A status update on Pakistan, plus the Brits call for a truce in Helmand province The results of the Waziristan Accord, Pakistan’s ‘truce’ with the Taliban and al Qaeda in the tribal agency of North Waziristan, reverberate throughout the Afghan-Pakistani border region and beyond. The Taliban continue to violate the truce. A Pakistani military base […]
Musharraf threatens the West: “You’ll be brought down to your knees if Pakistan doesn’t co-operate with you” in the war. Musharraf and Karzai agree to hold loya jirgas (tribal meetings) in the border regions. The Pakistani government has forced the Taliban to close their office in Miranshah. Afghan security forces and a “Pakistani militia” clashed […]
Reaching a Consensus on the Taliban
We could bring the West to its knees: Musharraf
Bajaur and South Waziristan are next to be given a truce (see “Future Surrender and the Expansion of Talibanistan“). The Taliban have claimed responsibility for killing a “spy.” The “Taliban captured this spy and gave him punishment according to Shariah (Islamic law)… He had reported that 10 Taliban centres were here,” according to a leaflet […]
Taliban militants gain ground after deal with Pakistan
Musharraf – ISI does not back the Taliban and al Qaeda
In Tribal Pakistan, an Uneasy Quiet – Pact Fails to Deter Backing for Taliban
Red on Red: Two “militants” were killed in South Waziristan in a skirmish between pro-Taliban tribals and Uzbek fighters. The Pakistan Observer puts forward the Musharraf position and advocates a deal between the Taliban and the Afghan government.
Waziristan – A battle lost
President Karzai is skeptical of Pakistan’s deal in Waziristan. President Musharraf angrily responds. Musharraf also claims Quetta is not a Taliban command center.
Pakistani sentenced for trying to sell missiles to Al Qaeda
No al Qaeda leader in Pakistan, says Foreign Office
Western Pakistan – Terror Central
In Pakistan, the delicate dance of a key US ally
Karzai restores monthly stipend to FATA elders
President Musharraf has denied rumors of a coup in the wake of nationwide power outages. The Pakistani government denies Mullah Omar backed the Waziristan Accord. In South Waziristan, more violations of the truce: ‘militants’ fire a rocket at an Army base and wounded one soldier; 4 ‘militants’ were wounded in a roadside bombing attack.
Rockets rain after Taliban deal
Mullah Omar has also backed the Waziristan accord. See ‘al Qaeda, Taliban behind the Waziristan Accord’ for list of major jihadi figures involved. A look at the increase in attacks on the Afghan side of the border after the truce.
Reading Musharraf Between the Lines
Foreign troops not to be allowed to conduct operation in Pakistan
Bomb blast kills two, wounds eight in Pakistan
Afghan President Karzai says Musharraf knows Mullah Omar is in Pakistan. The Frontier Post states the Taliban is concerned the government might break the Waziristan Accord, and gives details of the Taliban and al Qaeda power brokers in North Waziristan.
Daveed Gartenstein-Ross and I have co-authored an article titled Pakistan Surrenders for the October 2 edition of The Weekly Standard. The article provides an overview of the Fall of Waziristan and the strategic implications. The full text of the article is available below:
Bush ‘Taken Aback’ By Pakistan Bombing Threat
US-Pakistan relationship getting shaky
US plea to tag Pakistan-based Jamaatul Daawa a terror group on hold
Pakistan President Released Al Qaeda Suspects
President Musharraf said he was threatened to fight al Qaeda after 9-11. The commander of NATO forces is closely watching the results of the Waziristan Accord. A ‘U.S. spy’ was “shot more than 30 times” in North Waziristan.
Analysis: An al Qaeda sanctuary? Part Two