Is This Our War?

Pakistanis are ambivalent about their role in the US-led war on terror. The country is a major ally for the US and NATO as it tries to rout the Taliban from the region. The war has diminished respect for Pakistan’s boundaries and sovereignty: Extremists from Afghanistan escaped into the remote tribal regions of Pakistan, crossing borders to attack US and moderate Pakistani institutions; likewise, US forces cross into Pakistan to attack the extremists. As extremism spreads, Pakistanis have more reasons than most to wage an active defense and work to defeat extremism, writes social scientist Ijaz Hussain for the Daily Times. He writes: “If tomorrow the Taliban succeed in militarily chasing foreign forces out of Afghanistan and establish their own government there, they would pose a threat to Pakistan's polity.” However, the government cannot simply expect people to support the war. Instead, Pakistani leaders must attempt to understand citizen opposition to the war, revise its strategy accordingly, release honest assessments of the dangers and work to strengthen citizen support. – YaleGlobal