WHAT'S HE SO SURE OF? - AT 7:51 A.M. ET:  Pakistan, with its nuclear weapons, is a major crisis area for the United States.  What happens if the country falls to the Taliban? 

And yet, President Obama, understanding his vast spiritual powers, was almost sanguine at his press conference about securing the Pakistani nukes.  Others are more skeptical.  The Times of India reports:

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama on Wednesday said Washington "can make sure that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is secure," even as he expressed grave concern over the deteriorating situation in the militancy-stricken country.

At a White House press conference to mark his first 100 days in office, Obama expressed confidence about US control over Pakistan's nuclear weapons, perhaps through military-to-military cooperation, in the face of extremist advances in the country. In the process, he also hinted that Washington had contingency plans to handle the situation if it went out of Islamabad's hands.

Asked if he could reassure the American people that, if necessary, America could secure Pakistan's nuclear arsenal and keep it from getting into the Taliban's hands, Obama replied: "I'm confident that we can make sure that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is secure, primarily, initially, because the Pakistani army, I think, recognizes the hazards of those weapons falling into the wrong hands."

And...

When the reporter followed up to seek a more precise answer, asking if in the worst case scenario, the US military could secure the nuclear weapons, Obama responded crisply: "I'm not going to engage in hypotheticals of that sort. I feel confident that that nuclear arsenal will remain out of militant hands. Okay?"

COMMENT:  No, not okay.  First question:  Do we actually know where all the nukes are?  Ninety percent is a failing grade.  A few nukes falling into terrorist hands could change a good bit of modern history.  Second question:  Is the president hinting that the U.S. would enter Pakistan with troops to secure the nukes?  Would we be welcome?  Would the nukes remain in the same places? 

Other reports say that General Petraeus is warning that the next two weeks will be crucial for maintaining some semblance of order in Pakistan.  As we've said here before, this could be the story of the year. 

May 1, 2009