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Post by petev on May 7, 2009 9:30:38 GMT -5
In the Afghanistan/Pakistan region, the facts seem to be that the Teliban has regained strength, and the Pakistan government is getting more shaky all the time. Now, if the Teliban took over the capitol of Pakistan, and gained access to their nuclear weapons, they would have gained a huge achievement. They could certainly threaten their neighbors, as well as our troops. I think they are within 100 miles of the capitol, and gaining territory, if I heard right. Is anyone else concerned with this? I continue to notice that Americans for the most part have not ever been that inspired to fight in Afghanistan and defeat the Teliban, and AlQuada there. Also, the "It wouldn't be easy" argument was covered already in a prior thread. Pete
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Post by ozark on May 7, 2009 11:06:47 GMT -5
It is just a guess but I suspect that if it becomes obvious the Talaban is going to secure the nuclear facilities that facility will be destroyed on the ground. Just to dangerous to give AlQuada a nuclear capability.
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Post by chuck41 on May 7, 2009 11:46:26 GMT -5
It is just a guess but I suspect that if it becomes obvious the Talaban is going to secure the nuclear facilities that facility will be destroyed on the ground. Just to dangerous to give AlQuada a nuclear capability. Destroyed by whom? Israel? Do you really think Obama has enough huevos to do it? |
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Post by ozark on May 7, 2009 12:02:31 GMT -5
Isreal has been known to act. So far, Obama has not revealed any indications that he will do more than talk. But he sure can talk. Ha.
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Post by edge on May 7, 2009 13:21:14 GMT -5
Destroyed by whom? Israel? Do you really think Obama has enough huevos to do it? My guess would be India....they have wanted to do that for the last decade anyway  edge. |
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Post by chuck41 on May 7, 2009 17:01:46 GMT -5
Destroyed by whom? Israel? Do you really think Obama has enough huevos to do it? My guess would be India....they have wanted to do that for the last decade anyway edge. India is a non-player in this particular dog fight. They would only act if directly attacked and then likely not in any restrained manner. They are the ones in the crosshairs of Pakistan's nuclear weapons. They have not had good relations with Pakistan for many, many years and for them to act would invite a nuclear exchange. I can't imagine they would act alone unless in a retaliatory mode, and I can not imagine the current government of Pakistan inviting them to help even if the Taliban were to directly threaten Pakistan's nuclear stores. |
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Post by edge on May 7, 2009 18:37:00 GMT -5
Hmmm.......
OK, you propose Israel!
IMO, that is a non starter!
First, I do not believe that they possess long range bombers....over 2,000 miles each way!
Secondly, what Country would grant them airspace?
Third, the most direct route has 1/3 of the trip over Iran, and I am thinking that if a single Israeli airplane enters their airspace that if they have even crude nuclear weapons ( dirty or otherwise ) that they would be headed for Israel.
edge.
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Post by chuck41 on May 8, 2009 14:29:54 GMT -5
I didn't propose Israel, I only asked the question. I don't believe anyone will do it and that could mean good bye NY city or any other US port where a new Taliban government in Pakistan could send a shipment by commercial container ship.
We seem to have the habit of sitting around and waiting for Israel to do much of our dirty work in that part of the world just because they are surrounded by neighbors that have sworn to annihilate them. Then we rebuke them publicly in the UN while privately replacing their losses. That's been a pattern for many years. It was what we did way back in the 60s and have continued until today.
Whether the big nothing in the white house will continue that in the future is a big unknown.
Israel is the only true ally we have in that part of the world today with the possible exception of the new government of Iraq who too much of a new guy on the block to risk sticking out their heads. The Saudi's only want our oil sales as do most of the rest of the Arab states. Jordan tries to keep quiet, but won't do much of anything when push comes to shove except try to get out of the way. Lebanon is a mess and Turkey doesn't want to get involved.
In the 80s they took out Sadam's nuclear reactor, last year they took out Syria's fledgling nuclear site. True, Pakistan is a bit of a long haul, but their aircraft have air refueling capability and Uncle Sugar has tankers. Who knows what they do when five miles up?
Any convoluted ridiculous thing is possible in that crazed part of the world. They could even have their aircraft recover in India. There the aircraft would be confiscated with a lot of fanfare and denunciations by India in the UN. Meanwhile Uncle Sugar would replace them before the pilots can even get home flying commercially.
Reality is, I don't personally think anyone will do the deed. Obama doesn't have the guts, nobody in Europe does either. The only possibility is the current government in Pakistan being pushed into enough of a corner that they invite outside help to secure the weapons. That's something they have never done historically and I doubt if they would do so now.
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Post by petev on May 8, 2009 20:35:40 GMT -5
Supposedly Pakistan is making more of an effort to fight back the Teliban, now that the Teliban broke their promise not to grab any more territory, when they were handed the Swat Valley. I think that since AlQuada has proven to be our sworn enemy that it is up to us, not some surrogate to squash them if they start to possess nuclear weapons. We should have nipped them in the bud years ago, but now we may have to do it, if we want to avoid another disaster like 911, or worse. Just my opinion of course. Pete
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