INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Bush's Silence On South Asia

The Bush administration "has put itself in the embarrassing position of propping up the Muslim world's most powerful military dictator as an essential ally in its half-baked campaign to promote democracy throughout the Muslim world," The New York Times editorialized in June, referring to Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf. Last weekend, Musharraf implemented emergency rule, "suspending the country's Constitution, firing the chief justice of the Supreme Court and filling the streets of this capital city with police officers." Since then, the Bush administration has pleaded with its close "ally in the war on terror" to hold elections and for Musharraf to give up his army post "as soon as possible." "I hope he takes my advice," Bush said on Monday, giving "no indication that the general's imposition of emergency rule would bring about any significant change in American policy." The Center for American Progress has released a report titled The Forgotten Front, referring to how the Bush administration has allowed democracy to crumble in Pakistan and Afghanistan, aiding in the growth of security threats. In light of the growing threats in the region and the recent events in Pakistan, the United States needs to refocus efforts on this "forgotten" component of its foreign policy.

GROWING TERRORIST THREAT: While the United States is mired in Iraq, the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan has deteriorated. Threats to the U.S. grow in both countries, as al Qaeda has been given almost free reign to reconstitute itself. The insurgency in Afghanistan "is strengthening due to an insufficient number of international and Afghan troop levels, a lack of equipment, a misguided military strategy, a disjointed coalition." Western Pakistan is harboring a "growing recruiting pool for the insurgency, and a safe haven in Pakistan" for al Qaeda. Currently, al Qaeda and the Taliban-led Afghan insurgency are using Pakistan as a staging ground for operations in Afghanistan and around the world. While this is largely due to the "historical isolation and weakness of the Pakistani government in these areas," the United States has ignored these developments because of the war in Iraq, as Bush has doled out billions to the Pakistani military and government "with little or no oversight."

BUSH'S SILENCE ON DEMOCRACY: While the United States claims it has always urged Pakistan to pursue "more democracy and freedom," it has been lax on this front during the Bush administration. So far, Bush has not personally contacted Musharraf to press him to return to the path to democracy, a silence that reflects Bush's traditional hush-hush towards Musharraf. Since 9/11, the United States has given $10 billion in aid almost exclusively to the Pakistani army, with little attention paid to Pakistan's civil society or moderate political forces. In return, it has "expected Pakistan to cooperate on counterterrorism and the war in Afghanistan, but little else." "The U.S. government's silence on democracy promotion in Pakistan further undermines U.S. credibility among the Pakistan people and support for U.S. objectives in the region." Returns on the counterterrorism front have also been dismal, as the United States has tied its security in the region to Pakistan's "military and intelligence services ability to deliver al Qaeda and Taliban leadership and  General Musharraf's strategic objectives." But rather than cracking down on extremist groups, "President Musharraf has supported them in order to maintain his political power and advance Pakistan's national interests in Kashmir and Afghanistan." 

THE WAY FORWARD: The Washington Post reported in June that Bush's failing Pakistan policy was "essentially being run from [Vice President] Cheney's office." For the first time in U.S. history, "nobody with serious Pakistan experience is working in the South Asia bureau of the State Department, on State's policy planning staff, on the National Security Council staff or even in Vice President Cheney's office." Today, the U.S. policy towards Pakistan needs a greater emphasis on strengthening democracy and more effective counterterrorism measures. The United States should encourage "Pakistan to hold free and fair parliamentary elections" and pressure Musharraf to "come to agreements with opposition leaders rather than relying on the army and Islamic militants to maintain power." Furthermore, the "focus of U.S. support must be expanded to the people of Pakistan" through greater economic and humanitarian assistance. As the 9/11 Commission recommended, more aid should be devoted to educational opportunities, as radical maddrassas are often the only educational options for many Pakistanis. The U.S. should also shift aid from conventional military to counterrorism efforts, and put "much greater pressure on Musharraf to disrupt the Taliban and al Qaeda's command and control." Furthermore, Bush should also increase efforts to facilitate a political dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as "the insurgency will remain robust in Afghanistan as long as the insurgents have a safe haven in Pakistan."

Under the Radar

ETHICS -- COAL INDUSTRY-FUNDED AD FALSELY CLAIMS KANSAS GOVERNOR IS HELPING AHMADINEJAD, PUTIN, AND CHAVEZ: Last month, Kansas Department of Health and Energy Secretary Roderick Bremby denied permits to two 700-megawatt coal-burning power plants near Holcomb, KS, "citing health and environmental concerns associated with carbon dioxide emissions." The decision was "the first time a coal plant air permit application has ever been denied on the basis of CO2 emissions." Bremby's decision was supported by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D). Earlier this week, a group called Kansans for Affordable Energy, which is partially funded by Sunflower Electric Power Corp. and Peabody Coal Co., ran a full page ad against the decision in local Kansas newspapers, implying that it will please Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and Russian President Vladimir Putin because it "means Kansas will import more natural gas from countries like Russia, Venezuela and Iran." The ad is being criticized as misleading because "Kansas currently exports natural gas to other states" and "the United States does not currently import natural gas from Russia, Venezuela or Iran." Sebelius denounced the ad as "over-the-top nonsense."

RACE -- CHERTOFF CLAIMS 'ZERO TOLERANCE' FOR DISCRIMINATORY HALLOWEEN COSTUME, EXCUSES MYERS'S ROLE: Julie Myers, head of Homeland Security's immigration division, has come under intense criticism for awarding "Most Original Costume" to an employee "who dressed in prison stripes, dreadlocks and dark makeup for a Halloween gathering at the agency." Myers was part of a three-judge panel that awarded the prize. Yesterday, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff appeared on MSNBC and said that he had put the employee who wore the costume on "administrative leave." He added that he has "zero tolerance" for discriminatory acts. But when it came to Myers, Chertoff refused to condemn her and indicated that she would face no punitive action: "Assistant Secretary Myers apologized for the fact that the incident occurred." Speaking to the AP, Chertoff also excused Myers's actions, stating that she "was kind of caught by surprise by this." "I know she's mortified," he added, "but I think she's doing what she needs to do at the moment." Myers is married to Chertoff's former chief of staff, John F. Wood, who is currently a U.S. attorney in Missouri. She is also the niece of former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Richard B. Myers. The agency has destroyed at least one photo of Myers with the costumed employee and has refused to let CNN see other pictures from the party.

EDUCATION -- ABSTINENCE PROGRAMS NOT CURBING TEEN SEX: The nonpartisan National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy released a report today showing that "there does not exist any strong evidence that any abstinence program delays the initiation of sex, hastens the return to abstinence or reduces the number of sexual partners" among teens. A congressionally-mandated, three-year study reported similar findings in April, showing that "students who participated in sexual abstinence programs were just as likely to have sex within a few years as those who did not." Despite the overwhelming evidence that "comprehensive sexuality programs," rather than abstinence-only education, more effectively prevent unintended pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted illnesses, the White House continues to push abstinence education through such programs as 4parents.gov, a website that includes ideological, unscientific claims about abortion. Last month, President Bush nominated Susan Orr to oversee federal family planning programs. Orr has cheered Bush's requirement that NGOs receiving federal funds be barred from promoting or performing abortions, and has also called contraceptives part of "the culture of death."

Think Fast

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's relationship with Vice President Dick Cheney in recent years was "much more conflict-driven than we have been led to believe," according to a new biography of Rice written by The New York Times's Elisabeth Bumiller. "There was much more conflict on the Middle East and detainees and on Guantanamo Bay than has been written," Bumiller said.

"Programs that focus exclusively on abstinence have not been shown to affect teenager sexual behavior, although they are eligible for tens of millions of dollars in federal grants," according to a new study by a nonpartisan group.

The ACLU reports the existence of a third secret torture memo, authored by the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel in May 2005. "The memos are believed to have authorized the CIA to use extremely harsh interrogation methods including waterboarding."

Steve Beshear, a former Democratic Lt. Governor of Kentucky, "won a landslide victory last night over Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R)," ousting the incumbent by an 18-point margin. Beshear's victory was "a repudiation of Fletcher," whose tenure had been mired by corruption. 

"Michael Mukasey appears headed for confirmation as attorney general before Thanksgiving, but Senate Democratic leaders are leaving open the possibility that there might be an attempt to filibuster the nomination." A Senate Democratic aide said that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is neither encouraging nor discouraging a filibuster.

A new Human Rights Campaign poll debunks the myth that the LGBT community opposes a gay civil rights bill that doesn't include transgender rights, finding that 70 percent "of LGBT Americans prefer passing an Employment Non-Discrimination Act that does not cover transgender people over not passing the bill at all." University of Minnesota Professor Dale Carpenter has more on this myth HERE.

The Justice Department is "prosecuting the fewest hate crimes in 10 years as civil rights activists cite noose hangings and other racial incidents to question the government's commitment to such cases. ... Last year, the department charged 22 people with hate crimes. That was down 71% from 76 in 1997."

"The inspector general of the Department of Education has said he will examine whether federal money was inappropriately used by three states to buy educational products from a company owned by Neil Bush, the president's brother."

The House voted 361 to 54 yesterday to override President Bush's veto of "a popular water projects measure." "If the Senate follows suit," it will be the first time Bush has a veto overturned.

And finally: In a new HBO production "Recount," actor Antoni Corone plays Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL). But In an e-mail, Feeney "sounded disappointed" with the casting. "Was Brad Pitt unavailable to play me?" he asked.

Good News

A federal study set to be released today "shows a national decline in the number of chronically homeless adults who live on the streets or in emergency shelters."

State Watch

OREGON: Voters defeat "a plan to raise tobacco taxes to provide universal health care for children after a record-shattering negative ad campaign financed by cigarette companies."

NEW JERSEY: "New Jersey voters rejected a $450 million bond measure to fund stem-cell research."

OKLAHOMA: Punitive new law is described as the "toughest in the nation" on undocumented immigrants.

Blog Watch

THINK PROGRESS: Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) declares mission accomplished: "the tide has turned in Iraq," "we are winning."

THE CRYPT: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) anticipates Senate vote on Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey before Thanksgiving.

DANGER ROOM: The tourist's guide to Baghdad's Green Zone.

WEBLOG AWARDS: Vote for ThinkProgress for "Best Liberal Blog."

Daily Grill

"I'm proud to say that the tide has turned in Iraq and we're winning that war."
-- Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), 11/6/07

VERSUS

"The last two weeks...may be seen as a turning point."
-- Lieberman, 12/17/05