| The United States has plans ready to invade northwest Pakistan which it believes hosts the command centre of al Qaeda, according to a sensational soon-to-be- published book. The book is called America's Secret War: inside the hidden worldwide struggle between America and its enemies, and its author is George Friedman, founder and chairman of the generally well-regarded news and analysis service, Stratfor. According to him, "The United States will threaten Iran with war if it aids al Qaeda. The United States will have to invade northwest Pakistan. There are plans for this already. In addition, if Pakistan collapses due to an invasion, the United States and India will have to jointly occupy Pakistan. The end game is Pakistan." Dr Friendman, in answer to a question, said, "Stratfor said in December 2003 the campaign is being planned (to invade northwest Pakistan). In February 2004, a spokesman for the Pentagon said they are going into Pakistan. Since then we have been carrying out small-scale incursions for months. The war can't end until the command cell of al Qaeda is destroyed that is located in northwest Pakistan but it (the invasion) has been delayed by manpower shortages." khalid hasan |