These values put the life of a single Jew (also a single white man) at par with a thousand Muslim lives. If a single Jew happens to get killed by a wayword shrapnel fired from Gaza, it becomes mandatory for Israelis to rain death and destruction from the air on helpless Palestinian population, and not till a thousand Muslim men, women and children breathe their last should the genocidal exercise stop. As per these values, it is perfectly moral and right for Israel to impose a cruel blockade for months to keep the Palestinians deprived of water, electricity, oil and food. But it is criminal on the part of the Palestinians to put any muscle into their protest and resistance.
And the ideals that America is ‘divinely-ordained’ to espouse and implement include elimination of every possible threat to Israel’s monopoly on nuclear capability in the Middle East (and eastwards). Denuclearization of Pakistan therefore is a goal that cannot be put on ‘hold’ (forever).
Precisely why Washington is overflowing with glee at having succeeded at last in lodging the leadership of its liking and choice at the helm of affairs in Islamabad.
Sorry Benazir you had to die!
When was the last time when Washington had such a docile, ever-willing and ‘obediently yours’ leadership running Pakistan?
Not one in memory!
Z.A. Bhutto was a rebel (of punishable proportions).
General Ziaul Haque had his own Islamic and nuclear agenda.
Benazir was Bhutto’s daughter.
Mian had Islamic preferences.
Musharraf had two faces.
And Pakistan Army is more of a problem than a solution.
Can therefore be any better option that “the one” for whom Pakistan is no more than a land of opportunity.
(This column was also published on 02 January 2009.)