Pakistani Taliban Encircle Peshawar

The Pakistani Taliban have made significant gains against the demoralized Pakistani troops in the Northwest Frontier Province. Peshawar is the capital of the provice and has a population of almost 3 million inhabitants. They have taken control of the main roads outside of the city and can cut off communication. Police in the vicinity of town have given up patrolling the streets at night out of fear of attacks. Times Online

The Islamic militants have only gotten stronger due to the ineffectiveness of the Pakistani government. The government have been signing a series of peace agreements with the militants, which have only strengthen and expanded their reach. Their penetration into Peshawar in recent days shows that force is the only answer in combating Islamic militants.

Pakistani politicians and President Musharraf must come together and realize that this is a real war and that the future of the Pakistani State hangs in the balance. A new domino effect may occur if the US and Pakistan fail to work together. The US has to review its strategy in regards to Pakistan, since the current strategy is not working. What is happening here reminds American support for Fatah against Hamas in Gaza and the Warlords against the Islamic Courts in Somalia. In both cases our friends, the corrupt, secular forces were crushed by these Islamic Groups. I am sensing the same thing here, except this war will take a bit longer.