Pakistan – Fiend or Foe?
Posted Under: Foreign Affairs,Military,President
This statement seems to have lost its teeth and bite. In a recent exchange of gunfire between U.S. and Pakistani troops there was a disagreement as to whether or not U.S. forces crossed the illusive border into Pakistan. They were, after all, chasing down the enemy of the United States. But once again the order was “de-escalate.” In other words stand down, back off, quit chasing the enemy. It is an unsettling thought but are we to conclude that the leadership of this country is no longer capable of having the intestinal fortitude to allow our troops to attack, overwhelm, and subdue our enemies? Our warriors are quite adept at what they do if the political etiquette is taken out of the war-fighting equation. Why is it so difficult for our politicians to understand? If all else has failed, in other words political diplomacy, and our political leadership has committed our combat troops to war then let our warriors do their job without political incompetence and meddling interference so that we may move on to victory.
Did America stop short on the beaches of Normandy during D-Day and “de-escalate?” Were Marines brought up to the shoreline of remote Pacific islands during World War II only to be told to “de-escalate?” Did the U.S. Navy rendezvous to attack the Japanese fleet and then ordered to “de-escalate” at the last moment? The answer is a resounding “NO!”
Pakistan is not an ally in this fight regardless of what the political leadership would have you believe. They, in fact, harbor and provide sanctuary to America’s enemies. Somehow Pakistan and friend in the same sentence has a tendancy to bring up bile and stomach contents to the back of one’s throat. While we continually have to “play nice” with countries that harbor terrorists our troops have to bear the brunt of this obscene rhetoric. In the hunt for Bin Laden and his goons an old adage comes to mind – lead, follow, or get out of the way.
“From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime.”
President George W. Bush
Address to a Joint Session of Congress and the American People
September 20, 2001
