America bombs Pakistan: business as usual
Within four days of his inauguration speech Barack Obama had authorised the bombing of targets in Pakistan. He had already advocated such attacks before US started the latest phase of its military campaign last July. Following an inaugural speech, in which he unambiguously declared to America's enemies "We will defeat you", he sanctioned the launching of missiles from Predator drones on two targets in Waziristan in which 22 people died. He has warned the US public that there will be an increase in American military casualties as he steps up actions in Afghanistan and Pakistan. US military strength in Afghanistan will be doubled to 60,000.
For Obama to confirm his commitment to the military core of American imperialism at the start of his reign is a warning to the rest of the world. For all that he spoke of ‘change' in his campaign, there is clear continuity with the Bush regime. America will continue to use its military power to defend its interests. In this the only thing that makes the US exceptional is the scale it can operate on. Every single capitalist state resorts to force to defend the interests of its ruling class. Whether it's Iran or North Korea developing missiles, China building an aircraft carrier, the Sri Lanka army sweeping across the north of the country, or any of the many factions fighting in the DR Congo, Sudan or Somalia - capitalism means war.
Car 6/2/9
Comments
The Obama administration
The Obama administration gave the impression of a new beginning in foreign relations, ie, imperialist policy. The inference was given that all disputed areas of the globe would be taken into account by a new, energised, liberal regime, so much different from Bush and the rhetoric promised, among other thing, all-embracing “regional solutions“. As far as India and Pakistan are concerned, the USA‘s “regional solution”, undertaken by the formidable Richard Holbrooke, has had the Kashmir equation taken out by the new administration. This is the most important point for Pakistani imperialism and to say that they are not best pleased would be an understatement. While US imperialism sucks in India as its main ally in the region (and against China too), it has given Britain the task of looking after Pakistan. The British bourgeoisie have taken this on, not because they are a US “poodle”, but because, as difficult as the task is, it gives the British gangsters an influence of its own in the region, even if they are reporting (sometimes not) to the US Godfather.
We should not be surprised by the continuity of US imperialism from Bush to Obama. The new, energised, liberal regime of John F. Kennedy in the 60s, laid the groundwork for the war in Vietnam and undertook the biggest extension of the arms race and the development of nuclear weapons.
The attack on the Sri Lankan
The attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team underscores the chaos and decomposition that Pakistan is sinking into. There's much talk in the media about "is it a failed state?", "is it a failing state?" and so on. One's thing is for sure the country is falling into a dangerous mess. The corrupt ruling gangsters of the Zardari faction have done recent deals with the fundamentalists of the tribal regions (where the Saudi Arabian brand of fundamentalism is getting a grip)and this has only contributing to worsening the situation. Not only is Pakistan being shaken but the consequences for imperialist war in Afghanistan are great. This recent attack shows that the relatively peaceful and wealthy Punjab is now being drawn into the mix due to a faction fight between the government clique and the Sharif faction, the latter being based in this region.
Further destabilisation is being caused by US drones being fired into the tribal regions from Pakistan with support from some factions in the military.
Some in the US have called for Pakistan to be the battleground rather than Afghanistan (being the latter depends on the former).
All this underlines and emphasises the developing imperialist relations between the US and India.
Terrorist Shootings in Lahore
The latest terrorist killings in Lahore are an expression of Pakistan getting more and more engulfed by chaos and terrorist violence. But the fact that violence is getting out of control of the state in Swat or elsewhere is not encrouaging Pakistani state to be mindful of its engagement with terrorist gangs. In many ways the sitution of the Pakistani bgs is that of a gambler today that is loosing havily but is neverthless sucked into the votex of betting and don't want to, cannot pull back. While chaos are spreading in Pakistan, the bourgiosie is betting on Taliban and Mulla Omar to get back a foothold in Afghanistan.This is illustrated by latest proposals floated by Pakistan, and also some circles of US, to start negotiations with Taliban, inlcuding factions of Gulbuddin Hekmetyar and Mulla Omar.