Originally Posted by donsutherland1

"...Behind-the-scenes, there will be opportunities for U.S. diplomats to raise constructive concerns with their counterparts from Pakistan. Those discussions should be held in private. Clearly, this approach will not satisfy those who embrace a more idealistic approach to foreign policy. They will likely clamor for a maximum of public pressure, reduced military cooperation with Pakistan’s armed forces and perhaps significant reductions in U.S. assistance to Pakistan. A few might even argue for the U.S. lead the charge on seeking economic sanctions against Pakistan.

Pursuing such measures would be a potentially grave mistake. Pakistan is confronted by a rising pro-Taliban opposition. Should such elements gain power, a nuclear-armed state could become a new haven for pro-Taliban and even Al Qaeda elements. Such a development could threaten to erase gains made in Afghanistan, destabilize south Asia (particularly the disputed Kashmir region, but also portions of India), and any effort at preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons or components could collapse. It could also further Iranian geopolitical gains. Already, Iran’s Tehran Times recommended, “Musharraf should rethink about his cooperation with the United States on its so-called war on terror, which is the major source of unrest in the northwest of Pakistan and the increase of religious extremism in the country.”

In the weeks leading up to the President’s move, kidnappings of soldiers and indiscriminate killings had increased markedly in northwestern sections of Pakistan. Moreover, according to Musharraf’s emergency decree, Pakistan’s judiciary had ordered the release of “some hardcore militants, extremists, terrorists and suicide bombers” who were still being investigated and some of those individuals “so released” were later “involved in heinous terrorist activities, resulting in loss of human life and property.”

President Musharraf explained his rationale for temporarily suspending Pakistan’s constitution. He declared:

…terrorism and extremism in my view have reached new heights. At this time suicide attacks are taking place all over Pakistan. What happened in Karachi, after that in Rawalpindi, in Sargodha, their intensity has increased all over Pakistan. Extremists are roaming freely in the country without any fear of law-enforcement agencies… But the regrettable thing is that extremism has spread into Islamabad, the heart of Pakistan, the capital of Pakistan and is a source of grave concern for the people.

These extremists are taking the writ of government into their hands and want to run a government within a government. And the worst thing is that they are trying to impose their extremist, obsolete religious ideas, an outdated view about Islam on moderate people through force. And in my view they are posing a direct challenge to Pakistan’s integrity. This is a very serious situation of terrorism and extremism.

Considering the circumstances that led to Musharraf’s emergency decree, Iranian aspirations for a rupture in bilateral U.S.-Pakistan relations, and the implications of pro-Taliban forces gaining control over Pakistan, the U.S. should be careful to minimize steps that could undermine President Musharraf's rule during this difficult period. In my opinion, should President Musharraf ever seek additional assistance, the U.S. should be prepared to provide covert assistance and arms to thwart the ability of violent pro-Taliban elements from gaining control of Pakistan.