Nuclear Survival

clipped from www.davidwarrenonline.com One might almost recommend American occupation to the people of Pakistan, as a way to reduce the casualties from daily suicide and other terrorist bombings to the levels now enjoyed in Afghanistan and Iraq. Also, as an alternative to Indian occupation. Though I doubt the Americans are currently up to the task. Yesterday, the country’s former chief justice, Iftikhar Chaudry, removed from office by President Musharraf on fairly specious grounds of corruption, and actually because he was genuinely independent, was reinstated by a 10-3 vote of the remaining high court. Musharraf has had to accept this humiliating moment of sweet victory for Pakistan’s surprisingly ebullient lawyers, and the semi-Westernized urban middle-classes they represent. He must accept it because Pakistan is currently facing a larger challenge from loose confederations of Islamists whose urban bombings and tribal insurrections are taxing the authorities’ will to survive.