Why Pakistan Matters Posted by Adam Blickstein

And why the Brits might understand this better than us:

Senior counter-terrorism officials describe it [the 2006 liquid bomb plot targeting several transatlantic flights]  as the "pinnacle" of a series of continuing threats to the UK that began in 2004 and originate from al-Qaeda in Pakistan.

Eight out of 10 top priority terrorist investigations in the UK have some connection to Pakistan, according to a number of counter-terrorism officials.

Threats have emerged from other parts of the world, including east Africa, and also from entirely self-sufficient home-grown individuals.

But officials say these threats do not have the severity of those coming out of Pakistan. And it is the latter that have the potential to have "strategic impact", say officials.

Though none of the suspects were convicted of the main charge related to the alleged airline plot, it does show just how crucial Pakistan is to our counter-terrorism efforts. The connections between the alleged attackers and Pakistan, and the various trips made between Britain and Pakistan by the terror suspects, underscore the negative consequences the deterioration of any coherent American strategy towards Pakistan has had. Of course Britain's deep historic ties to Pakistan, and large Pakistani immigrant class, make the British/Pakistan relationship far different from our own. Britain and Europe are more susceptible to so-called "homegrown terrorism." But the mutual threats we face are equally stark and real.

While the key suspects of the liquid bomb plot were British-born Muslims, the genesis of the plot would not have been possible without coordination with elements in Pakistan. This places it as more of a centralized operation than some of the more ad-hoc attacks that have been plotted or perpetrated in Europe and elsewhere. And while it was one of the largest and most successful counter-terrorism operations since 9/11, the domestic success in Britain is mitigated by the chasm which has opened up with our functional ability to prevent terrorist elements from flourishing in Pakistan and Afghanistan's tribal regions.

And remember, the liquid-bomb plot was hatched in 2004, at a time when the al Qaeda and militant presence in Pakistan and Afghanistan was comparatively weaker. Eight years later, al-Qaeda and terror elements there are resurgent and emboldened, not diminished. And eight years on, we are dangerously still are struggling for a strategy to tackle this threat.

Comments

[John McCain]

Please, just focus on giving fellatio to Obama.

[Fake bags]

Please, just focus on giving fellatio to Obama

[fake Tiffany Bracelet]

If you have a TypeKey or TypePad account, please Sign In

You are currently signed in as (nobody). Sign Out

Name:

[luxury watches]

I am so with you,rolex watch
luxury watch

[cheap coach handbags]

Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!

[sohbet odaları]

Thanks..

sonra bedava chat burasıda var bedava sohbet

[qvod]

很难有发展前途做人体艺术美，看的眼光不同，人也不同
务的受人体艺术是确是很难
做人体艺术这项工作了女so you him
其实有空还不如去看看人体艺术有意思，再不然也可以去浏览下有不错的人体艺术指导，难道看到的古惑仔全集系列要去
short haircutssms jokesshort hairstylessdog groomerswhy

[safdsf]

Smart Phone Parts Leading smart phone parts, PDA Parts, data capture parts, Cell Phone Parts, mobile phone parts, iPhone Parts, LCD screen and digitizer supplier offers experienced,Data Capture Parts, timely, cost competitive, GlobalDirectParts,worldwide logistics support. We are the reliable parts supplier that delivers competitive price & quality assurance,Global Direct Parts, on time.

[led mining lamp]

Iwiss Electric mainly manufacturer explosion-proof fixed professional light, such as flood light, spotlight, dome lamp, ceiling lamp, full plastic fluorescence light, anti-dazzle light, and low carbon light suppliers.

[Network]

thanks for sharing Sohbet many people are pay more attention to one's swearing than before, especially a watch.Muhabbet.
Perhaps when you went to some place far away Sohbet you must borrow it from friends you can get everything you want in this game Chat money to invest in other industry which will return you good profit. Sohbet when you look at Chat
the surface of the watches viaload great any cool Exsohbet from the city you live in and thought you knew nobody there Egitim Fourth, there were various signs of political conflict among shia. If they split 3 ways or 4 ways, the sunnis and the kurds could often be the Sohbet swing votes in the politics. If they felt they had political clout out of proportion to their numbers, they could settle in Sohbet and do politics and not feel oppressed.