Capture of Taliban leaders, a very encouraging sign

These events indicate very extensive Taliban dependence on sanctuaries in Pakistan, despite the upsurge in the guerrilla activity in Afghanistan. The arrests also argue strongly that there has been an about-face within the Pakistan government regarding working to destroy the Taliban. Implicitly, this good news is also powerful evidence for much closer, more positive cooperation between Pakistan and United States intelligence and military services.

Pakistan has been a problem for Washington policymakers since the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Very deeply rooted traditional corruption has plagued the nation's political system, including the intelligence profession. There have been reports of some government people, including members of ISI — the Inter-Services Intelligence agency — supporting Islamic radicalism.

Washington has been blunt in sustained criticism of past Pakistani denial of a Taliban threat. Current developments, however, provide persuasive evidence of realism and effectiveness in recognizing and combating this very serious challenge.

The wider context involving U.S. policies and leadership has also become more promising. Last month, NATO Afghanistan commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal endorsed a power-sharing arrangement between the Taliban and the national government of Pres. Hamid Karzai, directly echoing similar statements by Defense Secretary, Robert Gates.

Earlier, while Pres. Obama was engaged in his lengthy review of Afghanistan policy, McChrystal appeared to upstage his commander-in-chief by giving a detailed public speech on the subject at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. Clear current Gates-McChrystal collaboration should put such understandable worries to rest.

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