Pakistan

Since independence in 1947, much of it's rule has been by the military, with the most recent round of democracy being implemented in 2009. Prior to the 2009 elections, General Musharraf quietly supported jihadi groups and the Taliban in Afghanistan. The Northwest Frontier Provinces and north and south Waziristan were completely autonomous during Musharraf's reign and in this time, hundreds of Saudi-supported hard line madrasas were built. Sharia law was maintained throughout the Federally Administered Tribal areas and the burgeoning militarism was ignored for the threat of India and China in Kashmir. Intense international pressure led Musharraf's regime to hold elections in 2008 in which his party was resoundingly defeated. A ruling coalition was established which now continues to reform the government towards a more secular and democratic Pakistan. After the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan by the US, much of the Taliban and al-Qaeda leadership moved across the boarder into the NFTP and FATA. Musharraf reversed his support for the militants, but the Pakistan military and intelligence communities continued supporting them. Weak and poorly led military operations were launched by Pakistan into tribal territory, but were largely ineffectual. With Musharraf's ouster and increased US pressure to move against the militants, Pakistan has launched several major operations into the tribal area, most notably the several week long action in the Swat valley to rid the region of extremists Al-Qaeda has responded with numerous terrorist attacks against Pakistani military, civilian, and political targets. The conflict can now be characterized by a low level civil war, with tribal militants intent to oust the secular Pakistani government to establish Sharia. The government, in turn, seeks to regulate the previously unregulated tribal areas, end extremism in the area, and secure the boarder between Pakistan and Afghanistan.