Musharraf Feels the Heat

As turmoil spreads in Pakistan, Musharraf’s grip on power weakens

by Eric Margolis
The Toronto Sun

"Henry Kissinger once quipped that being America’s ally is more dangerous than being its enemy. The latest example: Washington is abuzz with leaks the Bush administration plans to dump its faithful but embattled Pakistani retainer, Gen. Pervez Musarraf, and replace him with a new general or a co-operative civilian-led government.....

For the first time, I hear Pakistanis calling Musharraf, “pharaoh.” This is a storm warning signal. “Pharoah” is what Iranians called their hated, U.S.-backed Shah, and Egyptians the equally hated U.S.-installed dictator, Anwar Sadat. They now use the same epithet for Egypt’s current military ruler, Hosni Mubarak. The Shah was overthrown by a popular revolution; Sadat was assassinated to national joy; and Mubarak is in deepening trouble.....“Pharoah” Musharraf now appears headed for the same fate as the Shah and Sadat. Either the army will overthrow him or, his usefulness at an end, Washington may simply discard him....

Meanwhile, the Bush administration is again studying military strikes against Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. The Pentagon worries they could fall into the hands of al-Qaida. Neoconservatives, who have hijacked U.S. foreign policy, fear Pakistan’s nuclear weapons — that number up to 50 — could be seized by anti-government forces if the nation were plunged into chaos, and somehow be used against Israel. Therefore, neocons urge air strikes and ground attacks by U.S. special forces to seize or destroy Pakistan’s nuclear weapons.....But the weapon’s precise locations are not fully known to CIA or DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency). Chances are they are also being moved to thwart detection. Any U.S. attack would be bloody, dangerous, and might easily go terribly wrong......

Adding danger, a U.S. attack on Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal could quickly be joined by Pakistan’s old foe, nuclear-armed India, and/or even Israel.

Both reportedly drew up plans for a “decapitating” strike against Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal in 1991 and again 1999....

We are looking at an apocalyptic war all right, but not started by Iran. An American attack on Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, or an all-out attack on Iran, could amply fill the bill.

Three things restrain Bush and mentor Dick Cheney from unleashing war against Iran: Need to use three secret U.S. bases in Pakistan to attack eastern Iran; Pentagon opposition; and growing warnings from Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Political chaos in Pakistan has thrown a spanner into neocon plans for World War IV."