http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/NE03Df01.html

Obama has an Afghan game plan

By M K Bhadrakumar

The surprise visit by United States President Barack Obama to Kabul on Tuesday just ahead of the formal launch of his re-election bid in the November presidential elections is a politically symbolic act. He has estimated that his visit to Kabul will resonate in the American opinion. There is no triumphalism in his demeanor, but the resolve to stay put in Afghanistan for at least another a decade is difficult to overlook.

This resolve also has the stamp of an obligation that he needs to see through his second term in office as president if he gets re-elected. Obama is determined to fulfill his obligation. With the 10-year strategic partnership agreement neatly wrapped up and a good beginning made to reset ties with Pakistan - following his breaking the ice, so to speak, with

I can see the part you did not want to read, the part in which it says this



The missing link is where Pakistan stands in the US's scheme of things. The short and clear-cut answer is that Pakistan still remains the kingpin in the entire US strategy"


Pakistan can not afford to have a civil war on their hands within Pakistan if they continue supporting the NATO war.

The Pakistan-US relationship is coming to an end, and US might as well go ahead an list Pakistan as a state sponsor of terror.

The religious political order within Pakistan has already ensured the permanent closure of the vital pakistani supply routes to NATO/Karzai. The DPC ( a religious political party in Pakistan) has made it pretty clear that they will stop the ground routes by force. This is why current politicians, even the laughs such as Zardari/Gilani and Kayani have been reluctant to open the ground supply lines to NATO/Karzai- without Pakistan support, the pact again is a piece of tissue paper (like the one Diem signed with America before America left him to the Viet Cong pack of wolves.)

Now, what do you think will happen when Imran Khan becomes the PM? He will obviously extend the non-cooperation to the air supply lines which this current pakistan government and army permits. Yes, this is why the few people, especially the liberal elite are opposed to him. 80% of supplies depended on Pakistan. That never changed. Are you going to start placing your hope in Imran Khan that he too will be a slave like Mushraf/Kayani/Gilani/Zardari?

So, there you have it.