http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/on-afghan-pakistan-border-suspicions-reign/2011/11/10/gIQAWj4PKN_story.html?hpid=z3
American soldiers were fired upon by people within the area of a Pakistani military checkpoint. The reasons for this are not known, but some possibly motives were to either provide cover for insurgents who were traveling, or there were insurgents who were firing upon the Americans who were simply utilizing a Pakistani military checkpoint. Though there is no proof for either of these theories, this is still a representation of the growing tensions between the American forces and Pakistan's involvement with insurgents. Their motives and loyalties have been called into question on many occasions, such as accusations that Pakistan was harboring insurgents. Due to the fact that many soldiers can reported being fired upon by forces on the Pakistani border, I think that a major conflict with Pakistan could possibly be in the United States' future. Do you think that these growing tensions will lead to another major conflict?
By: Marisa Gilna
TA: Ryan F(10-10:50)
This is a very serious issue facing the United States at the moment. How can the U.S. successfully finish its job in Afghanistan if American forces can't trust Pakistani forces while fighting insurgents. I don't believe the tensions between the U.S. and Pakistan to lead to another major conflict, but deterioration of American and Pakistani relations will have a major impact on the future of Afghanistan especially after U.S. forces leave.
ReplyDeleteMatt Russo
TA: John 11:00AM
I don't think that there will be another major conflict either. There is a clear sign, however, that relations are indeed deteriorating between the U.S. and Pakistan. I'm interested in seeing how the U.S. will respond and what could be done to aid relations in the future.
ReplyDeleteTyler Coleman
TA: John 11:00AM
I think this issue is quite alarming. Since we went into Pakistan to take out Ossama without asking the Pakistani, I think our relationship has become quite sour. I don't see a major conflict brewing, but our relationship with Pakistan has changed. This is bad because our reliance on Pakistani forces in Afghanistan might be affected by our relatinship becoming worse.
ReplyDeletePeter Gountanis
TA: Ryan 10:00AM
I agree that a major conflict between the U.S and Pakistan is still a long ways off, however this year there has been sign after sign that they do not support our international politics. Pakistan has, implicitly, been supporting terrorism and this is simply another sign that they are actively taking the side of insurgents.
ReplyDeleteEmily Frisk
TA: John Friday 10:00am
In reference to Peter Gountanis' comment, U.S/Pakistani relations have been tense as long as we have been in Afghanistan. As someone who was there from 2009 -2010 and works in the intelligence field, I can tell you Pakistan has been at odds with the U.S. for a long time. It is rumored (and in my opinion true) ISI has been aiding and training the Ha'qqani Network, who is responsible for the most complex attacks (also, do you really think the ISI did not know Osama was hiding near their capital?) However, the Pakistani Government does not have as much control over their military and secret service the way we do. So, again in my opinion, we have to continue to work with the Pakistani Government and make them look foolish when they cannot control their military and secret service in hopes they can get their act together.
ReplyDeleteAlex Chesna
Ryan Maness
Friday 9:00am
The relations between the United States and Pakistan are the key to fighting against the war on terror. I feel that we need their support going forward in handling terrorists in Afghanistan. While the Osama assassination was a major coup for the United States, in some way it was an act that undermined the Pakistani government force. Even though the Pakistani government seems to act independently at times from their military counterparts, we need to remain in good relations with Pakistan before any other unnecessary conflicts arise. That is the last thing America needs right now.
ReplyDeleteMarc Butiong
TA: Ryan Maness 10am