debaser

What happens when they get Musharif? Do you think the US (or even India) will go into Pakistan to prevent the formation of another fundamentalist state? This was on my mind.

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lordjeebus

I am no expert on Pakistan's internal affairs, but I think that the military has a strong enough hold on things that Musharraf's death would just lead to the establishment of another general as leader.

If things were really unstable, I have no idea how the US might react. I'm sure that India would try to take advantage of the situation, but I think that the US has the sense to keep them out.

I think that the current instability in a nuclear state should be the US's (and the UN's) top foreign policy concern.

Sparhawk

Pakistan is one of those few countries where you say "Thank God for military dictatorships." Look at the alternative: A rabid, pro-Taliban Islamic regime with a large supply of rockets and nuclear weapons. *shudder*

It's a good thing they hate India more than they hate America...

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"In Iraq, no doubt about it, it's tough. It's hard work. It's incredibly hard. It's - and it's hard work. I understand how hard it is. I get the casualty reports every day. I see on the TV screens how hard it is. But it's necessary work. We're making progress. It is hard work."

MSD

The US will do anythign necessary to prevent another fundamentalist state. It won't be visible, but CIA and other covert operatives inside the country can ensure that another general is put into place instead of the current government collapsing. Anything else would severely destabilize teh situation with India, and a nuclear would have catastrophic consequences. Even a conventional attack or invasion would remove teh small amount of stability that currently exists.

rogue49

Very true

And this is most likely where you'll see the next use of nuclear weapons
between Pakistan & India.