RIP Benazir Bhutto

[Parthini]

If you haven't heard yet, Benazir Bhutto, political rival to General(ret) Musharraf, President of Pakistan, was assassinated today in a suicide attack.

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7161590.stm

It seems like it came from a radical terrorist group and not from the government. As if Pakistan needed any more political turmoil...

GPP

[Isles of Nixon]

This is truly a sad day for not only Pakistan but for democracy worldwide. Just as they prepared for democratic elections, Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in the most violent and cowardly way. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bhutto Family and the people of Pakistan who continue to pursue free and peaceful means for the ultimate goal of democracy.

[repaxan]

Let's see how Nawaz Sharif's campaign goes in the wake of this.

[Sheynat]

Radical terrorist group. Sure. How convenient. This smells of Musharraf. Could well be terrorists-Bhutto was pro-US wasn't she? But it seems awfully convenient for Pervez.

Another thing that bothers me-if she knew she was in such danger that she left a letter for Wolf Blitzer to read in the event of her demise, what was she doing riding around, standing up through the sunroof?

[repaxan]

The government allegedly decided not to provide her security.

[Anime Daisuki]

Her dad was shot, two brothers also killed. Perhaps the family is ill-fated or cursed in some way like the Kennedys.

*I don't know* +_+

[Parthini]

Having her be assassinated was very bad for the US, since her returning as PM would have been a stabilizing factor. No, the Government or Army would have had to have been really stupid to have in any way caused her harm.

This was the act of terrorists who want Pakistan to be in chaos. Just like Afghanistan was in the 70s. Only this time, the country has nukes. The most interesting part will be seeing what traditionally invasive India does in the future.

[The Colonial Fleet]

Benazir Bhutto would have been better for regional stabilization, because she was more willing to do something about the terrorist element in the border region. I was starting to think that she might actually live to be elected, despite the sheer amount of people in the military, nutcase clergies, and border tribes who wanted her dead. I think she stood up to wave thanks to her supporters, because she was genuinely caught up with the moment.

The Pakistan military, having had Taliban controlled Afghanistan as a client state, aren't exactly the best people to be relied upon to keep the Taliban in check, since they were largely responsible for supporting their regime. That's where the current military dictatorship stands. They are literally doing as little as possible without getting into a war with the US for their promoting conflict in neighbouring Afghanistan. A few months ago, the Pakistani army literally pulled out of the border region and in many cases the army were witnessed handing their guns to the local tribal militants, as they withdrew. It's a good thing that Pakistan is the traditional ally of the US from the Cold War and we won't deal with India...

[Noyzistan]

who is a bigger threat to American Security, Pakistan or India?

[New Dracora]

Pakistan. By a long shot.

India is only a threat to the American telecommunications industry.

[Lichto]

Jun 15, 2008 7:56:45 GMT -5 Noyzistan said:

who is a bigger threat to American Security, Pakistan or India?

National Security (and lives): Pakistan

While we can't really prevent established states from possessing nuclear weapons, we can tell them that if they decide to use them, they'll feel the hammer of American might harder than it's ever been seen before.

American Economic Security: India

India and China are doing too well. The same thing happened in Japan in the 70s and 80s, and by the 90s they were in a huge depression. I feel the same thing will happen to China at least, perhaps India as well.

[Anime Daisuki]

Pakistan in the near term. Due to its record of exporting nuclear technology to terrorist nations and harboring of personel considered terrorists to most western nations. Also, it is very unstable politically. Underlying all that is a majority muslim population who hates America.

India however, has a greater potential to be a threat to America's global hegemony, in the mid to far term.

For one thing. India has territorial ambitions while Pakistan does not.(except perhaps for Khasmir which is a different story). India is not hemped in to expand. To really comprehend this one needs only to take out a map. Mainland India lies in a position where it could influence sea traffic between the middle east going to Asia and the U.S. There is more than this. India also has territorial rights in the Andaman and Nicobar islands which lies just off the tip of Sumatra (Indonesia), overlooking the Straits of Malacca. This is the gate from Asia to the Pacific. Tons and tons of goods, and --oil--, pass through this narrow passage. A little known fact is that India has naval and air force bases on these islands. How did this happen? Because some stupid Brit thought its a good idea to sign those islands to India when it gained independence, even though they are located thousands of miles from mainland India.

The effect of this (and mainland India's position on the map) is that it puts India in two strategic positions to influence the oil trade if it ever wants to. People talk about China all the time, but China has no foothold (other than investments and factories) in places where it really matters. India also has a substantial naval fleet. For one thing, India has aircraft carriers, China does not. American naval task forces exercising in the Indian Ocean had been chased or shadowed by Indian submarines in the past. At one time, all the way from Sri Lanka to western Australia.

And then there's her population. India will (or perhaps already did) exceed China's population very soon, and continue to grow. Unlike China, India does not have a "one child policy". Extrapolate this population by 40 years, you'll see its footprint on world resources AND its ability to influence world economy.

Since the 90s, India has actively championed for a permanent security council seat. Its ambition is plain to see.

One other interesting fact I thought I'll raise. I am a proponent of immigration because of the obvious benefits it brings to one's economy. BUT this also comes with a risk. First generation transplanted citizens maintain loyalties to their home countries. In 2003 or so, 83 percent (or was it 87?) of Indian nationals arriving to study in the US end up staying inthe U.S, as opposed to 10+ percent of Japanese or Singaporeans (I have this in my head because I researched this for a thesis). Indians are the fastest growing asian immigrant group in many American cities. Like it or not, there's going to be some conflict of interest in the future when India becomes a superpower. (no offense to anyone, this is I believe, a pragmatic risk assessment).

China is also a threat, but the topic is about India vs Pakistan, so I'll stop here.