Nobody's paying much attention, but Pakistan is on the brink of civil war. Taliban-types have taken power in much of the Northwest Tribal Areas along the Afghan border, while tribespeople in Baluchistan--also along the Afghan border, to the southwest--have launched an insurgency and apparently want to secede. US-Pakistani attempts to hunt down Osama and al-Qaeda elements believed to be hiding in the border region have only inflamed the situation. Now comes a claim that Iran is aiding the Baluch insurgency. Seems unlikely, given the depth of the Shi'ite-Sunni divide (a source of much bloodshed in Pakistan), but it could sure make convenient propaganda for Bush's new campaign against Iran...

http://washingtontimes.com/world/20050122-105607-1870r.htm

Pakistan assails Iran over growing Baluch insurgency

By Massoud Ansari

LONDON SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

KARACHI, Pakistan — Pakistan has blamed Iran for fueling a growing
insurgency in Baluchistan, the strategically sensitive province where
militant tribesmen have launched a series of terrorist attacks in
recent weeks.

Senior government officials say Iran is encouraging
"intruders" from within its own Baluch community to cross the 550-mile
border with the Pakistani province and give support to the rebels.

"All this violence is a part of a greater conspiracy," a
senior Pakistani government official said. "These militants would not
be challenging the government so openly without the backup of a foreign
hand."