Despite an official prohibition at taking any part in Pakistan’s assorted military offensives, the US Special Forces in the nation have continued to expand the definition of “training operations” until now they are overseeing the combat in several areas.
The training mission was originally supposed to be so limited that they weren’t supposed to even train troops directly, they were supposed to train Pakistani trainers who would pass the information along to the paramilitary forces in FATA. Even this was controversial at the time.
But now, the US troops are taking part in “hold and build” operations in FATA, coordinating the operations of the various Pakistani military and civilian authorities in the region.
The Pentagon is now said to be seeking the creation of a $10 million pool for the “trainers” in the nation, to be used for discretionary “hearts and minds” spending, likely mostly on humanitarian aid projects.
But US troops are already showing up in some odd places considering their extremely limited mission. In February three US soldiers were killed in a bombing in the Swat Valley, when the troops were attending a school opening in the area. These photo-op visits are likely to become more and more common as the US presence in the nation grows.
OOOO Worse than Viet Nam…If that could even be possible…Mistake…Disaster..lunacy…dementia..
think S. vietnam with nukes…..CRAZY..!!!!!!!!
These hearts and minds are priceless., but our Pentagon is willing for us to pay the price. Just wait until we really get going in Africa. Think of all the hearts and minds we can bomb there, that will win them over!
The Neo-Cons' Project For The new American Century just keeps rolling along.
U.S. involvement in Pakistan is very different from its involvement in other parts of the world. Unlike Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, where America invaded and occupied the lands, its involvement in Paksitan is simple; there is no free lunch, you got to work for it. Pakistanis survive on handouts in exchange for servitude which means unconditional service. Pakistanis are dependent people like children and they need grown ups, like America, to take care of them. A dependent man is only a half man. Like children they are driven, not by any ideology, but by sheer greed, personal gains and greievances. Therefore, the best way for America to succeed in Paksitan is to get connected to low level miltary and civilian officials who are directly involved in doing things and offer them few dollars or, just a promise to settle them in America or simply an impression that America is their best friend. This will make them do every thing for America. This way they can easily control even their nukes. They can also change their behavior, culture and religion through this approach. When offered such temptations, their religious leaders will readily give fatwa to serve American interests.