Life is Exciting

On the one hand, we have the (London) Daily Telegraph reporting that:

General David Petraeus, the commander of US Central Command, has reportedly told American officials that the next two weeks are critical to determining whether the Pakistani government will survive.

But, the Secretary of State is more confident:

However, the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, said last Saturday that It would be "unthinkable" that the Pakistani government of President Asif Ali Zardari would be toppled by the Taliban, adding:  "Then they would have the keys to the nuclear arsenal of Pakistan, and we can't even contemplate that. We cannot let this go on any further."

The problem is we need to know what Richard Holbrooke thinks.  He is the one actually in charge.

On the other side of the world, we have the Japan Times warning of a serious power struggle in North Korea.  The article, in English, states:

As succession speculation abounds amid reports of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's deteriorating health, a recently obtained confidential report has shed new light on a power struggle taking place in the reclusive state.

Frankly, the article can be a little confusing.  You can't tell the players without a program.  But, it is indicative of coming possible problems, with spillover enough for all.

Vice President Biden wasn't wrong about problems for the new President, but they were going to appear no matter who was president, even if it had been Ron Paul.

Regards  —  Cliff