Crossposted from Flopping Aces

Q Thank you, Mr. President-elect. During the campaign you said that you thought the U.S. had a right to attack high-value terrorist targets in Pakistan if given actionable intelligence, with or without the Pakistani government’s permission.

…do you think India has that same right?

PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA: I think that sovereign nations obviously have a right to protect themselves. Beyond that, I don’t want to comment on the specific situation that’s taking place in South Asia right now.

I think it is important for us to let the investigators do their jobs and make a determination in terms of who was responsible for carrying out these heinous acts. I can tell you that my administration will remain steadfast in support of India’s efforts to catch the perpetrators of this terrible act and bring them to justice. And I expect that the world community will feel the same way.

[ie here’s my comment, but I don’t want to comment, so I’m gonna comment some more so I can really screw the pooch]
link to transcript

Brilliant piece of diplomacy there Senator. Our key ally in the hunt for Osama Bin Laden and Al Queda leaders (Pakistan), has just been told that if their nuclear neighbor feels justified in attacking our ally, then we have India’s back…not our ally’s. Call me crazy, but if I’m in a bar fight, and the guy next to me says, “I’ve got your back, unless that guy w the big club over there feels like hitting you” well, that’s not an ally I can count on-not even diplomatically let alone in a fight-be it in a bar room or a nuclear neighborhood.

Way to go! Amazing diplomatic skills. Oh well, can’t say Joe Biden didn’t warn us.

EXIT QUESTION: If India conduct an air raid in Waziristan against suspected leaders of the group that attacked them in Mubai…does anyone think Pakistan won’t go insane?

also:

Lowest U.S. Casualty Toll Since 2003 Invasion

October saw U.S. combat-related deaths in Iraq at 8; November saw the number drop down to 6 combat-related deaths.

The difference between 8 and 6 are rather insignificant; and these numbers might go up and down again. But what is important is whether or not there’s a consistent pattern, trending in a positive direction here. And I do think we are on the right path.

Monday in Baghdad saw 30 more civilians killed as there are still elements within Iraq who wish to reignite sectarian violence and derail the democratization of Iraq:

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Blasts at Baghdad’s police academy and in the northern city of Mosul killed 30 people and wounded dozens more on Monday, hours after a roadside bomb wounded a senior Iraqi official, police said.

Violence has fallen sharply over the past year as successive security crackdowns dealt insurgent groups a heavy blow, but officials say militants are now concentrating their efforts on attention-grabbing attacks ahead of elections next year.

The attacks were likely aimed at reigniting sectarian bloodshed between minority Sunni Arabs who dominated Iraq under ex-dictator Saddam Hussein and Shi’ites who are now in control.

296 Iraqis died from violence last month; in October it was 238. Part of the rise in violence was related to the attempt by those who were not happy with the SOFA.

What’s ironic here, is that those opposed to any agreement to keep U.S. forces in Iraq, who want the U.S. and Coalition Forces out of Iraq NOW, are probably prolonging our presence there. You want us out of Iraq as soon as possible? Solution: Cease with the violence and sabotage of the budding Iraqi government.

And in related news….

CNN: “Eighteen would-be female suicide bombers turned themselves in to coalition forces in northern Iraq on Wednesday, according to a U.S. military statement. The women … gave themselves up after being persuaded by religious leaders and family members to cease their training in suicide operations and reconcile,’ the statement said.”

• “Preying on the vulnerabilities of these women is a hallmark [al Qaeda in Iraq] tactic, and today’s event should serve as an example for other women who find themselves in similar situations, showing them there is another way,” said the U.S. commander in northern Iraq, Maj. Gen. Mark Hertling.

• “The women were connected to al Qaeda in Iraq suicide bombing cells, but it was not clear where they had been training or operating.”

• “Maj. Gen. Mark Hertling, said in October at the Pentagon that the insurgency, though fractured, is still alive … ‘There is still a desire by al Qaeda and other extremist groups to hold on to key areas. We have seen that most of all in Mosul.’” (Mike Mount ,”Would-Be Suicide Bombers Surrender In Iraq,” CNN, 11/26/08)

Multi-National Corps – Iraq: “The fact that so many potential women suicide bombers turned themselves in today shows remarkable solidarity and unity as the people of Iraq continue to turn the tide against Al Qaeda and their barbaric methods to terrorize the populace, said Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling.”(Multi-National Corps – Iraq, Press Release, 11/27/08)

Hat tip: CJ