Biden: Patience Wearing Thin on North Waziristan Invasion

Warns US Will Not Wait Forever

by Jason Ditz, January 12, 2011

Despite reportedly reassuring officials that a US ground invasion was not forthcoming, Vice President Joe Biden also spent much of his time pressing Pakistan on their own invasion of North Waziristan Agency.

Officials say that Biden warned leaders that America’s patience was “wearing thin” on the long promised invasion, and that the US would not wait forever for them to do so. US officials have repeatedly suggested the notion of a US ground invasion of the region if Pakistan doesn’t follow through.

The Obama Administration has been keen to see the invasion of North Waziristan for over a year, and has repeatedly issued such demands. Pakistan has confirmed agreeing to the invasion, but has allowed the Pakistani military to determine when to begin.

Such an invasion seems to be for America’s sake more than anything strategic, as previous US-mandated invasions have accomplished virtually nothing beyond chasing the civilian population into refugee camps for the duration. Most of the high profile militants, which fled to North Waziristan when the US demanded the invasion of South Waziristan, have long since returned to South Waziristan or elsewhere. If the invasion happens, it will be to convince the administration that President Zardari is following orders.

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