The murder of Benazir Bhutto

[thejester]

Pretty good essay in the LRB about the murder of Benazir Bhutto and subsequent (non-)investigation. Has some insights into the fractured nature of the Pakistani state and the relationships between state organs and fundamentalists.

[Darksi4190]

You know with how many elements of Pakistan's society and government are actively aiding and abetting our enemies, I don't know why we're still "allies" with them. I mean wasn't it all but confirmed that Bin Laden's compound was an ISI safe-house?

We should re-negotiate the terms of any future aid to Pakistan to include them actually doing something about the Taliban remnants hiding in their country.

[Flagg]

You know with how many elements of Pakistan's society and government are actively aiding and abetting our enemies, I don't know why we're still "allies" with them. I mean wasn't it all but confirmed that Bin Laden's compound was an ISI safe-house?

We should re-negotiate the terms of any future aid to Pakistan to include them actually doing something about the Taliban remnants hiding in their country.

We're nominal allies for 2 reasons. They have nukes, and their border with Afghanistan is loaded with Taliban and Al Quaeda and they occasionally help us kill them. Once we're out of Afghanistan I doubt we'll have much to do with them beyond trying to ensure their stability so the nukes don't fall into terrorist hands.

[Aaron]

India is a better choice as an ally anyways. Larger, more professional military, nukes, larger population and industrial capacity, its a democracy and at least isn't at war with itself.

[artemas]

Pretty good description of the wheels within wheels that makes up Pakistani politics. Of course, it doesnt mention that Bhutto herself was instrumental in sanctioning Pakistani-backed jihad in Afghanistan and India in the late 80s and early-mid 90s. She was prime minister when the ISI began to really swing behind the Taliban, and the shift of LeT and others from Afghanistan to India.