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1:05	Trudy Rubin - Hi, it's Trudy Rubin, I'm ready to answer questions.

1:11	[Comment From nebadon adams] Trudy, is the Pakistan Government finally ready to take on the Taliban?

1:12

Trudy Rubin -

Nebudan, I think the attitude of the Pakistani government and public has changed substantially in the last couple of weeks because the Taliban refused to honor a peace deal they signed with the government, in Swat. The problem now is that the army doesn't know how to fight this kind of war, and the government doesn't seem capable of helping civilians caught in the cross fire. Hopefully, the US can help with advice and money for both.

1:12

[Comment From Gil]
I fundamentally agree with your article today. Do you not think the Palestinians should show their bona fides by acknowledging Israel's right to exist and ceasing the published and broadcast propaganda to its people inciting animosity towards Israel? I've often thought it is difficult to negotiate when the first question is one's right to exist

1:17

Trudy Rubin - Gil,
The quid pro quo for stopping settlement building in previous agreements was tamping down Palestinian violence. The two were supposed to happen simultaneously. The Palestinians seem to be making an effort on the West Bank on that front, but settlement building has increased tremendously in recent years, with expansion of existing settlements and now new ones. At this point there is so much mistrust on both sides that I think these two steps are essential. Settlements are a signal that Israeli governments don't plan on permitting a viable Palestinian state no matter what changes.

1:19	[Comment From Deborah Snyderman] What about this latest missile test from Iran? Isn't this more proof that Iran is a serious threat to Israel and the region?

1:21

Trudy Rubin - Iran is a problem. The issue is how to deal with the problem. Iran is going to posture to show Obama that they won't just cave to western demands. But Iran is in serious economic trouble due to low oil prices and I believe united international economic pressure can have an impact. Military action against Iran will not eliminate their nuclear program but will undercut US interests across the Muslim world, including in Afgistan and Pakistan.

1:23	[Comment From Larry Robin] I recently read that "Afganistan is where empires go to die" - if that is so, should we be sending more troops there

1:25

Trudy Rubin - It's a good question. If I hadn't seen the danger in Pakistan and how the two countries are now interwoven, I might have answered in the negative. I think the US has to send troops while it trains Afghans, and gets aid in at local levels. The idea is not to stay, but to help Afghans - wh overwhelmingly oppose a return of Taliban rule, to help themselves.

1:25	[Comment From Rob Stickley] Trudy,

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