Substantial cuts to US military aid to Pakistan are already fueling a lot of anger within Pakistan, and calls for some sort of retaliatory measure. Secretary of Defense James Mattis downplayed the risk of this, however, saying he’s seen no sign Pakistan is even considering cutting the US out of its airspace, or preventing the US using its supply line through Karachi.
That could quickly change, however, as Pakistan doesn’t seem settled on doing nothing, and other US officials are openly saying the administration is considering taking additional actions against Pakistan beyond just the financial cuts.
It’s not clear what else the US might do, but Pentagon officials say they have “many differet things” that they might try against Pakistan, and with President Trump loudly condemning the Pakistanis, the opportunities to worsen US-Pakistan relations are substantial.
For Pakistan, the idea that 16 years of supporting the US war in Afghanistan has the US angrily condemning them is fueling a lot of resentment, and has raised a lot of political pressure on the government to retaliate in some way. If the US keeps piling on new actions, Pakistan’s calls for retaliation will likely grow.
Open season on booty filled trucks for hundreds of miles… The buzares will be featuring U.S. military equipment next month…. Come nnn get it…..!!!!!!!
I would not be surprised to find out that 25% of what currently travels that road ends up there now. The USG doesn’t report it – don’t want our enemies to know what we’re doing, ya know – and there are few, if any investigative reporters working the caravans. Probably determined to be tolerable by the Pentagon. 100% would probably reach the intolerable plateau though.
For the moment, any response by Pakistan would bring on the additional actions by the US. Both sides are holding their breath.
If the US acts again anyway, as it says it will, then this will blow up. If not, it may just slide, with everybody just too afraid to touch it.
Could be Trump’s way to end the war ?
Boot the war machine to the curb, and cozy up with Russia and China who will not undermine and lie at every turn. The US has lost every war since WW2 and Afghanistan is a glaring failure. Pakistan needs to be independent.
Pakistan is facing chess moves from White House only at present.
Just wait for the fine tuning by various other agencies.
There is no need to use guns against Pakistan.
The only thing is to keep watching it’s national boundaries making sure that no one escapes from there including the Army and the politicians.
The real arm twisting will begin soon when the state dept directs all the nations of the western world to freeze the loot that these corrupt 1000 families have stashed away via paradise papers legal parasites.
One announcement and follow up action to freeze assets will see half of Islamabad empty. All using their dual nationalities.
US can recover most of the looted 33 billion dollars to be used for development of the roads,education and healthcare systems:
However if this Trump tweet just turns out to be a gimmick then you can be guaranteed that Hafeez will riding thr first Nuke that will be flying over the skies of India.
Don’t say I did not warn you.
The time and the Mother Nature will not wait for anyone.
Regards and god bless
Viren Naik