This is true... but we need to be prepared for all eventualities... and just the fact that a former president of US has mentioned that there were such plans from a supposed ally of Pakistan to attack areas inside our country means that we should develop possible strategies to be prepared and counteract such a scenario...
I agree! Compromise upon security is not an option for us.
However, to strengthen our security as per new potential challenges and threats, we need to strengthen our economy and industrial sectors. My brother, strong economy and properity can solve lots of our problems. This is exactly what China is doing. China has strengthened its economy and industrial sector, and now it has ample resources to strengthen its security.
Unfortunately, Pakistan lacks in these key areas.
I mean, we are so much economically crippled, that unless Americans give us money and weapons, we are unable to carry out large scale military operations on our own? What is this?
Being Pakistani, we both have high expectations from our nation and we can do much better if we destroy corruption and all other sources of evil. Or else we may not last long as a nation.
We do not want to be a failed state.
Musharaf is obviously not the person who would give the Americans sound advice regarding such issues... Pakistan should be very straight forward in such matters and let the Americans know in no uncertain terms that this kind of endeavor will result in a widespread conflict as India will be held equally responsible for an American attack on Pakistan... Pakistan could declare war on India in such a scenario and would not stop until our military reaches New Delhi... The Durand line would be abolished and American troops stationed in Afghanistan could be held prisoners to be used as bargain chips with America also...
I believe that such an option is already on the table though not openly discussed. Americans do understand that a major conflict in sub-continent can result in destabilization of the entire South Asia.
Maybe! This is a
trump card from Pakistan to deter Americans from attacking. It seems to be working for now.
Pakistani leadership (including Musharraf) has repeatedly stated that their is no threat to Pakistan from America.
If America wanted to destroy Pakistan, it would have done it long time ago.
America cannot possibly imagine launching a full fledged attack on Pakistan... Its Army is over stretched... they know we have nukes and a very strong determination to use them in war... Despite our fierce criticism of American policies against Muslims across the world, we have always acted as true friends towards America and always looked for ways to come to common grounds... but there is a limit to everything...
Americans will not launch a big military operation in any part of the world until the case of Iraq and Afghanistan is settled.
Iraq war is expected to end very soon and only 50,000 troops remain over there. War in Afghanistan is expected to last 2 or 3 more years though.
In addition, America's biggest problem in current times is recession. American nation is busy in tackling it rather than thinking about tackling Pakistan.
Even when the situation would improve in coming years, Pakistan has nothing to fear.
America is not a threat to Pakistan.
However, we still should not under-estimate the Americans. Cowboy mentality is wide-spread in that nation.
This information is still haunting:
That indoctrination is part of a rising tide of anti-American sentiment, aggravated by Musharraf’s cooperation with the United States in the war on terror, an alliance that was forged on Sept. 11, 2001. At the time, Pakistan was one of a few countries supporting the Taliban government in Afghanistan, which harbored Osama bin Laden. The U.S. made it clear that that relationship would have to end, and Musharraf says the message was delivered by then-Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage in the most undiplomatic terms.
"The Director of Intelligence told me that he said, 'Be prepared to be bombed.' Be prepared to go back to the Stone Age," Musharraf remembers.
What was his reaction?
"One has to think and take action in the interest of the nation and that's what I did," the president explains, adding that he thought it was a "very rude remark."
Armitage disputes the exact language, but doesn’t deny that the message was strong. Musharraf says he believes his director of intelligence and says he took it as a threat.
"It was a threat, certainly," Musharraf says. "I took it that the United States, after having whatever happened to the World Trade Center, would be a wounded country – a wounded sole superpower and they are going to do anything to counter and to punish the perpetrators. Now, if we stand in the way of that, we are going to suffer."
However, Pakistan should never give them that chance.
The only way to counter American threat is by becoming strong. We need strong economy and complete independance. This is what America fears, brother.
Most importantly, we can learn a few lessons from India, and China. It is still not too late.
and to be honest, I think only a miracle is acting in favor of America today to have Pakistan on its side these days...
I would respectfully disagree here, brother.
We need America more than they need us. We are economically dependant upon America, no matter how much we try to deny this.
Therefore, we are 'majboor' to work for America.
You all know my personal opinion about the current affairs... We should be declaring Caliphate asap otherwise we will stay stuck... Even Obama is all smiles on the outside, but inside he certainly has no respect for Pakistan and they wont hesitate to backstab Pakistan, if he ever had the opportunity...
I too personally believe that we need a pure Islamic version of leadership in this country. Only then we will be able to rout out corruption and deal with criminals effectively. Props to you on this point.
Friends do not talk about stabbing each other in the back... This is something I keep seeing coming from American media outlets that they try to divert blame for their own incompetence upon others specially Pakistan...
That is an old habit of Americans.
Our friendship with America has brought us enough disasters... Indians have fared much better siding with the Soviets in the cold war... The Americans may have forgotten when they gave us soy beans in return for money we paid for F16s in a fair deal, but we have not forgotten all that...
Brother, India have fared much better because of its much better foreign policy with respect to ours and also efforts in strengthening its economy. You see that Indians have reaped benefits from both Russia and also America. Main reason is its strong economy.
Who would not want to have trade relations with strong India? This world is about business.
What we did is that we totally became dependant upon Americans to run our economy. Believe me, this is the major factor of our pathetic condition. We beg and at the same time, demand respect?
We know that Americans are back-stabbers by profession and yet we chose to depend upon them? Why? When we will realize our mistake?
As for Bush... I think Americans would do themselves a huge favor to simply tell him to shut up and stay shut...
Rightly said. As soon as he opens his mouth, the world becomes less secure.
