We were taught in the theories of international relations that democracies do not go to war. That notion however somehow seems lost in the erratic behaviour of the US administration regarding Pakistan. During the eight year long dictatorship in this country which also witnessed unprecedented assault on the American Twin Towers, the attitude of the US administration towards Musharraf and his regime was quite benign and full of trust. And now that the country finally has proven itself worthy of being called democracy that patience is nowhere to be seen. First Condi Rice made an uncalled for statement. Then Negroponte came rushing to Islamabad. And now Michael V Hayden the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has made similar rude remarks. All of them have now warned us against engaging the people of the tribal areas in peace talks. More >