bhelpuri

written a week ago. re -run.

Every couple of years...egypt.. algeria ..iran ..turkey.... the story of karbala is played out in some part of the world by the muslim fundamentalist intelligencia.

Its worth noting that these movements are typically spearheaded by bright eloquent philosophic types generally born rich whose world view is more similar to chomsky than anyone else.

First you have malcontent with corruption, poverty, inequitable distribution etc. Then a western backed secular dictator. Then violent anti-fundo secularism. This is followed by a popular and succesful almost leftist uprising followed by a full time islamic regime.

Maulana Maudoodi the founder of Jamiaat-islami has been a recurrent inspiration to these jihadists and is frequently quoted. So why would Pakistan be any different?

Turns out Musharraf is not only no Ata turk , he is also no Nasser, Reza, Sadat etc. Firstly he is NOT a secular extremist contrary to popular lore ....noone had their head scarves snatched or their beards shaved under his regime.

Secondly I think he is very well versed in history, and hance has been the first secular pro west dictator who has recognized and negotiated with the islamic party that could have been the nucleus of this fierce paki uprising...as in maudoodi's own baby, the IJI. Oh the irony

So what Pakistan is witnessing is a real first. The 'dictator isnt genuinely pro west ...the real mckoy islamists are in bed with him ...the rag tag and savage taliban just dont have the intellectual appeal of the muslim brotherhood for eg ....and their boyfriends are in the ISI/Army too... in the midst of all the confusion a deviation from the script is possible and ongoing.

But we could upset the apple cart yet.And that three legged braying mule is called Bhutto.