Zaheer Bhatti Whatever the consequence, Julian has dwarfed Van Madisons solitary news break about the creation of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan by the CIA, in bringing out so much dirt in the open, which revealed the real face of America. It has also exposed the vulnerability of the American might in the face of resilience of ordinary individuals, leave alone self-respecting and determined nations like Palestine, Iran and Afghanistan. Mullah Omar and Julian Assange have shaken the hell out of those posing to be invincible demigods, in mirroring to them their meanly exploits. In September 2001, the US held out a threat to Pakistans mandarin General, asking if he would be with it or against it, in its assault on Afghanistan, only to discover that while Pakistan showed meek compliance, the Afghan resilience has given the Americans the run for their money. Today, the US feeling the heat, considers WikiLeaks an attack on it and gears up for a response asking the free world if it were with America or with Julian. Not a single voice around the globe has come to its rescue, as in utter nervousness it contemplates to deliver what it calls a coup de grce to WikiLeaks by shutting it down through its 1,100 cyber warriors in the US cyber command. The US might succeed momentarily, but the cat is out of the bag with Julian having already exposed their manoeuvrings in waging a war against self-created terrorism, veiled in diplomatic secrecy. He is not alone any more, with the free world behind him. In sheer nervousness, Julian was taken into custody on a frivolous sexual harassment charge, and that too in a part of the world where sex is no crime. It is heartening to discover though that such frame-ups are not only typical of the police in the subcontinent, but also of the likes of Scotland Yard, MI-6, NYPD and CIA among the more emancipated societies, which are used as state instruments for coercion. WikiLeaks has also signified that the US administration can no longer gloat about Pakistanis alone being ready to sell their mothers for a few dollars, since some Americans have done much more in providing 250,000 classified American documents to Julians outfit. At least no Pakistani man in uniform has ever deserted or sold his soul. Bradley Manning, a 23-year-old Intelligence analyst in the US army, did. As for the Muslim world, WikiLeaks have brought to the fore the painful reality that the Muslim Ummah continues to remain divided, some scared to lose their crown, others eager to get into the saddle, weary of each other but counting on those very forces against whom the Holy Quran has warned, and none realising the collective power of their riches, skills and technology. WikiLeaks, have for our benefit, also mirrored the character of most of the Pakistani leaders readily on sale and even prepared to sell their motherland in return for power or positions of consequence. Who among Pakistanis would have been surprised at the confirmation about the traits of save a few of Pakistans civil and military leaders. Zardari may be a weak and dirty leader, but that is exactly what suits the masters. Since they are seized of the mans ill-gotten riches, personal exploits and ambitions, it makes him a perfect ploy for exploitation. Nawaz Sharif is billed as dangerous but not dirty, which could only mean that he was straightforward and would not double cross, nor would he meekly submit. Although he sends out discrete signals of cooperation, he remains suspect and therefore a second choice for the power brokers. Imran Khan, his clean chit notwithstanding, the powers that be would hold no brief for his blunt and uncompromising nature unless the power of the people rallies around a leader like him. Maulana Fazlur Rehmans lust for power has finally cooked his goose since having made overtures to the US, he now stands fully exposed. He was in any case considered dicey and untrustworthy by MMA, the countrys religious alliance which he ditched in Musharrafs favour; unfortunately, that his religious rhetoric on national issues will no longer hold whatever weight it once did, and would dent the force of the collective voice of the Islamic dispensation. Surprising that nothing yet has been said or revealed about MQM and ANP in these leaks. While the former in availing opportunities have been discrete and displayed foresight at most occasions, the latters appeal lies in being a secular party, but limited to a province does not hold much promise to the masters, unless both these were being watched and possibly groomed for a role in the future. As for General Kayani, he has so far said what needs to be said, as a true son of the soil, and reacted to any adversarial rhetoric with grace, dignity and firmness. He seldom speaks, but in opining over civilian leadership, he has only mirrored its mettle to the nation. Whatever he may have said about Zardari, may well have been a warning shot meant to be leaked to the State Department, rather than anyone else. Kayanis discomfort with Zardari and distrust of Sharif, keeping the ISI and therefore the army out of such vulnerable civilian control, is therefore no surprise and merely affirms the fears and ethos of the people of Pakistan. Most of what Julian has revealed about Pakistan is only confirmation of what has been in the air for long. The US has been endeavouring to defang the Pak Army and its intelligence wing rated at the top of worlds intelligence outfits. Starting apparently with efforts to bring ISI under the Ministry of Interior, almost getting it to send its Chief to India after the Mumbai episode, and now engineering court summons for his appearance in an American court, are all signs of US frustration with the telling role of the proud Pakistani agency, in the allied campaign and power game in the region. But I dare say that while so much noise has been made about these diplomatic leaks, of which not even one percent has been revealed so far, few analysts seem to have post-mortemed the demeaning conduct of the self-professed superpower creating a macho image for itself, but in fact prying into weaknesses and blackmailing the world. The writer is a freelance columnist.