On the 'central front'

Speaking at her confirmation hearing in the Senate on Tuesday, US Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton reiterated President-elect Barack Obama's oft-repeated assertion that Pakistan and Afghanistan are the 'central front' in their country's fight against terrorism - which has been generating a lot of anxiety here.
Already a 'frontline state' in George Bush's war in Afghanistan, Pakistan is paying a heavy price with terrorist violence spreading all over the country, increasing in direct proportion to the frequency and ferocity of the US drone attacks on Fata. Terrorism as a consequence of the war in Afghanistan now is a greater danger for this country than it is for the US and its western allies.
Clinton acknowledged that dark reality, saying the democratically elected government in Pakistan seems to be much more aware than its predecessor "of how this is their fight, not just ours." That means the US should work in closer consultation with Pakistan than has been the case, and pay heed to its advice when it says the drone attacks are harming rather than helping the campaign against terrorism.
Scores of innocent civilians have been killed in these attacks, eliciting severe public criticism against the government for its inability to protect its citizens. From the US perspective, too, it is a counterproductive activity since it generates anger, and makes it that much easier for the extremists to find recruits for their fights. The Pakistan government has been trying to explain that to the Bush administration, but to no avail.
True to its style of arrogant disregard for sane counsel, it has refused to listen. Clinton reaffirmed Obama's commitment to prefer engagement to confrontation within the wider policy contours. In the specific context of the 'central front' states, too, she made the reassuring declaration that "we need to deepen our engagement with these and other countries in the region and pursue policies that improve the lives of the Afghan and Pakistani people."
She also spoke of a "comprehensive plan, using all elements of our power - diplomacy, development and defence - to work with those in Afghanistan and Pakistan who want to root out al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other violent extremists who threaten them as well as us." In other words, the incoming administration is willing to use all available tools of persuasion to wean away people from extremist causes.
There seems to be a much welcome realisation that military force alone will not work as is obvious from the resurgence of the Taliban in vast swathes of Afghanistan, and the challenges the Pakistani Taliban are throwing to the writ of the state beyond the tribal belt into NWFP's 'settled areas' as well. Those conversant with the prevailing situation point to the abject poverty prevailing in the tribal areas, and the lucrative job offers the youth there get from extremists' recruiters.
The Taliban, reports say, pay handsome salaries to their fighters, even higher than what the Frontier Constabulary and the Army give their personnel. This needs to be countered with a meaningful development assistance programme. A long-time ago the US did announce a plan for creating export-oriented economic opportunity zones in the tribal areas, but it is yet to get off the ground. Any new plan for development needs to be put on the fastest possible track.
Most important of all, the process of engagement must be pursued with patience and sincerity. It is more than obvious that this war cannot be won through military means alone. In fact, most wars like it ultimately end on the negotiating table. In fact, initially having found fault with Pakistan's efforts to work out 'deals' with the tribal fighters, the Bush administration itself has been in indirect contact with the Taliban leader Mullah Omer to end the conflict.
It is hoped the Obama administration would pursue that course with greater resolve, encouraging both Pakistan and Afghanistan to find a negotiated settlement of the war that has caused unspeakable pain and suffering to their people, and near hostile tensions between the Muslim world and the West.