Reading this article should help those who are having difficulty understanding why CENTCOM Commander Admiral Fallon met with Musharaf and his generals the day before Musharaf announced the “state of emergency” in Pakistan, and is currently conducting a crack down on dissenters and potential challengers to his rule throughout Pakistan.

While the neocons may or may not be willing to sacrifice the oldest of the U.S. nuclear carriers for political support for total war here at home, the U.S. Navy will have a critical role to play in any future military conflict with Iran.

Many of the potential problems outlined in the article for engaging Iran with U.S naval power can be overcome with the use of Pakistani air space and territorial waters from which to launch sustained offensive actions.

While this level of cooperation with the U.S. to attack a neighboring Islamic Republic is certain to enrage the people of the Islamic State of Pakistan; Musharaf has already launched a preemptive “emergency” to quell dissent and challenge to his rule and more importantly, the authority of the Pakistani military in this eventuality.