Sticky Situation in Pakistan

The crisis in Pakistan continues and there is no sign of a let up as the arrests and detentions continue.

Musharraf has already installed his own judges to the Supreme Court. Whether they're effective or not remains to be seen. The previous Chief Justice isn't a happy camper, nor are the lawyers who were sympathetic to them.

Musharraf came to power via a coup in 1999, and he's busy reshuffling his power by engaging in the current crackdown. The Pakistani government was supposed to devolve from military to civilian control, but Musharraf has been slow to do it - claiming the Islamist threat as the key reason he's engaged in the current activities - suspending the constitution, tossing the judges, and throwing thousands of demonstrators into jail.

Too bad he keeps missing the mark and isn't going after the Islamists hard enough.

Thanos at Noblesse Oblige notes that both Musharraf and Benazir Bhutto are calling for new elections in January, which would give Musharraf time to stabilize the very delicate situation throughout the country.

Bhutto had returned to Pakistan to an adoring crowd, and suicide bombers targeted her convoy, killing nearly 200 people in the process. She's been in and out of the country since then, but she's presently in Islamabad to discuss matters with Musharraf.

Gateway Pundit notes the similarities (and stark differences) between the fascination of Hollywood and many in the media with [T]hugo Chavez in Venezuela and their indifference or hostility towards Musharraf, despite the fact that both are pushing totalitarian policies. The key difference is that in Venezuela, you'd likely find a Hollywood type feted by Chavez as a trophy for agitprop, while no one in their right mind would venture to Pakistan because of the threat posed by the Islamists in country. And it is those Islamists who are the chief threat to Musharraf and regional stability.

The US is looking to review its sale of F-16 jets to Pakistan. That's a not so subtle reminder that if Musharraf doesn't get things under control, he's going to lose the US as a patron. The US has to be very careful in how they approach the situation because of the Islamist threat. Still, they are calling for new elections and that Musharraf would abide by his pledge to give up his military uniform.

U.S. Representative to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad reiterated the United States' stance on Musharraf’s actions.

“We oppose what has happened there," he said November 5. "It goes against the expectation of the people Pakistan and the world, the move towards a democratization, toward a free and fair election. … And we are very concerned and disturbed by what has happened.”

During a trip to China, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters November 5 that the United States wants to see Musharraf return Pakistan to “law-based, constitutional and democratic rule as soon as possible.”

Although Pakistan remains a key strategic partner of the United States, Gates said the actions taken by Pakistan in the immediate aftermath of Musharraf’s declaration were disturbing.

It's a strategic partner because of its location - next to Afghanistan. Pakistan also continues to harbor Taliban and al Qaeda elements, which makes the situation precarious.