THIS EVERYDAY LIFE

Flash Bulletin Well it appears the New Year will be beset with all kind of turmoil in the Middle East. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, a potential flare-up between the Kurds and Turks, and tensions between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The latter even as Ms. Rice is trying to hammer out some kind of peace accord between the two. Good luck Condi, but I do believe your efforts are vain ones. Oh yes lets not forget the West’s allegations of the Iranian’s nuclear weapons aspirations. The violent mire and mix has become even more expansive and complicated with the assignation of Ms. Bhutto in Pakistan. As we all know the present governance allowed Ms. Bhutto, to return from exile in an attempt to quell internal strife. Having been a somewhat popular figure when she led the country prior to a coup and her subsequent ouster. It was hoped that some kind of governance bond could be forged between her political factions that would appease the majority of Pakistanis. Well didn’t happen. The woman hit the ground bad mouthing Musharraf. She rejected any appearance of power sharing with the present ruler unless he abdicated his position in the military. As a matter of fact she raised so much hell, the Pakistani Supreme Court is investigating the constitutional legality of Musharaff's dual role as civilian leader and head of the Army. The resultant conflict threw Pakistan into three distinct camps: those that supported Bhutto, those that supported Musharraf and those that wished they both would get the hell out of Dodge. With her recent assignation, arguments about who would lead Pakistan are over. Or are they? It almost goes without saying that Ms. Bhutto’s faction immediately claimed Mr. Musharraf’s faction guilty. Mr. Musharraf’s faction laid the blame entirely upon al-Queda. Matters didn’t get any clearer when factions of al-Queda stepped forward and readily claimed responsibility. How is this situation going to play? Pakistan is one of our staunchest allies in the region in our efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Without their vigilance and military assistance both the borders of Iraq and Afghanistan become porous for the entry of al-Queda and other insurgents. In other words if Musharraf has to pay more attention to stabilizing civil unrest and staying in power than in combating terrorist against American interest, how will this affect us and our presence in Afghanistan? If all things continue to go awry in Pakistan, does this mean an American presence in Pakistan? Already one of the leading candidates to be his party’s selection in the 2008 presidency race has indicated in a speech his willingness to have a presence in Pakistan to protect our troops and interest in the area. This pronouncement was made far before Ms. Bhutto’s assignation. Of course we would like to see democracies all over the Middle East, isn’t that the reason we are in Iraq (ha Ha)? But lets face it is in our best interest at the present time to place domestic stability in Pakistan far ahead of any kind of democratic concepts. Remember domestic conflicts in times of tense situations have a way of delocalizing themselves. The excuse for the start of WWI surrounded the assignation of a stupid Archduke in Europe. Lets hope there is not a repeat in this area.