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The U.S. and Pakistan
Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student
Posted: 11/30/07

[Published, International Herald Tribune, November 30, 2007] The article "For Musharraf, reduced power as a civilian" (Nov. 28) asserts that President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan is left with "vastly reduced powers" now that he resigned from the role of military ruler. In fact, little will change.

As civilian president, Musharraf remains the keeper of the purse. The $100 million in monthly U.S. military aid will not suddenly bypass the president. Furthermore, as president, Musharraf will keep the power to imprison the moderates who protest his unpopular policies.

Musharraf remains cozy with the military, too cozy. If reduced powers are the goal, the United States would do well to resign its role as benefactor.

Michael Shank
Arlington, Virginia
Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
George Mason University

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ICAR News Network The U.S. and Pakistan Michael Shank, ICAR PhD Student Posted: 11/30/07 [Published, International Herald Tribune, November 30, 2007] The article "For Musharraf, reduced power as a civilian" (Nov. 28) asserts that President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan is left with "vastly reduced powers" now that he resigned from the role of military ruler. In fact, little will change. As civilian president, Musharraf remains the keeper of the purse. The $100 million in monthly U.S. military aid will not suddenly bypass the president. Furthermore, as president, Musharraf will keep the power to imprison the moderates who protest his unpopular policies. Musharraf remains cozy with the military, too cozy. If reduced powers are the goal, the United States would do well to resign its role as benefactor. Michael Shank Arlington, Virginia Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution George Mason University News Network Homepage / Armenia / 2008 Elections / Afghanistan / Diplomacy/ Egypt / Environment / Global Peace Index / Health / Immigration / Iraq / Iran / Islam / Kosovo / Nuclear Proliferation / Pakistan / Palestine-Israel / Russia / Somalia / South America / Turkey /		About ICAR Student Information Prospective Students Faculty and Staff Alumni Career Services Academic Programs Library ICAR In The News Events Technology Resources ICAR Publications Point Of View Center Center for World Religions, Diplomacy & Conflict Resolution