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July 18, 2008
Casus belli
Reading between the lines, the "government" of "Pakistan" is apparently unhappy a NATO drone violated Pakistani airspace. Yet the "government" of "Pakistan" seems strangely unconcerned their footspace is being used as a staging area by savages attempting to murder NATO personnel. In a more civilized age we would describe this as an "act of war". The hell with hot pursuit, gunboat diplomacy would concentrate the mind.
Related: Correct.
Put simply, they argue that India must have covert deterrent capabilities. If a Pakistan-based terrorist group carries out strikes against civilians in Mumbai, the argument goes, India must be able to assassinate its leaders and their financiers. While it makes no economic or strategic sense to start a potentially-catastrophic war to deter terrorism, covert tools can still be used to punish its sponsors.
Is this a workable idea? Critics of unleashing India's covert deterrence capabilities say such action will strip New Delhi of the moral high ground it has for long occupied. Advocates argue that India's high moral ground hasn't made its citizens lives safer.
Is this a workable idea? Critics of unleashing India's covert deterrence capabilities say such action will strip New Delhi of the moral high ground it has for long occupied. Advocates argue that India's high moral ground hasn't made its citizens lives safer.
Posted by Ghost of a flea at July 18, 2008 08:22 AM
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