Talibanization of N.Pakistan

Sobering piece from NYTimes on the consolidation of power in Northern Pakistan by the Taliban and Pakistani militants (also al-Qaeda).

Islamic militants are using a recent peace deal with the government to consolidate their hold in northern Pakistan, vastly expanding their training of suicide bombers and other recruits and fortifying alliances with Al Qaeda and foreign fighters, diplomats and intelligence officials from several nations say. The result, they say, is virtually a Taliban mini-state.