September 24, 2007:
In Pakistan,
the Taliban are terrorizing, and murdering, pro-government tribesmen. That's a
sign of desperation, because similar tactics in Afghanistan played into the
governments hands. But in Pakistan, the Taliban believe their own propaganda,
that they are on a mission from God, and anything goes. Some tribes have
already turned against the Taliban and al Qaeda. The problem with the tribes is
that government soldiers and police are just doing their job in fighting the
tribesmen. But for the tribes, fighting the government is their profession, and
major goal in their lives. While tribesmen may dislike the Taliban, they
dislike increased government control even more. This is always a major issue in
the endless negotiations army officers and government officials have with
tribal elders.
September 23, 2007: In eastern
India, Maoist rebels made several attacks, in response to police arrests
of Maoist leaders recently, and to enforce a 24 hour strike.
September 22, 2007: In
Pakistan, the Taliban released 25 of 250 soldiers captured in an ambush
four weeks ago. The ambush is believed to have been carried out with the help
of pro-Taliban soldiers. A number of the Pushtun soldiers (about 12 percent of
the army) have been found to be Islamic radicals and pro-terrorist. The group
that is holding the captive soldiers is demanding the release of arrested
Taliban, and the withdrawal of the army from three bases in Waziristan. In the
same area, a suicide car bomber attacked an army convoy, damaging one army
truck and killing the suicide bomber.
September 21, 2007: In
Bangladesh, Islamic radicals held demonstrations in the capital to protest
cartoons in local magazines. The cartoons were interpreted by some Islamic
conservatives as being insulting to Islam. But the main reason for the
demonstrations is to try and break down the power of the caretaker military
government, which is trying to organize new elections. The problem with that is
the two main political parties are mired in corruption. So whoever gets elected
will resume the stealing and patronage appointments that have impoverished the
country and made the government ineffective. A minority backs the Islamic
radicals, who call for a religious dictatorship, and promise to abolish
corruption.
September 20, 2007: Osama bin
Laden has now come out and openly called for rebellion against the Pakistani
government. The Pushtun tribes along the Afghan border have always been in
rebellion against the government, but this fight is mainly about Taliban
control of some areas along the border. These areas are being used as terrorist
bases, for attacks on Afghanistan, and for training terrorists for world-wide
operations.
September 19, 2007: In
Pakistan's northwest tribal regions, pro-Taliban tribesmen are attacking the
army checkpoints that are restricting movement of terrorists. Over fifty
troops and Taliban have died in these battles over the last few days. Most of
this fighting is in the Waziristan, where the Taliban are strongest. Normally,
most of the government troops in the area are from the Frontier Corps, a
paramilitary organization belonging to the Interior Ministry and recruited
locally. These men often have divided loyalties, and cannot always be depended
to fighting against tribal, or Taliban, militias.