Our "ally" Pakistan has priorities other than Al Qaeda

More and more we're hearing experts screaming about a collapse in the Pakistani efforts against the Taleban and Al Qaeda. Today's entry is ABCNews and the LATimes had a good piece about a week ago. But understand that for a crumbling Pakistani government, Taleban/Al Qaeda are not a priority. They're far more concerned with the near sham elections this weekend, and trying to reconsolidate their power after that.

Really, the Taleban represents a violent, but minor, threat to Musharraf and his allies. The real threats come from the center and left of Pakistani politics.

Today, (AFP) Pakistan grants amnesty to Bhutto.

(AFP) Musharraf names a successor as Army Chief assuming he wins the very controlled election process.

(AP) Pakistani opposition quits parliament

The way this election is structured, the equivalent of a Republican held Congress recertifying a Bush presidency before the 2006 midterms, there is no question that Musharraf will win, but that will not likely end the process or pressure on the government.

The bottom line is that Musharraf and his allies will spend the foreseeable future focused on their politics, not on the unpopular effort in the tribal regions. In the meantime, Taleban and Al Qaeda will get to keep their safe haven.

This is what happens in a weak state.