Change in Pakistan Requires Respect, Reconciliation, and Religious Freedom
By Dr. Chris Seiple on 09 February 2010
Victory or defeat in Afghanistan will be determined by how the United States engages Pakistan this year.
In particular, the US counterinsurgency effort in Afghanistan hinges on whether or not the "Afghan Taliban," a Pashtun movement, maintains sanctuary and support from outside the country.
Currently, the Pakistani government is not denying that sanctuary to the Afghan Taliban, or the "Pakistan Taliban" (also Pashtun). I spent 10 days last month in Islamabad and Peshawar speaking with leaders from across society, including those with direct access to the Taliban.
Conversations revealed that there are three things that the US must understand in order to end the Taliban insurgencies on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistani border: respect, reconciliation, and religious freedom.
Last updated 10 February 2010