The Wrong Horse in Pakistan

The U.S. is considering partnering up with Nawaz Shariff as Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari apparently becomes more unpopular. Shariff has already been ousted in disgrace from his position as Prime Minister twice.

After two failed stints as Pakistan's Prime Minister, the U.S. backed Benazir Bhutto before her assassination in December of 2007. It appears that the U.S. is aimed towards making a similar mistake. Shariff supported the Taliban, tested a nuclear bomb, and never attempted to stop the ISI's support of militants within Pakistan's borders. Shariff's government was mired in corruption. There is little to justify partnering with Shariff. He might be the man of the hour, but it would be dangerously short-sided to grant him any support.

Some feel Shariff's ties to extremist parties will allow him to reason with them. However, Shariff has already proven that he has little sway over extremists within Pakistan during his first two times in charge. He speaks the language of Islamic fundamentalism to garner support, but he lacks credibility in those circles. The fundamentalists back Shariff and Shariff throws overtures to them as both sides play each other in an effort to gain power. The alternative for the extremists is Zardari, who is perceived as an American puppet. The other option is to fight, which they have continued to do, showing that the extremists don't put much faith in Shariff.

Shariff is exactly what the U.S. doesn't need. The U.S. needs to move away from these political has-beens, who have proven themselves unable to rule Pakistan effectively. It's time for fresh blood in the halls of power or else fresh blood will be spilled elsewhere.