STARTING?:

Behind Afghanistan lies Pakistan: The US is wising up about Pakistan, where Al Qaeda and the Taliban find safe haven. (CS Monitor, July 21, 2008)

Thankfully, Washington is starting to pay more attention to this part of the world. Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama visited Afghanistan over the weekend, and last week, Republican candidate John McCain elevated the region's importance by speaking extensively about it. Both recognize the critical role that Pakistan plays.

Meanwhile, Gen. David Petraeus is talking with Pakistani officials about how to better wage a counterinsurgency in the tribal areas. And last week, the leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee pushed a bipartisan bill that provides a far more balanced US approach to Pakistan.

The most significant achievement of the President's foreign policy is forging a strategic alliance with Pakistan's nuclear-armed mortal enemy and they think this attention is sudden?

Posted by Orrin Judd at July 21, 2008 3:20 PM