Pakistan Pursues Peace

The lead article in today’s New York Times is titled, “Pakistan is Said to Pursue Role in Afghan Talks.” It describes an offer by Pakistan to mediate with Taliban tribes whose influence extends over both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Some of these tribes, especially the Haqqani network, are the most lethal in the fight against the United States in southern Afghanistan.

The head of Pakistan’s army, General Kayani, has made the offer to several leading U.S. generals, in an effort to maintain the peace when the United States leaves the region. The Haqqani tribes has links with many in the Pakistan army and intelligence services. However, the United States is most concerned with the link between the Haqqani and Al Qaeda. If this link can be severed, they might be persuaded to tacitly approve the talks.

Pakistan’s main concern remains India, and they see Afghanistan as a second front that they don’t want to open. Whether this can work in the United States favor remains to be seen.

The political considerations in all this jockeying for position are profound and complex. In my opinion, the shifting alliances could eventually work against the United States. And, in fact, this article concludes with the observation, “The United States is pretty worried about seeing a deal emerge that suits everyone other than us.”

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