Deadly Violence

" The wave of deadly violence has been sweeping across Pakistan. For terror attacks in just over a week. Today -- homicide bomber targeted Pakistani troops just east of the Swat Valley in at least 41 people were killed in that attack dozens of people were hurt. The Taliban warning. They say we are gearing up for even more attacks in this area Pakistan has an arsenal of course of nuclear weapons so can the government and the army keep those nuclear weapons. Out of these terrorists hands that is the increasingly -- question in Pakistan Lisa Curtis is an expert. On the country and she's a senior fellow with The Heritage Foundation Lisa welcome good to have you here today. Thank you know there was a situation -- all this were hostages were taken what are reported on the ground Scott hi there compares to the Pentagon. Some very serious act."

" Well as you mentioned there's been four major attacks and attack. On the World Food Program building in Islamabad. Last week. On Friday he had a major attack with a shower. On Saturday -- an unprecedented. Twenty hour standoff at the military headquarters and -- can be. And then today's attack as you mentioned so clearly the militants are trying to send a signal that they can attack anywhere they want including at the heart of the military. I think they're also trying to -- the military from following through. With its offensive in South Waziristan in the tribal areas but in fact I think -- see the opposite impact. I think that this strike in -- Hindi will actually strengthen the resolve the Pakistan military in unify their ranks to go ahead and strike back hard. At the militants and already a as a result of these trees and attacks hundreds of Taliban have been killed in retaliation night. Yes that's right. And this follows some successes in Pakistan we know that in the last six months Pakistan's been able to push back. The -- from the Swat Valley region. And we know that they tool in the suit the ringleader of the Pakistani Talabani was killed by a drone attack. -- pockets on US cooperation. In August so I think these successes of Pakistan had bullied the military. But clearly Pakistan is not out of the woods and we literally -- war going on between the military. And these militants so this is a time when the USC to stand behind Pakistan and show its support."

" It's interesting you know one of the problems that the United States is you on the -- with Afghanistan the military is that there always so focused on -- India border. That at home it's -- Pakistan India military situation that -- that is their biggest concern. What will these attacks drive the Pakistani military even more into the area that we would like them to be focused on to help us flush out. The Taliban and and possibly even -- live in those mountains in South Waziristan."

" Well I think you're right we would still like to see Pakistan. Focusing solely on the threat from extremists but we know that they are still concerned. About India. And -- eastern border however like you said that we do see. Then strengthening their resolve against the militants. We see the public behind the military which is -- And the public realizing that the Pakistani -- remains a threat to Pakistan but like you said the glass is half full half empty. And we have not seen -- pursued the Afghan Taliban leadership. Perhaps as much is as we -- like. Because they see the Afghan Taliban as their best insurance policy against India. Skating includes Afghanistan -- very complicated -- experience but things are moving in the right direction these attacks are worrisome but. I do see the Pakistan military exceed its unifying. Their ranks and strengthening their resolve in this."

" I intention development you can tell that the Taliban is. Very riled up about it as well with the recent attacks that we've seen their Lisa Curtis is always thank you very much for being with us thanks Lisa thank --"