We are already in the eye of the storm and are being made a scapegoat for American failure to defeat the Taliban and pacify Afghanistan. The Taliban are still around and Obama's victory won't make Mullah Omar and his cohorts disappear into the mountains. General Petraeus, the new CENTCOM commander, has been credited with success, or whatever passes for success in Iraq. With Obama downgrading Iraq and upgrading Afghanistan, and Gen Petraeus having a reputation to uphold, we are likely to see the Afghan situation getting worse before it gets better. (Obama's test and ours By Ayaz Amir - The News)
With great expectations Pakistanis now await change in Washington's policy towards its region. More sobriety in conduct and more sincerity of purpose from the Obama administration and a more coherent and credible policy formulation by Pakistan may lead to greater convergence of Pakistan-US policy goals. Greater cooperation is only possible within the framework of genuine dialogue, greater trust and mutual respect. (Obama Victory: Why It Matters by Nasim Zehra – The News)
There will be no big change in the focus of policy. Terrorism is an issue above party lines in Washington and evokes equal concern in the Democratic and Republican camps over Pakistan’s crucial role in fighting the roots of terrorism in the tribal areas. The modality of pressure might perhaps shift from direct military operations to greater diplomatic and economic engagement. The idea will be not to weaken democracy in Pakistan but to strengthen it to be a more effective and more reliable partner in our common pursuits. (America’s ‘new deal’ By Shamshad Ahmad – Dawn)
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