New US Military Strategy

For the first time in seven years, the United States has announced a revised military strategy. In the new strategy, the United States has expressed determination to continue cooperation with Pakistan to eliminate Al-Qai'da and other militant forces. Under the new strategy, the United States has also assured cooperation to solve problems with Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

A statement issued by the Pentagon in this connection states that Al-Qai'da's senior leadership is present in Pakistan and planning to attack the United States and its allies. The statement also says that terrorism has now become an international threat and joint measures will have to be taken to deal with it.

The new strategy has been prepared by Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff. It points out steps how US interests can be safeguarded all over the world. It may be added that the United States had earlier released national military strategy in 2004.

Encouraging Policy
The revised strategy is encouraging, as it expresses determination to continue cooperation with several countries, including Pakistan. The global cooperation is the best strategy to overcome the menace of terrorism. It is a fact that terrorism can be eliminated and a peaceful international society established only if concerted efforts are made against the monster. However, the US insistence that senior Al-Qai'da leadership is present in Pakistan is not correct. Pakistan has stated on several times that although terrorists are present in the country in shape of extremists and the Taliban, and Al-Qai'da supporters may also be hiding here; but Al-Qai'da leadership is not present on its soil. But, in spite of this, US insistence in this regard is regrettable.

What else can be a bigger proof of the presence of terrorists in Pakistan that acts of terrorism are frequently taking place in the country causing huge loss of life and property? It was just on 9 February that four bomb explosions took place in Gujranwala (a town in Punjab Province). However, only one person was injured in the explosions. A day later, a suicide attack in Mardan (a town in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Province) killed 35 persons and injured several others. Therefore, how it is possible for Pakistan, which itself is a victim of terrorism, to provide shelter to Al-Qai'da on its soil? Hence, the US Administration should know all ground realities before hurling such allegations on Pakistan, so that such statements could not lead to creating differences between the two countries.

Interests of International Community
However, the fresh US strategy rightly states that terrorism has become a global threat now and concerted efforts will have to be made to deal with it. Therefore, the United States should, through its new strategy, mobilize the international community to deal with the menace. For this purpose, it is necessary that those countries, which are playing a role in the war on terror, should be fully supported, so that the financial losses they are suffering in this regard could be made up to some extent.

However, in the new strategy, it cannot be acceptable for the international community that US interests must be safeguarded across the world. This strategy can cause dissent among world nations; therefore, instead of protecting the interests of only the United States, the interests and protection of the entire international community should be ensured as a whole. And being the world superpower, the biggest responsibility in this regard lies on the United States.

US Call For India's Initiative To Improve Ties With Pakistan

The Jihadists (crusaders) who were sponsored by the United States to fight and defeat the Soviet Union in the mountainous Hindu Kush state of Afghanistan are today themselves threatening the United States as its enemies. The devastation caused by terrorists under the patronage of Osama Bin Laden, once a major ally of the United States, through the 9/11 attack has proved an unforgettable tragedy for it until today.

Gates' India Visit
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates' recent India visit should be viewed in the context of this stark reality. No one can disagree with his observation that if Pakistan and terrorists active under its patronage launched another Mumbai-like attack, then India can feel compelled to carry out a military operation in retaliation. He has also categorically stated that in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai attack India exercised great restraint. All Indians on that occasion were extremely estranged and demanded the government to take a retaliatory action.
In addition to the United States, Pakistani rulers themselves had to admit that the 10 terrorists who attacked Mumbai were trained by the Lashkar-e-Taiyiba and sent to India under a well-concerted plan. Now, the United States itself has arrested its national David Headley and Canadian citizen, Tahhwar Husayn, both linked to the Mumbai episode.
CBI Charge Sheet
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has framed a charge against both of them wherein they have been clearly stated to have been linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiyiba. It was at the behest of its organizers that they frequented Mumbai prior to the attack. They received funds from it to carry out the attack. The charge further states that a nexus has been forged between the Lashkar-e-Taiyiba and Al-Qa'ida. They are gearing up to cause anarchy and instability not only in South Asia but across the entire world by carrying out terrorist activities.
Pakistan assured India and the world community, particularly its patron like the United States, it will go whole way to destroy the existing terror structure in its country, but it has failed to do so as promised. Gates, who held the post of CIA director before becoming US defense secretary has admitted that the United States and the NATO forces have failed to foil the Taliban offensive because they have set up bases in tribal areas bordering Pakistan, particularly in Waziristan. Things have come to such a pass that a holy nexus has been forged between the Lashkar-e-Taiyiba, Al-Qai'da, and the Taliban.

Taliban Factor
The primary objective of Gates' observations seems to be that the United States failed to fully achieve the Pakistani concurrence to initiate all-out action against terrorists. Neither the elected government led by Asif Ali Zardari nor the Pakistani military is sincere in this regard. The Pakistani intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has been maintaining its ties with the Taliban and the Lashkar-e Taiyiba as in the past. It is still preoccupied with serving its own diplomatic interests through use of their good offices.
The actual motive of Gates' India tour appears to be that India should come forward to improve its relations with Pakistan even under such circumstances and agree to bilateral defense agreements with the United States, but India can ill-afford to agree to it.