A SERIOUS QUESTION FOR VINCE OR RONNIE OR ANYONE

[The_Rorschach]

Added a couple new tunes to my Classic Rock comp, and one of them, which happens to be playing, is Neil Diamond's Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show. Seems somehow fitting with this topic for some reason. But by the time I finish my replies, McClean's Miss America Pie will probably have started. . .Regardless.

"Suppose growing Muslim anger of the war leads to "Regime Change" in Pakistan, thereby placing Nuclear weapons in the hands of Ilsamic extremists?"

As you wish Max. Actually, this was a supposition I rose in my PoliSci class yesterday, all I got for it was derision from my instructor though. I hope you fair better.

"Is this a serious enough contingency to be worth planning for?"

I believe so. Anti-American sentiment has been growing there like infestation in a rotted wound. I was reading, an as yet unconfirmed story, this morning about riots breaking out in Karachi over our actions in Iraq. It may not even take a regime change - With the premier of Egypt coming out and publically attacking the US for our hostile actions, it may only take the fear of a coup to motivate Pakistan into retalitary action. Worst case scenerio, perhaps, but not terribly unlikely.


"If so, what could we do about it?"

Well. . .It really depends upon how many countries Pakistan allies themselves before taking actions. If they stand alone, we'll likely have a few friends with us. India will step in without a moments hesitation, Israel would offer support which we would likely not accept, and if Blair is still around we'll have the Brits and probably the rest of the UK. I add India as they have been openly feuding for quite some time and want only an excuse to invade. If we move quickly enough, we might be able to pacify (read, pre-emptive attacks) them before they have time to launch a nuclear strike.

If they gather a coalition however. . .I think we'll find ourselves in a sea on unfriendly intent. At this point, we may or may not be able to count on India's support. Certainly Israel, but only because they would have even more to lose than we ourselves. . .Our only viable option as I see it, would be to capitulate to their demands, as sad as that sounds.


"If it happens, what should we do?"

Pray Burbank, because if this really does take place, it will make the sacking of Rome look like a training exercise.