Debate on foreign policy comes at the right time

When the Republican and Democratic presidential nominees take the stage Friday for the first of three debates, it will be against the backdrop of a bloody terrorist attack in the heart of Pakistan, America’s leading ally in the war on global terrorism.

U.S. Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama should be prepared to discuss in detail what the United States can or should do to assist the democratically elected government of President Asif Ali Zardari to neutralize the Islamic extremists who are threatening the country’s stability.

At least 60 people were killed and more than 250 were wounded when the bomber drove the dump truck loaded with more than a ton of explosives up to one side of the heavily guarded Islamabad Marriott Hotel, the Washington Post reported. The detonation of the explosives left a 30-foot deep crater. The hotel building was engulfed in flames.

The symbolic nature of the attack cannot be ignored. The five-story Marriott, an icon of American business, is a favorite place for foreigners and Pakistani politicians and business people to stay and socialize. It is not the first time that hotel has been targeted by Islamic extremists, but it comes at a time when Pakistan’s government is under public pressure because of a wave of cross-border strikes on militant bases by U.S. forces in Afghanistan,

Bin Laden sightings

Indeed, Pakistani forces stationed along the border with Afghanistan warned that they would fire on American troops if they attempted to cross over in an effort to pursue Taliban militants and members of al-Qaida. There are persistent reports that Osama bin Laden, leader of al-Qaida and the mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on American soil, is holed up with members of the inner circle in the tribal areas in the mountains.

The Taliban and al-Qaida enjoy widespread support in the border region.

Thus the question: How should the U.S. government respond to what is going on in Pakistan, given that American troops are viewed by many in that country as the enemy? In fact, President Zardari stands the risk of being killed if he is seen as doing the White House’s bidding. His predecessor, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, an unabashed supporter of President Bush’s war on global terrorism, survived three assassination attempts.

While Zardari has voiced concern about the growing terrorist threat in Pakistan, he has been careful not to play the role of America’s lapdog. He is expected to meet with Bush in New York City next week.

That is why the timing of the McCain-Obama debate on foreign policy is so appropriate. It will give the American people an opportunity to judge who has a firmer grasp of the issues surrounding U.S. national security and who can put forth solutions to the problems that confront Pakistan.

Then there is Russia’s disregard for the Bush administration on the issue of Georgia, the former Soviet Union republic.

Former President and now Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who has talked about his friendship with Bush, literally thumbed his nose at the White House when he sent troops into Georgia in support of a couple of breakaway regions and largely disregarded the U.S., which had urged a withdrawal of Russian troops.

McCain and Obama should be asked to evaluate the Bush administration’s response to what occurred in that part of the world.

We would hope that the debate results in a substantive discussion of foreign policy issues. There is much at stake.