A U.S.-Pakistan Reset Just Got a Lot Harder

[dbc]

You know what amazes me? Tiny Lebnon with population smaller than a small Pakistan town has more brand identity than 220 million Pakistan. Lebnon is so small you would struggle to see it on a global map. Then add the fact that they speak Arabic [exactly same as dozen other countries around them, they eat practically the same food as Syrians, Jordanians yet they have contstructed a global Lebnanese identity.

Must be a UK thing, there are twenty Pakistani restaurants in my city in the US according to TripAdvisor.
But frankly I've never dined in a Pakistani or Indian restaurant in the US. Most are located in not so nice neighborhoods plus I prefer mild flavors.

We gravitate towards Lebanese, Japanese, Italian, Greek sometimes Mexican (mostly for the Margarita),
I don't remember seeing any in Paris, Nice, Montpelier or Belgium.
I have dinned in a Pakistani restaurant in Oslo Norway, The Hague and Amsterdam.
There are so many countries the size of Pakistan with no culinary influence in Europe. Uruguay, Norway, Finland, Venezuela or Kenya - the list is long.

 

[SQ8]

Must be a UK thing, there are twenty Pakistani restaurants in my city in the US according to TripAdvisor.
But frankly I've never dined in a Pakistani or Indian restaurant in the US. Most are located in not so nice neighborhoods plus I prefer mild flavors.

We gravitate towards Lebanese, Japanese, Italian, Greek sometimes Mexican (mostly for the Margarita),
I don't remember seeing any in Paris, Nice, Montpelier or Belgium.
I have dinned in a Pakistani restaurant in Oslo Norway, The Hague and Amsterdam.
There are so many countries the size of Pakistan with no culinary influence in Europe. Uruguay, Norway, Finland, Venezuela or Kenya - the list is long.

Depends on the city - Immigrant centrals will say Pakistani while anytown, Idaho probably has just Indian restaurant.

The same way a town in Pakistan probably has a Italian restaurant that serves a local mashup with Spaghetti and pan pizza.. while one in Karachi has everything gnocchi to flatbread probably named after a specific Italian region.

 

[dbc]

Depends on the city - Immigrant centrals will say Pakistani while anytown, Idaho probably has just Indian restaurant.

The same way a town in Pakistan probably has a Italian restaurant that serves a local mashup with Spaghetti and pan pizza.. while one in Karachi has everything gnocchi to flatbread probably named after a specific Italian region.

When I say Pakistani, I mean with a distinct Pakistani identity with the flag, the menu written in Urdu. I could read Urdu since I was taking private lessons upon my parents insistence in Arabic at the time.
I know the difference since our Pakistani caretaker/driver/gardener at my fathers company provided accommodation in Dubai brought us food from a restaurant called Karachi Darbar.
He is now in his 80s but he still brings me food, my parents helped him and his family to move to US many years ago.

My father used to turn his nose at the food because everything floated in a river of oil
But my mother loved the food, unlike my mom I didn't have the stomach for the spicy stuff but I did enjoy the bread and the grilled meat.

..the older I get the more I reminisce

 

[Dalit]

I only have this to say. Team up with regional powers such as China, Russia and Iran. Form a strong consensus on Afghanistan and ignore the Americans. The Americans have already signaled that they are in bed with India at all cost. They will ignore all Indian misgivings and bad behaviors. The US has only one main concern which is to prop up India at the expense of China and Pakistan.

Pakistan should be under no illusion. The Democrats are the same party that gave rise to India in order to tackle China. The Democrats are dangerous and very hostile towards Pakistan as China.

 

[ARMalik]

I can't see that happening. Indian influence now on Washington as a result of the China factor is so strong that only minor items will be released. No more big ticket items.

I respectfully disagree. Specifically in Central Asian Region, A-Stan, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, Russia, China, the US has being cornered.

Its Ally India has been surrounded from the North, West and from East due to recent changes in Burma. There is very good chance of India being attacked from 2 to 3 fronts.

In South China Sea, US is facing China from the West and South. The Russians have surrounded them from the North.

The ONLY WAY FOR US to be successful in the region which consists of 40% of humanity is to have one of these major countries turn sides and join US. And that is why there is HIGH CHANCE OF US giving the Pindi Boys WHAT THEY WANT.

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

I respectfully disagree. Specifically in Central Asian Region, A-Stan, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, Russia, China, the US has being cornered.

Its Ally India has been surrounded from the North, West and from East due to recent changes in Burma. There is very good chance of India being attacked from 2 to 3 fronts.

In South China Sea, US is facing China from the West and South. The Russians have surrounded them from the North.

The ONLY WAY FOR US to be successful in the region which consists of 40% of humanity is to have one of these major countries turn sides and join US. And that is why there is HIGH CHANCE OF US giving the Pindi Boys WHAT THEY WANT.

IMHO the Pindi Boys have learnt their lessons! They will keep everybody guessing while collecting as many chips as possible!! Let’s see how it all ends.....

 

[Mirzali Khan]

What about the CIA-backed death squads that have killed hundreds of Afghan civilians?

U won't see Lao o Bar squad protest about that!

 

[Dalit]

The only thing I see is that Trump eroded points of leverage over Pakistan. He stopped the flow of weapons, reimbursement of funds and training of soldiers among other things...
While his approach was, that a tougher approach will make Pakistan be more submissive and eager for reconciliation, didn't happen. In comes Biden and he finds all those levers exhausted and nothing tangible available as a policy tool.
Which means either of two things, appeasement or alienation. As it stands U.S. has a bigger role for India in the region tackling China and only smaller one in Afghanistan pricking Pakistan, a policy instrument itself to contain or subvert its unfavorable or hostile moves towards India.

The Americans were desperate to reinstate military to military dealings. That is the first thing that Biden did once the Democrats won the elections. Military training programs were in fact reinstated during the Trump era. The US military and deep state elements were very quick to pressure Trump. The Americans want the military to military channel to remain intact at all cost. It is the American entry into Pak behind the scene diplomacy.

Having said that, I fully agree that US Pak relations are definitely on downside trajectory since Biden won the elections. The Americans are already agitating and testing Pakistan in various ways. The recent Kashmir jibe suggests that America is going to play the foul game.

Pakistan must at all cost make regional alliance a priority. The Americans and Saudis have made up their mind. They will engage with India even if it undermines Pakistan. Now Pakistan must decide what is most important in these changing geopolitical realities. Will Pakistan continue to appease and look the other way or will it take a firm stance and prioritize relations? A half-hearted foreign policy won’t serve Pakistani interests. Just like Americans and Saudis have made firm priorities Pakistan must follow suit.

 

[ADIL SHERDIL]

They can shove their reservations up their @ss. Pakistan need to think of it self instead of thinking or coming in pressure from others may it be yanks Arabs etc. We all have discussed how yanks have used us in the past.
Biden or trump both are not the friends of Pakistan. Both have and will do what's in their best interests. If US now decides to stay in Afghanistan it will further deteriorate condition in Afghanistan. Eventually the puppets will scumb to the pressure and mind it batgram air base will end up Graves for many Afghanis and Americans.
Taliban won't let them sit peacefully in Afghanistan. They will continue to attack their bases and convoys. Things will further worsen and Afghanistan will turn into further hell hole.
As far as Kashmir issue is concerned when have yanks taken our side on this issue. So nothing lost here.

 

[PAKISTANFOREVER]

Yes. I was taken to one by a Pakistan friend in Birmingham. It was disgusting. No taste. So bland and chewy.

Well, you know my point.

Three restaurents I googled. Crappy tiny Lebnon get to call their restaurent "Lebanese". Then look at the Khans ??? Apparently they are all Indian.


Khan's of Kensington
4.2 (959) · ££ · Indian
3 Harrington Rd
Closed ⋅ Opens 1PM
Indian eatery of 30+ years serving traditional fare in a relaxed, light-filled setting.
View attachment 715507Dine-in·View attachment 715508Curbside pickup·View attachment 715505No-contact delivery

View attachment 715506
Khan's
3.9 (1,307) · ££ · Indian
13-15 Westbourne Grove
Closed ⋅ Opens 1PM
Long-established no-frills Indian restaurant serving traditional cuisine, but no alcohol.
View attachment 715510Dine-in·View attachment 715512Takeaway·View attachment 715513No-contact delivery

View attachment 715509
Orjowan, Lebanese Restaurant London
4.4 (574) · ££ · Lebanese
6-8 Kenway Rd
Closed ⋅ Opens 12PM
Warm, modern dining room with wall art for Lebanese mezze, skewered kebabs and slow-cooked meat.
View attachment 715514Dine-in·View attachment 715511Takeaway·View attachment 715515Delivery

Unfortunately a lot of Pakistanis are misguided about the truth and reality of the world. However, I believe they CAN most definitely be redeemed.

You know what amazes me? Tiny Lebnon with population smaller than a small Pakistan town has more brand identity than 220 million Pakistan. Lebnon is so small you would struggle to see it on a global map. Then add the fact that they speak Arabic [exactly same as dozen other countries around them, they eat practically the same food as Syrians, Jordanians yet they have contstructed a global Lebnanese identity.

It doesn't help when even on platforms like PDF you have a significant minority of Pakistanis who scoff at the idea of Pakistani nationalism. Claiming it is "UnIslamic" and that we should be working towards the "Ummah".

 

[The Maverick]

I sense a lot of resentment and anger towards usa .
those pakistan hoping for change in attitude
more neutral versus India
usa pressure on India 're Kashmir
more f16
sanction s on s400 deal on India
reduction in military cooperation with India
reduction in quad involvement

will be cutting their wrists

biden is now a Indian lover

no guys
he just sees India as a regional super power a nation of great potential and same values,and aspirations as usa
we complement each other

and yes we will.stop China
see the withdrawal.in ladakh

watch out for more multi billion dollar military deals coming with usa
Israel France and Russia
even Russia will be with India
we are bringing s400 home October
so talk of pakistan running to Russia is just
lashing out
Russia will.pour cold water

China is what you have and I don't see much else,happening in terms of alternative to usa

 

[IceCold]

Days of pleasing US are long gone. If US wants to confront Pakistan, be our guest. Its not like US isnt doing it already. From pushing Pakistan to FATF Grey list to ignoring Indian atrocities in Kashmir and in India itself, US just showed what hypocrite it has been. As for Afghanistan, If US does not withdraw and honor its commitment than it is not Pakistan that it needs to worry about but the taliban who are in mood to give US leeway to hide behind excuses.

 

[Mentee]

the u.s. only has itself to blame. the inability and noncooperative attitude of american agencies including the fbi in providing evidence resulted in this happening. pearl's family should sue their own government.

The u.s feds might have been under the impression that whomever we put our fingers on gonna be taken to the chair instantly- ------. .d.c guys need to understand that the court require credible evidence

 

[Indus Pakistan]

t doesn't help when even on platforms like PDF you have a significant minority of Pakistanis who scoff at the idea of Pakistani nationalism. Claiming it is "UnIslamic" and that we should be working towards the "Ummah".

This is the worrying part. PDF if you think about is primarily a military centred forum and underlying that is the Pakistani nationalism. This is not Islam Defence or Desi Defence or Indian Defence or Asian Defence. But Pakistan Defence revolving around Pakistan Defence Forces. Thus this forum should attract a higher % of uber-nationalism. Yet even here Pakistani nationalism is weak.

nation of great potential

Honestly mate, I can believe rest of your post but this .....

*1.4 billion people is lot of human beings. If you filter them, filter them again, filter them again, filter them again until you reach purification levels of 0.1% you end up with a extremely cherrypicked sample. This is the sample that Americans get to see in USA - that is the Indian-Americans. They then make assumptions about India based on that. Now we all know what India really is like. Even you do.

 

[Xone]

Pakistan has lost hope in US ,
Now it up to US what type of relationship it want to have, with Pakistan, Mostly according to US ambition to stay in the area, Us can not ignore Pakistan.