April 30, 2009

Pakistan Must Be Saved From Collapse

Greg Sheridan, The Australian

AP Photo

KEVIN Rudd rightly linked Australia's increased troop commitment to Afghanistan with a desire to ensure the viability of the Pakistani state. He identified this as a vital interest for Australia. Like US President Barack Obama, Rudd has appointed a special envoy -- in this case former Defence Department head Ric Smith -- for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

That Rudd questions the viability of the Pakistani state should alert Australians to the perfect storm of trouble in Pakistan today. It is the worst and most dangerous security situation in the world, albeit with strong competition from Iran and with North Korea putting in a serious effort. Don't think I'm being alarmist. Last week, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Congress that the security situation in...

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TAGGED: Pakistan, Australia, Afghanistan, United States, Greg Sheridan, Foreign editor

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