Saving Pakistan From Itself

One of the central arguments behind the Obama administration's expanded commitment to Afghanistan is that failure to nation build will ultimately endanger Pakistan. Such arguments look a tad strained in light of today's news:

Despite strenuous entreaties by top U.S. officials, Pakistan has abandoned plans to mount a military offensive against the terrorist group responsible for a two-year campaign of suicide bombings across the country. Although the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has been in disarray since an Aug. 5 missile strike from a CIA-operated drone killed its leader, Baitullah Mehsud, the Pakistani military has concluded that a ground attack on its strongholds in South Waziristan would be too difficult...

...U.S. counterterrorism officials worry that a failure to capitalize on the post-Baitullah confusion within the TTP will allow its new leader, Hakimullah Mehsud, to consolidate his position and reorganize the organization. Officials in Washington say special envoy Richard Holbrooke and NATO commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal have both pressed the Pakistanis to strike while the iron is hot. But after initial promises to launch a ground offensive in South Waziristan, the Pakistanis have backed off.

You would think that at a certain point, Pakistan's unwillingness to follow orders from Washington would cast the partnership, and our concerns for Pakistan's security, in a different light.

(Richard Holbrooke meets with Pakistan's Foreign Minister. AP Photos)