(2009-04-24) Robb Pakistan Hollow

John Robb posits that Pakistan is now a Hollow State. Like Colombia and Iraq, the best source of opposition to the advance of the Taliban will be from wealthy local land owners, businessmen and tribal elders willing to build/hire their own militias and not from the government's uniformed military or its auxiliaries. These militias aren't getting support, instead the opposite is happening: the government is extending authority and legitimacy to the Taliban through promises of self rule.

He also notes Pakistan's open source insurgency was sparked into existence by the Red Mosque Siege and has now found a plausible promise - economic and social justice through land distribution and sharia courts. Rapid growth is sure to follow.


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