He's Trying, But Not Everybody Wants to Play Ball

In the article "Trust Is Issue, Pakistan Tells U.S.", author Jane Perlez points out the strained relationship between our government and the Pakistanis, especially in relation to attacks by the U.S. on suspected Al Qaeda forces in Pakistan's tribal regions. This tension comes somewhat on the heels of the President's mildly successful trip to Europe, where he hoped to repair damaged international relationships and garner support for the war against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. Two government officials in particular are the focus of the minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's ire, Adm. Mike Mullen and Richard C. Holbrooke. The minister is angry over the issue of the U.S. using remote drones to attack Al Qaeda positions in tribal areas adjacent to Afghanistan. According to the minister, "the bottom line is the question of trust". This does not bode well for relations that are already strained in that part of the world. The Pakistani military leaders and intelligence operations are also upset about U.S. military leader's suggestion that the Pakistani intelligence agency was still supporting Taliban fighters that cross over the border to attack American troops. Pakistan and the U.S. have long been allies, and Washington still plans to back Pakistan.

Tension in the middle east is not something anyone needs right now, especially the U.S. We are trying to get out of an unsuccessful war in Iraq, and have our hands full in Afghanistan. We need all the allies that we can get in this region, especially if we ever plan to leave there in force. U.S. officials should plan on coming clean on past issues, with respect to the safety of national security. We must rebuild these relationships in order to be successful in this region of the world.

I personally feel that our role in Middle Eastern affairs should be limited. Most all of them hate us for interfering in their lives, and trying to force Western morals on to people who are not at all interested in fitting in the American picture of a "good neighbor". There has been war in the middle east for thousands of years, and I don't see it stopping any time soon. I agree that we can't let it become a launching pad for attacks against the U.S., but I also don't think we should plan on occupying the area with military force for the next couple thousand years. Maybe there isn't any decent answer to this problem. I'm probably not the first person to come to that conclusion.