The Obama era has begun with 14 dead from a hit by a CIA drone. For Pakistan, it is a clear indication that Mr. Obama is just another face of the old Bush fascism. In America, the public opinion is as gullible and impotent as it always was. Pakistan must either institute draft conscription in the army or aid the old Taliban again. Otherwise events will overtake our ability to affect any change in the region. As it is, all the Pakistani forces together cannot contain just one intelligence agency called the CIA. How can we hope to face the joint assault of messrs Holbroak/Clinton when they come calling? -S. AMIR, Lahore, via e-mail, January 24.