“July 10, 2008: Taliban” attempts to expand beyond the border area, north of Kandahar and Kabul, have been unsuccessful. Up north, the Taliban are hated big time, and the people there react violently when the Taliban show up. In northwest Afghanistan, a Taliban attempt to kidnap aid workers (a favorite target) was interrupted by armed tribesmen who freed the aid workers, killed the Taliban leaders and drove the rest away. Such incidents are more common, even in border areas

What is completely maddening is the Pakistani Government’s response to situations in the provinces generally. They appear to have fallen back on old ways of trying to buy their safety, having been completely cowed it appears by the Taliban and Al Qaeda assassination of former President Benazier Bhutto. It is a completely illogical and cowardly response to the situation, that is leading to greater violence and greater disdane for the Pakistani Government. Where is this leading? A civil war between Taliban and anti Taliban tribes is inevitable, but the Pakistani Government’s stance so far appears to favor the Taliban and disdane the loyal tribes who are their natural base of support.

It appears something very ugly and very unnatural is going on in Islamabad. I cannot figure out what.