As we have discussed in the past, the US and Afghan army are succeeding in their efforts to contain the so called Taliban and the insurgency along the border. Meanwhile Pakistan has done a hell of a job squeezing them from their side. Of course at one time the concern was that insurgents from around the world were gathering in Pakistan to gather train and arm to cross the border and fight the US and Nato in Afghanistan.
Not due to our success in Afghanistan but because of Pakistan's success in cleaning up the Swat valley the Taliban were now leaving Afghanistan to head into Pakistan to help their Brother insurgents. That is a good sign of something that has not been mentioned. This is a sign that we are making headway. It is not a bad thing that the Taliban are going into Pakistan primarily because they realize they are up against it and are getting desperate.
The pincer move with the cooperation of Pakistan is working. The Taliban is getting desperate now in Pakistan and are now bring the fight to the bigger cities telling civilians they better abandon them. Batullah Masoud is said to have hundreds of martyrs with suicide belts ready when needed. Recently some of the insurgents killed in a firefight were wearing suicide vests and blew themselves up so I tend to believe this. Batullah must be killed and that will greatly quell the problem in Pakistan.
However this is just beginning! The added US troops have not caused insurgents to head to Pakistan as Pakistan thinks. Their success has brought them there. I believe they are up to the task of dealing with them. Whether it is done in Pakistan or Afghanistan does not matter. It has to be done period. I do not like that the Taliban are doing the Iraq thing and targeting civilian areas. We have seen it before.
Civilians are going to have to join this too. They have the power to nullify Al Qaeda and the Taliban! This is a guerilla war. Armies can do their fighting and win battles but to put this to an end it is going to take an all out concerted effort involving the entire population. Success is in their hands and will not come without them. Like Iraqi citizens those in Pakistan and Afghanistan must be mad to realize the so called insurgents want to kill them. They want to end their life, life as they know it.
At one point I thought this was going to go on for generations and I still think it will like it or not. However I do believe civilians in Pakistan and Afghanistan will have their life as they want it if they get involved and fight for it. Eternal Vigilance! Man they are coming through!
I almost have to laugh! The Taliban had me convinced they were indestructible but Pakistan really has them disoriented and making mistakes as they endeavor to even the score for their defeat in Waziristan once their safe haven along with the Swat valley. Militants Attack Army Convoy, Killing 2 of Their Own
I am pretty proud of Pakistan and more pointedly the civilian population in Waziristan. We knew the civilian population was going to have to get involved as they were the obvious targets and increasingly so. The civilians have had enough! The Taliban attack on a mosque the other day that killed some 30 innocent civilians was the final straw.
Nearly 400 Residents have banded together and are taking on and cleaning out the Taliban themselves. The armed group then attacked five villages in the nearby Dhok Darra area where the Taliban is suspected of having bases destroying 20 houses suspected of housing Taliban fighters. I remember the complaints of residents when the military was destroying homes but now they and I can see it is a necessary evil. I am so proud of them and I wish Afghanistan for one would follow their example. We can all do it. Obama is right, we can do this. We must all band together as equals and do our share. Pakistani villagers 'avenge attack
I'm telling you, knowing how all powerful and totally controlling the Taliban was, women having to cover their face, no education, and men could not shave this is a big thing! There were some 100 barbers in Mingora and they were ordered to close down when the Taliban came. Those barbers are now the lucky ones. They are some of the few who can find work in the refugee camps for the displaced. Wow, guys must feel clean and free to do what they want. One small sign of freedom. Keep going brothers!
Swat men's first post-Taliban shave
We can do this!
James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com
