US Afghan Surge Angers Pakistan

The American offensive in southern Afghanistan is sparking serious tensions with Pakistan, the New York Times reports. Pakistani officials fear that the surge will push Taliban militants into its border region, triggering a rise in militancy that it will be ill-equipped to tackle without shifting troops from the Indian border. That's a move totally out of the question for officials who view India as Pakistan's main foe and the Taliban as an enemy who authorities can negotiate with.

"The surge in Afghanistan will further reinforce the perception of a foreign occupation of Afghanistan," further alienating people in Pakistan's border area, Times reporters were told in a briefing by Pakistan's spy agency. American officials, who believe Taliban supreme leader Mullah Omar is commanding operations from Pakistan's Baluchistan province, complain that Pakistan is fighting militants who threaten its government, but largely ignoring those who are attacking American forces across the border. (More US military stories.)