No matter who wins the November Presidential election, the United States/Pakistan relationship will remain a foreign policy nightmare with no easy solution.
Topping the list of problems with our supposed-to-be friend and military ally is the growing concern over Pakistan's nuclear capability, and the safekeeping of nuclear weapons.
One other area of concern, which is less publicized, and would be considered by many to be of lesser importance, is the charge of treason placed by the Pakistani authorities against a friend of freedom and a foe of terrorism.
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is now speaking publicly about the unfair proposed prosecution of Dr. Shakeel Afridi, whose purported crime is assisting the United States military in locating and taking out Osama bin Laden.
The Doctor organized a vaccination campaign in the area of the bin Laden compound, as a way of getting DNA to confirm the presence of the Al Qaeda leader.
Leon Panetta's concern for the Doctor comes with his implied belief that someone high up in Pakistan's government or military had to be aware of bin Laden's whereabouts.
Should Dr. Afrida be convicted of treason, the United States will be in a most difficult position, and the world will be watching to see if America acquiesces to an "ally", or comes to the aid of a true friend.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
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This is another disturbing example where there has been an apparent failure on the part of our intelligence agencies to see it coming. How is it that Afridi and his family were not spirited out of Pakistan immediately after the killing of bin Laden? Was it that they didn't believe they could possibly be in danger in a country where corruption and retribution are prevalent? I believe we can still save him if we bribe a few more people and promise more military aid. Great job in bringing this story to our attention, Bill!
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