Comments on: The spies next door to OBL http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-investigates/2011/05/05/the-spies-next-door-to-obl/ Insight and investigations from our expert reporters Wed, 19 Dec 2012 03:06:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: DIRNSA http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-investigates/2011/05/05/the-spies-next-door-to-obl/comment-page-1/#comment-326 DIRNSA Wed, 11 May 2011 22:27:37 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/the-deep-end/?p=1073#comment-326 I was in Peshawar in the mid 60's, during the height of the Cold War. The ISI was a very corrupt organization w-a-y back then. Frankly, I think we should pull our troops out of Pak. Why are they needed there? I was in Peshawar in the mid 60′s, during the height of the Cold War.

The ISI was a very corrupt organization w-a-y back then.
Frankly, I think we should pull our troops out of Pak. Why are they needed there?

]]> By: prasadgc http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-investigates/2011/05/05/the-spies-next-door-to-obl/comment-page-1/#comment-324 prasadgc Sat, 07 May 2011 13:23:44 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/the-deep-end/?p=1073#comment-324 Claudia Parsons, I wish you had consulted more reviewers before releasing this paper. As just one example, the summary box on "Pakistan's Troubled History" misses a few important points. 1. The 1971 war led Pakistan's leadership to three important actions, of which you have listed only two: "[...] This ultimately led to its support for militant proxies. It also turned to a more militant brand of Islam to rally the country." The third was the decision to go nuclear. Whoopsie, that's an omission that's inexcusable in a piece like this. 2. Was Musharraf's coup the only major event of 1999? Do you remember a little incident called Kargil? The next time you want some facts on Pakistan, ask an Indian. We have long memories. Regards, Ganesh Prasad Claudia Parsons, I wish you had consulted more reviewers before releasing this paper. As just one example, the summary box on “Pakistan’s Troubled History” misses a few important points.

1. The 1971 war led Pakistan’s leadership to three important actions, of which you have listed only two: “[...] This ultimately led to its support for militant proxies. It also turned to a more militant brand of Islam to rally the country.” The third was the decision to go nuclear. Whoopsie, that’s an omission that’s inexcusable in a piece like this.

2. Was Musharraf’s coup the only major event of 1999? Do you remember a little incident called Kargil?

The next time you want some facts on Pakistan, ask an Indian. We have long memories.

Regards,
Ganesh Prasad

]]> By: Mortal1 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-investigates/2011/05/05/the-spies-next-door-to-obl/comment-page-1/#comment-311 Mortal1 Fri, 06 May 2011 17:51:26 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/the-deep-end/?p=1073#comment-311 Excellent analysis by stratfor. Excellent analysis by stratfor.

]]> By: kEiThZ http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-investigates/2011/05/05/the-spies-next-door-to-obl/comment-page-1/#comment-292 kEiThZ Thu, 05 May 2011 23:39:24 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/the-deep-end/?p=1073#comment-292 Great interview. STRATFOR does amazing work. Great interview. STRATFOR does amazing work.

]]> By: kEiThZ http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-investigates/2011/05/05/the-spies-next-door-to-obl/comment-page-1/#comment-291 kEiThZ Thu, 05 May 2011 22:43:58 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/the-deep-end/?p=1073#comment-291 Not just the ISI. Indeed the didn't trust any of the Pakistani defence or security apparatus. This is why they risked using (and lost) a stealth helicopter, that the world did not know about prior to this raid. If there was a modicum of trust between the US and Pakistan, they would have used regular Chinooks, Blackhawks or Ospreys. But they could not risk using unstealthy aircraft, even if they did trust the Pakistani leadership, lest some wrongly affiliated Pakistani radar operator sound the tip-off to one of those "strategic assets". Not just the ISI. Indeed the didn’t trust any of the Pakistani defence or security apparatus.

This is why they risked using (and lost) a stealth helicopter, that the world did not know about prior to this raid. If there was a modicum of trust between the US and Pakistan, they would have used regular Chinooks, Blackhawks or Ospreys. But they could not risk using unstealthy aircraft, even if they did trust the Pakistani leadership, lest some wrongly affiliated Pakistani radar operator sound the tip-off to one of those “strategic assets”.

]]>