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US Afghan general calls for "holistic review" of Pak ties

Dawood Ibrahim

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WASHINGTON: The top US commander in Afghanistan said on Thursday that there was a need for a "holistic review" of the relationship with Pakistan, potentially opening the door for a new approach to one of America´s most vexing alliances.

Experts said the remarks by Army General John Nicholson, who leads US and international forces in Afghanistan, could signal a harsher policy toward Pakistan under President Donald Trump´s administration.

However, they warned that such an approach could be a high-risk strategy that could threaten the long-term stability of the region.

"Our complex relationship with Pakistan is best assessed through a holistic review," Nicholson told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

He added that ties with Pakistan would be a priority in his discussions with US Defense Secretary James Mattis and the White House, which has given little details on its strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The United States has cut both military and economic aid to Pakistan sharply in recent years, reflecting mounting frustration among a growing number of officials with the country´s support for the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan.

"The tools that will get Pakistan to hurt so badly, that it would want to do what the US is asking, is a very high-risk proposition in terms of what happens within Pakistan," said Moeed Yusuf, the associate vice president of the Asia Center at the United States Institute of Peace.

Yusuf said the review would likely lead to a harsher US policy toward Pakistan and could include looking at reducing the level of economic assistance and military support, increasing the number of drone strikes along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and sanctions against Pakistani individuals.

"US policy makers, deep down inside, they realize Pakistan is more important than Afghanistan in the long term," Yusuf said.

A report released earlier this week from the Hudson Institute, a Washington-based think tank, called for a new US approach to Pakistan with the Trump administration making it "more and more costly for Pakistani leaders to employ a strategy of supporting terrorist proxies to achieve regional strategic goals.

"Nicholson´s comments on Pakistan come as Afghan government forces control no more than two-thirds of national territory, and have struggled to contain the Taliban insurgency since the bulk of NATO soldiers withdrew at the end of 2014.


https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/185366-US-Afghan-general-calls-for-holistic-review-of-Pak-ties
 
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WASHINGTON: The top US commander in Afghanistan said on Thursday that there was a need for a "holistic review" of the relationship with Pakistan, potentially opening the door for a new approach to one of America´s most vexing alliances.

Experts said the remarks by Army General John Nicholson, who leads US and international forces in Afghanistan, could signal a harsher policy toward Pakistan under President Donald Trump´s administration.

However, they warned that such an approach could be a high-risk strategy that could threaten the long-term stability of the region.

"Our complex relationship with Pakistan is best assessed through a holistic review," Nicholson told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

He added that ties with Pakistan would be a priority in his discussions with US Defense Secretary James Mattis and the White House, which has given little details on its strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The United States has cut both military and economic aid to Pakistan sharply in recent years, reflecting mounting frustration among a growing number of officials with the country´s support for the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan.

"The tools that will get Pakistan to hurt so badly, that it would want to do what the US is asking, is a very high-risk proposition in terms of what happens within Pakistan," said Moeed Yusuf, the associate vice president of the Asia Center at the United States Institute of Peace.

Yusuf said the review would likely lead to a harsher US policy toward Pakistan and could include looking at reducing the level of economic assistance and military support, increasing the number of drone strikes along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and sanctions against Pakistani individuals.

"US policy makers, deep down inside, they realize Pakistan is more important than Afghanistan in the long term," Yusuf said.

A report released earlier this week from the Hudson Institute, a Washington-based think tank, called for a new US approach to Pakistan with the Trump administration making it "more and more costly for Pakistani leaders to employ a strategy of supporting terrorist proxies to achieve regional strategic goals.

"Nicholson´s comments on Pakistan come as Afghan government forces control no more than two-thirds of national territory, and have struggled to contain the Taliban insurgency since the bulk of NATO soldiers withdrew at the end of 2014.


https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/185366-US-Afghan-general-calls-for-holistic-review-of-Pak-ties
As a result of such policies USA will lose Pakistan for ever. USA does not as much as understand the potential of Pakistan. Pakistan will be a major major player in the area in future.
 
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Pakistan first needs to get rid of this morally corrupt bastard we have for PM who lacks the spine to stand up for Pakistan. If US wants to play hardball, Pakistan needs a leader who can play hardball as well. First of all the US must be made clear that Pakistan will no longer tolerate drone strikes and they will be shot down if violated our airspace and than actually deliver on this if need arises. If US is so concerned about the taliban and Pakistani support to them, than we are equally concerned with what India is doing through the support of the corrupt Afghan regime into Pakistan while US and NATO looks the other way.
US will have to address Pakistani concerns if they want theirs to be addressed as well. One sided black mail will not achieve any results. As for the sanctions please do that.
 
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seems like another episode like turkish story will be repeat ........... :)
 
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YoThis "Pakistan" does not need your "assistance" since they are linking heavily with China. Chinese investments are much more important to Pakistan than the U.S ever was.
 
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Pakistan first needs to get rid of this morally corrupt bastard we have for PM who lacks the spine to stand up for Pakistan. If US wants to play hardball, Pakistan needs a leader who can play hardball as well. First of all the US must be made clear that Pakistan will no longer tolerate drone strikes and they will be shot down if violated our airspace and than actually deliver on this if need arises. If US is so concerned about the taliban and Pakistani support to them, than we are equally concerned with what India is doing through the support of the corrupt Afghan regime into Pakistan while US and NATO looks the other way.
US will have to address Pakistani concerns if they want theirs to be addressed as well. One sided black mail will not achieve any results. As for the sanctions please do that.
Nawaz Shareef is PASSIVE PASSIVE PASSIVE, what a shame we don't have a leader to lead us
 
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Nawaz Shareef is PASSIVE PASSIVE PASSIVE, what a shame we don't have a leader to lead us
Thats because he is corrupt to the core and has most if not all of his wealth accumulated abroad. He cannot stand up to his masters.
 
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