We were expecting that with the coming of Obama to power, Pakistan will find some relief on its North Western borders with Afghanistan and peace process with India would begin, but it didn't happen. On the contrary, Obama reneged on the promise to help solve the Kashmir issue, and closed his eyes and lips to Israeli atrocities on Hammas, thus lowering his own image of 'a leader of substance.' Now he has spelled-out the Afpak Strategy and in pursuit of its objectives, he has confronted Pakistan, with the demand for "shifting the Centre of gravity of Afghan war, to Pakistan." The implementation has just begun with the launching of the army against the militants in Dir and Swat. However, there are some other aspects that need to be examined. One: The American and the allied forces are preparing to leave Afghanistan as acknowledged by Obama that his "comprehensive new strategy has to have an exit strategy, and there's got to be a sense that there is not a perpetual drift." Obama's strategy recognizes "that the military forces alone are not the solution, and there are other aspects that cannot be ignored in pursuing the new strategy." They have also realized that "Iraq's Anbar experience will not work in Afghanistan" and are looking for a political solution. The Americans are desperate, no doubt, because, the newly organized Shadow Army of the resistance in Afghanistan, is inflicting heavy losses of men and material over the occupation forces as the CIA Long War Journal reports. The economic melt-down further limits their capability to sustain the war, therefore the need to control this "perpetual drift." Two: Obama wants to ensure that their exit from Afghanistan must not be chaotic, as in Vietnam, and even after the exit, they must retain a degree of influence in Afghanistan, with the support of compliant governments in Pakistan and Iran, and the surrogate in Afghanistan. For the last two years, therefore, they have been trying for regime change in Pakistan but have failed. There is no harm in trying and try they will. Year after year, millions of dollars have been allocated to the CIA, to bring about regime change in Iran, but with no success. Now they are, hoping to get results after the 10 June 2009 elections in Iran, and bring on board, the 'Contact Group,' to support the surge against the militants in FATA and other areas of Pakistan. Three: The most dangerous move under this strategy is 'to reverse the Afghan War on Pakistan.' While building-up pressures on Pakistan, and to force it to accept the terms of the 'new engagement' they want: "the COAS to keep all his options open with regard to nukes, and shifting of centre of gravity of war to Pakistan," They consider General Kayani as the key to US strategy in the region" whereas it was Kiani who frustrated their game of regime change on 18th February 2008 and 15th March 2009. Thus Obama is "gravely concerned about the situation in Pakistan and the fragility of the government" and therefore demands that "there ought to be a smarter policy for Pakistan." And, in support of this policy, the ground work has already been completed by Raw and the Afghan regime, for "shifting the centre of gravity of war to Pakistan." Four: Implicit in this design is what David Kelkullen, the former Security advisor says: "to dismantle, the Greater Pakhtunistan, straddling Pakistan to Hindukush Mountains is unacceptable and therefore dialogue with Iran is indispensable, recognizing the legitimacy of its aspirations to play a regional role." No wonder, the military operations in Dir and Swat are to be extended to Waziristan, as declared by Mr. Zardari, immediately on his return from USA. Similarly, Balochistan will be dealt with in due course of time. Ominous signs indeed While we fight this war, and loose our breath, India would gain hegemony over the area from Afghanistan to Sri Lanka, and we being "a major power in South Asia and also equated with India, will be bracketed with Afghanistan." Five: The economic melt-down, and the shame of defeat in Iraq and Afghanistan, leaves only one course open to United States and that is, 'to induce conflicts,' as William Pfaff rightly describes: "The United States has become war-addicted. Since the Korean War, it has been permanently at war, with the Communists in Southeast Asia; with Balkan aggressors; with Central American leftists; with Colombian drug growers; with Saddam Hussein (twice) with radical Islamists everywhere. War has become part of the national identity, as well as the national economy, which turns out more weapons and more military high technology than the rest of the world combined." Thus, the 'Defence Industries lobby' is one of the four lobbies which determine policy decision making in USA. The 'Oil Company's Lobby' was responsible for the invasion of Iraq, resulting into a shameful defeat and radicalization of the region. The 'Israeli Lobby' at home and abroad has kept the American administration hostage and so is peace in the Middle East. Similarly the Indian Lobby', having dissuaded Obama on Kashmir and having established a firm foot-hold in Afghanistan, is keeping the peace process hostage in South Asia. In response to the threat to Pakistan's security, the formation of "the Union of three neighbouring countries - Pakistan-Iran and Afghanistan (PIAU)" - becomes mandatory. The three neighbours, sharing common values, traditions and history, and forming into a bond of unity, "will make a bastion of power, to repel aggression." That is the destiny, shaping into reality. Look at the picture of the three heads of states, of the Tehran summit The 'Gasline Peace Strategy' provides the impetuous to gain 'Strategic Depth of security' of the three neighbours, and together with China, to form a strong "pivot of maneuver", to defeat all machinations against the Asian region. The time has come for Asia to assert itself and take the destiny in its own hands. The emergence of this 'centre of power' would mean reaching the beginning of the end of the hegemony of world powers in the divided world of Asia. And the need to have "a more ordered world at a time of great instability, the world powers have to provide space at the top tables for nations, that do not share our culture, our history, our world view and even our values." - Paddy Ashdown. The writer is former COAS, Pakistan E-mail: friendsfoundation@live.co.uk