First, talking to the Taliban was becoming the latest rage -- not least because the Taliban showed "openness" to the idea. Then the Taliban asserted that "there's nothing to talk about." Now, once again, an offer to "renew" talks is being made. These offers for talks must only be indicative of the Taliban's fluctuating strength: break off talks when on a roll; ask for talks when experiencing setbacks.
"Taliban renew offer for talks," from The Dawn, November 12:
KHAR, Nov 11: The outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has renewed its offer to hold talks with the government and said that use of tribal lashkars is not a solution to the problem in the tribal region.The group’s spokesman Maulvi Omar told newsmen that the TTP wanted dialogue with the government for restoring peace in the tribal areas and other parts of the country.
He claimed that the Taliban were sincere in their offer because violence was in no-one’s interest.
Replying to a question, he said the Taliban would never lay down weapons before the opening of dialogue but they would do so if talks proved to be fruitful.
He expressed concern over the military operation in Bajaur and other areas and said that the Taliban had never challenged the government’s writ in Bajaur.
Claiming that the Taliban had reduced their activities over the past three months and taken only defensive measures, he threatened to launch major attacks on government installations if the military action was not stopped.
He said that the Taliban shura would meet at the end of the current month to prepare plan for a decisive campaign against the government.
He warned the government against pitting tribal people against the Taliban by setting up lashkars and said the government had resorted to the move after having failed to achieve its objective through military operations.
He also warned tribal elders against “playing in the hands of the government,” and said the Taliban would wage a war against them if they formed lashkars.
A temporary truce in the guise of talks by the Islamic Jihadis until they gather enough strength to fight the infidels. Another tactic right out of the war manual called the Koran.
It would behoove the NATO commanders to read this book and get an upper hand in dealing with the Taliban. Better yet forward a link to JW's Quran blog.
Taliban want to talk? Hit them harder, much harder.
If they ask for talks, it's a sign the military pressure on them is working.
Press on, give 'em hell!
RAYMOND: "These offers for talks must only be indicative of the Taliban's fluctuating strength: break off talks when on a roll; ask for talks when experiencing setbacks."
RESPONSE: Not necessarily. Historically-speaking, groups exhibit the "magnanimity" to negotiate precisely when they're in a position of strength, to win the lion's share of concessions and maximize their advantages before fortunes change.
savsiv, dsinc, Henrik
my thoughts exactly.
By now, whenever I hear of this or that jihad group calling for 'talks' or announcing a 'ceasefire' or whatever, my immediate thought is - 'they must be running out of ammo'.
If all military training colleges across all non-Muslim lands started teaching their men - all of them, not just the aspiring officers - a few of the basics about Muslim methods of waging war as clearly described in the texts and abundantly demonstrated throughout past and recent history, and summarised by people like Bassam Tibi or S K Malik or Majid Khadduri ('War and Peace in the Law of Islam') and analysed by Mr Spencer in 'Onward Muslim Soldiers', things would start to get interesting.
First and most obvious rule of thumb, for everyone from the 'grunts' on upward: if the jihadis call for a 'truce' or say they want 'talks' they're feeling weak and need to rearm, or something - go in and hit 'em harder, much harder.
Second rule of thumb: expect deceit, always and everywhere, at every level from man to man in the battlefield on up to 'diplomacy'. Never turn your back to them...especially, never turn your back on a 'surrendering' or 'wounded' jihadi for one nanosecond, never drop your guard.
To me it seems that the Taliban are afraid of the "lashkars" being formed in the tribal areas. It would perhaps be better that more "lashkars" were formed to battle the Taliban!
OT
Has anyone seen the "IT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE.pps" slideshow about remembering the holocaust.
Dsinc, I saw it. Really nasty pictures. But I believe the statement that the Holocaust has been pulled from the school curriculum in the UK is false.
Technically, that is. It just might be that individual teachers with spines of jelly simply skip the subject. Which would be akin to treason against the Holocaust victims - but not technically illegal.
The only way to convince the Taliban that they are losers is to kill them. So, they want to talk, then should treat them like Taliban losers.
Do they want to talk from a position of strength or because they feel weak...It does not really matter...'never underestimate the enemy' applies...Or should...
Really nasty pictures.
Posted by: Henrik
That's for sure. Are we heading toward Holocaust2?
I signed the Declaration of Human Rights at your site.
Didn't Pakistan create the Taliban?
Now Pakistan's own government is threatened by the Taliban. Pardon my laughter. Pakistan's chickens are coming home to roost.
Islam-a-BAD, enjoy your jihad. You've earned it.
*We* created the Taleban. Operation Cyclone :(
What is the prognosis for the Vatican meetings with Muslim scholars that began 11/4? particularly with regard to defining or repudiating violence attributes of jihad?
What is the prognosis for the Vatican meetings with Muslim scholars that began 11/4? particularly with regard to defining or repudiating violence attributes of jihad?