August 22,
2008: Despite the still intense fighting
going on in Sri Lanka (as the army is poised to finally destroy the LTTE
separatists), Pakistan has again become the most violent battleground in South
Asia. Actually, things are a little more deadly just across the border in
Afghanistan, which is technically part of another region (Central Asia). But
the Islamic terror related violence in Afghanistan and Pakistan is very much
related. In both countries, Islamic terrorists belonging to the Taliban
(locals) and al Qaeda (mostly foreigners) have allied with wealthy heroin
producers and wealthy supporters of Islamic radicalism (locally, and in the
Persian Gulf). Between the two countries, about a thousand people a month are
being killed by the Islamic violence. This region, basically a small portion of
both nations, along their common border, is the main battle ground for the
Islamic terrorists who are trying to seize control of both countries. The
majorities in both nations oppose a religious dictatorship, and have the
firepower to get their way. But the Islamic radicals believe they are on a
mission from God, and often do not respond to reason or logic. So the war will
go on until the Islamic radicals are largely destroyed.
