In the storm's eye

AS during Obama-McCain debate, Pakistan was under discussion when Democratic and Republican Vice Presidential candidates Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin sparred in St Louis.  Both said Iran and Pakistan constituted a danger. Governor Palin vowed to take out Osama if there was evidence of his being present in Pakistan's tribal areas. Earlier Mr Obama had vowed to launch a military operation on Al-Qaeda and Taliban targets inside Pakistan if Islamabad was unable or unwilling to take action on its own while Mr. McCain had said he would not go public on such actions.  As far as Pakistan is concerned there is little to choose between the two candidates. Introducing President Zardari on Wednesday on Fox TV, the anchor had described him as the leader of "one of the most dangerous nations on earth, one that has been a breeding ground for terrorists, and it has nuclear weapons". She had also reminded the viewers that Secretary of Defence Robert Gates had testified in the Senate that Pakistan is our most serious threat to homeland security. Fed on comments of the type the public opinion in the US and other Western countries has also developed an acceptance for any possible adventure on the part of the US troops. While acts of terrorism like the blast outside the Marriott Hotel and the suicide attack at Mr Asfandyar Wali's house pose a challenge to the country's security and integrity and weaken the fledgling democracy, they also tend to tarnish the image of Pakistan abroad. The US and British visa sections were closed after the Marriott blast while American citizens were advised to avoid visiting some of the major cities of the country