Part IV: A critique

After an announcement from Al Qaeda this week it seems that these countries are now back in the spotlight. As Ross stated in his analysis of Pakistan it is important to keep public pressure on the country. In effect, they must know we are watching and hopefully guiding some of the operations (Anti-terrorist operations) within the country. Covert operations are the most realistic and reliable means of preemption. I understand that the CIA and other espionage operations have had many follies in the past; however the alternative is not expectable. In other words, we can not fight the entire world on the assumption that they may or may not be an eminent threat.

Threats from terrorist organizations are just a reminder that pressure must be exerted on these countries. This is a critical time for each of the countries list and discussed by Amb. Jones and Ross. Saudi Arabia has a new king, Afghanistan has scheduled elections in the next six months and Pakistan is the epicenter of the world on terror, contrary to our Commander and Chiefs understanding. To clarify, Iraq is a battlefield not the center of terrorist organization. It may be a recruitment center but it is not the location of satellite broadcasts. This is an important distinction between the embattled regions. One is a hot zone the other is a command center. Moreover, recruitments and sympathizers rejoice when a fresh broadcast is unveiled. Thus it is important to cut out the root not just extinguish the weed.

The foreign policy discussion was both enlightening and well documented however more internal information needs to be provided. As a matter of fact, internal human intelligence of each country is critical for our nation’s interests in the region. Lost are the days of relying on foreign spies for our information, we must reinvent a system of professional agents to carry out the most dangerous work. This era has been christened the information age, and in no other situation is this statement more accurate.