Disruption of Taliban in Pakistan

NY Times:

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A month after the Pakistani military began its push into the Taliban stronghold of South Waziristan, militants appear to have been dispersed, not eliminated, with most simply fleeing. That recurring pattern illustrated the problems facing the Obama administration as it enters its final days of a decision on its strategy for Afghanistan.

Success in this region, in the remote mountains near the Afghan border, could have a direct bearing on how many more American troops are ultimately sent to Afghanistan, and how long they must stay.

Pakistan has shown increased willingness to tackle the problem, launching sweeping operations in the north and west of the country this year, but American officials are still urging it to do more, most recently in a letter from President Obama to Pakistan’s president, Asif Ali Zardari, over the weekend.

On Tuesday, the military escorted journalists on a tour of the area, where it closely restricts access, showing piles of things they had seized, including weapons, bombs, photos and even a long, curly wig. “It all started from here,” said Brig. Muhammed Shafiq, the commander here. “This is the most important town in South Waziristan.”

But lasting success has been elusive, tempered by an agile enemy that has moved easily from one part of the tribal areas to the next — and even deeper into Pakistan — virtually every time it has been challenged.

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The disruption has its value as does the destruction of training centers and the loss of assets of the enemy. The dispersal merely makes the point of the need for an increased force to space ratio in areas where the enemy has not been attacked directly such as Northern Waziristan and parts of Afghanistan.

It also points out the need for an adequate force to space ratio in Afghanistan that McChrystal is asking for. To keep the enemy from avoiding contact, you need check points that prevent his movement to contact and retreat from contact. That is ultimately how we defeated teh enemy in Iraq. It si really unfortunate that Obama does not get this. His attempt to avoid this reality will make this a longer and more bloody war.