PBS Frontline: Pakistand, the Taliban and AlQuaida

[manualman]

I missed the start of the show last night, but it was quite revealing. Frontline pretty effectively showed how the Taliban was virtually created by Pakistani intelligence after the Soviets pulled out of Afghanistan. Right after 9/11, Pakistan’s president (how do you spell Musharraff?), ousted a few top ISI leaders, but left the rank and file pretty much alone. Pakistan left a substantial portion of the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan unguarded during the US war against the Taliban and it is pretty much a sure thing that Osama and his cronies are hanging out there!

Anybody see this show?

I can’t decide if Musharraf is playing us or if he really is doing as much as he can without causing a coup in (nuclear armed) Pakistan. THERE’s a scary idea. Talibanish types taking over Pakistan!

 

[Robert_Bay]

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[Dale_M]

Yes, I saw “Return of the Taliban” and found it to be depressing, but enlightening.
For anyone who missed it, and would like to see it, you can watch it online: pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/taliban/view/

One point before I get to your main question:The website of the President of Pakistan spells his name Musharraf. So you did better than I would have!

Now for your question of whether Musharraf is playing the U.S. or whether he really is threatened…

I don’t know because I haven’t paid close attention to Pakistan over the years. It is often said that the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is arbitrary, imposed by the West after the break-up of the colonial system. The peoples on either side of the border have more in common with one another than with their central governments. And that is where their loyalties lie.

Musharraf came to power in a military coup. The military, over the years, has played an large role in the governance of Pakistan. But it has multiple loyalties and my sense is that Musharraf really does have a hard time keeping himself in power.

What would be the situation if Musharraf was ousted? I don’t know, but I agree that it is worrisome.