The coming anarchy in Pakistan

I am glad that at least a couple of influential analysts are paying attention to Pakistan. After reading my own posts, I was beginning to wonder if I am the crazy guy (wait, my family and my students are certain that I am a crazy guy!)

Robert Kaplan worries that:

What we might watch for in the months ahead are signs of a creeping,
undeclared coup, in which Zardari and opposition leader Sharif engage in a soap
opera of political machinations against each other, while the tribal areas and
other parts of the country slip into partial anarchy. The military would quietly
assert itself, filling the gap in governance. Military rule would prevail, in
all but name. That scenario is what the former playboy Zardari threatens to
unleash.

Of course, Kaplan does have a track record of talking about the coming anarchy :-)

And The Economist:

Exasperated at the continuing infiltration of armed militants from Pakistan’s
tribal areas, America has launched air-strikes—and even sent soldiers—on its
soil. This seems intended in part to focus Mr Zardari’s wayward mind on the task
in hand. But it also causes huge resentment in Pakistan, especially since at
least one raid killed civilians instead of militants. As the United States is
finding in Afghanistan itself, there is no surer way of angering local people,
undermining a friendly government and boosting Taliban recruitment than killing
civilians. It is no way to treat an ally, even Mr 10%

BTW, notice the difference in the journalistic style? The Economist uses "Mr. Zardari", whereas for Kaplan it is "Zardari". I couldn't care for Mr. or Dr. or Mrs. or whatever!