Letters: Where Jihad Has Found a Home

' The Most Dangerous Nation in the World Isn ' t Iraq. It ' s Pakistan ':
We received a wide range of responses to our cover story. One self described U.S. resident of Pakistani origin said, "In choosing to focus on those who can be labeled extremists and their vocal sympathizers, you do a disservice to the 95 percent of Pakistanis who yearn for economic, political and social progress." Others commented on the cover photo. One asked, "What have we done to deserve the hatred in the man's face in the foreground?" And another wrote, "I hope the CIA reads NEWSWEEK."

Pakistan, Al Qaeda and the Taliban
"The Most Dangerous Nation In The World Isn't Iraq. It's Pakistan" (Oct. 29) is a well-analyzed, albeit alarming read. Pakistan makes for a great case study in which a supposedly well-intentioned allied nation (against terrorism) is itself the most potent breeding ground for militancy. Pakistan's liaisons with extremism throughout its history are to blame for the mess the country is in today. With the fire blazing in his own backyard, President Pervez Musharraf has the immense task of shattering the unholy alliance of the mullahs and the radical groups.
Shailendra Singh
Miami, Fla.

Pakistan is "The Most Dangerous Nation in the World"? Pakistan did not lie to the world and use those lies as an excuse to invade a sovereign nation in order to acquire its oilfields. Nor does it kidnap civilians off the streets of various nations, then ship them to other nations where they are tortured without recourse. Nor does it have a nuclear arsenal capable of destroying all life on the planet several times over. "Most dangerous nation in the world"? I am afraid that dubious title belongs to us.
Jerry Carrico
Cincinnati, Ohio

The cover photo said more about the fanatical mind-set of radical Islam than 10,000 well-written words. The "students" chanting anti-American slogans at the Red Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, are the next generation with whom the Western world will have to deal. We can only hope for two things—that maturity will also bring rationality and that they won't soon have access to Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.
Jack Dubose
Conway, Ariz.

Security challenges are universal and Pakistan is no exception. Its geography and history have put it on the front line in the war on terror. But let me assure you that Pakistanis are determined to take the bull by the horns with courage and determination to prevent it from creating tremors in the edifice of  the civilized world. Pakistan deserves credit for sacrificing thousands of people in its struggle to stand up to terror.

Pakistan 's general elections early next year will reinforce the reality that Pakistani s are moderate, and religious radicals  will be further marginalized. All the surveys conducted by, reputable organizations, local and foreign, bear out  the fact that extremism and terrorism  meet with  the utter rebuke of the people of Pakistan.  The robust performance of the economy  also belies your assertion of Pakistan "as a dangerous country".