New York Times on Lashkar-E-Toiba

While President Zardari and his cohorts accumulate billions of dollars in international "aid" for Pakistan, it is clear from this lengthy article in the New York Times that the militant group behind the Mumbai attacks ten months ago, the Lashkar - E - Toiba, is flourishing and still poses a tangible threat in the region.

The NYT estimates that the group can muster around 150,000 soldiers, and as has been tragically demonstrated, only a handful are needed for maximum destruction.

The LET claims that it fights on behalf of oppressed Muslims in Indian Kashmir, and the issues over that state are likely to remain on the table for the foreseeable future. Given that the LET recruits mostly in Pakistan, and many Pakistanis feel aggrieved that Kashmir remains unresolved, I feel that the LET will find fertile breeding ground and training officers from different parts of society for some time to come.

Meawhile, Hafiz Saeed, said to be the Mumbai mastermind, remains relatively free, according to his lawyers, to move around in Pakistan.