The Gaza Lesson

Pakistan is a potential problem for us with no free elections and Islamists capable of posing as the only alternative to the status quo. While the Islamists are still a minority, the poverty and corruption of the political class in Pakistan along with the lack of democracy could propel Islamists to higher popularity. Why is this important? Pakistan borders on Afghanistan. And oh yes, Pakistan has nukes.


So we are pushing Pakistan for democracy:

Top US diplomats are visiting Pakistan this week for talks with embattled anti-terror ally President Pervez Musharraf on holding free and fair elections due later this year, officials said Thursday.

Remember, if elections come too late, the Islamists may be able to win those elections. While I do not regret the clarifying effects of the Palestinian elections (at least nobody can deny what we face by ignoring the Hamas thugs as in the past, while focusing on the gentle words of the English-speaking Fatah people), I'd rather not have a nuclear-armed Pakistan go the same way.