The Wrong Horse in Pakistan

The U.S. is considering partnering up with Nawaz Shariff as Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari apparently becomes more unpopular.

What the fuck?

Who's next, the reincarnation of Zia-ul-Haq? Maybe we'll give Musharraf another try? When Benazir Bhutto came back into the picture, and the U.S. tried to glorify her, I made the same joke with Nawaz Shariff. Lo and behold...

Shariff was already ousted in disgrace from his position as Prime Minister twice. Maybe the U.S. is hoping third time's the charm. Some feel Shariff's ties to extremist parties will allow him to reason with them. How did that work the first two times? Shariff is exactly what the U.S. doesn't need. He speaks the language of Islamic fundamentalism to garner support, but he lacks the street cred. The fundamentalists know this, but both sides are playing each other in an effort to gain power. The alternative for the extremists is Zardari, who is perceived as an American puppet. The other option is to fight, which they have continued to do, showing that the extremists don't put much faith in Shariff.

The U.S. needs to move away from these political has-beens, who have proven themselves unable to rule Pakistan effectively. It's time for fresh blood in the halls of power or else fresh blood will be spilled elsewhere. (International edition - revised)