Terrorism 101
The bombing of the Marriott in Islamabad is a rather straightforward example of the tactics of terrorism. The ultimate goal is not to kill people; the ultimate goal is to create a political shock which creates an effect. (Unfortunately, killing people in a highly visible way is the most effective way to create that political shock.)
In this one act by just a few individuals, Al Qaeda, the Pakistani Taleban, or whoever pulled this off, put huge political pressure on the Pakistani government to (at least publicly) separate themselves from the US putting in question several of the US's crossborder tactics.
(AP) Bomb a warning to end Pakistan-US cooperation
(Bloomberg) Islamabad Marriott Blast May Deepen Strains With U.S.
This is what terrorism is. It's an asymmetrical "tipping point" strategy targeting public opinion and politics. It is designed for impact on "hearts and minds." It is designed to evoke response.
(And let me add, I'm not trying to devalue the loss of life, it's horrific. I'm just trying to frame the tactics of the enemy, and this attack is a very clear cut example of how terrorism works.)
Watch the Pakistani response. Politically, they will have to put Pakistan first.
In this one act by just a few individuals, Al Qaeda, the Pakistani Taleban, or whoever pulled this off, put huge political pressure on the Pakistani government to (at least publicly) separate themselves from the US putting in question several of the US's crossborder tactics.
(AP) Bomb a warning to end Pakistan-US cooperation
(Bloomberg) Islamabad Marriott Blast May Deepen Strains With U.S.
This is what terrorism is. It's an asymmetrical "tipping point" strategy targeting public opinion and politics. It is designed for impact on "hearts and minds." It is designed to evoke response.
(And let me add, I'm not trying to devalue the loss of life, it's horrific. I'm just trying to frame the tactics of the enemy, and this attack is a very clear cut example of how terrorism works.)
Watch the Pakistani response. Politically, they will have to put Pakistan first.
posted by mikevotes at
8:01 AM
7 Comments:
I wonder if the US will keep prodding with the drone attacks?
By
Anonymous, at 9:40 AM
I don't know. The Pakistani government will be under huge pressure.
One of the things I don't know is the degree to which the rest of the country views the tribal regions as fellow Pakistanis.
But the linkage is still a problem because it plays into the anti-US sentiment.
By
mikevotes, at 1:01 PM
The drone guys may be told to cool it for a while. Pakistan is a very fragmented country....Baluchis, Pashtuns, Sindis etc.. About all they have in common is Islam.
By
Anonymous, at 1:06 PM
Yeah, but by connection, the US war on the tribals (or the tribals war on the US) is now spilling over into Pakistan proper.
Even if they don't find common cause, I would think every bit of anti-Americanism would crop up, so all concessions to the US, probably including the drone attacks will become very hard for the Pakistani gov't to allow.
And, they're stuck. They don't want to go into the tribal regions themselves, but the US seems unwilling to allow them o make ceasefires.
By
mikevotes, at 2:47 PM
Only the US can stop the drone attacks. I guess somebody in Washington has to decide whether they are productive or not.
By
Anonymous, at 2:55 PM
Or whether they're productive against the cost of destabilizing Pakistan's leadership.
By
mikevotes, at 4:42 PM
That's what I meant. I don't think the Pakistani government can stop terrorism. If the drone attacks are designed to pressure them then they don't seem to be working.
By
Anonymous, at 5:57 PM
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