Peace Brings Turmoil. What?

Afghanistan In Turmoil After Peace Talk Rumors

Pakistan proposes peace talks between Hamid Karzai and a notorious insurgent commander triggering political tensions.

Pakistani proposals for peace talks between President Hamid Karzai and a notorious insurgent commander have triggered political tensions inside Afghanistan that analysts warn could dangerously destabilize the country.

Western officials say Pakistan's ISI spy agency has offered to negotiate with Sirajuddin Haqqani – an al-Qaida linked commander accused of numerous suicide attacks – as part of a broader initiative to find a find a settlement to the conflict.

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Update: Afghan talks raise speculation -- Al Jazeera

Afghanistan's minority groups are clearly upset with these developments, but CIA Director Panetta's skepticism on the success of these talks is probably right.

Pakistan is trying to broker a deal in order to have a say in future peace and reconciliation talks in Afghanistan. To get to the table they are threatening the Haqqani network that if they do not try to resolve their differences with the Kabul Government, Pakistani forces will be launched against their safe havens on the Pakistan-Afghan border, which is why they're sitting down to start talking.

To reconcile with an enemy that you regard is a puppet of the infidels is something that the Taliban and their Al Qaeda allies do not do - it will be an affront to their religious convictions. But they've show they can turn those on and off when it is convenient for them.

This is all theater and show, and buys time before Pakistani forces attack Haqqani camps on their side of the Pakistan border.

Thanks to our good friends @ War News Update for the Post

Oh, and speaking of Afghanistan --

U.S. Officials Say Karzai Aides Are Derailing Corruption Cases Involving Elite

Not even Mayor Daley of Chicago has this kind of clout. Top officials in President Hamid Karzai's government have repeatedly derailed corruption investigations of politically connected Afghans, according to U.S. officials who have provided Afghanistan's authorities with wiretapping technology and other assistance in efforts to crack down on endemic graft.

In recent months, the U.S. officials said, Afghan prosecutors and investigators have been ordered to cross names off case files, prevent senior officials from being placed under arrest and disregard evidence against executives of a major financial firm suspected of helping the nation's elite move millions of dollars overseas.
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I suppose if you're skimming billions off of the Americans, and you bribe the Americans back with those same dollars - you can do anything? No?