Pakstallion
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The General and the Ambassador®: Pakistan-US Relations: Striking a Balance
Former CENTCOM Commander Lloyd Austin and former US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson talk about the importance of trust between US military and diplomatic leaders and how they managed the prickly relationship with Pakistan. They discuss the strategic importance of Pakistan to US interests in...
This was bit hard to find. As you all know, Gen Lloyd Austin has been nominated to be the next Sec of Def by Joe Biden. This interview is from Nov 2019 along with former ambassador to Pakistan Olson. It mostly has Olson do the talking but Austin is someone who was very closely involved with Pakistan in his time as Cent Com chief, especially with General Raheel Sharif - who he seems to hold in high regard. Well worth a listen, there is fluff and some garbage about Pakistan support for Haqqanis but some interesting Tid bits. The later part of the interview has some interesting takes from Former Ambassador Olsen.
Much of the interview will not be news to those of us here. Interesting to get his views though.
Some quotes from him from the interview:
"Pakistan will and remain important...Its nuclear armed state...and also for US nat security related to terrorism"
"Had great relationship with Raheel bonded right away, worked on the relationship over time"
"Spoke with COAS very regularly...knew his concerns"
Speaking of India: We need to look at Af Pak relations through lens of rivalry between Pakistan and India "India does some things things in Afghanistan which keeps Pakistan on its toes, India uses relationships with Afghanistan to put pressure on Pakistan on both eastern and western boundaries."
"Pakistani Army will do things in its best interests ..."
Pak Relationship with India: Didn't deal so much directly with India given CENTCOM vs Indo Pacific command.
"We had good sit awareness, maintaining balanced relationships between india and pakistan crucial for afghanistan, CENTCOM com, ability to do much with India limited."
Security assistance given to Pakistan: Useful explanation of different types of supports. at 22 min mark. I would listen to atleast this part.
"No question assistance packages helped to get leverage, it will be less so going forward, because China making sophisticated weapons which Pakistan is getting from them. Wanted to make sure Pakistan focused on counterinsurgency. Things they wanted most were F16 and attack helicopters even though some very useful in fight in counterinsurgency."
"CSF most effective leverage" - Olson
CPEC: "Not necessarily opposed to CPEC" - Olson. "As US decreases military assistance, we can look to see China to fill that void."
China could use its relationship to frustrate relations but won't be good long term."
Conclusion:
"Some folks advocate us backing away, I am not one of those people, we have to stay engaged in Pakistan and will need to continue our relationships. We have vital interests. Anything we can do to deepen relationship with military or diplomats, we should lean in and remain engaged."
My Take:
All in all seems encouraging after people like Lisa Curtis, and other anti Pak people at helm to see someone who atleast knows and understands our concerns, especially regarding Indian meddling in Afghanistan. Too bad it was not more clearer though. Also, one of the few instances of the American's acknowledging their losing leverage to high quality sophisticated Chinese arms.
Guys go easy on me, as it was just quick typing of what the General was saying so if any misquotes sorry about that!
