The economy is basically writing a suicide note to the country. What’s a national security reporter to do? The first opportunity I had after coming back from Afghanistan, I went right to my bank to make sure I hadn’t lost all my savings while on the other side of the planet. My reading habits right now consist of Mary Kane, Mike Lillis and Moe Tkacik. At the moment, I don’t care about the stuff I cover, either. So how can I expect you to?

It’s hard to say, but, you know, from a security perspective, this world is ten types of messed up. Look, I’ll be quick. Here are just a few things worth keeping an eye on in between checking out the bailout package and the oil markets and Warren Buffett and such. I’ll do it listicle-style, since Moe’s influence looms large.

Pakistan is shooting at us like we were 50 Cent. On Sunday the Pakistani Army was firing “warning shots” at U.S. Army helicopters. Now they’re not firing warning shots. The Pakistanis shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle of ours. A statement put out by the U.S. military disputes losing the drone, but either way, the U.S.-Pakistani alliance is deteriorating by the day.

No additional U.S. troops will come to Afghanistan until at least Spring 2009. So says SecDef Bob Gates. If the Taliban really does launch a winter offensive, U.S. troops can’t count on reinforcements.

Speaking of Gates and the Pakistanis. Get a load of this Gates quote. “”If you ask me today, after the successes that we’ve had against al-Qaeda in Iraq, where the greatest threat to the homeland lies, I would tell you it’s in western Pakistan.” So, uh, how about rehabilitating that U.S.-Pakistani alliance?

We’re shooting at Awakening Council leaders in Iraq. Nothing says “enduring U.S.-Sunni alliance” like a couple slugs. It was an accident. Will the Sunnis view it that way?

Most Americans believe we’re losing the war on terrorism. I wonder why.

Crossposted to Tha Streak.