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How can the Taleban be defeated? How can the Taleban be defeated?
(about 1 hour later)
The talks come at a time of increasing Taleban activity in the regionThe talks come at a time of increasing Taleban activity in the region
US President Barack Obama is due to hold a regional security summit with the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the White House later today. What will the summit achieve?US President Barack Obama is due to hold a regional security summit with the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the White House later today. What will the summit achieve?
The talks between Mr Obama, Mr Zardari and Mr Karzai come at a time of new unrest in both countries as a result of Taleban fighting.The talks between Mr Obama, Mr Zardari and Mr Karzai come at a time of new unrest in both countries as a result of Taleban fighting.
Thousands of residents of Pakistan's Swat Valley have fled their homes as a peace deal between the army and the Taleban looks close to collapse.Thousands of residents of Pakistan's Swat Valley have fled their homes as a peace deal between the army and the Taleban looks close to collapse.
Is the summit going to deliver a breakthrough? How important is it that the US, Pakistan and Afghanistan work together? What should they do to defeat the Taleban?Is the summit going to deliver a breakthrough? How important is it that the US, Pakistan and Afghanistan work together? What should they do to defeat the Taleban?
We are having serious technical problems with the usual Have Your Say service which our engineers are working to fix.We are having serious technical problems with the usual Have Your Say service which our engineers are working to fix.
In the meantime we are using the form on the right to ask for your comments. We will aim to publish as many of your views as we can.In the meantime we are using the form on the right to ask for your comments. We will aim to publish as many of your views as we can.
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Your Comments:Your Comments:
How can an ideology fully supported by its citizens be defeated, that is what type of culture they want and the only thing to do is to isolate them. It has nothing to do with the US, India, Israel, Palestine or the UK, they want Sahria law and there own country, well have it but you will not be allowed out!Danny, Manchester
Win, lose, defeat? Is war just another ball game? Do we not have a better way to describe a desired outcome? I disagree with a neighbour. We talk. We come together, understand and move on with greater respect for each other. Not this stupid "win/lose" talk. Call me simple minded!Willis Marshall, New Bloomfield, Missouri, U.S. A.
I don't think it is the job of Nato forces to defeat the Taliban, only the Afghan people can do this. When the predecessor of the Taliban, the Mujahideen, were, like the Taliban, fighting to rid their country of foreign invaders - this time the Russians - they were hailed as freedom fighters by Ronald Reagan. Double standards as usual.Fred, Montreal, Canada
The Taleban are fanatics who want to impose their way of thinking on everyone or they will kill you. Not much room in that thinking for discussions. A devastating military defeat would work best as this is the game they wish to play. This nonsense about talking to them holds no water. Pakistan has found out that if you deal with them they see it as a sign of weakness. It is unfortunate but only force will deal with this issue. Maybe when they start creating problems for China this will be dealt with as China does not delude itself about threats. Richard, Norfolk, Virginia USA
Taliban can only be defeated if Pakistani government has a resolve and commitment to do so. As I see it, elements of the army are in collusion or sympathetic to the Taliban and are reluctant to wage an all out war. How can a so called professional army in Pakistan face its adversary India when it is incapable of dislodging the Taliban from their expanding territory, I feel Pakistan has been playing a double game with America and now the ante is up.Naeem Akhtar, Vancouver, Canada
There will be no Whitehouse breakthrough. The Taleban want to end lawlessness; they want peace. They want to bring peace in the only way they know. This means the enforcement of the Islamic law of Sharia. To the west Sharia may seem like a step backwards, but who are we to judge Sharia? Are we Pakistani, Afghan, or Islamic? What should count is the opinion of those who may be subjected to Sharia. (The Taliban has been successful. In several countries they control, they have disarmed radicals and even on occasion, absorbed warring groups into their fold.) If the Taliban have failed, most of the blame must be placed at western doorsteps. If they have failed to improve economies, foster democracy, re-evaluate policies, etc. would any country or group be able to accomplish these reforms with drones raining down and the west screaming: You have got to do more to stop terrorism, to stop the Taleban!
What is needed is honest brokering by the west; a willingness to extend an impartial and well-intended hand. East and west can meet in true friendship, but only after the west stops spinning, exploiting, and builds trust.R. Gabrielle Berry, Toronto, Canada
Easy: if the world's media refused to report anything about Taleban activities they would not receive the Oxygen of publicity and they would revert to being what they actually are: local, fanatic, psychopathic bandits. Just do not publicise them - please. Asia Haleem, London, UK
The US or any other individual country's involvement rather than UN's seems and sounds strange and peculiar in this ‘horns of dilemmas’ situation about Taleban in the region. This regional issue of Pakistan and Afghanistan should be undertaken, initiated and settled by themselves. However, UN being the global organization may be asked for assistance in case of need.AR Shams, Pakistan
The best way to tackle this problem is to cut the sources of funding and weapons to these criminals, who hide behind their faith. Who is supplying them? I would contend that it is the Pakistani Government/Intelligence/Military who are morally aligned with this ideology and also see this an evergreen excuse for free funding from US/international organizations.Anil Chandan, Ottawa, Canada
Raise one hand in the air who thinks US and Nato presence in the region will improve the situation. What! No hands to see! Has the world come to its senses?Olaf, Oslo
Why are the Pakistanis on here with their begging bowl, this ideology is supported by many Muslims and they need to sort it out, if you harbour these lunatics you should sort it out, meanwhile close the borders.Danny, Manchester
It's too late now, the incompetent politicians of this blighted land have made the things go beyond the point of no return.Amir, Pakistan
By talking to the tribal leaders that influence events in Afghanistan and by focusing on positive deeds instead of indiscriminate bombings.Dominick, Florida, USA
Building trust among Pakistan, Afghanistan and US is vital for the three countries. Apart from it, the Indian government should not be allowed to hijack the whole scenario and the American lean towards New Delhi should be corrected.Muqaddam Khan, Swabi-NWFP-PakistanBuilding trust among Pakistan, Afghanistan and US is vital for the three countries. Apart from it, the Indian government should not be allowed to hijack the whole scenario and the American lean towards New Delhi should be corrected.Muqaddam Khan, Swabi-NWFP-Pakistan
The situation is critical: the Taleban are attempting to gain ground and have a strangle-hold on activities there. President Obama needs to map out a fool-proof strategy with Mr Karzai and Mr Zardari to thwart the Taleban forces. For starters there has to be better cooperation between the Pakistani and Afghan leaders as the relationship has been lukewarm so far. The Taleban have managed to infiltrate Pakistani lines and this is extremely worrisome.Pancha Chandra, Brusels, BelgiumThe situation is critical: the Taleban are attempting to gain ground and have a strangle-hold on activities there. President Obama needs to map out a fool-proof strategy with Mr Karzai and Mr Zardari to thwart the Taleban forces. For starters there has to be better cooperation between the Pakistani and Afghan leaders as the relationship has been lukewarm so far. The Taleban have managed to infiltrate Pakistani lines and this is extremely worrisome.Pancha Chandra, Brusels, Belgium
The Taliban can only be defeated by their fellow countrymen in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They would know the terrain, the Taliban's social, religious and cultural language as well as the their terrain and military tactics. Therefore a proxy war is more certain to yield a victory - a direct one by outside powers won't - no matter how powerful they may be. That's been tried before and it's failed before.Muhammad Zaman, OxfordThe Taliban can only be defeated by their fellow countrymen in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They would know the terrain, the Taliban's social, religious and cultural language as well as the their terrain and military tactics. Therefore a proxy war is more certain to yield a victory - a direct one by outside powers won't - no matter how powerful they may be. That's been tried before and it's failed before.Muhammad Zaman, Oxford
This summit of the three cannot eliminate or decimate the menace of Taliban. If anything it will create more sympathisers among the Islamic world. Over the years since the start of the war on terror, the Taliban has only gained strength. With tentacles spread globally, and anyone who does not fall in line with their set of beliefs, being a heathen, not only people of other religions but also moderate Muslims are the targets of these fanatics. Truly this has become a Frankenstein monster for Pakistan.Hari Kumar, New Delhi, IndiaThis summit of the three cannot eliminate or decimate the menace of Taliban. If anything it will create more sympathisers among the Islamic world. Over the years since the start of the war on terror, the Taliban has only gained strength. With tentacles spread globally, and anyone who does not fall in line with their set of beliefs, being a heathen, not only people of other religions but also moderate Muslims are the targets of these fanatics. Truly this has become a Frankenstein monster for Pakistan.Hari Kumar, New Delhi, India
Can you believe that the Pakistan army cant defeat the Taliban? This is all game of dollars. The US must help Pakistan with a strict accountability check on the financial aid for the "War of Terrorism". Only a major military action is the solution. Every other US Attack is a lost cause.Usman Javaid, PakistanCan you believe that the Pakistan army cant defeat the Taliban? This is all game of dollars. The US must help Pakistan with a strict accountability check on the financial aid for the "War of Terrorism". Only a major military action is the solution. Every other US Attack is a lost cause.Usman Javaid, Pakistan