Petraeus Doesn’t Think the Pakistani Military Wants a Coup

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has no shortage of problems domestically. He’s giving up a lot of power to stave off being prosecuted. But Gen. David Petraeus, who deals with his Pakistani military counterparts, testified that a military coup isn’t one.

“I don’t think that the current challenges imperil civilian rule,” Petraeus said. He praised the efforts of Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who has performed shuttle diplomacy with senior Pakistani generals for years. It appears, Petraeus said, that the U.S. desire for continued democratic rule in Pakistan has Pakistani uniformed partners: “I don’t see the prospect or desire for anyone to change civilian rule.”