Petraeus Visits Pakistan As It Fights "For Survival" -- Reuters
ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. commander running the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, held talks on Monday with Pakistani defence officials who told him Pakistan was fighting a war for its survival against militancy.
His visit to Pakistan, apparently his first stop on a foreign tour since taking charge of U.S. Central Command on Friday, highlights U.S. concern about a country seen as crucial to stability in Afghanistan and to defeating al Qaeda.
U.S. analysts say Pakistan is facing a major threat from Islamist militants at a time when the nuclear-armed nation and its new civilian government are engulfed in extraordinarily difficult economic problems.
Petraeus was being accompanied by Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Richard Boucher.
Read more ....
My Comment: Fighting for its existence pretty well sums up everything. Pakistan is facing a perfect storm. A severe financial crisis, corruption, a Taliban insurgency backed by supporters of Al Qaeda and other religious extremists, a breakdown of basic services such as electricity, Indian impatience, and no support from their traditional allies such as China.