Anger in Pakistan

At Informed Comment, Juan Cole reports on angry Pakistani protests over America's erroneous missle strike last week that killed 18 villagers, 12 of them women and children. Given the triple threat of 1) General Pervez Musharraf's fragile political standing, 2) the fact that the attack has energized anti-American fundamentalists throughout Pakistan, and 3) a public call for "continuing jihad" against the United States by a member of the Pakistani parliament, this situation could rapidly escalate into a much larger problem for Mr. Bush's Middle Eastern victory plans than he expects.

Add to that list the fact that Pakistan already is a member of the nuclear club (unlike current White House villian of the week, Iran), and it seems obvious that the President had better respond to this situation with humility, honesty, and intelligent diplomacy - if those characteristics can be found hidden somewhere within the Bush Administration. And he'd better do so quickly.