AP Photo

After nine suicide attacks in just eleven days that killed 150 people, including many from the security forces, the Pakistan army has finally started its long-awaited offensive in South Waziristan where the Pakistani Taliban are based.

The success of the offensive, against the backdrop of a serious civil-military division in Pakistan and unresolved debate in Washington, could be critical for the fate of Pakistan, which is financially broke and politically paralyzed.

The army and the civilian government are once more at odds over policy...