Taliban Lose Some Ground in Pakistan

[allingeneral]

http://www.military.com/news/article/ta ... istan.html

Seems to me that the citizens of Pakistan could use some second amendment rights. As it stands, only the thugs have weapons and the rest of the populus is forced to succumb to the rules made by those with the firepower. Arm the civilians and let them help push the oppressive Taliban out of their cities and villages

[Vahunter]

Sound familar?

[skt239]

Thats pretty mcuh the method used in Iraq and it seemed to work. Although the Iran sponserd govt. we put in power will be on the other end of those guns as soon as we leave. The problem is, we are not fighting a group or govt, we are fighting an idea. The Taliban will lose ground nad gain it back, thats not important. When they reject the Talibans ideals then there will be hope. I just dont see that happening anytime soon.

[NickFac]

Thats pretty mcuh the method used in Iraq and it seemed to work. Although the Iran sponserd govt. we put in power will be on the other end of those guns as soon as we leave. The problem is, we are not fighting a group or govt, we are fighting an idea. The Taliban will lose ground nad gain it back, thats not important. When they reject the Talibans ideals then there will be hope. I just dont see that happening anytime soon.

I agree. Alot of the people over there if handed guns would more than likely hold to their traditions and fight back, though not against the Taliban like we would hope.

[SherKhan]

From what I've been reading, the Pakistani Army isn't equipped, trained, or motivated to deal with this kind of conflict. It's tank-heavy, and structured toward fighting India on its eastern border, not fighting in mountain valleys against small but well-armed and experienced units. Capturing Mingora, and even killing a few Taliban, is not likely to produce decisive results. The war is about winning "hearts and minds", not territory. The Taliban will retreat into Dir, Jandol, and other difficult-to-access areas and re-group. The Pakhtuns of Swat have only a distant, and mostly antagonistic, relationship with the Punjabi-dominated Government of Pakistan. I don't see anything happening to change that situation. And, as for gun control, when I lived in Pakistan and spent a lot of time in Swat, most men carried arms since the writ of the Government didn't reach very far in that area. It was a good example of "an armed society is a polite society", as I recall....