Karzai and Zardari on Meet the Press

The U.S. and Pakistan created the cancer--the Taliban, which grew from the 1980s U.S. war against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan, says Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan's president.
The U.S. went away without finding a cure for the cancer, he said. It's pretty clear that Zardari is bitter and he appears to believe that fighting the Taliban falls mostly on the U.S.
David Gregory presses Zardari on sympathies for the Taliban and nuclear weapons. Zardari doesn't think there should be any conditions attached to U.S. aid. Gregory asks: where is Osama bin Laden? Zardari says you tell me. Zardari finally says that he thinks bin Laden is dead. I think so too. This is the full broadcast:

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Pakistanis have fled their homes because of the fighting:

Hillary Makes Appearance at Daily Press Briefing May 6

Obama recently made a surprise visit to Gibbs' daily press briefing, announcing Supreme Court Justice David Souter's retirement. Now it's Hillary Clinton, who bumps Gibbs. Along with Obama, Hillary reports on her meeting with the presidents of Pakistan and Afghanistan:

Obama Speaks on Pakistan and Afghanistan Video

Hillary Meets With Karzai and Zardari Video

Hillary also apologized for the civilian deaths in recent airstrikes.

No More Bush Buddies With Karzai

Today, Obama meets with Afghanistan's and Pakistan's Karzai and Zardari. Bush's Karzai buddy is no longer a pal under the Obama administration:

Obama voiced concern that the situation was worse than Karzai had acknowledged, Hagel recalled. He "was not taken in," Hagel said, "by all of the happy talk."

Today, as the two leaders meet in the White House, that skepticism drives the administration's evolving policy toward Afghanistan and the battle against Taliban insurgents, a conflict whose outcome will in part define Obama's presidency.

In assessing the nearly eight-year struggle from Washington, senior members of Obama's national security team say Karzai has not done enough to address the grave challenges facing his nation. They deem him to be a mercurial and vacillating chieftain who has tolerated corruption and failed to project his authority beyond the gates of Kabul. MSNBC

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Obama Meets With Karzai and Zardari May 6

UPDATE 5-6: See Obama speak on Pakistan/Afghanistan here.
Pakistan is failing and the Taliban is gaining:

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Residents were flooding out of the Swat valley by the thousands on Tuesday as the government prepared to mount a new military operation against Taliban militants there after the collapse of a peace deal negotiated in February.

For weeks the Taliban have flaunted their disregard for the February peace accord, and two weeks ago they used the territory all but ceded to them under the deal to launch an offensive into another district, Buner, 60 miles from the capital.

This week the Taliban reversed the only achievement of the deal, a ceasefire in the Swat district capital, Mingora, which they seized control of Sunday, when their turbaned fighters laid siege to several police stations, a local lawyer and resident of the town said.

The Taliban’s armed return to Mingora on Sunday signaled the final breakdown in the government’s efforts to negotiate a peaceful solution to two years of fighting that has costs thousands of lives and damaged homes and livelihoods the length of the once-prosperous farming valley of Swat. NYT

Tomorrow, Obama meets with Pakistan's Asif Ali Zardari and Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai in DC.
The NYT asked 5 different experts on how they would remedy the Pakistan/Afghanistan problem. Read their solutions here.

Obama Talks With Peres, Berlusconi, Zadari

This afternoon, President Obama spoke to President Peres of Israel to extend his congratulations to the Israeli people on their general elections yesterday. The President remarked that the Israeli people should be very happy about the democratic example they have set for the world. They had a good discussion, and the President complimented President Peres on his recent op-ed in which he reaffirmed his strong commitment to achieving a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

This morning, President Obama and Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi had a friendly and productive call. The President stressed his commitment to a strong U.S.-Italian relationship. They discussed cooperation on a range of issues, including the global financial crisis, upcoming G-20 summit in London and NATO summit in Strasbourg-Kehl, G-8 summit in July, Iran, Middle East peace efforts, and energy security. President Obama also thanked Prime Minister Berlusconi for Italy’s strong support in Afghanistan.

President Obama also had a productive conversation with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari this morning. President Obama expressed his support for Pakistan’s democracy and his commitment to a strong partnership with Pakistan. The two leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining a strong bilateral relationship to address issues of common interest, such as counter-terrorism and economic development. And in line with Ambassador Holbrooke’s mission, both leaders agreed to work together to advance peace and prosperity in Pakistan and the region. WhiteHouse.gov

Pakistan's Zardari Says Attacks Were on Peace

NYT: The Mumbai attacks were directed not only at India but also at Pakistan’s new democratic government and the peace process with India that we have initiated. Supporters of authoritarianism in Pakistan and non-state actors with a vested interest in perpetuating conflict do not want change in Pakistan to take root.

Read the rest of Asif Ali Zardari's op-ed in the NYT.

Palin is Gorgeous

So says the Pakistani president, which means maybe we really don't need leaders who are smart. Maybe we just need more good looking leaders.

CNN: On entering a room filled with several Pakistani officials Wednesday, Palin was immediately greeted by Sherry Rehman, the country's information minister.

"And how does one keep looking that good when one is that busy?" Rehman asked Palin, drawing friendly laughter from the room.

"Oh, thank you," Palin said.

Pakistan's new president, Asif Ali Zardari, entered the room seconds later. Palin rose to shake his hand, saying she was "honored" to meet him.

Zardari then called her "gorgeous" and said: "Now I know why the whole of America is crazy about you."

"You are so nice," Palin said, smiling. "Thank you."