![bonn in the usa bonn in the usa](https://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/300083-SamiShahNew-1322664943.jpg)
A cynical observer will look beyond the tragic death of 24 soldiers and see a rare opportunity afforded to Pakistan to get some momentum back in their attempt to grapple a submission out of America. A less cynical observer might wonder why it took this long for Pakistan to take a stand against Nato and US attacks that have left many civilians dead already. A complete babe-in-the-woods type observer will wonder why the order to vacate Shamsi Airbase has such a sense of déjà vu about it. The brand new observer will probably get shot at by Nato gunships.
A complete apology and commitment to compensate the families of the dead, is yet to come from America, which is a bit odd. Had Raymond Davis killed the same soldiers, their families would have already been flown out with brand new passports. The moral of the story here being that if you have to be killed by an American, try to make sure it is Raymond Davis. Similarly, the motivation is just as vague. The official story of Taliban gunfights and giving chase has more plot holes than a Michael Bay film. It seems like a modern retelling of the Gulf of Tonkin incident (that resulted in the Vietnam War) with North Vietnamese boats replaced by ghost Taliban. This time the goals might be slightly less obvious. Either way, the message to the average Pakistani is the same. Last time America snuck in and killed Bin Laden. This time they snuck in and killed 24 soldiers. Next time they could sneak in and pop two in the back of your head.
Pakistan’s reaction has been measured so far. They’ve employed the correct diplomatic channels and made the right noises. This is, in and of itself, surprising. The decision to boycott the Bonn conference provides America with a timetable for their investigation. Apologies and reparations, if provided before the December 5th deadline, can see Pakistan returning to the conference table. If not, the future of Afghanistan remains unclear for a little while longer. Although, if anyone thought that Afghanistan’s problems would be solved by a single meeting in Germany then I have an airbase in Shamsi to sell them at a great price. Similarly, the blocking of Nato supply lines, which have been blocked and unblocked so many times that they should be renamed ‘Nato supply dashes’, is also a strategic move. The question now is, how far is too far for Pakistan? Will these bold moves be seen as just another diplomatic curveball tossed in a long and tiring game, or will it push America over the edge of its patience? At a time when the run-up to the US Presidential Election is picking up speed and the average Republican candidate has the strategic and geographic understanding of a toddler with Attention Deficit Disorder, could the Obama government try to increase its local popularity by turning towards the Pakistani glare and poking us in the eyes? Or would they be willing to accept this round as a loss, take a helping of humble pie and look towards the next move? Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, it seems, our new Ambassador to the US has her work cut out for her.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 1st, 2011.
COMMENTS (18)
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I would observe that Pakistan has once again shot itself in the foot. All the anti American rant may get good play in Pakistan but if stand back and look at this event with more objectivity the authors observations don't hold water. . First - not more than a few weeks ago Pakistan was complaining that it was being excluded from the negotiating process in Afghanistan - so if it was important to Pakistan 3 weeks ago why is it not important today? . Condemnation and threats without a proper investigation is inappropriate --- and Pakistan's refusal to join a joint investigation will be viewed by many as anecdotal evidence that Pakistan has something to hide. Obama deferring a formal apology until an investigation is performed is a reasonable response. . What has Pakistan gotten so far by all this belligerence? You haven't gotten an apology, money, or any major concessions. Closing the airbase won't have any impact on drone attacks and I would observe it just confirms that your govt lied to it's people the last time it talks about closure.
@Parvez: Painfully hilarious
Lets just hope the opponent does not topple the board in frustration because then we`ll have to start all over again and we sure as hell dont want that to happen. Took a long time for us to reach this point in the first place.
Good one. But where are we heading to? Palestine or Afghanistan or Iraq. Everywhere America is a grand shame a grand killer.
Love the witty feel of the article!
Instead of chest thumping and muscle flexing, Pakistan should be careful in what they wish for. While the army command has made stern statements the defence minister is talking restoring the supply lines. Why is the civilian elected minister used to make such diplomatic statements when everybody knows who is the most powerful. Why is the elected govt again and again made a scapegoat and look like it is weak and responsible for the army and air force inertia? It is no secret that everything would be back to "normal" as soon as the military aid starts flowing once again. May 2nd incident the elected govt was responsible and weak and now it is weak again while army is strong!
"if anyone thought that Afghanistan’s problems would be solved by a single meeting in Germany then I have an airbase in Shamsi to sell them at a great price." "Nato supply lines, which have been blocked and unblocked so many times that they should be renamed ‘Nato supply dashes’" "the average Republican candidate has the strategic and geographic understanding of a toddler with Attention Deficit Disorder"
WOW, this piece is like 'How-to-do-diss-diplomatic-style-101' --- I like, very much!
Globally people are talking abt Iran and its Nukes, there are news report everyday that seem to be leading up to an assault on Iran ... Attacking a muslim country/nation thought of as being a nuclear state yields alot of political mileage in the internal political stratosphere of the US; I fear america may just realize that its more feasible and relatively easier to attack pakistan with less domino effect implications than there are to Iran.
Barack Obama has earned his Nobel Peace Prize through his patience with Pakistan alone.
Pakistan should get rid out of this so called war on terror. It's not Pakistan's war. It had been imposed on Pakistan. Although it's easier said than done to leave this war but Pakistan has to do some thing to protect its sovereignty.
I liked your idea of the Obama administration trying to increase their popularity by poking us in the eye. As of right now we are already blind in both eyes, now they have poked us somewhere else and brother it's painful.
I wish Indian writers could write like you!!! I like your style, content, and wit.
The next display (or not) of resolve will be seen when the drones flirt over our horizon again. If they're promptly shot down we'll know Pakistan means business otherwise it will be business as usual.
Once there is checkmate the game is over. Use your terminologies right!
@Sami: Why do you think that Americans should eat an humble-pie? Wouldn't it embolden Haqqanis and other 'non-state actors' to think that things will be easy now on from other side of the border and that they can go ahead with their diabolical plot inside pakistan... It is not in your favour dude!!
i wish i could keep reading..write a book SAMI i'd be the first one to buy it