planet earth looks blue

Not only is the Pakistani military involved in an offensive against the Taliban in the western border provinces, but there is also rising tension between ethnic groups within the state.  According to the AFP , 34 people are dead from a shooting battle in Karachi.  Although the violence is directly blamed on ‘miscreants’ the tension is between the Urdu and Pashtun groups.  Both play a part in the government.  The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is Urdu-speaking, while the Awami National Party (ANP) is Pashtun.  MQM blames the ANP for bringing in and accepting the extremist conservative influences of the Taliban.

Paramilitary troops had to quell the violence last night, but no issues have been resolved.  The United States has increased its awareness of Pakistan, pressuring the government to work harder to expel Taliban forces that are now influential throughout western Pakistan.  Fighting has been ongoing since 2007, when the Pakistani military attacked an extremist mosque, with period US drone attacks on the region.  Where does it end, and how far does it progress?  The entire region is becoming more and more inflamed.  It’s true that violence has decreased at times in both Afghanistan and Iraq, but looking at the overall situation, the countries are an absolute mess.  Is it time we accept that US troop presence isn’t helping?  At this point, our presence is about to spark a third war in the region, and the Taliban’s reach is more extensive that it ever has been.  Is it time to get out, and let forces work themselves out naturally?  Just like allowing the car companies to file bankruptcy, do we let go and see what happens?  There is of course a moral obligation to protect the people - but US troops are not doing that.  Their presence is putting people in danger, and this has been the case for years.  That is the truth - so why not accept that, and figure out what is the best option understanding reality, instead of chasing an outcome that we have no power to create.