Pakistan turns on the Taliban

'LAHORE: In a major policy shift, the powerful Pakistani establishment seems to have decided to abandon the former Taliban rulers of Afghanistan by agreeing to launch a massive crackdown against their command-and-control structure, which has already led to the arrest of nine of the 18 key members of the Mullah Omar-led Quetta Shura from different parts of Pakistan, and that too within a short span of two months.'

Thus reports The News of Pakistan yesterday, attributing the change of heart to Saudi rather than American pressure. Of course it's easier to nod to a fellow Muslim than to the blue-eyed devils from across the sea. But whatever the motivation, it's good news if true. In terms of the Vietnam War, it's as if Hanoi had turned against the Viet Cong. Comments the always perceptive John McCreary on Nightwatch: 'Without Pakistan as a safe haven and with the Shura members in custody, several things will happen. The Afghan Taliban will devolve into banditry within a year, though they will not disappear. The prospects for negotiated power sharing improve immeasurably. Pakistan becomes the honest broker among the warring parties and holds the high cards … or high value targets.'

Wouldn't that be nice? Then Joe Biden could claim Afghanistan as another success of 'this administration'. Blue skies! -- Dan Ford