The Washington Independent » zardari http://washingtonindependent.com National News in Context Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:15:40 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 When to Hit the Pakistani-Coup Panic Button http://washingtonindependent.com/41690/when-to-hit-the-pakistani-coup-panic-button http://washingtonindependent.com/41690/when-to-hit-the-pakistani-coup-panic-button#comments Mon, 04 May 2009 14:40:43 +0000 Spencer Ackerman http://washingtonindependent.com/?p=41690 For more on the prospect or non-prospect of a Pakistani military coup, I asked a former U.S. official who’s deeply experienced with Pakistan whether such a thing seemed like it was in the offing. Here’s what I got back: The signal that something is about to happen would More...

]]> For more on the prospect or non-prospect of a Pakistani military coup, I asked a former U.S. official who’s deeply experienced with Pakistan whether such a thing seemed like it was in the offing. Here’s what I got back: The signal that something is about to happen would be a public statement from someone in uniform that the civilian government was obstructing military progress against the Taliban in Buner, the center of an anti-Taliban offensive about 60 miles from Islamabad. “If the military brass feels that they are not being allowed to succeed in Buner — not enough troops, not enough materiel, poor civilian leadership — they could begin preparations for a move against the government,” the ex-official said.

My interlocutor thought such a thing wasn’t imminent, but remained in the realm of possibility.

]]> http://washingtonindependent.com/41690/when-to-hit-the-pakistani-coup-panic-button/feed 6 Another Coup in Pakistan? http://washingtonindependent.com/33622/another-coup-in-pakistan http://washingtonindependent.com/33622/another-coup-in-pakistan#comments Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:40:23 +0000 Spencer Ackerman http://washingtonindependent.com/?p=33622 It’s been ten years since Pervez Musharraf ousted Nawaz Sharif in one of Pakistan’s numerous military coups, and about seven months since Musharraf was forced to resign. But the multilayered crisis of political confidence that tossed Musharraf remains ongoing, and now his successor, Asif Ali Zardari, is arresting hundreds of More...

]]> It’s been ten years since Pervez Musharraf ousted Nawaz Sharif in one of Pakistan’s numerous military coups, and about seven months since Musharraf was forced to resign. But the multilayered crisis of political confidence that tossed Musharraf remains ongoing, and now his successor, Asif Ali Zardari, is arresting hundreds of Sharif supporters who are leading big and high-profile demonstrations against Zardari. As The Wall Street Journal writes, “the demonstrations appear increasingly aimed at toppling Mr. Zardari’s deeply unpopular government.”

But here’s the more troubling aspect of The Journal story:

Without some kind of resolution, there was growing speculation that the military — which has ruled Pakistan for more than half its 61-year history – could step in and attempt to restore stability. Senior officers have repeatedly insisted that the current army chief, Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, is committed to letting civilian rule take its course. But “we can’t have chaos. Someone is going to have to bring control,” warned a military officer who serves in Pakistan’s premier spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence. He, however, insisted the military was not contemplating an immediate takeover.

It is unknown  how much “chaos” the military is willing to tolerate. And given that Musharraf’s military rule brought about a middle-class revolt for a return to civilian democracy starting in 2007, what makes the military think it could end the crisis by taking over?

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