How Much Of Pakistan Does The Taliban Control?

Yesterday, in this post from Epaminondas, we learned that the Taliban has "warned Shangla district lawyers on Tuesday of serious consequences if they continued to appear in un-Islamic courts (civil and district courts)".

The Taliban is tightening it's control, and that of strict Sharia law, in as much of Pakistan as it can.

And, how much of Pakistan does the Taliban now control? The answer comes from the Long War Journal:

Amazing, huh? How did this happen under our noses? Surely, this did not all happen during Obama's 90 or so days in office. Clearly, the Taliban has been taking control of parts of Pakistan since Bush was stomping across the Earth as POTUS. Starting with Waziristan, as I recall, Pakistan has been ceding territory to the Taliban, or should I say, just simply saying, "Well, we can't control it. You might as well take it. What does it matter?"

Well, what does it matter?

Yesterday, we also found out that the Taliban now controls terrority just 70 miles from Pakistan's Capital. 

And, what of the areas seized? When the government of Pakistan gives up on these territories, are they simply wild desert areas, in which few people live? Apparently not. As Ro informed us yesterday, 

The Swat valley was where people went to vacation. It apparently had many villages, where places like schools, music shops, and general goods stores sold things people wanted, including clothing for women that did not resemble body bags.

The Taliban blew up the schools, the music shops, and presumably there is no longer any need for non-body bag female apparel.

Every place those people go is turned into a ravaged hell-hole, resembling a concentration camp. 

She's right. The Swat Valley was famous for it's Ski Resort. Here's a photo of the resort:

The Taliban blew up the ski resort in June of 2008.

As Ro rightly says, the Taliban turns beauty into Sharia-infested hellholes.

But, the most dangerous part of the Taliban control of Pakistan is, obviously, the fact that Pakistan possesses almost 100 nuclear weapons, and some of these warheads are mounted on missiles capable of carrying these nukes 1250 kilometers.

This, of course, means India has major reason to worry.

But, so do we. What if the Taliban gets a hold of the nuclear arsenal and starts handing out warheads to major terrorist organizations?

But, this can't happen. Surely, the Obama Administration has things under control.

As Culturist John pointed out yesterday:

Today I heard Richard Holbrook, our special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, discussing Pakistan on CNN. 

He believes the Taliban thrive due to poverty and illiteracy. He wants to send billions to raise the standard of living in Pakistani villages. Talk about your indirect approaches to an imminent threat!

He then said we need to get the message out that we are not against Muslims. He praised his work in fighting for Muslims in Yugoslavia. He said,"see we're pro-Muslim." And he just doesn't get why they don't understand that. 

Perhaps more aid will work!! Don't look for decisive action against their nuclear capabilities any time soon.

We quietly slumber, while the most dangerous country in the world falls into the hands of the Taliban.