We Need a Pakistan Policy (Joe Biden)

[gateley]

The international community is deeply concerned about the stability of Pakistan this week after General Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency on Saturday, suspending the country's constitution and cracking down on political opposition by arresting thousands of dissenters, journalists, and activists. The pictures and video coming out of the country paint a distressing portrait of a country in crisis.

I've been saying for some time that Pakistan is probably the most dangerous and complex country we deal with. If I were president today, I would be on the phone with Musharraf myself and make clear to him the risk to Pakistani-US relations if he does not restore the constitution, permit free and fair elections and take off his uniform as promised.

Unfortunately, I have heard nothing in my briefings from current administration officials to suggest that George Bush has any notion as to our next step in addressing this crisis. We have been told that this state of martial law will last only a few days, but let's not kid ourselves.

Going forward, we need to keep three things in mind:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-biden/we-need-a-pakistan-policy_b_71399.html

[lvx35]

1. Well he's right on one thing.

Bush didn't recognize the complexity of the middle east situation. We are in some serious shit now. I have no idea how to solve this problem.

[gateley]

3. None of us has any idea how to solve this problem, of if we do (thinking fondly

of some DUers who will undoubtedly tell us exactly what's needed) we're not qualified and don't have the understanding needed.

That's why we need someone who DOES have the understanding, the experience and the ability to see the big picture and the interrelatedness of the Middle East.

Biden has already spoken with Musharraf and Bhutto. I don't know what the current status it, but initially Bush just told Condi what to tell Musharraf and she relayed the message. Can you imagine? The Prez not picking up the phone himself to communicate with those two?

Last night I heard that the "Prime Minister" had flown to Washington. What Prime Minister, I'm wondering....

Anyway, I'm in agreement that we're at a dangerous point now.

[iverglas]

4. heh, you're right ;)

Pakistan, as has been pointed out here, is not in the middle east. ;)

It's in the subcontinent, and the geopolitical realities and dynamics there are a whole nother thing.

[gateley]

9. You're right and thanks for reminding me. Thank heavens Biden knows the

difference. Not sure Bush does, though. :hi:

[lyonn]

2. Isn't it amazing that during the last debate Biden warned of this very issue

The media ignored the statement Biden made and spent days talking about the gender factor. What we Biden supporters don't get is that Biden is off their radar and don't want him to get recognition! Why? Blows my mind. He doesn't hammer Hillary. He won't play the game. He states what he believes is important to this sinking country and he is ignored. Media has got to make news with trash talk, no substance.

[Wayward Episcopalian]

5. Took the words right out of my mouth...

...about the last debate.

As for the media, they're just lazy. The CW is that they have a hard time covering even three candidates, and like to narrow it to two as soon as possible.

[gateley]

6. His statement at the debate illustrates that his awareness and understanding

of the Middle Eastern reality is impressive. And to me, how much we NEED this guy as our President now.

[blondeatlast]

13. Yep--I noticed that, and having familial interests from that part of the world,

took serious notice.

We need strong international knowledge in the next President. He earned points from this decidedly undecided Dem with that debate answer.

[lyonn]

7. More scary talk:

Biden:

-snip-

"Third, connect the dots: Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan are all linked. Far from operating in a vacuum, what we do in one place profoundly affects the others. For example, because we shifted our resources away from Afghanistan to Iraq, Musharraf concluded the Taliban would rebound and he would be better off cutting a deal with them. Now, we're so tied down in Iraq we can't take the pressure off him in Afghanistan. And all this talk of war with Iran only makes it harder for moderates in Pakistan and Afghanistan to cooperate with us."

Are any of the other candidates even discussing this issue?

[murbley40]

8. K&R

[gateley]

10. Your question

"Are any of the other candidates even discussing this issue?"

My guess is 'no' until they hear what Biden has to say, then they'll say pretty much the same thing. I've seen this already, but I'm not going to name names. Just initials, HRC.

[lyonn]

12. Well, they are many days short of jumping on the Pakistan bandwagon

And if they are the media is tooo busy today hyping the repubs. Actually they show a clip from days ago when Pakistani lawyers were being rounded up and all that commotion. Very little info to go with pics.

You are so sneaky gateley, initials, giggle.....

Edit: Biden does have a way with words. What's not to understand with the above paragraph? You may not agree but he puts it out there for discussion.

[Basileus Basileon]

20. His views on foreign policy are a rare combination of deep understanding

and common sense. He doesn't simplify complex issues--he explains them in simple terms.

[IndianaGreen]

11. We need Joe Biden in the White House

He was the only candidate to warn on the perils in our Pakistan policy during the Philadelphia debate.

[PatSeg]

14. His answers had real substance

Didn't sound like political sound bites. I actually learned something in the few minutes he spoke.

[dugggy]

15. I am in rare agreement with you on this post n/t

[Doctor Cynic]

16. Obama's Pakistan policy is to bomb them, apparently.

[dugggy]

17. No No No not bombing helter skelter, but a precision attack

to locate Osama in the mountainous tribal areas of western Pakistan.

[Basileus Basileon]

19. Which I think would be reasonable, were it not for

the destabilizing effects it would have on Musharraf's regime. The man is only holding onto power by a tenuous thread. The last thing we need to do is give a swell of support to anti-American (and by extension anti-Musharraf) elements in Pakistan.

It's a fine line we have to walk.

[dugggy]

21. I think killing Osama will help demoralize the jihadists

So Obama is on right track here. As for Musharraf, he is pretty much
finished anyway. Majority of Pakistani's don't like him and the dictatorship.

[obamian]

22. DELETE

[obamian]

23. Biden agrees with Obama

Sen. Joe Biden characterized Sen. Barack Obama's pledge to hunt down terrorists in Pakistan as old news, noting that he had been proposing such action for "five years."

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/08/biden_no_fan_of.html

Here's Obama's full quote where he does lay out additional policy

As President, I would make the hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. military aid to Pakistan conditional, and I would make our conditions clear: Pakistan must make substantial progress in closing down the training camps, evicting foreign fighters, and preventing the Taliban from using Pakistan as a staging area for attacks in Afghanistan.

I understand that President Musharraf has his own challenges. But let me make this clear. There are terrorists holed up in those mountains who murdered 3,000 Americans. They are plotting to strike again. It was a terrible mistake to fail to act when we had a chance to take out an al Qaeda leadership meeting in 2005. If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won't act, we will.

And Pakistan needs more than F-16s to combat extremism. As the Pakistani government increases investment in secular education to counter radical madrasas, my Administration will increase America's commitment. We must help Pakistan invest in the provinces along the Afghan border, so that the extremists' program of hate is met with one of hope. And we must not turn a blind eye to elections that are neither free nor fair -- our goal is not simply an ally in Pakistan, it is a democratic ally.

http://www.barackobama.com/2007/08/01/the_war_we_need_to_win.php

[Froward69]

24. I am pretty sure it is Obama agreeing with Biden...

as an Obama supporter it is an easy mistake to make. the truth is Obama,HRC,Edwards all agree with Biden and announce that "Their" idea is the one to follow. however Like the Philadelphia Debates. the original idea or warning usually Emanates from Joe Biden.

[Basileus Basileon]

18. Joe has an uncanny ability.

It's like he can take the half-thoughts from the back of my mind, and then pull out what I would have said about things if I were more astute. I often recognize in what he says truth, because I've thought it before--but never pieced it together with the skill he has. It's rare I find myself disagreeing with him on foreign policy.

[Froward69]

25. Welcome aboard!!!

[DianaForRussFeingold]

26. Great picture! I probably had that same look of awe on my face when I 'finally' listened

:patriot: to Biden. It also became very apparent to me that the other candidates didn't have any of the insight and knowledge he possesses... I noticed the other candidates acknowledging they agree with Joe,or they would say Joe's right... I think they even realize he's right for the job of being president.. I know deep in their heart most of the candidates know America needs the most knowledgeable and diplomatic leader right now ... More than ever in History ...


I learned a great deal from Senator Russ Feingold--

IMHO...
Right now,It's worse than Water Gate, It's like 1929,1933,1941,1968 or even 1859 pre-civil war, all rolled up in 2007. I totally agree with you and other Biden supporters, We need someone who can bring this country together-- I believe that would be Joe..I sincerely hope he gets the chance... I believe people are waking up...Now the media needs to wake up! Before it's too late....

I'm not very computer savvy , it seems almost every single time I post, I have computer trouble...:argh: I wanted to tell you last night but the modem kept shutting down to 2 lights and I would lose connection...I hate not being able to respond to people's replies on my own post! :blush: ... I know this seems crazy, but It seems I have no trouble as long as I don't get more than 3 recommendations for greatest page... I'm not making this up... Hmmm... maybe it's the firewall ...heehee,whatever that is :shrug: I guess I will have to stick with Kicking and Recommending other DUers posts ... for now 'Strength Through Peace' :pals: