Gates Heads to Pakistan

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is headed to Pakistan for the first time in nearly three years. He will discuss the possibility that Pakistan's military might move into North Waziristan, striking militants who attack U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Gates called Pakistan's recent offensives against Taliban fighters in South Waziristan "very successful military operations." According to Pakistani officials, militants in North Waziristan are also responsible for 80 percent of terrorist attacks inside the country. Gates will also speak with the Pakistani government about how it can ease tensions with India, which broke off relations with Pakistan after the November 2008 Mumbai bombing by masked Pakistani gunmen that India claimed were militants from the Lashkar-e-Taiba group. Pakistan's willingness and ability to go after militants who target India could help bolster stability in the nuclear-armed region.