Pentagon Planning ‘Boots On Ground’ In Pakistan?
* Columnist says US readying to attack Iran
* Washington desperate to keep President Musharraf in power
Daily Times Monitor
WASHINGTON: “So alarmed is the Pentagon, that Defence Secretary Robert Gates’ plans to send US ground forces into the FATA are being rapidly advanced,” writes journalist Eric Margolis in his syndicated column read worldwide.
“Apparently, Washington’s criticism of Islamabad’s recent peace deals in the tribal territories has sharply intensified. American conservatives are claiming Pakistan has ‘sold out’ to Al Qaeda and Taliban, and is sheltering Osama Bin Laden and his cohorts.”
US fears: Margolis writes about Washington’s desperate efforts to keep President Pervez Musharraf afloat because it fears that a fully civilianised government in Islamabad would be more responsive to anti-American sentiment in Pakistan and wash its hands of the war on terror at a time when more, not less, Pakistani support is needed to help US troops in Afghanistan confront the Taliban summer offensive.
“Musharraf’s slow-motion fall from power has also wrong-footed Washington because it was counting on using US bases there in the event of an attack on Iran,” reveals Margolis. “The US capitol is again buzzing with rumours of an impending air campaign against at least 3,000 targets in Iran that will be launched sometime before November elections to boost the fortunes of the embattled Republicans. Israel’s American supporters are waging an all-out campaign for war against Iran. This week, they began running TV commercials claiming Iran was attacking the United States.”
Margolis argues that as Pakistan’s economy takes a battering over soaring oil prices and political instability, and faces a punishing recession, if not an outright financial crisis, it will become increasingly dependent on US aid. “That is Washington’s last hope. Pakistan will have the Hobson’s choice of either continuing to support the US-led war in Afghanistan, and incur growing armed resistance in Pashtun tribal areas, or be left in the cold and without US financial aid when its failing economy finally hits the wall.”
He explains that the Pentagon is angry and frustrated over the failing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and dismayed with Pakistan for being ‘non-responsive’ to US demands. “Washington is so used to getting its way that it cannot abide the natives being insubordinate. The mood in Washington is increasingly warlike and grim as the beleaguered Bush administration enters its final days.”
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
“He explains that the Pentagon is angry and frustrated over the failing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan”
See, this is the kind of lying propaganda being broadcast by the media overseas. This is the second news piece I’ve read in the last week that said that America was failing in Iraq. They portray the US as frustrated and angry over losing power and influence and losing both wars. What a pile of rubbish! I sent an email to the BBC reporter who said that a few days back and demanded to know why he was lying. I got no response of course.
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:29 amdan rather,,,dan rather,,,,the press is really in control..
June 2nd, 2008 at 2:14 am“…failing wars… failing wars… failing wars… failing wars… failing wars… failing wars…
They are following the “say it enough and it will become true in the minds of those listening” theory which, unfortunately enough, is true. People will believe this crap unless they go out and research for themselves…which most won’t.
June 2nd, 2008 at 3:28 am“The press is our chief ideological weapon”
June 2nd, 2008 at 3:49 am- Nikita Khrushchev
If Barack Hussein Obama becomes President then we all will have failed.
June 2nd, 2008 at 3:58 amYou’re right. This columnist(moron) is not doing Pakistan any favors. But, I bet the Taliban like him.
June 2nd, 2008 at 4:14 amthis is one of THE biggest piece of shit articles i have ever read in my life. seriously.
“The US capitol is again buzzing with rumours of an impending air campaign against at least 3,000 targets in Iran that will be launched sometime before November elections to boost the fortunes of the embattled Republicans”
Me- oh yeah, because we all know how much these other two wars have made us Republicans popular. did this columnist even graduate high school?
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:32 amWhere does this guy get his propaganda from? Sending toe-tap signals back and forth in the toilets in Georgetown bars perhaps?
And they wonder why newspapers have falling circulations. Stupid writers, clueless editors.
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:36 amWhile this story is absolutely inaccurate, it is what those, of this writers ilk actually beleive from the depths of their blackened hearts.
The liberal media, filled with it’s socialists elite-ism, hates all war and all warriors. Their quest for peace at all costs and their acceptance of anything, in lieu of America’s form of freedom, gives us some insight into why they so seek our demise and defeat.
June 2nd, 2008 at 6:17 amIt seems there’s more than one of ‘em! - ladies and gentleman, meet Keith Olbermann’s twin.
June 2nd, 2008 at 6:23 amLet the carpet bombing begin!!!! It is way over due!!!!
June 2nd, 2008 at 6:54 amAlthough Margolis describes his politics as “Eisenhower Republican”; yeah….Margolis is a Muslim apologist.
Take a look at some of these biased hit pieces he has written about McCain, America, etc, etc.
Background –
Margolis’ mother, Nexhmie Zaimi, also a journalist, who spent a long time in the Middle East documenting the plight of the Palestinians during the 1950s. Her influence, plus Margolis’s role as a foreign correspondent in the Mideast, has given Margolis a strong interest in the Muslim World. He strongly supported NATO’s intervention in the Kosovo war. Margolis’ views on the Middle East are sharply at odds with those of neoconservatives.
Secondary Education –
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:56 amSchool Of Foreign Service, Georgetown University
University of Geneva, Switzerland
New York University