Best Way to Combat Terrorism is to Attach Pak’s Economy to India’s: Steve Coll
Steve Coll in an interview with Alia Allana
May 10 2011,
Award-winning American journalist and writer Steve Coll is the author of best-selling books like Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001 and The Bin Ladens: an Arabian Family in the American Century. He is a frequent contributor to the New Yorker and heads the New America Foundation. He talked to Alia Allana about al-Qaeda’s future direction and Pakistan’s complicity, the threat from groups like the Lashkar-e-Toiba and what India must do about Pakistan. Excerpts from the interview:
Did the fact that bin Laden was found in Pakistan surprise you?
No. Simply look at bin Laden’s history. He has been there since the 1980s. When he came out of Tora Bora in 2001, it seemed as though he had friends in Pakistan, those willing to provide a refuge. In fact, there is a larger pattern of al-Qaeda leaders being there. But I was surprised about the exact location — that he was so close to Pakistan’s military. Ultimately, it was a matter of time before he got caught. With US technology and surveillance (human agents and surveillance technology) he was going to be caught eventually. But yes, the town — Abbottabad — did surprise me, and also his housing estate.
What do you make of Pakistan’s commitment to catching him?
Musharraf had said in Davos that Pakistan had stopped looking, that the ISI possibly knew of his hiding place but that they had bigger fish to fry, and that this (bin Laden) was an American problem now. They stopped looking a while back, and this does raise questions about what Pakistan/ISI knew about him. Then again, bin Laden’s circumstances in the house, the refuge, are not different from Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists who are given a safe house.
What about succession and changes in al-Qaeda?
Al-Qaeda has been around since 1988, with Zawahiri as second in command, so I expect he will be the emir of al-Qaeda. It would be hard to have a shura meeting — on paper there is a shura structure but there will be new players. But the organisational structure is changing because they (al-Qaeda) are under pressure; they can’t cross borders as easily, gather together as they used to. Their methods of communication have changed and they are therefore more decentralised. Gathering together as they used to has become much harder after 9/11.
Do you see any changes in the US-Pakistan relationship after Operation Geronimo?
The US Congress has already asked Pakistan to be held to greater account. But in the US, there are others who think that the relationship with Pakistan is too big (important) to risk. For instance, the supply lines for the Afghan war run through Pakistan. Pakistan also matters for the US, NATO, and the international community to create a stable polity in Afghanistan. The US cannot be hostile towards Pakistan right now. But in the medium-term future, questions will be asked about the partnership in Pakistan.
What are the similarities with the LeT?
It is one of the most dangerous organisations (especially against India). But they are not the same as al-Qaeda. The two are not ideologically aligned, though cooperation between the two has been increasing as is seen on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. LeT does enjoy support from the Pakistani state, and this is a group with talent — it includes doctors, lawyers and others with a strong educational base. The LeT is not just made up of young suicide bombers.
LeT is emerging as a big player, what do you make of this?
First, LeT is not the new al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda is a central organisation — including AQAP (in the Arabian peninsula) and in the Maghreb — and is focused on international targets. They do not support regional violence against Pakistan, against India. The reason for its being is to attack the world’s great powers. LeT has a primarily regional focus but they are acquiring international ambitions. It will be hard for them to take the organisation into an al-Qaeda level of revolutionary activity.
What about the India-Pakistan relationship?
Dialogue with Pakistan is in India’s benefit. The talks between the two countries need to produce greater investment and economic interdependence. Pakistan can benefit from this economic growth and this is the factor that will bring the two countries together. The best way to combat terrorism is to attach Pakistan’s economy to India’s. But India does have legitimate concerns and has been unnerved by Pakistan’s delivery on terrorism. There has been no attack after 26/11, but another one is possible. India is an easy target, through the Kashmir border and the sea border. That’s, of course, a worry. India has every right to be disappointed with the Pakistan government’s response to terror, to 26/11 and with Pakistan for what they have allowed to develop on their soil. The solution has two directions. The first is to isolate Pakistan, punish the ISI and the army, and the other is to make Pakistan a part of India’s success story. This is what India needs to enjoy the success it gets as its economy grows. It is in India’s interest that Pakistan succeeds — in fact the only obstacle to India’s greatness is Pakistan’s failure. The question then is what can India do, and I believe the best course is economic integration and interdependency. I believe this is what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh means when he talks of borders mattering less.
Do you foresee any changes in the policy (the war effort) in Afghanistan?
Obama has been talking about US sacrifices (in the war) and has used al-Qaeda as an explanation. But now there will be a reform in the policy (after bin Laden’s death). It should, of course be remembered, that al-Qaeda is not gone. There was a plan to reduce troops and there will be a reduction this year. But in the long run, many in the Obama administration would like to create a stable security relationship with Afghanistan (something like what we see in Iraq where troops are not involved in active combat). But Afghanistan needs to be able to provide its own security and the US role would be complimentary.
Source: The Indian Express
URL: https://newageislam.com/interview/best-way-combat-terrorism-attach/d/4608