Bull's Eye

Rajinder Puri April 20, 2009 00:00 IST Bull's Eye -0001-11-30T00:00:00+05:53

President Obama’s Af-Pak policy has been criticised. The criticism could be premature. Policy should be judged by deeds, not words. One must await developments in Pakistan and Afghanistan. This scribe cannot fault Obama’s approach. It seems to approximate the line on Afghanistan-Pakistan that has been consistently pursued in these columns.

There are three elements in the new, declared Obama policy. First, Al Qaeda must be eliminated militarily; secondly, the "good" Taliban must be separated from the "bad" Taliban through negotiation; thirdly, the Afghanistan-Pakistan region of conflict must be treated as one war theatre.

Sending more American troops to Afghanistan will not help capture Bin Laden and Zawahiri. The additional troops are intended to compel the Taliban to talk. This will be accompanied by increased US help for civilian development. Referring to Al Qaeda leaders based in Pakistan, the US has not minced words. It has accused the isi of protecting them. If the Pakistan military does not change course, direct US...