Pakistan Agrees to Truce with Taliban in Swat Region, Will Impose Islamic Law

The United States may have provided the final straw in this particular instance, with its recent unmanned missile strike killing 30 people in the Swat region of Pakistan. Now, forced with mounting violence and deteriorating public support, the government of Pakistan has chosen to take a different approach with the Taliban insurgents in the area.

Pakistan has agreed to suspend military action against the Taliban and grant them their primary objective - the imposition of Islamic law in the region - in an attempt to stem the violence and restore stability in the region. The United States will almost certainly speak out vehemently against this action, since it will likely give the Taliban even more legitimacy in the area and give them time to re-group and re-arm for any continued attacks on them in other regions.

The missile strike that killed 30 in northwest Pakistan was intended for a Taliban leader and the strike destroyed a house where he was known to frequent. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Asia at the moment, where she is attempting to strengthen ties with China, while extending a hand of cooperation and understanding to the North Koreans. With the diplomatic machine now in full swing, it will be interesting to see how this latest development in Pakistan is addressed. Will the U.S. be forced to increase its activity in Pakistan or will the truce be a first step toward opening a dialogue with the Taliban and possibly al-Qaida?