Winning the War

[Guest guest]

Bharat Verma

If war against terrorism is to be won, sane strategy dictates that

Central Asia be sanitized before extending the conflict to another

geographical area. What they do not teach in American schools anymore

is that sound strategy and emotions do not mix. Bali in Indonesia will

occur with regularity unless the Mecca of Terrorism, Islamabad is

cleansed. Americans are backing the wrong horse for wrong reasons

entirely out of emotional bond perpetuated by Cheney, Rumsfield,

Powell and officials who served with Bush Senior's administration earlier.

 

In short term, to lower threat perceptions by almost fifty percent,

two key players must be neutralized. First, Pakistan is the breeding

ground that exports terrorism worldwide. Encourage Pakistan to

fragment and disable ISI, if necessary use force. Bypass and bottle

the Punjabi Sunni Mussalmans and lay the oil pipelines through other

newly created states to usher economic prosperity as poverty and

extremism go hand–in-hand. The Pakistan Army, which is dominated by

the Punjabi Sunnis, is the core group fanning hatred with extended

bases in Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Burma,

Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and many other countries. In Kuta,

Australian tourists learnt that terrorism now knocks at the doors of

their mainland. Unless Islamabad's University of Terrorism is

dismantled, modicum of peace will not dawn in Central Asia. Second,

Pakistan a mercenary state will continue to indulge in nefarious

activities due to backing from its benefactors, which surprisingly

include America and China. However, Saudi Arabia is the culprit that

funds spread of extreme form of Wahhabism that creates terror. Saudis

have much to explain and should be taken to task. If in the first

instance, had Washington durbar dispassionately reviewed the picture,

mapping axis of evil would be limited to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia!

 

Is the Bush administration more enlightened with fresh lightening

attack by the Islamists all over? Besides rhetoric, what does it

intend do with emergence of duly elected hardliners in Pakistan? Key

questions that require answers in fast forward mode. Has it occurred

that without an alliance, it cannot conclude this war? Therefore, the

second indispensable element in the strategy is an inherent compulsion

to carry regional players along. By making integral their security

concerns and aspirations within the overall policy framework will

encourage them to lend a helping hand. Russia simply cannot be over

looked, as Central Asia tends to gravitate naturally towards her. Iran

carries substantial influence. It must be nudged towards moderation.

China is a `maybe' being a strategic competitor with special affinity

to Pakistan! India holds apart the fundamentalist fervor in East, West

and Central Asia by virtue of its geo-strategic location and liberal

outlook. In years to follow, Indian capabilities will get beefed up in

spite of the condescending sermons dished out daily by the West.

Hence, it will be a folly to ignore India. Washington, to fashion a

successful strategy, therefore, must take its pick between University

of Terror located at Islamabad and the University of Knowledge at New

Delhi. In the ultimate analysis these equations will determine the

future of Central Asia.