Pakistan vs. India

[ClubMed]

Serious, or just a show?.

[Gibbo]

Initially just a show, but it has the potential to quickly change and I can see it getting serious

hopefully this is just my pessamistic (sp?) side coming out of hiding, lets hope so

This is a long conflict going back over 50 years just like Palestine/Israel. Very complex issues.

In my opinion, both sides at fault. Though Pakistan is much smaller militarily/economically, this conflict has the risk of escalating to a nuclear war. Hence the interest of the US.

But, in my opinion, while the Western World is cautioning restraint to India against Islamic terrorism in Kashmir, they follow a completely "unrestrained" policy against Arab/Palestine terrorists.

Guess the Governments in the US/Europe feel that while terrorism must be wiped out in the US/Europe, it can be tolerated in third world countries.

Thats the way it is. Even in nuclear proliferation policies-it's OK for the US/France/UK to continue building, testing and stockpiling nuclear weapons - but its not OK for other countries to do so.

Reminds me of the story "Animal Farm" if any of you have read it-

"All animals were equal but the Pigs were more equal than the other animals".

Such is the irony of humanity.

[ClubMed]

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My opinion is that they are both likely to use nukes. Its slowly getting out of hand and I think the conflict is extremely bitter on both sides.

In an extremely tense situation, anything can happen. Everything becomes reactionary and emotional. Don't be surprised at anything.

The feeling in India is to "finish" Pakistan once and for all. They did half a job in the 1971 war when East Pakistan split to form Bangladesh as an independent country.

This time, taking a cue from the US strategy in Afghanistan/Iraq, they want to complete the job. Lets see what happens.

[daveleau]

Deadly serious b/c both have nukes and both hate each other. I think the US is in a bad predicament here too b/c we need both as allies. Unlike the Israeli/ Palestine mess where Palestine has no economoic or strategic value to the US govt. Both Indian and Pakistani friendships are needed.

And the irony is that a negotiated political solution is possible if both sides give and take.

But both countries' heels are dug in.

[vass0922]

I would say with the emotions that have built up between the two nations over the many years... either one maybe just tempted "to end it all" regardless of the fallout afterwards...
"That's an expense we must be willing to take, for the sake of our country"
Either country could easily say that..
Considering the population density of some of the cities in India the number of lives lost could be horrifying if pakistan makes that move... pakistan itself is mostly mountainous so NOT sure if the population density up there is real high.. I could be wrong

[moon]

The Islamic fundamentalists ( they're the ones that assassinate, lop off limbs, disfigure women, order fatwahs against writers, artists or anyone that criticises them, execute the population at random during football matches, stir the gullible to jihad whilst declaring that God is Great) have taken the opportunity to take the heat off Iraq , Iran and Afganistan by setting Muslim and Hindu against each other over disputed territories in Kashmir. They will benefit from having their enemies fight each other, the 'westernised' Indians and the 'westernised' Pakistanis. They glory in death, be it by bomb, bullet or radioactivity. India must allow the present Pakistani goverment time to root them out, an extremely difficult task, by supporting it with patience. We, through the United Nations, must help them both.

[ClubMed]

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