Fox News: Mullen 'Gravely Concerned' About Pakistan Even as Nukes Remain Safe 'for now' :: Pakistan

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May 4, 2009

Fox News: Mullen 'Gravely Concerned' About Pakistan Even as Nukes Remain Safe 'for now'

Topics: Pakistan, War on Terror

With the operative term being a not-very encouraging "right now," Fox News reports that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday he is "gravely concerned" about the "crisis" Pakistan is facing and that the Pakistani military is capable of dealing with the security of nuclear weapons for now (Below emphasis mine):

[...] Adm. Mike Mullen, who visited Pakistan and Afghanistan last week, added that while fighting continues in Iraq, and the U.S. remains committed to the mission, "the main effort in our strategic focus from a military perspective must now shift to Afghanistan."

Mullen told reporters at the Pentagon Monday that the Taliban, aided by Al Qaeda, are "recruiting through intimidation, controlling through fear and advancing an unwelcome ideology through thuggery."

"The consequences of their success directly threaten our national interests in the region and our safety here at home," Mullen said.

[...] Mullen said the Taliban are "pretty consistent" with their fighting, but lately have been "more coordinated" and "operating at a higher level." He said he is as concerned as he was a couple weeks ago that Pakistani security is at a "a tipping point," but has seen several significant movements in operations on the part of the Pakistani military.

"They've had some positive impact. Too soon to tell how long it's going to be sustained and where it goes," he said.

Mullen added that the Pakistani military is capable of dealing with the security of nuclear weapons right now.

"I remain comfortable that the nuclear weapons in Pakistan are secure," Mullen said on the same day The New York Times published an article saying U.S. officials are increasingly nervous about the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.

As Michael Goldfarb notes at TWS, we have the New York Times reporting on fears about the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal - despite President Obama's assurances at his most recent press conference. Either Obama wasn't being honest or he's out of touch with the reality of the situation.

Posted by Hyscience at May 4, 2009 1:47 PM

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