Obama’s Naiveté
By Misbahul Azam, PhD
Phoenix, Arizona
Most of the intellectuals, print and electronic media, are showing serious concerns about the statements of Senator Barack Obama about Pakistan and Islamabad’s role in the war on terror. The Senator is adopting an unduly tough tone and has been rightly accused of naiveté in foreign policy matters by Senator Mc Cain.
However, one should appreciate the fact that US policies are not framed during presidential campaigns or debates. In these forums, the candidates usually say what they believe is likely to appeal to the media and the voters and could help them score points against their adversaries. After assuming office, the newly elected US president will have to answer lots of questions before enunciating his policies.
Here are some important questions that might not be addressed during the presidential campaigns:
1) Recently, defense secretary Robert Gates said that the US relied on supply routes through Pakistan for 80 per cent of the cargo and 40 per cent of the fuel brought into Afghanistan. Also, General James Cartwright, vice-chairman of the joint chiefs, told the Senate armed services committee that it would be "challenging to sustain our presence" without Pakistan’s logistics support. So with increased military presence in Afghanistan, could the US afford to cut off these lifelines by taking unilateral action, especially when Pakistan has a government which is willing to support the US effort because it is also facing the menace of terrorism in the country?
2) If the US takes unilateral action, and if Pakistan retaliates, is the new president ready to start another war in the most sensitive region of the world?
3) If, by using huge fire power the US wins the initial battle then would it be ready to destabilize a nuclear power and a whole region? Would China, India and Russia allow the US to go that far just to “punish” an ally?
4) Sen. Obama mentioned that the US has wasted $10 billion and has not held General Musharraf accountable for having failed to knock out safe havens for terrorists. According to previous Pakistani government officials, most, if not all, of the money was nothing but payment of bills which Pakistan claimed for services provided to the US war on terror.
Compared to McCain, Obama’s statements about Pakistan demonstrate that he is very ill-advised and is less experienced in the area of foreign policy. Veteran journalist, commentator and activist, Tariq Ali, said, “I think this was a big mistake that Senator Obama made. He will regret it, because I don’t think he was briefed on what the situation in Afghanistan is.”
Pakistan’s democratic government is confronted with a test: how will it convince the world that Pakistan is fully capable of waging the war inside its territory and send out a loud and clear message that Pakistan should not be treated like a crony but as an ally and stakeholder in all important issues the world is facing today.
