Pakistan’s Flood, and NATO Supplies on Fire

The recent attacks in Pakistan can be also linked to another recent event, which is the catastrophic floods that devastated the subcontinental country last month, leaving massive casualties and displacing millions of Pakistanis. In this context, filled with distress, US operations that have resulted in death of Pakistani military and civilians, have prepared the ground for revolt. Pakistanis are seeking a catharsis against all the failures, pressures and deprivation they are enduring.

The government’s failure to meet the urgent demands of the flood victims, and the fact that during the catastrophe Zardari was taking a tour in Europe, hurt the sentiments of Pakistanis. US drone attacks, however, gave Zardari a breather: he was able to take advantage of the situation to deflect the attacks toward Americans to alleviate the pressure on his government.

How will the US react? Washington argues that Pakistan is a failed state, having no central control over its territory, and thus sowing the seeds of attacks on the US military in Afghanistan. Thus, Washington reserves for itself the right to take extraterritorial action against any threats to its troops.

Meanwhile, the US regards terrorism as an international phenomenon and a threat against its security that calls for preemptive action. An argument hardly convincing to the Pakistanis, who have a more traditional understanding of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Nozar Shafi’i is university professor and expert on subcontinent affairs.