great cost to the national security interests. Let's see why?


US Intelligence had advance knowledge of Mumbai attacks

A CNN report Dec. 1, 2008 claimed that the US intelligence had warned the Indian government about a potential maritime attack against Mumbai at least a month before Mumbai attacks. “US intelligence indicated that a group might enter the country by water and launch an attack on Mumbaiâ€